Ferrari Reportedly Planning to Display 599 Hybrid Concept in Geneva

The green revolution in the automobile industry is making its impact on every manufacturer, every single one, including Ferrari. Possibly as a result of this, Ferrari’s first road-going hybrid is getting ready to be displayed next March at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The report comes from a magazine ‘Quattroruote’ which belongs to the automaker’s homeland itself. According to them, the hybrid will be based on the 599 GTB Fiorano.

The January issue of the Italian magazine reports that the Ferrari’s new hybrid concept will use a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS). It is a technology that was successfully implemented by the company in Formula One race cars this past season. The KERS set up will consist of a lithium ion battery pack and the power electronics which are mounted on either side of the rear transaxle. The electric motor will be incorporated into the transaxle itself.

The functions of the KERS system are various. It will enhance the 599 GTB with features such as automatic start-stop functionality, regenerative braking and also a feature to provide an electric boost of energy whenever necessary. Overall the system is expected to boost the fuel economy and that too the city mpg by more than 30%. As a result, the fuel economy rises from the current 8.7 mpg to around about 13.8 mpg. These features when combined with the V-12 engine of the 599 must make a superb hybrid.

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia

The smoother, cleaner profile of the Ferrari 458 Italia makes it slip through the air more easily, as well as reducing the visual clutter.

2011 Ferrari 458 Italia Speed

2011 Ferrari 458 Italia: Ferrari's new two-seater 458 V-8 was designed by Pininfarina with help from Ferrari test driver Michael Schumacher, the former Formula One racing champion. The 458 can reach 100 kilometres an hour in under 3.4 seconds and hit a top speed of 325 km/h.

2010 Novitec Rosso Ferrari California pictures

2010 Novitec Rosso Ferrari California Official Revealed

ealed

Sporty styling, a custom-tailored tire/wheel combination with diameters of 21 and 22 inches, suspension modifications, more power and exclusive interior options: NOVITEC ROSSO now also refines the new Ferrari California.

Tasteful refinements with aerodynamic benefits characterize the NOVITEC ROSSO design program for the sports car from Maranello. All aerodynamic-enhancement components are made from especially lightweight yet high-strength clear-coated carbon fiber.

The NOVITEC ROSSO front spoiler attaches to the production bumper and lends the sports car an even more striking face. Its sophisticated shape further reduces lift on the front axle for even better directional stability at high speeds.

The sides are upgraded with striking NOVITEC ROSSO rocker panel moldings for an even more clearly defined racing look. Black side markers add further individual highlights.

To reduce lift on the rear axle and thus achieve an optimal aerodynamic balance NOVITEC ROSSO equips the California with a newly designed diffuser for the rear apron and a spoiler lip on the trunk lid.

Three-piece NOVITEC ROSSO NF3 wheels also play a major role in the even more stunning appearance of the refined Ferrari. By choosing a staggered combination of size 9Jx21 wheels in front and size 11.5Jx22 on the rear axle NOVITEC ROSSO further emphasizes the wedge shape of the car. Technology partner Pirelli supplies high-performance tires custom-tailored to this Ferrari. The front axle features tires in size 255/30 ZR 21. In the rear tires in size 315/25 ZR 22 provide optimal traction.

NOVITEC ROSSO sport springs are custom-calibrated to match these ultra-low-profile tires, and lower the ride height by some 35 millimeters. At the same time the NOVITEC ROSSO specialists have developed an additional feature to further improve the everyday utility of the Ferrari California. The NOVITEC ROSSO hydraulic front lift system raises the front of the car by some 40 millimeters at the push of a button in the interior. That allows drivers to safely navigate parking garage ramps or speed bumps. At a second push of the button or automatically when reaching a speed of 80 km/h the front reverts to its original position.

Even faster throttle response and more power characterize the first NOVITEC ROSSO tuning stage for the Ferrari California, which increases power output of the 4.3-liter V8 engine by 40 hp / 29.4 kW to 500 hp / 368 kW. Simultaneously peak torque grows from 485 to 518 Nm at 5,300 rpm.

This injection of extra power comprises on the one hand a newly calibrated engine management system with custom mapping for injection and ignition, including a new higher redline speed of 8,300 rpm. The tuning package also includes the NOVITEC ROSSO stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with metal catalysts and a flap actuator operated from the Manettino switch on the steering wheel.

