Ferrari fan club

Ferrari FF

2011-02-28T23:35:00.000-08:00

Ferrari has already shown its new FF model, releasing press photos, some incredible video, and more recently debuting the car at a private event in Maranello. Set to make it’s more public world premiere tomorrow at the Geneva Auto Show, we’ve managed to gather a few teaser snap shots of the Prancing Horse’s first-ever AWD car on the show floor.

Complete details are not yet available, but we do know the important bits, like the 6.3-liter V12 engine that makes 651-hp and 504 ft lbs of torque. Combined with Ferrari’s 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and that new AWD system, the FF can hit 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds.
The FF also get’s Ferrari’s HELE (High Emotion, Low Emission) setup, which is designed to cut emissions and includes a start-stop system for the big V12 engine.

Ferrari FF Supercar

2011-02-28T23:33:00.000-08:00

The Ferrari FF is unlike any vehicle ever to come from the Maranello, Italy-based supercar builder so it is fitting that the company would issue a video showing this unique high performance car doing things that no other Ferrari could, including dashing through the deep snow of the mountains and ripping along a rough desert road – showing that the FF is possibly the most capable supercar ever built.

When Ferrari unveiled the new FF, the supercar world was set back on its heels. Never before had the Italian sports car designer offered up a vehicle with the unique shooting brake design, let alone a 2-door with room for 4 people. Add into the equation the high tech all wheel drive system mated to a 600 horsepower V12 via an advanced dual clutch automatic transmission controlled via the paddle shifters on the steering wheel and you have yourself a Ferrari that can take four people on an incredible ride. However, with this new video of the Ferrari FF in action, the company wants to show that the new FF can tackle similar situations to many modern sport utility vehicles while also being able to rip from 0-62 in just 3.7 seconds on dry land.

Ferrari FF Spider rendered

2011-02-01T22:06:00.000-08:00

Ferrari FF Concept

Ferrari car maker has unveiled new sport cars with four-seater concept, it’s 2012 Ferrari FF Concept. On official website, Ferrari has show the first image of Ferrari FF Concept as well as its first ever four-wheel drive car. The 2012 Ferrari FF Concept will carry you and three of your loved ones (and the groceries, if necessary) at speeds of up to 208 mph on the open road.
While it may not be a four-door like the Porsche Panamera, its sleek and refined styling give it a sportier feel that certainly plays itself out in the streets.
The new Ferrari FF GT sports car concept is expected to make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and a production version will follow by 2012. Ferrari will offer a vast array of personalization options and accessories, including six model-specific exterior colors and sumptuous interior trim incorporating specially selected and treated aniline leather.

The concept car was designed by Pininfarina and Ferrari as the new car is not so much an evolution as a revolution. “The new model will offer “an unprecedented high-performance sports extremely incredible versatility, exceptional comfort and elegance, ensuring that both driver and passengers a unique experience of driving. ”

Ferrari FF Concept

The new Ferrari FF Concept has a number of new technologies to complement the raw power inside. Ferrari launches new technology driving all four wheels on the FF, which adds much less weight than traditional IT systems. HELE The FF also adds stop-start system of the previous concepts, which improves fuel efficiency and emissions of cushions. These systems are centered around a 6.3-liter V12 with 651 horsepower, enough to force the four places to 62 km / h in 3.7 seconds.

2012 Ferrari 458 Italia Spyder

2011-02-01T22:04:00.000-08:00

It has been quiet on the news front these days regarding the upcoming roadster version of the Ferrari 458 Italia

2012 Ferrari 458 Italia Spyder

Known facts are that the 458 “GTS” will have a retractable lightweight hardtop and the power should remain exactly the same as the coupe. Expect the GTS somewhere around 2012 to be introduced as a 2013 model.

Ferrari 458 Italia created by Oakley Design

2011-01-03T07:59:00.001-08:00

Ferrari 458 Italia

we had come across the tuning kit from Oakley design for the Ferrari 458 Italia. The entire auto community was quite excited about the tuning package and expecting that, nothing else could make the Ferrari any better. However, several incidents of Ferrari 458 Italia burning down to ashes had shocked the entire community of sports car fans. It appears that the people at Oakley design actually had done a fantastic job in creating a better Ferrari 458 Italia.
The Performance Direct Monitoring News team had an opportunity to test drive the super sports car. The team also had an opportunity to compare the Ferrari’s exquisite sports vehicle against a Ducati 1198 ‘Corporate Edition’, in addition to a test drive of one of the five units of Ferrari 458 Italia model that were made even more powerful.
Just to summarize the features, the Ferrari 458 Italia offers a carbon fiber inserts on the radiator air exit ducts and a carbon-fiber front spoiler lip. The other features, which are prominent to the exquisite sports vehicle, include wider side sills, a new rear spoiler and carbon-fiber roof panel, and a lighter carbon-fiber rear diffuser. The mirror covers, and an engine cover insert make the Ferrari 458 stand out from the crowd. The tuning kit had upgraded the engine performance by stepping up the engine’s power output to over 10 percent. The upgraded engine could churn out a total of 627 bhp to power the exquisite sports car. The kit also enhanced the peak torque output of sports vehicle to over 567Nm. At this enhanced toque and power output levels the car is capable of sprinting from 0 mph to 60 mph in a skimpy 3.0 seconds window. The Ferrari 458 Italia’s top speed has been registered at 205 mile per hour.

Ferrari 458 Italia gets the Auto Express 2011 Performance Car of the Year Award

2011-01-03T07:58:00.001-08:00

Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari produced the Ferrari Italia hoping to take the automobile market by surprise with its performance. Surprise is what we got. Reports from all over the world arose about Ferrari 458 getting totaled and burnt on the streets. The car was thus taken off the streets for safety issues and was re-launched recently hoping for a rejuvenation. Lately though, Ferrari 458 has been in the news, very often, but for wrong reasons.
Amidst all this, Ferrari 458 has seen a ray of hope winning the 2011 Performance Car of The Year. This comes as a surprise for us as well. The car may be fast and powerful, yet one thing that it is not, is reliable. As a British magazine puts it, the decision made by the jury is quite questionable with enough negative reports about the car. But the award is theirs and the final decision is of the jury. Maybe the jury saw something in the car that we didn’t.

Ferrari Likely to Debut 612 Scaglietti Successor at Geneva Auto Show

2011-01-01T22:13:00.002-08:00

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Successor

Ferrari will reportedly premiere the replacement to the 612 Scaglietti, dubbed the F151, at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. According to AutoGespot, the F151 will combine elements from the 458 Italia, the 599 Fiorano as well as the 599 HY-KERS.
Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo had earlier announced that the company will bring something “different” to the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011. As the 612 Scaglietti is one of Ferrari’s oldest models, bringing out its replacement seems to be a natural course of action.
The 612 successor is expected to incorporate front design elements from the 458 Italia as well as a rear similar to the 599 Fiorano. Also, a powertrain from the 599 HY-KERS, which was unveiled in Geneva this year, can be expected on the F151.

This is Not a Real Ferrari F40

2011-01-01T22:13:00.000-08:00

While it may look like an authentic Ferrari F40, this amazing recreation is just a 1/8 scale miniature model. However, it's not your standard model, this enthusiast "cranked the dial to eleven by including a 1500 piece photo-etched Autograph transkit into the mix." Click here for more pictures. Continue reading to watch a real Ferrari F40 take on the F430 Scuderia.

