The five-car trains were ordered in November 2012 and assembled at Alstom's Savigliano plant in northern Italy. The 160km/h EMUs are similar to the Jazz sets being supplied in large numbers to Trenitalia for regional services, but are equipped with larger luggage racks and carry the red, white and green Leonardo Express livery.

Last December Trenitalia stepped up Leonardo Express services from 35 trains per direction per day to 44 trains per direction, increasing capacity by 26% from 42,000 to 53,000 seats per day. Services were further increased in July to 55 train pairs offering 66,000 seats per day. Trenitalia and the Lazio government are now looking at the possibility of further increasing services.