NOVITEC ROSSO fulfills customer demands for interior customization with perfectly finished leather and Alcantara interiors. The choice of available colors and meticulously sewn upholstery designs is virtually unlimited.

2011 Ferrari 458 Italia Sports Car

While it’s true that every Ferrari is innovative by definition, it’s equally true that in the course of the Prancing Horse’s history, certain cars have marked a genuine departure from the current range. This is very much the case with the Ferrari 458 Italia, which is a massive leap forward from the company’s previous mid-rear engined sports cars.

2011 Ferrari 458 Italia Sports Car

2011 Ferrari 458 Italia Sports Car

2011 Ferrari 458 Italia Sports Car

The new model is a synthesis of style, creative flair, passion and cutting-edge technology, characteristics for which Italy as a nation is well-known. For this reason Ferrari chose to add the name of its homeland to the traditional figure representing the displacement and number of cylinders.

2011 Ferrari 458 Italia Sports Car

The Ferrari 458 Italia is a completely new car from every point of view: engine, design, aerodynamics, handling, instrumentation and ergonomics, just to name a few.

2010 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE

the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano set a new standard in terms of performance that remains a benchmark for new sports car development to this day. Now Ferrari is introducing the new Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE (Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione) package for the model to further underscore its sportiness and handling.

2010 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE

2010 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE

2010 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE

2010 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE

The package includes a modified set-up with stiffer springs and rear anti-roll bar as well as new calibration settings for the magnetorheological shock absorbers when the manettino is at its sportier settings. The ride height has also been lowered which in turn lowers the car’s centre of gravity. This combined with the new set-up helps improve body control. The package also includes specifically optimised tyres featuring a compound that offers even better grip.

Ferrari 599

2010 Ferrari 599XX PICTURES


2010 Ferrari 599XX PICS


2010 Ferrari 599XX PHOTOS


2010 Ferrari 599XX IMAGES


2010 Ferrari 599XX WALLPAPERS

Good, now that they’ve left, let’s get serious about a very, very serious sports car.

You know those super expensive kitchen knives that leave a scar if you just look at them? – The kind that are weighted, balanced and honed in ancient ways associated with ancient weaponry.

Strip away the simply stunning Pininfarina coachwork, the simply ridiculous top speed and 0 to 100km/h stats (330 km/h and 3.7 seconds respectively), and the simply rock star sticker price of at least $350 thousand, and the Ferrari 599 GTB is simply like one of those knives.

An instrument of uncompromised beauty and ability in steady, competent, experienced hands; a deadly implement that without utmost attention 100 per cent of the time will leave something more indelible (and expensive) than a mere flesh wound.

Where to begin.

For me, it began a couple of Thursdays ago when I accepted an invitation from Ferrari Maserati of Vancouver to take out a 599 GTB that was in town as part of a North American press tour. (Those now asking themselves what the point is of getting some West Coast daily newspaper to review a car that a tiny per cent of the population can afford, or want, please re-read the spoiler alert above.)

The first thing that strikes you about the 599 GTB when standing beside it is that unlike its stable mate, the Ferrari 430, the Grand Tourer Berlinetta seems much more like a civilized road car. No deep knee bends or hip contortions are required to fold yourself into the seat, and once you’re strapped in you don’t get the visual cues and low-slung sensation that with a push of the 430 steering-wheel mounted start button the ultimate video game ride is about to begin.

Sit in a 430 and you expect to be able to take it to the outer limits of earthbound travel, what with its mid-engine V8 booming mere inches from your ears and its laid-back driver position making a drive to the corner store for milk feel like a rip down the Muslanne straight.

Sit in the 599, and while it feels like a sports car — no rear seats and a driver-oriented cockpit — you don’t get the feeling you’re in one of the quickest production cars on the planet. But you are.

The 430’s top speed of 315 km/h is almost pedestrian compared to the 599’s, and the Gran Tourismo’s comfortable driving position and overall ergonomics make the prospect of a drive to Vegas for the weekend possible without a month of chiropractic appointments to follow. In the 430, a drive across town can be a strain. Plus you can fit luggage and a set of clubs in the 599’s trunk; in the 430, you’re lucky to find space for your laptop.