Ferrari 458 GT2

2011-01-01T22:12:00.001-08:00

Ferrari 458 GT2

Ferrari is reportedly working on a replacement for the racer F430 GT2 dubbed the 458 GT2. The vehicle will be based on the new 458 Italia.
According to axisofoversteer, class rules has restricted the power of the 458 GT2’s V8 to about 470 hp. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox that allows the driver to play with paddles.
The 458 GT2 will have three-piece racing wheels, with a lot more frontal ventilation, new Naca ducts all around, yellow endurance-racing headlights as well as the usual racing aerodynamics treatment. The racer weighs about 1,245 kgs.

Twin Turbo Ferrari Enzo Sets 238mph Record

2010-10-12T19:54:00.000-07:00

The Twin-Turbo Ferrari Enzo from Richard Losee has set a class record speed of 238mph at Bonneville this weekend. Officially, it is now both the fastest and most driven (31,366 miles) Enzo ever.

After some hurdles they eventually achieved a speed of 238.142mph and average run of 237.81mph, setting a Class C (360 cubic-inch) Blown Fuel Modified Sport category and overall Enzo top-speed record.

Overall the speed gain is only 12mph above the top speed of the stock car, simply by using twin turbos, skinny low-friction tires, and some aero improvements.

[Via Jalopnik]

1959 Ferrari GT Sells on Ebay

2010-10-12T19:53:00.000-07:00

1959 Ferrari GT

Reports have stated that a 1959 Ferrari GT was sold on Ebay.com for $3.26 million. The car has only 52,000 miles on its odometer, was listed from an owner in Pittsburgh, Pa., and sold after 86 bids. The historic Ferrari California Spyder 250 GT CS has a 12 cylinder engine, manual transmission and a cloth convertible top.

The 1959 roofless sports car was designed for export to America and Ferrari’s interpretation of an open-top Gran Turismo Car. According to Luxist.com, the concept was driven by California enthusiasts and a leading Ferrari dealer. Only 51 Long Wheelbase (LWB) California Spyders made, at least ten were built for competition and nine of these were made with aluminum bodies. 1627GT was one of them

2011 Ferrari 458 Challenge

2010-07-14T19:13:00.000-07:00

The 458 Challenge has made its world premiere debut in Maranello during the Annual Dealer Meeting, a traditional event that brings together the representatives of Ferrari’s international sales network.

The new berlinetta, which will flank the F430 Challenge in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli in the 2011 season, is the fifth model used by Ferrari in its one-make championship which, next year, will be extended to include a new Asia-Pacific series.

Coming just a few months after the Frankfurt Motor Show unveiling of the 458 Italia on which it is based, the 458 Challenge introduces a number of important modifications to adapt it for competition use.

2010 Hamann Ferrari 458 Italia

2010-07-14T19:11:00.000-07:00

Hamann-Motorsport, the Germany-based aftermarket specialist has presented a high-end wheels program for the latest Maranello ride, the Ferrari 458 Italia. The superb Ferrari sports ride benefits from Pininfarina’s undoubted body-design and the new forged alloys from Hamann add even more exclusivity and uniqueness.

2010 Oakley Design Ferrari 458 Italia

2010-07-04T19:27:00.000-07:00

Following international acclaim for their finely honed Porsche GT2, GT3 and Panamera conversions, Oakley Design is now proud to announce their tuning programme for the Ferrari 458 Italia.

Ferrari's New Sales Pitch

2010-06-25T22:03:00.000-07:00

Ferrari's new 458 Italia sports car. From PatrickMcMullan.com.

On Wednesday night at New York’s Ferrari showroom on Park Avenue, the centerpiece of the party celebrating the newly revamped corporate space was not the boldface guest list, but instead a white model of Ferrari’s new 458 Italia sports car, with a starting price north of $225,000. Scrubs star Zach Braff, The City star Olivia Palermo and boyfriend Johannes Huebl (who made their appearance particularly short and sweet, doing a once-around-and-out in about 10 minutes), model Kiera Chaplin, and actor and screenwriter Justin Theroux, were among those milling about the venue, paying homage to the luxury-car purveyor.

Many of the guests, who looked particularly dressy for an early-evening affair, were current Ferrari owners. While they perused the memorabilia and collector’s items that lined the walls, and, most important, checked out other attendees’ recently released 4G iPhones, they also swapped joyride stories. One guest even discussed his recent 149-mile-per-hour dash down New York’s Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in his Ferrari convertible.

The Park Avenue showroom is the first location in Ferrari's history to combine an apparel line with the cars. One executive explained that the aim is to feature the “Ferrari lifestyle” for those who cannot afford the luxury vehicles, pointing to a back room filled with Ferrari shirts, ties, hats, and other items priced just slightly less than the cars themselves.

Ferrari 599 GTO is an extreme V12 berlinetta

2010-06-22T00:30:00.000-07:00

The new Ferrari 599 GTO is an extreme V12 berlinetta developed to a specific performance-oriented brief. The Ferrari 599 GTO is, in fact, the company's fastest ever road car. It is an exclusive limited edition special which, in true Ferrari tradition, is a completely new concept, albeit inspired by a production car. In fact the Ferrari 599 GTO is based on the 599XX, the advanced experimental track car, and can be considered almost a road-going version.

The Ferrari 599 GTO is reserved for just 599 clients who seek the maximum expression of high-performance driving. The Ferrari 599 GTO benefits directly from the technological transfer from racing and set a record lap time at Fiorano in 1'24".

The Fiorano lap time provides just one indication of the potential of this car. Just as significant are the technical specifications - 670 hp in a 1495kg car represents a weight-to-power ratio of just 2.23 kg/hp, and ensures a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 3.35" as well as a top speed of over 335 km/h.

Fundamental to the GTO's performance is the innovative approach to chassis development which, for the first time on a production car, saw the integration between a handling set-up tuned for a level of responsiveness that is close to the limit and highly sophisticated electronic controls. The result is the almost complete absence of understeer and a truly communicative chassis.

As is Ferrari's policy, every new Ferrari features new solutions for a road car. Thus the Ferrari 599 GTO is equipped with the latest, second-generation carbon-ceramic brakes which are lighter and offer better performance, new aerodynamic innovations, such as the wheel doughnuts which increase aerodynamic efficiency as well as improve brake cooling, and the Supersport tyres developed by Michelin include a wider front tyre for greater roadholding. The driver-car interface is also new with the adoption of the Virtual Race Engineer (VRE) which provides the driver with instantaneous information on performance.

Ferrari 612 GTO Concept by Sasha Selipanov

2010-06-18T01:47:00.000-07:00

What will Ferrari's planned 2012 replacement for the big 612 Scaglietti grand tourer look like? Berlin-based Sasha Selipanov, who calls himself the Angry Car Designer, has dreamed up one appealing possibility: a killer 612 GTO concept combining the sinuous lines of Ferrari's latest models along with a nod to the famed 250 GTO. Considering that Ferrari just unveiled its 599 GTO it's practically impossible that a 612 GTO could follow suit so quickly, if at all, but that doesn't stop Selipanov's project from being beautiful. He hasn't engaged in the usual concept car game of laying out engine specs and such or gassing on about quilted Alcantara seats; concentrating instead on gorgeously rendered lines. Feast your eyes and dream on.

Ferrari 458 Italia Spider

2010-06-07T19:20:00.000-07:00

The possibility of the Ferrari 458 Italia Spider sporting a folding hardtop roof has already become a topic of widespread and serious debate. Ferrari boss Lucas di Montezemolo though has confirmed the existence of the 458 Italia Spider but has never spent any word on whether the Spider would sport a folding hardtop, which is further reason for the debate to continue unabated.

The first racing car with the Prancing Horse up front to have a folding hard top was the Ferrari California. The F430 Spider was later outfitted with a soft top so as to save weight with its high performance variant the Scuderia 16M too being meted out the same treatment later on. While this also allowed for the engine to be visible at all times top up or down position, the addition of the hard top to the 458 Italia would certainly rob the car of this feature.

