26 September 2025A preview trip on the Rome-Naples high-speed line marked the official debut of the new Second generation Frecciarossa 1000, the convoy destined to revolutionise the Italian railway experience and to project the excellence of the FS Group beyond national borders. From Sunday 28 September the first trains will enter service on the main high-speed lines, paving the way for an expansion plan that will continue until 2029.
On board the inaugural race were present Stefano Antonio Donnarumma, CEO of the FS Group, and Gianpiero Strisciuglio, CEO of Trenitalia. A day that marks not only the arrival of a new train, but the start of a more ambitious project: to make the Frecciarossa, the symbol of the future Europe's subway.
New Frecciarossa 1000: 46 trains arriving for a €1,3 billion investment.
The fleet renewal includes 36 new trains, with an option for a further 10, for a total of 46 trains. The investment exceeds 1,3 billion euros and fits into the broader 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, which he puts on the plate 100 billion euros in five years, half of which is dedicated to improving rail services. The goal is to achieve this by 2029. 20 billion in revenues, an EBITDA above 3,5 billion and a net profit higher than 500 million. On the front Anas instead they are expected 40 billion euros: 25 billion for new national projects and 15 to improve existing services.
The CEO of FS, Donnarumma, also clarified the resource nodeThe Railways are and will remain state-owned. We have never considered selling parts of the Group. We are studying, with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, alternative financing methods, such as the model Rab (Regulated Asset Base), to lighten the burden of public revenue”.
The New Frecciarossa 1000: The Revolution Beneath the Livery
On the outside, the Frecciarossa retains its iconic livery, but the transformation is radical. Designed by Hitachi Rail and built in the Pistoia and Naples factories, the new ETR1000 is designed to race not only in Italy, but also in France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Belgium.
The operating speed remains fixed at 300 km/h, but the trains are approved for 360. The new traction system guarantees greater efficiency, while the on-board network Full Ethernet at 100 Mbps and the backbone from 10 Gbps They allow you to multiply your Wi-Fi capacity tenfold, now compatible with 5G and operational on four different operators. The innovative Energy Measuring System It also allows you to certify electricity consumption, optimizing its management.
La sustainability is another pillarThe recyclability of materials reaches 97,1%, recovery 98,2% and the new air conditioning systems reduce global warming potential by 56%. The Frecciarossa 1000 thus remains the only high-speed train in the world with EPD environmental certification, based on a rigorous life cycle analysis.
The new Frecciarossa 1000: Made-in-Italy interiors combining comfort and functionality.
The restyling bears the signature of Giugiaro Design and redesigns the travel experience with more welcoming spaces and ergonomic solutions. The total seats are 461.
The Executive Area goes from 10 to 14 seats, all equipped with integrated functions for working on board. TheBusiness Area introduces a motorized door for the Silenzio section and renewed tables for seats dedicated to people with reduced mobility.Standard Area maintains 300 seats but offers larger overhead lockers and eight new luggage racks. Bar Bistro It has been redesigned as a multimedia space, with a digital display behind the counter and an expanded catering area. A new Galley provides additional power outlets and dedicated break spaces.
“We worked for make travel even more comfortable and digital: welcoming interiors, more luggage space, advanced technological services. The goal is to accompany the changing mobility, in Italy and soon in Europe too" he underlines. Gianpiero Strisciuglio.
Towards the “Metropolitan of Europe”
The Frecciarossa 1000 was conceived with aEuropean soulIt is already authorized to run on seven European railway networks: France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Belgium. In 2026, three new trains are expected to be deployed in Spain, where Trenitalia is already present with Iryo. But the boldest ambition is the connection under the English Channel.
"It's not a utopia," Donnarumma explained. "The line isn't saturated, and we have the necessary certifications. It would be nice to bring our Freccia, a symbol of Italian quality, there too." The goal is to inaugurate a service by 2029. London–Paris, breaking the Eurostar monopoly and truly transforming High Speed into a subway of the continent with frequent, interoperable and sustainable connections.
“With the new generation Frecciarossa 1000 – he states Donnarumma – “we are taking a further step in the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan. The Frecciarossa is a symbol of the way of travelling in Italy And today we're renewing it to meet the needs of a country demanding fast, efficient, and environmentally friendly connections. This is a decisive step toward integrated, international mobility.
FS's ambitions
The future is not without its uncertainties: interoperability between networks, differing national regulations, and the scale of investments remain real challenges, but FS already claims tangible progress. "This summer, punctuality improved by 10%," Donnarumma noted. "We are completing construction sites promptly: the more technology we deploy, the better the service."
Among the strategic dossiers there is also the hypothesis of acquiring companies such as Pizzarotti Group, which manages railway contracts worth approximately €3 billion. This move, according to the CEO, would guarantee timelines and quality in the implementation of the major investment plan.
To the rumours about his possible farewell to the RailwaysDonnarumma replied firmly, “I am satisfied with my work and my mandate expires in 2027. Every time there is a round of nominations my name comes up, but I don't see any different prospects for me.”
The new generation Frecciarossa 1000 will be available from September 28th. will start racing in Italy, but his mission goes further: becoming a pillar of the future High Speed network, the Europe's subway.