To be fair, the 599 has four more cylinders than the 430, and also an exterior skin that picks up many of the styling cues from the hands-down most desirable Gran Tourer ever built — the Ferrari 250GTO.

The 599 I drove was also equipped with a $30,000 option like none other. The Handling Gran Tourismo Evoluzione (HGTE) package, according to Ferrari press notes, “includes a modified set-up with stiffer springs and rear anti-roll bar as well as new calibration settings for the magnetorheological shock absorbers when the manettino is at its sportier settings.” (And here you though 30 grand didn’t buy anything anymore.)

Translated, that would be, “Holy %$&*, this thing can corner!”

To take that earlier cooking knife analogy to a final, perhaps overdue, point, mishandle the sharp end of the 599 and the expletives will fly.

One slipped — more like erupted — out of my mouth while exiting a switch back up Cypress Road in West Vancouver, though that magnetorheological thing saved me, and more importantly, the 599.

Forget TGIF. It’s HGTE for me now.

And Santa, if you’re reading this, I love it in red.

SPEC BOX DATA

2009 Ferrari 599 GTB

Style: Grand Touring berlinetta, front engine, rear-wheel drive

Seats: Two

Engine: 6.0-litre V12 (620 hp)

Transmission: Six-speed manual or F1 sequential

Fuel economy (L/100km): Combined: 21.3

Price: US$320,000

Ferrari engine to use less fuel in 2010

Ferrari will have a more fuel-efficient engine in 2010, Spain's Diario AS has suggested.

To coincide with Formula One's ban on refuelling, the sports newspaper said the Maranello based team is working on efficiency improvements allowed under the current engine freeze regulations.

To comply with the test ban, Felipe Massa this week has at Mugello been at the wheel of a two-year-old Ferrari single seater fitted with demonstration tyres.

AS however implied that some "internal solutions" were trialled.

"The test was mainly for him (Massa) and what is certain is that he is even quicker than before his accident of Hungary," said Ferrari development driver Marc Gene.

The Spaniard also sounded confident about Ferrari's 2010 car, which is codenamed 661.

"The wind tunnel data is good and makes us optimistic, but we don't know where the others are so we will have to wait until we see it on the track," added Gene.

Massa back on track with Ferrari

Brazilian Felipe Massa drove about 30 laps in a 2007 Ferrari Formula One car in Italy on Tuesday as he continued his recovery from

Ferrari said poor weather at the Mugello circuit restricted Massa to driving in the afternoon only but he hoped to continue on Wednesday before flying back to Brazil.

"I'm happy that I could get into this car and it's always a pleasure driving on a track like Mugello," he said. "Everything went well."

Special Ferrari 599 supercar

Meet the Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta. Not a typical Ferrari name, but this isn’t a typical Ferrari. It’s an exceedingly bespoke version of our current favourite supercar, the 599 GTB Fiorano, and it’s the work of Ferrari’s Special Projects division.

While it keeps the 611bhp 6-litre V12 and F1 gearbox of the standard supercar, the bodywork is completely different. The P540’s silhouette is reminiscent of a mid-1970s Corvette Stingray, while the front end is a lot like the new Ferrari California. The styling is the work of Pininfarina.

Losing the roof has prompted some extra bracing to strengthen the P540, with around 20kg added to the kerb weight. The gains in mass have been kept under control via much use of carbonfibre.

It’s been made at the request of Edward Walson, son of the man who invented cable TV. He approached Ferrari in 2008, and after the company okayed his plans, its development began, the Superfast taking 14 months to put together.

Ferrari says that Special Projects is able to turn down requests, but was happy to pass Walson’s P540. Anyone who does get a one-off car this way also receives the tooling as part of the purchase, ensuring each one remains unique, although Ferrari reserves the right to buy back both cars and tooling to keep Special Projects produce from being snapped up by speculators.

This Special Projects team came bout after the Ferrari Enzo-based P4/5 (pictured, red) was produced by Pininfarina in 2007. Due to it not coming from under Ferrari’s roof it doesn’t wear a Prancing Horse badge and is ineligible for Ferrari concours events. Cars like the P540 will be.

Special Ferrari 599 supercar

Meet the Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta. Not a typical Ferrari name, but this isn’t a typical Ferrari. It’s an exceedingly bespoke version of our current favourite supercar, the 599 GTB Fiorano, and it’s the work of Ferrari’s Special Projects division.