The hard top feature however adds to security as well as comfort that’s lacking with a soft top. A hardtop also adds a touch of solidity to the lines of the car when it is up, something that’s never to be taken lightly for a marquee as image conscious as Ferrari. This would also add credibility to the spy images of the hard top F430 Spider that had been flashed way back in the 2008. Previous versions were more focused towards weight and space saving techniques which the soft top offered while now it has been performance oriented designs that holds sway. The hardtop all in all goes well on the California and Ferrari has the options open for switching over to the soft top version for the Scuderia model of the 458 Italia Spider.

Formula 1 to ban F-Duct from 2011

2010-05-12T19:27:00.000-07:00

Team bosses have voted to ban the F-Duct aerodynamic system next year after McLaren introduced the design at the start of this season in Melbourne.

The system allows drivers to divert air from outside of the car to the rear wing by simply covering a hole inside the cockpit with their arm or hand. The result is air pressure stalling the rear wing to reduce drag on the car and give it higher speed on straight sections of racetrack.

Several teams, including Ferrari, have introduced their own versions of the design or will implement it on their cars in the course of the next few races. The decision to ban the system was made before the start of last Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix, on cost and safety grounds.

"It is a clever piece of engineering and hats off to the guys who invented it, but some of the solutions look a bit marginal when you see drivers driving with finger tips and no hands on the steering wheel to activate their F-Duct," Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner said. "So I think there are safety and cost issues to take into account." -- Agencies

Ferrari 599 GTO Heats Up the Mugello Circuit

2010-05-07T09:14:00.000-07:00

Ferrari 599 GTO

The Ferrari 599 GTO is a great car, and it will always be fun sitting behind its wheels as its powerful 6.0-liter V12 kicks out 661 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. But while that might as well burn out your pockets with its staggering €319,495 cost, why not try and satisfy our appetites by watching the 599 GTO heating the racetracks?

Well that’s actually quite possible as Ferrari releases its official videos of the Ferrari 599 GTO both in the compound and on the track at the Mugello Circuit north of Florence, Italy. The first video flaunts the exquisite design and style of the 599 GTO as the car circles the track speedily. But as its always more fun to watch the road sitting behind the wheels with the car speeding up quickly as you accelerate the pedals, the second video is sure to give you the real feel of this amazing Ferrari model. I am sure you would start loving Ferrari’s top test driver Dario Benuzzi’ s job. So check out the videos after the jump and enjoy.

Ferrari removes bar code design

2010-05-07T09:12:00.000-07:00

Ferrari began Friday practice for the Spanish Grand Prix without a controversial bar code design on its chassis, following suggestions it was subliminal advertising for Marlboro cigarettes.

The Formula One team said the decision was taken "to remove all speculation" that the large bar code on its paintwork was associated with its princial sponsor. However Ferrari said the idea of the design being advertising for Marlboro was "ridiculous."

Cigarette sponsorship in F1 was once common but has all but disappeared due to advertising bans in most countries where races are held. Ferrari are the only team that is still sponsored by a tobacco company. It's official name Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro.

Ferris Bueller’ Ferrari Sold

2010-04-21T08:03:00.000-07:00

Bonhams The replica 1961 Ferrari 250GT California Spyder was sold for $122,000.

A replica 1961 Ferrari 250GT California Spyder used in the film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” fetched $122,000 at Bonhams in London on Monday, far exceeding the auction house’s pre-sale estimate of $45,000-60,000.

The car’s Hollywood pedigree wasn’t enough to draw the top price of the day, however. That honor went to a 1938 SS Jaguar 2.5-liter Drophead Coupe, which brought over $154,000.

The auction was held in spite of volcano-related air travel restrictions in Europe that forced many prospective buyers to bid by phone. According to Bonhams, eight telephone bidders were among those in the running for the faux-Ferrari, with the winning bid coming from an American buyer.

New Ferrari 599 GTO is fast

2010-04-13T10:52:00.000-07:00

New Ferrari 599 GTO

There is a new supercar to replace that supercar poster on your kid's wall: it is the Ferrari 599 GTO.

Revealed by the Italian car masters online last week the 599 GTO is the "fastest ever road car" built by Ferrari.

The extreme V12 berlinetta Ferrari is good for 670 horsepower and can hit sixty in just 3.35 seconds and a top speed of 208 mph.

According to Ferrari the 599 GTO will see it's public reveal at the Beijing International Motor Show at the end of April.

Ferrari Reveals 599 GTO, Its Fastest Road Car Ever

2010-04-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

Ferrari says that its 599 GTO will be the fastest production car it has ever built.

The new Ferrari 599 GTO may not have the supercar looks of a McLaren MP4-12C or a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, but it should be right up there with those two in terms of speed and quickness.

Ferrari revealed the 599 GTO on Thursday in pictures, videos and specs over the Internet. Only a very limited number will be built. It is a homologation model for the Ferrari 599XX racecar, which has been sold to a few customers for GT competition.

“On the 599XX we have managed to make a vehicle that nobody else has ever made,” said Amadeo Felisa, the chief executive of Ferrari, in a video on the Ferrari Web site. “With structure and an architecture with the front engine, we have obtained a vehicle that nobody else will be able to equal in performance.”

Ferrari California

2010-04-02T21:50:00.000-07:00

Ferrari California
Currently the California has not been tested by Euro NCAP and therefore does not have a rating. The Ferrari California is in insurance group 20. All models are expensive (group 20 being the highest rating) to insure.

Ferrari 365 GT4 Gives You the Fastest Brown in Town for $39,500!

2010-03-30T21:14:00.000-07:00

The 365 GT4 2+2‘s predilection for automatics meant a reputation for it being considered soft. Not all were slushboxes however, and this Nice Price or Crack Pipe contender's five-speed may make your choice today kind of hard.

Price and condition were overwhelmed yesterday by miles and Focus-ness, as the atomic orange SVT fell in a narrow 53/47 Crack Pipe vote to open the week. After five straight Nice Price wins last week, it feels good to get back on the crack.

In 1963 - not while on crack, but probably following a two-martini lunch - Henry Ford II contemplated the purchase of Ferrari as a quick inroad to racing success. It was Henry's hubris that quashed the deal, and set Ford on the path to beat the Italians at any cost. Historically, that's as close as yesterday's Focus and today's contender will ever come. And while that little Ford was a hotted-up version of a mundane daily driver, today's 1973 365 GT4 2+2 was the era's most sedate and toned-down example of the Ferrari bloodline- as close to a daily driver as a prancing horse-badged car got.

Well, daily driver or not, it's still a Ferrari, and if any brand didn't need a buxom bikini model to draw attention to them, it's the Prancing Horse. Despite that, you can never go wrong with a model that has bigger headlights than your car.

And what a car that is.

One of only 521 cars built (excluding the later 400 and 412 cars) this brown beauty is a rare example blessed with three pedals in the driver's footbox. The vast majority of the 365/400/412s had a little bit of GM in them, as a turbohydromatic countered all the exotica in sort of a vanilla sorbet to the rest of the car's acceglio-infused gelato. But that's not the case with this one. That 8-ball-topped chrome lever sprouting from the sweeping center console actuates a five speed box, however the console's height precludes the traditional exposed gate. Mated to the front of the transmission is a single-plate clutch and ahead of that is Ferrari's glorious 4.4-litre DOHC all-alloy V12. The aircraft-like hoodline of the 365 is made possible by moving the intake to the underside of the top cam and laying the six 38 DCOE Webers out horizontally.

