Italy's love affair with motion via the automobile and motorcycle is a familiar tale. Words like passion and soul are familiar synonyms. Italy's motoring culture is rare — whether or not you enjoy objects of motion, you are, at the very least, aware of the intrigue. While many Italian enthusiasts celebrate vehicles from our home country, others, like myself, find a love for foreign cars.

For me, it's Jeeps. For Giulietta Cozzi, it's Lotus. Similar to her infatuation with motorbikes, nimble vehicles are what best represent her motoring passion. Her curiosity for speed is also matched with a sense of adventure, which has manifested into a career in automotive journalism most recently represented by her latest project, Half-Mag.

We met with Giulietta in Milan for a drive in her series one Lotus Elise and to learn more about her journey into the automotive world.

Marqued: Tell us your background and how your passion for cars and motorcycles began.

Giulietta Cozzi: The automotive passion was born with me; no one else in my family is passionate about vehicles, but I’ve been attracted to everything that has wheels and an engine ever since I was a child. As I often say, my Barbie had more cars than clothes. The passion for cars then intertwined with other topics of interest to me, such as fashion, cinema and music.

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Photography by Federico Vecchio

For motorcycles it went a little differently. I discovered them in my thirties, when I got my license for work and I started to travel on two wheels. Today, my favorite way to discover the world is on the saddle of a motorcycle.

The world of motorcycles, at least in Italy, is very different from that of cars. The auto environment and industry are dominated by a very “old” demographic, and therefore philosophy. On the contrary, in the motorcycle enthusiast world, the climate is much more relaxed and fun. I really like being a part of that energy.

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Marqued: Where did your journey in the automotive industry start, and where is your career now?

Giulietta: As soon as I finished college I started working in advertising. I had studied communication, so that seemed to be the logical route. Eventually I realized that I was not satisfied with that line of work, so I started searching for more and found an advertisement for an internship with a newspaper. I’d never even imagined that there might be a job where they pay you to talk about cars. My career in the automotive space really progressed from there.

Photography by Federico Vecchio

Then, about 5 years ago, I created Half-Mag — an automotive communications project with the aim of utilizing the power of social media to communicate a passion for engines. Today, I’m able to offer the experience I gained through that venture to the automotive brands that I work with who want to implement social marketing operations of their own. Since December, I have also been actively involved as Head of Communication and Special Projects at Enduro Republic, which is a really exciting project in the off-roading space.

Marqued: Your automotive journey has taken you all over the world. What are some of the best memories or adventures you’ve had?

Giulietta: For a while now, my main job has been consulting for motorcycle brands that want to develop their communication strategies, especially through social media. It’s an incredible job that allows me to travel, have beautiful experiences and work closely with professionals of all kinds.

The most amazing gift that my work has given me is the opportunity to have some really exhilarating adventures in my travels. It’s hard to pinpoint just one, but that breakfast we had on a beach in the Lofoten Islands, riding a Honda Africa Twin, is without a doubt one of the happiest moments of my life.

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Photography by Federico Vecchio

Marqued: What led you to getting a Lotus Elise? Tell us about your spec, as well.

Giulietta: For my 30th birthday, I wanted to gift myself a special car. I didn’t need an everyday car and I could afford the luxury of following my heart more than my head. The Lotus Elise was the first car that came to mind when thinking of getting a car for pure driving pleasure.

What I didn’t expect is how useful it would become in improving my driving technique. The Elise is an exceptional machine — a masterpiece of Colin Chapman. It is an extremely light car, with an engine that is not overly powerful mounted to a formula-style chassis—and without traction control. The result is a superior mechanical build that responds well to who drives it in a sincere and firm, but never brutal, way.

Marqued: What do you enjoy about it? What is it like from an ownership perspective?

Giulietta: In addition to the pleasure of driving my Lotus, I love its history and design. Lotus is a brand loved by fans, but the Elise has a particular place in the hearts of Italian enthusiasts due to it being the first Lotus project under Italian management. It is a creature of the 90s — perhaps the last decade in which cars were still built to truly be driven and the passion for engines was not a crime. Aesthetically it is extreme but not over exaggerated, and never vulgar.

Photography by Federico Vecchio

One day I happened to be able to observe it from above and appreciate its design from an unusual point of view, and I noticed so many new details that made me fall in love with it all over again. The design of the front bonnet, when seen from that perspective, reminded me of the Renault Alpine A110 — another goddess of lightness. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the design of the Elise was inspired by the Berlinette, not only in its philosophy but also aesthetically.

Marqued: Do you have any thoughts on the Lotus Elise market?

Giulietta: As much as it was a luxury purchase, getting an Elise was actually a very rational choice in some ways. It’s a car with very reasonable operating costs, and I think it will appreciate substantial value over the coming years; especially the original S1 versions. There are fewer and fewer of them and those who own them, like myself, have started receiving spontaneous offers from other fans and collectors. If you’re interested in an S1, I think that buying one as an investment sometime over the next couple of years is a good move.

Marqued: Are you involved in any Lotus communities? Other car or motorcycle communities?

Giulietta: No, I have nothing against clubs but I don’t like to be part of a pack. I prefer to be a lone wolf.

Marqued: What else is currently in your collection?

Giulietta: A red Mini One R51 recently entered my garage, which I plan to use as my daily driver. It’s in perfect condition and every day I get to feel the thrill of these cars that were designed to be driven. The experience is spectacular — even with the basic model, even with not much horsepower, even just through the home-to-office journey.

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Photography by Federico Vecchio

Marqued: Any parting advice for enthusiasts finding their way into their first automotive purchase?

Giulietta: If a car makes your heart beat, buy it! It’s not a sin to spend money on your passions.

Meet our contributors

Luna Bondesan is an Italian journalist living in California with a deep background in all things motorized with a special passion for 4x4s.

Photographer Federico Vecchio's roving eye finds both great cars and great people in Italy and across Europe. You can find his work on Instagram (@federicovecchio_).