While it keeps the 611bhp 6-litre V12 and F1 gearbox of the standard supercar, the bodywork is completely different. The P540’s silhouette is reminiscent of a mid-1970s Corvette Stingray, while the front end is a lot like the new Ferrari California. The styling is the work of Pininfarina.

Losing the roof has prompted some extra bracing to strengthen the P540, with around 20kg added to the kerb weight. The gains in mass have been kept under control via much use of carbonfibre.

It’s been made at the request of Edward Walson, son of the man who invented cable TV. He approached Ferrari in 2008, and after the company okayed his plans, its development began, the Superfast taking 14 months to put together.

Ferrari says that Special Projects is able to turn down requests, but was happy to pass Walson’s P540. Anyone who does get a one-off car this way also receives the tooling as part of the purchase, ensuring each one remains unique, although Ferrari reserves the right to buy back both cars and tooling to keep Special Projects produce from being snapped up by speculators.

This Special Projects team came bout after the Ferrari Enzo-based P4/5 (pictured, red) was produced by Pininfarina in 2007. Due to it not coming from under Ferrari’s roof it doesn’t wear a Prancing Horse badge and is ineligible for Ferrari concours events. Cars like the P540 will be.

Ferrari's custom 599 convertible loading

Ferrari’s current portfolio of cars too generic for you? How about a neat custom P540? Ferrari’s rather unique 599 convertible.

You know the deal with Maranello – money talks. If you have a practically unlimited budget and impeccable breeding the fabled F1 team’s road car division can be awfully accommodating to your design whims.

Enter Edward Walson. Doesn’t sound familiar? Well, that’s hardly surprising.

Chasing a TV dream?

Edward’s not a celebrity in his own right but his father John did invent cable TV and you can only imagine the inherited financial resources at Edward’s disposal.

So, when Edward decided he wanted a contemporary Ferrari custom built (to pay homage to the legendary Fantuzzi-designed Ferrari 330 LM built specifically for the 1968 Fellini film, Toby Dammit) it simply had to happen.


Aero duct louvres behind both axles look the business, as does the large aft deck area and superb rear wheelarch curve-line.

The P540 Superfast Aperta is based on Ferrari’s outstanding front-engined 599 GTB Fiorano. Some striking Pininfarina designed bodywork adds 66mm bumper-to-bumper over a stock 599.

Despite being open-topped the P540 is 36mm taller than a 599 and 20kg heavier, the additional weight due to carbon-fibre strengthening to offset the loss of rigidity sans roof.

Traditional V12 values

Powering Walson’s car is a 456kW 5l V12 shifting through a six-speed paddle-shift transmission.

Performance promises to be epic and kudos to Ferrari for producing the complete car from sketching to homologation in only 14 months – just in time to make this Christmas Edward Walson’s best ever.

An interesting aside to the Edward Walson project is that such a one-off Ferrari’s owner receives the car’s tooling as part of the purchase to ensure it cannot be replicated.

Conversely, Ferrari reserves the right to buy back both the car and tooling again, to ensure Special Project Ferraris are not speculated against.

Ferrari Speical Edition

If you had a lot of money - and we mean, like, a lot of money, a sort of quite-close-to-infinite amount of money - with which to create your perfect, custom-built Ferrari, would you order a gold, convertible 599?

No? Well, tough. Because you don't have a swizillion dollars. But Edward Walson does. He's the son of John Walson, the man who invented cable television, and he is Very Rich Indeed.

Last year, Walson Jnr approached Ferrari's Special Projects Programme - established after Pininfarina created James Glickenhaus's P4/5 and Ferrari realised it could create an in-house division to grab a bit of the ultra-lucrative one-off market - to develop a car to his very exacting specifications and very expansive wallet.

So say hello to the Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta, a coachbuilt 599 convertible modelled, apparently, on the gold Ferrari from the 1968 short film Toby Dammit (nope, us neither).

The Aperta took 14 months to build, with much of the work going into strengthening the chassis to deal with the loss of the roof. Still, the Aperta is just 20kg heavier than a stock 599, thanks to extensive use of deliciously expensive carbon fibre.

Walson opted to leave the 599's 6.0-litre V12 (which is, admittedly, a masterwork in standard form) unchanged, which seems a touch odd to us. Surely if you were spending gazillions of dollars creating your own unique Ferrari, you'd demand a tweak or two to the engine... just to make it special, like?