The seller of this car claims that it has undergone a minor tuneup, including the synchronizing of those carbs, as well as replacement of the plugs. While they say they have maintenance records dating back to 1990, I'm not familiar enough (meaning not at all) with this dealer to know if they should be trusted to even be touching this Colombo-derived marvel. As the car is showing 62,000 on it clock, the maintenance records are of utmost importance in revealing the history hidden in those miles.

Inside, the car is swathed in more dead cow than the Gimp from Pulp Fiction. It's all remarkably clean and shows only minor crazing in the leather, notably on the door arm rests and seat bolsters. The back seats are as roomy as you're ever going to get in a Ferrari, and look down-right inviting. Underneath, there's surprisingly little surface rust and everything looks like it's in the same place it was when it left Maranello. You'd think that the Tipo F101 AL chassis-being welded tube frame and body panels, along with that huge V12, would make this prancing horse a pig, but surprisingly it tips the scales at less than 1,500kg (about 3,300 lbs) dripping wet. That, along with the engine's 340-bhp mean sixty is only about six and a half seconds from a standstill, and a top end of over 150-mph is achievable.

It's hard to envision the 365 GT4, or later 400 and 412 derivations, without the Playboy mansion in the background, and maybe a guy in a turtleneck sweater, skinny white jeans and ankle-high shoes with zippers on the sides, leaning against it and lighting a Camel. But despite the heavy layer of ‘70s schmaltz that's inherent in these cars, they're still very good looking in a conservative, old-fashioned STD kind of way.

And while you may have discounted them for the expected GM slushbox, the presence of a five speed makes this a prancing horse of a different color. As it's a '73, the fact that it was never officially imported is moot, and you should be able to register it where ever you are without problem. What might be a problem for some is the asking price, which at $39,500 doesn't seem a lot for a V12 Ferrari, but is a lot cheddar for those of us more used to eating government cheese.

Novitec Rosso Slaps a Supercharger on the Ferrari California

2010-03-30T21:12:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought “My 460 horsepower Ferrari just isn’t quick enough. You know what it needs…over 600 hp. That’s the ticket.” If so, you’re in luck. Novitec Rosso, the gods of Ferrari tuning, just developed a supercharger kit for the new Ferrari California. It’s no simple power bump either – the 4.3-liter front-mounted V8 in the California jumps from a solid 460 hp – more than enough for most – to a whiplash-inducing 606 hp. Torque grows from 485 Nm to 603 Nm too, which means you’ll be burning through some serious rubber if you’re not careful.

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano RACE

2010-03-13T01:57:00.000-08:00

Ferrari 599 GTB

Ferrari F430 is a sports car

2010-03-12T08:14:00.000-08:00

Ferrari will offer hybrid versions

2010-03-08T12:04:00.000-08:00

In a recent interview, Italian automaker’s chairman Luca di Montezemolo said that Ferrari will offer hybrid versions across its entire lineup within the next three to four years.
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This was confirmed at the Geneva Motor Show, during the official presentation of the maker’s 599 GTB Fiorano hybrid coupe
a.k.a. HY-KERS Vettura Laboratorio.

“This is a first step of a long project and we want within three years, maximum four, to have a hybrid Ferrari car ready for every single product of our range.

Ferrari 599 Fiorano HY-KERS Concept : Geneva 2010

2010-03-05T17:33:00.000-08:00

Ferrari took the wraps off its new hybrid 599 HY-KERS at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, and it’s as green as Ferrari can make it. Featuring a bit of traditional hybrid tech and a healthy dose of Formula1 witchcraft, Ferrari has manufactured a car that loses none of the dynamic performance of its gas-only brethren.

When it comes to center of gravity (CoG), lower is better. It is a concern in any car, but this concept is essential in a sporting car. By using clever packaging, the CoG of the HY-KERS is actually lower than a traditional 599. This clever packaging also keeps the hybrid equipment from infringing on any interior space.

As with most hybrids, the HY-KERS can run in full electric mode based on engine load and other factors. Unlike lesser hybrids, the HY-KERS does not feature a Continuously Variable Transmission. The electric motor mounts to the rear of a seven-speed dual clutch F1 transmission. Weighing about 88 pounds, the electric motor produces about 100hp to aid the not-anemic V-12. Hybrid battery charging is provided by using a Kinetic Energy Recovery System built on the experiences from last years Formula1 program.

FERRARI DEBUTS AT GENEVA WITH THE HY-KERS, A 'VETTURA LABORATORIO'

Geneva, 2 March 2010. Ferrari presents a vettura laboratorio (experimental vehicle) at the 80th edition of the Geneva Motor Show based on the 599 GTB Fiorano equipped with an advanced new hybrid transmission.

Hybrid technology is one of the solutions examined by Ferrari in its on-going research and development into making its production cars ever more efficient. Experimenting with alternative technologies represents the company's long-term strategy after the announcement in 2007 of a five-year plan to reduce fuel consumption and emissions across the range. With the launch of the Ferrari California (2008) and the 458 Italia (2009), in fact, Ferrari's average fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures have already been reduced by around 30 per cent compared to 2007.

The HY-KERS displayed at the Geneva Motor Show is an example of how Ferrari is studying the application of hybrid technology to high-performance sports cars. Central to Ferrari's objectives is maintaining the balance, handling and performance characteristics typical of its cars despite the inevitable disadvantages in terms of weight represented by applying hybrid solutions to existing models.

To this end Ferrari has employed its racing experience to adapt a lightweight hybrid drivetrain to the 599 GTB Fiorano with the aim of ensuring that vehicle dynamics are unaffected. This was achieved by the careful integration of all system components, positioning them below the centre of gravity and ensuring that interior and luggage space are entirely unaffected. Similarly the flat lithium-ion batteries are positioned below the floorpan of the car inside the aerodynamic underbody. The result is a centre of gravity that is even lower than in the standard car. In addition, a part of the weight gained by fitting the electric motor, generator and the batteries is offset by being able to do away with the traditional starter motor and battery.

Ferrari has also applied its F1 technology to the design, engineering and construction of a new kind of electric motor which also helps optimise the longitudinal and lateral dynamics of the car, enhancing traction and brake balance. The motor cuts in during acceleration, providing instantaneous torque when moving away from a standstill and during overtaking manoeuvres, with torque control a function of grip, gear and accelerator pedal angle. Depending on vehicle speed and engine load – for example in town driving – the hybrid system can also function as a full-electric drivetrain. The result is a direct reduction in consumption and emissions. The motor also features a unique cooling and lubrication system for maximum efficiency under all operating temperatures and loads. The castings of the motor are made in the Ferrari foundry, complete with Prancing Horse motif.

Ferrari Profits Down in 2009

2010-02-19T00:18:00.001-08:00

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

2010-02-15T09:53:00.000-08:00

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia

2010 Novitec Rosso Ferrari California Official Revealed

2010-02-15T09:29:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-08T20:11:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-08T20:10:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-08T20:04:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-07T20:06:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-02T04:30:00.000-08:00

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.

Driven: 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia

2010-01-29T04:14:00.000-08:00

There didn't seem to be a lot more that Ferrari could do with its V-8 berlinetta lineup. Over the past decade, the cars got better and better, further cementing Ferrari's role as the producer of the world's most desirable sports cars. The startlingly good 360 Modena began it all back in 1999, and each successive iteration of the mid-engine masterpiece from Maranello raised the bar: The 360 Challenge Stradale. The F430. The 430 Scuderia. And, most recently, the hyperfocused Scuderia Spider 16M. These cars became the backbone of Ferrari's resurgence by translating the automaker's hard-fought Formula 1 racing expertise into products that tantalized auto enthusiasts everywhere, rewarded the lucky few who owned them, and strengthened the ethereal aura around the brand. Ferrari created the gold standard in sports cars, a lineup that competitors as varied as the Ford GT, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, the Lamborghini Gallardo, the Porsche 911 GT3, and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage sought to assail. But in the tussle for sports car supremacy, Ferrari always managed to end up at the top of the heap.

