Ferrari Profits Down in 2009

2009 Ferrari California Picture

Ferrari SpA said its operating profit plunged 28 percent in 2009, due in part to "unfavorable exchange rates" including a weak U.S. dollar. The automaker's vehicle sales saw a modest dip of only 5 percent, to 6,250 cars, while worldwide revenues fell 7 percent, to $2.4 billion.

Operating profit declined to $334 million last year, from $465 million in 2008.

Noting the "challenging economic climate," Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo said, "2010 will be a very difficult year, and the first small signs of recovery will not come until next autumn."

Among the bright spots was the Ferrari California, as 60 percent of customers are new to the Ferrari brand, according to the automaker. The new 458 Italia went on sale at year's end and thus had a minimal contribution to the firm's revenues in 2009.

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia

2010 Novitec Rosso Ferrari California Official Revealed

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.

2012 Ferrari F70 render images

After last week’s announcement that the Italian automaker Ferrari is planning on topping off their lineup of exotic dream machines with an all new super car to head up the high performance lineup and celebrate nearly 70 years of success with a car that is currently codenamed the F70. The new super car will serve as a successor to the Enzo and there are also rumors flying around that it will also be offered as a hybrid.

2010 Ferrari 599 GTO

According to recent reports, the Ferrari 599 GTO comprises several key features of the 599XX, a new car uncovered back in 2009 at the Geneva Motor Show.

A few days back, Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa confirmed the launch of the GTO, which is considered as a more focused version of the current GTB and HGTE models.

With 650bhp under the hood and a weight reduced to less than 1650kg, the GTO fits right in with the other Ferrari's. It is also likely that the 599 GTO will feature the higher performance ferrous iron brake pad technology initiated by the XX model, with the addition of a more aggressive gear shifting software and elements of the aerodynamic upgrades found on the 599XX.

700-HP Ferrari 599 GTO

Upcoming Ferrari 599GTO is the roadgoing version of Ferrari's 599XX.
Ferrari has confirmed that it will be releasing the 599 GTO. It is essentially a road variant of the built-for-the-track Ferrari 599 XX, and this is the first time the Prancing Horse automaker has used the GTO nameplate since the 288 GTO, built from 1984-'86.

Ferrari 599 hybrid

More details on the Ferrari 599 hybrid concept that is set to be shown at the Geneva motor show have been revealed by company boss Amedeo Felisa.

Felisa revealed to that a 599 hybrid test mule has been running for a year now, and that its fuel consumption is around 25 per cent less than the standard car's.

However, the hybrid technology adds around 80kg to the standard car (pictured here), and it is unlikely to be seen on a production Ferrari for five years.

“The technology is not ready," he said. "The suppliers are not ready. Everything is underdeveloped. There is a lot of work to so. It is not for tomorrow. We haven’t decided when [it will be introduced]. It will be around 2015, but not before five years.”

Ferrari confirms its hybrid will debut at Geneva Auto Show in March

The rumors seem to be true: Ferrari, builders of the finest cars in the world, will be bringing a hybrid version of their 599 GTB Fiorano supercar to the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. To some of the less well informed out there, this might seem like a sacrilege, but for those who know Ferrari’s history of technical innovation, and just what can be accomplished with a properly set up hybrid drivetrain, this makes perfect sense.

Ferrari is, quite simply, one of the most technologically innovative car companies around, having invented and brought to market every thing from the sublime semi-automatic gearbox to the more prosaic 2+2 seating layout. So when the boys from Maranello have a crack at doing a hybrid, you can expect it to be thoroughly engineered and oriented towards stratospheric performance.