Schumacher is Free to Leave Ferrari

So it looks like Michael Schumacher will surely make a comeback to Formula 1 fans - Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo stated on Tuesday that the Italian team will not stand in Schumi's way if he wants to drive for Mercedes GP.

The off-season news is all about Schumacher's return to the sport and we really hope this isn't just a publicity stunt for F1. Schumi is, after all, bound by contract to the Ferrari team as a consultant till the end of 2012. However, di Montezemolo told reporters today that Schumacher's deal is 'not binding'. If Schumacher does shift to Mercedes, he will partner his fellow countryman Nico Rosberg and end his 13-year stint with Ferrari.

"It's clear that, if he decides to take another road, our agreement will no longer be valid - that is logical," explained di Montezemolo. "You can't work with a competitor and with us at the same time. I still haven't spoken to him about it. He is only a dear friend, not a team member. He is a consultant for our road cars," he added.

On a side note, Mercedes (formerly Brawn GP) may face a $100 million slash in their budget in the 2010 season. German consumer products honcho Henkel is claiming that a three-year sponsorship contract with Mercedes in invalid since the contract was signed by a former employee without authorisation. Henkel alleged that they had informed Daimler (the parent company of Mercedes) of the problem back in September. As a result, Henkel sued Brawn GP in November and the legal proceedings are still on.

Henkel was paying through its nose to Brawn, and lack of funds would mean Michael Schumacher won't get what he asks for. According to German dailies, Schumi is having talks of upwards of $40 million with Mercedes to drive for the team. Lets wait and watch.

Novitec Rosso Tunes Ferrari California

One of our favorite Ferrari tuners, Novitec Rosso presents this new styling and performance package for the Ferrari California. Out of the gate, the revised California emanates a little extra edge and power thanks to a carbon fiber body kit that includes front and rear spoilers, side skirts and rear diffuser. Three-piece NF3 wheels wrapped in Pirellis finish the outside.

Popping the hood, Novitec installed a new engine management system and coupled it with new stainless steel exhaust. Horsepower is increased by 40 to a nice, even 500.

First look: Ferrari 458 Italia

FEW brand names evoke as much passion as Ferrari and one reason is the excitement the Italian super sportscar maker manages to generate with each new product.

One example is the Ferrari 458 Italia, the latest in a line of mid-engined models that started 40 years ago.

Unlike the pretty F430 before it, the 458 looks more aggressive with cab-forward styling reminiscent of the Enzo and the FXX.

It may not look beautiful at first glance but with its LED lights and triple tailpipes, it is sensational enough to make classics like the sensuous 355 look sadly dated.

The 458 has a brand new aluminium chassis with a new V8 engine and suspension.

The car is basically the same size as the F430 but with a longer wheelbase for greater directional stability. As a result, the overhangs are shorter and the cabin has an extra 10mm.

More interestingly, Ferrari has created numerous 'firsts' with the 458.

The new flat-bottomed steering wheel is inspired by the prancing horse's involvement in Formula One racing and houses all the driver functions required, in addition to the already familiar engine start button and manettino car set-up dial.

No stalks sprout out of the steering column. Instead, the switches for the indicator, wipers and high beam are all on or around the steering boss.

Ferrari 458 supercar

Ferrari's 458 is aimed at satisfying thrill-seekers among the Italian car-maker's hard-core audience.The Ferrari 458 Italia – the best supercar of 2010. Possibly. It’s certainly one of the most exciting, as evo new boy Chris Harris will happily testify after driving it at the press launch last month.

It leads an Italian special in this month’s evo magazine (which should be in all good magazine shops and on the doormats of loyal subscribers by Wednesday December 9), which also features the Alfa 8C Spider, Ferrari 599 HGTE, Abarth 500 Assetto Corse and Maserati GranTurismo MC Corsa.

Today on evo.co.uk it’s all about the Ferrari 458 Italia, though. Peruse a gallery of pictures at the bottom of this page (some of them web exclusives) from Harris’s drive in the Italian hills and at Ferrari’s Fiorano test circuit, click to read Henry Catchpole’s blog or watch Chris reviewing the car (and cocking about a bit) in our video section. Bellissima!

Ferrari Car Pictures