With leadership comes responsibility, but it also can bring vulnerability. When it came time to replace the F430, would Ferrari succumb to success, throw up its collective hands, and decide that a mild refresh would do? After all, if any automaker today were to unveil a car that is as good as the F430 was five years ago, the car would be declared a champion. Ferrari could easily have simply tweaked the F430, slapped on a new skin and a new nameplate, and still filled its order books for a five-year run. This plan of action must have been tempting for a small carmaker that was already busy developing a class-leading V-12 GT flagship, the 599GTB Fiorano; an all-new convertible, the California; and a midcycle repositioning of its two-plus-two, the 612 Scaglietti, not to mention running a Formula 1 racing team and supplying engines to Alfa Romeo and Maserati.

Ferrari Introduces F1 Car Online

2010-01-29T04:12:00.000-08:00

Fernando Alonso, a two-time champion with Renault F1, standing with the Ferrari F10 Formula One car, which was unveiled Thursday morning.

Ferrari became the first team to introduce its new car today — after Mercedes introduced its new colors on the old Brawn car earlier in the week — and the teams seem already to be jockeying for position. Ferrari has stated that the new car has set a record: the connections to the ferrari.com Web site.

“More than three million users were connected to watch the presentation, which let the Web site freeze for a couple of seconds in several moments,” the team said in a statement.

Fears Ferrari's F10 is lacking in pace

2010-01-29T04:11:00.000-08:00

Ferrari have not yet turned a wheel in anger with their new F10 and already there are concerns about the car's performance.

In the middle of a disappointing 2009 Championship, Ferrari opted to forgo development work on their existing car and instead put their efforts into this year's machine.

The early design programme means, theoretically, Ferrari should have the jump on their rivals, many of whom focused on last year's cars until the very end.

However, there are already reported concerns about the quality of the team's new charger.

According to The Times, 'rumours are sweeping the Italian media that the performance estimates for the machine are not as good as the team were hoping for and that a "B-spec" version is being prepared to try to move it a stage farther on.'

Those reports, though, are contrary to what new driver Fernando Alonso had to say at Thursday's launch of the new car, which he clearly stated that initial tests have been positive.

Ferrari 599XX A Bright Red Diamond

2010-01-16T06:45:00.000-08:00

As for the 599XX, it is a special track-only model and isn’t homolgated to compete in any racing series, meaning owners can only drive it on track, but can’t compete in racing. The car’s 6.0-liter V12 engine has been reworked to produce 700-hp at 9000 rpm, while new aerodynamics help to deliver 612 lbs of downforce at 124 mph and almost 1,400 lbs of downforce at 186 mph!

One particularly important innovation on the 599XX is Ferrari’s new “Actiflow” technology, that adjusts downforce and drag depending upon how the car is operating. This is achieved through the use of a porous material in the diffuser and two fans in the trunk lid that work to channel air from under the car out through two grilles next to the tail lights. Rather noticeable winglets have also been added to the the are just behind the winds, where the buttresses are located.

The 599XX also uses what Ferrari terms a, “Virtual Race Engineer” that essentially uses all the onboard computers to calculate what the maximum level of performance the car can achieve on a race track. To do this it takes every bit of data available, including tire temperature, tire pressure, engine and coolant temperature (as well as many other variables) and determines what the maximum level of performance capable by the car under those conditions is.

ASI Ferrari F430 Spotted

2010-01-15T04:33:00.001-08:00

We have been following the ASI Ferrari F430 design since its initial concept stages and we were excited to finally spot a finished product in person. ASI is famous for some very wild creations, includig a matte-white widebody Bentley Continental GT, which debuted at the SEMA Show several years back.

Unveiled in the Forgiato booth at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon, the ASI Ferrari F430 is certainly more impressive in person than in any photos we’ve seen up until now. The aggressive yet clean styling further accents the already curvaceous lines of the Ferrari F430, while some of the more wild parts of the aero kit lend a race car-like feel to the car. Plus, there’s a nice set of Scuderia stripes to add to the package.

Ferrari Moving Forward With Hybrid Production

2010-01-15T04:32:00.001-08:00

A few months back, Ferrari let their plans for a new hybrid system leak out. The ensuing uproar effectively divided the fans of the Italian Automaker into those who loved the idea, and those who were appalled by it. The decision by Ferrari to use the new powertrain in the 599 GTB is likely to divide this group even more.

While nothing is official yet, it is now known that Ferrari is planning on bringing a prototype hybrid 599 GTB with them to the upcoming Geneva Auto Show. If the schematics were correct, the design would call for the inclusion of 2 electric motors propelling the rear transaxle. The hybrid variant would still make use of the high revving V12, but would also employ the electric drive system to reduce fuel consumption by about 35%.

Ferrari 599XX is the best thing about Chrysler’s stand

2010-01-15T04:31:00.000-08:00

Who would have thought that one day we’d mention Ferrari and Chrysler in the same sentence – but with Fiat and Chrysler now working together, that day has become a reality.

While the 458 Italia is no where in plain site, Ferrari is using a little section at Chrysler’s display to show off the Ferrari 599XX.

Power for the Ferrari 599XX comes from a 6.0L V12 engine
making 700-hp with a maximum torque of 479 lb-ft. Ferrari also added a new F1 inspired gearbox that transfers power to the wheels with gear change time cut down to 60 ms.

Ferrari 599xx Shows Chrysler

2010-01-15T04:28:00.000-08:00

Chrysler rolled into the North American International Auto Show pretty much empty-handed, so Ferrari took pity on its corporate sibling and sent over a 599XX so there’d be something worth seeing on the Chrysler stand.

For those whose blood doesn’t run rosso corsa, the 599XX is the sharpest track weapon the Scuderia builds short of its F1 cars. We first saw it almost a year ago at the Geneva auto show, but since Ferrari skipped Detroit this year it’s the only thing here wearing the cavallino rampante. It’s based on the magnificent 599 GTB Fiorano but is a different beast altogether. Maranello slathered this 700-horsepower rocket with all the latest high-tech hardware its racing department could muster.

GTO BADGE IS BACK WITH FERRARI 599

2010-01-07T09:03:00.001-08:00

Ferrari is planning to 'Scuderia-ise' its 599 GTB hyper-GT with a hardcore version based on the track-only 599XX (pictured).

The new car could even bring back the fabled GTO moniker, a badge that hasn't been attached to a Ferrari since the mouthwatering, achingly desirable 1984 288 GTO.

According to the fine fellows at EVO magazine, the new 599 GTO will cost around £300k (a snip considering the 599XX costs a cool million quid), and could become one of the fastest Ferraris ever.

288 GTO was last Ferrari to bear the badge
288 GTO was last Ferrari to bear the badge
The 599 GTO should manage 0-62mph in just 3.2secs (half a second up on the regular car) on its way to a 217mph top speed (the standard 599 HGTE is done at 205mph). The extra pace comes courtesy of a V12 that's had an extra 600rpm liberated to allow it to run up to 9000rpm and gives it a whopping 700bhp.

Apparently, this has only been made possible since the debut of the 458 Italia, when the 599 was recategorised by Ferrari as a 'sports car' rather than a 'GT'. To be honest, though, we don't really care how or why it's happened, we're just glad that it has.

Ferrari 599 GTO? EVO says 700-hp bruiser is on the way

2010-01-07T09:01:00.000-08:00

Ferrari 599XX

Few words have greater impact when mashed together than "Ferrari" and "GTO." While there are rivals at times, the most expensive car in the word for the last three decades has been the original, Daytona Coupe battling, Le Mans winning Ferrari 250 GTO. Designed by Giotto Bizzarrini and raced into history by Phil Hill, few cars wear the moniker "legendary" quite as well. After all, only 39 were ever made.

But, like Leah, there is another. The mighty Ferrari 288 GTO. Developed -- like Porsche's 959 and 961 -- for Group B action, few if any cars set our hearts so totally on fire. Know nothings might scoff at the 2.85-liter displacement, but those of us in the know will point to the two turbochargers, two intercoolers and 400 stampeding horses. We might even tell them that if they turned the boost pressure up from 11.6 psi to something a bit higher, 600 hp is well within reach. However, the 288 GTO isn't, as just 272 examples (though some say 273) were made. Compare that to the 1,315 Ferrari F40s that were built. A car we should point out, that's basically a 288 GTO with a body kit.

Now there might be three. EVO is reporting that Ferrari is about to let loose a new GTO upon the world in the form of a 700 horsepower monster called the 599 GTO. Obviously, it's an evolution of the street 599, and in fact EVO's claiming it's the racetrack only 599XX for the street. During a recent interview, Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa told the Brit mag that when the 458 Italia debuted, the 599 was internally reassigned to the "Sports Car" division, instead of where it used to reside, as a "GT."

Ferrari Reportedly Planning to Display 599 Hybrid Concept in Geneva

2009-12-27T22:25:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-26T07:01:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-21T09:42:00.000-08:00

2010 Novitec Rosso Ferrari California Official Revealed

2009-12-21T09:39:00.000-08:00

ealed

2011 Ferrari 458 Italia Sports Car

2009-12-18T23:34:00.000-08:00

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

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

2009-12-18T23:33:00.000-08:00

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

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

2009-12-17T01:28:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-17T01:24:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-17T01:23:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-15T22:14:00.003-08:00

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

2009-12-15T22:14:00.002-08:00

Ferrari's custom 599 convertible loading

2009-12-15T22:14:00.001-08:00

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

2009-12-15T22:12:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-15T22:11:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-09T03:40:00.002-08:00

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

2009-12-09T03:40:00.001-08:00

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

2009-12-09T03:24:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-04T08:32:00.000-08:00

Ferrari 458 Italia: review

2009-11-29T19:35:00.000-08:00

The 458 is expected to cost as much as $600,000, or 10 per cent more than the 430.

Stuart Martin road tests and reviews the Ferrari 458 Italia, with a lap at the company’s track in Fiorano.

Ferrari has taken its two-seater V8 sports to new heights with the 458 Italia, but there's no manual in sight.

Sharing some of the California's drivetrain, albeit with upgrades to suit the harder-core performance aspect of the coupe, the 458 is only being offered only as a double-clutch automated seven-speed manual when Australian deliveries start mid-2010, so low was the demand for 430 manuals.

The company says the 458 - expected to cost as much as $600,000, or 10 per cent more than the 430 - completes the new generation Ferrari range, boasting better environmental credentials accompanied by more power and better performance.

The 458 is largely focussed on the driver, with the remainder of the cabin laid bare - the driver gets a steering wheel that has the bulk of the features now mounted on it, moving lights, indicators, windscreen washer/wiper function to the steering wheel, as well as the start/stop engine button, the independent damper switch and the all-important Manettino toggle.

That system controls the suspension, stability control and drivetrain via the one ECU, which Ferrari says allows the systems to work together for quicker response times.

The aluminium-spaceframe vehicle, which was developed with input from Michael Schumacher, sits on a double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, with some similarity to the underpinnings of the California - but some of the suspension has been altered for 458 Italia duty, including the bushing.

The 458 is also stiffer than the outgoing 430 Scuderia, boasting only 30 extra kgs but with 50 more kiloWatts and 70 additional Newton metres of torque on hand, it's quicker than the outgoing sports model.

The alloy direct-injection engine is now 4.5-litres, with work done to reduce internal friction as well as using a dry sump and oil scavenger system, producing 425kW at a manic 9000rpm and 540Nm at 6000rpm, although 80 per cent of that is available from 3250 through until 9000rpm.

The sprint to 100km/h takes less than 3.4 seconds, it brakes from that point to standstill in 32.5 metres thanks to standard carbon-ceramic brake discs and a 1380kg kerb weight and the top speed is around 325km/h.

The car has also benefitted from considerable aerodynamic work, managing to cut drag - it's cD is 0.33 - but at the same time generating solid levels of downforce at speed - 360kg of downforce is being generated at the top speed of 325km/h.

Flexible front winglets, rear diffusers and subtle venting across the length of the body are all part of a complex aerodynamic package that aim to give the car ample track stability at speed.

Driving the car on its local Italian roads and the test track at Fiorano where much of the development work was done, the 458 feels well-sorted. The road drive revealed the latest incarnation of the magnetorheological controlled damping system deals well with ride quality, as well as tightening up appropriately when asked.

The engine sounds a little less inspiring at mundane speeds, but the drivetrain doesn't baulk at suburban dawdling.

But bury the right foot and the active exhaust brays with intent as the V8 spins with ferocious intent to 9000rpm - only race mode will stop the gearbox changing up at the limiter, but the pace at which the horizon closes in on the sharp nose of the 458 is astonishing.

On the Fiorano test track, the 458 is no less astonishing - the full throttle noise borders on a physical assault and the electronics are kept busy on a greasy track, but it feels cohesive and unlikely to bite, unless you switch all the electronics off - but we didn't.

There's little that occurs beneath the wheels that the driver is not aware of, but the talents of the car are best shown by the Ferrari test drivers, who demonstrate the 458 Italia's considerable potential.

First Drive: Ferrari 458 Italia

2009-11-29T19:32:00.000-08:00

The new Ferrari 458 Italia has supermodel looks, but what’s it like to drive?

The Ferrari 458 Italia is the car tuned by seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher.

The German, regarded by some as the greatest driver of all time, spent roughly 40 hours behind the wheel of the new Ferrari 458 Italia, feeding his unique insights to the engineers based on his considerable experience in car set-up.

That’s no guarantee of success for the latest supercar to wear the legendary Prancing Horse badge, but it’s not a bad start.

Neither is the first impression you get when you see the 458 in the flesh. It looks sensational – more stealth fighter than road car. It’s a cleaner design than the F430.

The big air intakes that dominated the flanks of the F430 have been replaced by more discreet vents on the car’s window sills and under the rear wings.

The vertical daytime running lights add another dash of theatre, while the cluster of three exhaust pipes at the rear looks like a jet’s afterburner.

Step inside and the Ferrari 458 Italia is equally impressive. Other manufacturers like to talk about a driver-oriented, cockpit-feel, but this car delivers. In fact, the passenger is almost cut out of the picture altogether.

There is no conventional centre stack. Instead, there are two screens either side of the giant tacho in the instrument panel. The one on the left has the read-out for the vehicle set-up and (too small) digital speedo, while the one on the right has the sat-nav and audio (there’s no CD player, instead you get a red Ferrari iPod and docking station).

The only buttons within easy reach of the passenger are the air-con controls and the three buttons on the centre console – the launch control, reverse gear selector and auto transmission setting.

In contrast, almost every system in the car is at the fingertips of the driver. There are no indicator stalks, the blinkers are activated by buttons on the steering wheel, as are the headlights and windscreen wipers. It seems a little odd at first, but works well. The driver can also select a softer suspension setting via another button on the wheel, while the trademark “Manettino” switch allows you to choose from five different set-ups.

The rest of the cabin is traditional leather-lined luxury, including supportive racing seats, with great side and thigh support.

Start the Ferrari 458 Italia up, blip the throttle and the intoxicating sound of a thoroughbred V8 fills the cabin.

The Italia’s 425kW V8 sounds surprisingly tame and refined when you’re driving sedately around town. But as with most sports cars these days, the Ferrari has an exhaust bypass flap that opens up as the revs rise. The harder you push the 458, the better it sounds, all the way to an ear-splitting 9000rpm.

But the noise is only a small part of the fun. The acceleration is mind-boggling. Ferrari says the 458 reaches 100km/h in 3.4secs and 200km/h in 10.4secs. After a day driving the car on the track and the open road, we found no reason to doubt those figures.

Some of the credit for the blistering acceleration goes to the Ferrari’s seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. The maker decided not to develop a manual transmission for the 458 because it says the dual-clutch delivers noticeably better performance while using less fuel.

The shifts in the Ferrari 458 Italia are razor-sharp and intuitive, with the car downshifting automatically each time you hit the awesome ceramic brakes. Each downshift is accompanied by a wonderful-sounding blip of the throttle, whether you change gears by the paddleshifts or let the 458 do it for you. The car also gargles and spits when you come off the throttle.

A flick of the Manettino really transforms the car from luxury grand tourer to race-car. The Manettino adjusts the car’s suspension, throttle sensitivity, gear shift patterns, brake feel and suspension settings. It also adjusts the sensitivity of the various driver aids, including the traction control, stability control and electronic diff, which distributes torque between the rear wheels to increase drive out of corners.

The suspension and steering are the final pieces in the jigsaw and neither disappoints. As always, we’ll reserve judgment on the ride until we get the car on local roads, but it was impressively well-controlled and comfortable on patchy road surfaces. The strangely named “bumpy road” setting also works well. It’s only available on the sportier settings and it’s designed to improve the tyres contact with the road on rough surfaces.

The setting softens the dampers so the car is less prone to skip about over corrugations.

The Ferrari 458 Italia’s grip was phenomenal, even when driven enthusiastically on wet roads, while body roll was hardly noticeable through corners. The car’s exceptional handling encourages you to push harder at each corner, while the steering is incredibly sharp and direct, adding to the overall feeling of supreme surefootedness.

It may be hideously expensive and unashamedly politically incorrect, but the Ferrari 458 Italia is one truly impressive machine.

British Ferrari supercar

2009-11-24T12:07:00.000-08:00

The new car will take on Ferraris and Porsches and is the brainchild of top designer Lee Noble.

He is setting up the new company – Fenix Automotive Ltd – to sell the mid-engined V8 motor.

Designer of the Ferrari-beating Noble M12 and Noble M400, the Leicestershire wizard is already deep into development of his all new car.

Tantalisingly, he says the Fenix will trounce all his previous creations!

What’s more, Noble says it will sell for a relative bargain price – less than £75,000. That’s despite a promised ability to shoot from 0-100mph in under 7 seconds.

‘Our new car will offer buyers performance and dynamics that they’d normally have to spend well over £100,000 to experience,’ said Noble – ‘but at a far more affordable price.

‘It will combine simplicity, strength and agility, while its 2-seat, closed body will ensure sensible levels of refinement for road use.’

The new Fenix will hit the market towards the end of 2010, where its ‘amazing practicality’ will be revealed. Noble also says it will be useable on the road as well as on the track.

Ferrari 458 Italia, F430 Replacement

2009-11-15T09:05:00.001-08:00

The 458 Italia is the latest incarnation of the mid-rear engined berlinetta and will be unveiled at the next Frankfurt Motor Show. The Ferrari 458 Italia is a massive leap forward from the previous mid-rear engined F430. The Ferrari 458 Italia is a completely new car from every point of view – engine, design, aerodynamics, handling, instrumentation and ergonomics. The Ferrari 458 Italia, as is now traditional for all Ferrari’s road-going cars, benefits hugely from the company’s Formula 1 experience. The Ferrari 458 Italia’s interior gets a new layout and a revolutionary ergonomic interface where the main controls are all clustered on the steering wheel.

Ferrari’s track experience makes its presence felt in the 458 Italia not only in terms of pure technological transfer but also on a more emotional level, because of the strong emphasis on creating an almost symbiotic relationship between driver and car. The 458 Italia features an innovative driving environment with a new kind of steering wheel and dashboard that is the direct result of racing practice. Once again input from Michael Schumacher – who was involved from the very start of the 458 Italia project played an invaluable part.

The Ferrari 458 Italia’s Pininfarina design provides further evidence of the complete departure from the past that this new car hails. The Ferrari 458 Italia has a compact, aerodynamic shape, underscoring the concepts of simplicity, efficiency and lightness that inspired the project. The new 4499 cc V8 is the first Ferrari direct injection engine to be mid-rear mounted. The engine delivers 570 CV at 9000 rpm and, with an outstanding power output of 127 CV/litre, sets a new benchmark not only for the whole Ferrari range and the history of company, but also for the entire market segment. Maximum torque is 540 Nm at 6000 rpm, over 80% of which is available from 3250 rpm.

The car’s soundtrack is also typical Ferrari, with an exciting, powerful growl emerging from the engine before it channels through to the exhaust’s three rear tailpipes. The 458 Italia is equipped with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission which increases performance whilst providing very smooth shifts even at full throttle. Despite the fact that the new engine is significantly more powerful than the V8s that preceded it, the Ferrari 458 Italia produces just 320 g/km of CO2 and fuel consumption is 13.7 l/100 km (combined cycle), the best in the entire segment.

The Ferrari 458 Italia reaches 0-100 kmph acceleration in under 3.4 seconds and a maximum speed in excess of 325 km/h. The supercar offers extremely rapid turn-in and body control whilst maintaining superior ride comfort. The ECU governs the high-performance ABS, providing even more precise control over the logic threshold and greater efficiency. The brakes also feature a prefill function whereby the pistons in the callipers move the pads into contact with the discs on lift off to minimise delay in the brakes being applied. This combined with the ABS has cut the 100-0 km/h braking distance to a mere 32.5 metres.

Review: Ferrari 458 Italia

2009-11-15T09:01:00.000-08:00

A 570bhp mid-engined sports car from Ferrari would have been enough to satisfy most but the 458 Italia happens to be gorgeous as well.

There are lots of highly desirable destinations for a car budget of over £150,000 but with this package of engineering and design, Ferrari has assembled a compelling case for sending it to Maranello.

Like any car manufacturer, Ferrari has had its ups and downs over the years. There are models which are revered as classics and those which are routinely shunned but in recent times, it’s been on something of a roll. Enzo, F430, 612, 599, even the California was warmly received by those who appreciated the need for it. It looked like the brand could do no wrong but was it building towards crescendo or catastrophe? The answer came as the covers fell from the 458 Italia and applause surged in the air.

It’s interesting that the period which may soon be looked back on as one of Ferrari’s greatest took place at a time when supercar manufacturers were under increasing strain. Growing environmental concerns and, latterly, major financial upheaval are not the preferred back drops against which to retail high performance sportscars costing north of £150,000. In the build-up to the arrival of the 458, Ferrari must also have been feeling the squeeze from a number of rival products dropping into the top end of the sports car market. Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz were all flexing their muscles in the sector and McLaren had announced its MP4-12C follow-up to the mighty F1. Looking at these factors and then at the 458 Italia, the only reasonable conclusion is that Ferrari thrives under pressure.

Mounted at the heart of the 458 is a phenomenal V8 engine. Based on the same block as the unit in this car’s F430 predecessor, it’s boosted to a 4.5-litre capacity and revs to a spine-tingling 9,000rpm. The maximum power output of 570bhp is achieved on that rev limiter and it’s enough to transport the 458 through the 0-62mph sprint in 3.4s. Guaranteeing the car’s supercar status are the facts that it will pass 124mph in 10.4s and reach a top speed on the scary side of 200mph.

Power is sent from the mid-mounted engine to the rear wheels via Ferrari’s double-clutch gearbox marshalled by wheel-mounted paddle shifters – there’s no manual option. Helping to get it all onto the road efficiently is the highly advanced e-diff electronic differential and the F1-Trac traction control system found in the 599. The braking system uses carbon ceramic discs gripped by 6-pot aluminium callipers on the front and four-pot items on the rear. It’s enough to get the 458 from 62mph to a standstill in a little over 32 meters.

"Mounted at the heart of the 458 is a phenomenal V8 engine?."

It’s a sad reality that most people will never drive a Ferrari 458 Italia and will have to make do with marvelling at it on magazine covers and motorshow stands. It’s a beautiful car, so there are worse ways to while away some time but there’s also function in its exquisite form. Stylists Pininfarina sculpted the bodywork around the various cooling and aerodynamic constraints laid down by the engineers.

The rubber wings inside the frontal air-intake are designed to deform at high speed, closing off the radiator for improved aerodynamics. At lower speeds when more cooling is needed, they allow the air in and it exits through the wing vents at the side of the avant-garde front light clusters. The gearbox and clutch are cooled by the intakes on the elegantly elongated tail, with the air exiting through its mesh sections. Signature styling features include the windscreen that plunges down below the bonnet line and the trio of exhaust pipes flanked by the super aggressive rear splitter. In total, the 458 bodywork produces 140kg of downforce at 124mph with a drag coefficient of just 0.33Cd.

The interior is pared down and intensely focused on the business of driving. Steering column stalks have been eliminated, with the controls placed on the steering wheel itself along with the engine start button and the settings for the stability control system. There’s a definite Formula One feel to the wheel as a result, but owners won’t be able to take it off and carry it around with them.

The market for sportscars costing over £150,000 isn’t particularly vibrant at the moment but the 458 Italia should have the requisite wow factor to compete with the best of the rest. The Ferrari name still carries enormous weight and there will be little chance of its profile waning while it can churn out products like this. McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin, Porsche and Lamborghini all have vehicles that could be deemed alternatives to the 458 and that’s a buying decision that any petrolhead would give their eye teeth to be able to make.

>>Click here to take a test drive in the latest models

Options for the 458 are more numerous than you might think. Buyers can specify diamond finish forged alloy wheels or super lightweight carbon fibre seats. Then there are numerous accessories and features arranged under the headings ‘Racing and Track’, ‘Exterior and Colours’, ‘Interior and Materials’ and ‘Equipment and Travel’. Where there’s most scope for personalisation is in the almost infinite number of possible trim combinations for the interior. Your Ferrari dealer will wheel out a vast catalogue of different material and colour choices to adorn the car’s cabin.

Astronomical probably won’t do the 458 Italia’s running costs justice but little issues like servicing, parts, fuel and insurance will be an irrelevance to the majority of this car’s owners. These days, even Ferrari must make some kind of offering at the alter of the environment and the 570bhp V8 does have variable valve timing, high pressure phased fuel injection and innumerable weight saving measures which help efficiency. There’s no use pretending their primary focus isn’t to help make the 458 go like stink though. For the record, official combined economy is 13.3mpg and CO2 emissions are 307g/km

Ferrari’s enviable recent record of producing mind-blowing sportscars looks to be in safe hands with the 458 Italia. The stunning bodywork isn’t merely an exercise in automotive art, it’s sculpted around the machine’s need for downforce, cooling, balance and grip. The intensely driver-focused cabin with its F1-esque steering wheel hints at the car’s potential but it’s when that needle hits 9,000rpm and the V8 is giving up its 570bhp in full that the 458 will reveal what it’s truly made of.

2010 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE

2009-11-08T10:41:00.000-08:00

At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show next week, Ferrari will hold two world premiers both having to do with its 599 GTB Fiorano.

Ferrari has developed a new track focused handling package for the car. Called the Handling Grand Turismo Evoluzione (HGTE), the new upgrade will help add some spice to the 599 as it draws toward the end of its product cycle.

Ferrari 430 Scuderia Edizione

2009-11-08T10:37:00.000-08:00

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia performance

2009-11-05T11:10:00.000-08:00

Ferrari’s storied Fiorano test track in Maranello, Italy, is a special place. It's even more so when we get to experience it in the 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia, the company’s latest sports car. Today, Ferrari test driver Raffaele De Simone is making Fiorano look easy.

All it takes to master the 1.85-mile circuit in the Italia is two light palms, one steady foot, and a strict diet of Muslix and fresh fruit. Or so it seems from the passenger seat as the rail-thin De Simone thrusts and slides the 458 through Fiorano’s curves and hairpins in a ballet of bawling rubber. After three laps, much of which are sideways, De Simone climbs out and beckons us to the driver’s seat, then walks away. We’re on our own, even though about five years ago, a certain Car and Driver personality introduced a new Ferrari to a wall on a similar day not far from this very spot. Don’t these people learn?

The Feel

Turns out, driving the 458 quickly is practically effortless, like strapping on parabolic skis or doing square roots with a calculator. With an 11.5:1 ratio, the steering is unbelievably quick and surprisingly light, as though the front axle is barely touching the ground. Still, the grip is tenacious, the turn-in to a corner so fierce and direct that you’ll swear it has a rudder tilling the asphalt.

The direct-injection 4.5-liter V-8 whirls up to its 9000-rpm redline with a fearsome roar but a throttle so controllable and a torque band so flat that it never runs away on you. The carbon-ceramic brakes—standard on all 458s, as they are on all new Ferraris—respond to minute changes in foot pressure, not a trait always associated with carbon brakes. The suspension, enhanced with magnetorheological shock absorbers, keeps the body flat and calm, even over Fiorano’s various bumps and ripples. The electronic differential and multilevel stability control can track the car out of corners as if it’s stuck down by God’s own wad of gum. Thanks to the car’s finely orchestrated chorus of electronics and solid engineering, a chimpanzee on Vicodin could set a lap record in this car.

2012 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Successor Spyshots

2009-11-01T00:33:00.000-07:00

Another chapter can be added to the story around the 612 Scaglietti successor. The test mule was again spotted, but still nothing is really known about this perticular model driving around near Modena.

You will definitely spot the bulge on the hood, but what it exactly holds is unknown. The rumours suggest this model is due for 2012 and is in the early phase of testing. However, previous stories suggest Ferrari is developing a hybrid system or even a new V12 engine with a twin turbo setup. WorldCarFans even suggests it could be that Fiat’s MultiAir system is temporarily fitted to this test mule in order to see how much performance enhancement can be pulled from that.

Inside Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi

2009-10-26T22:52:00.001-07:00

Ferrari has plans to open the “world’s largest indoor theme park, sitting under a roof designed in the style of a classic double-curve body shell of a Ferrari,” in 2010.

Links to information are here, to video are here and photos are here.

Details are pretty scant. Here’s the key description: “With over 20 rides and attractions, including the world’s fastest rollercoaster, Ferrari World is more than a theme park – it is the total Ferrari experience.”

Some additional information is available here, as well, although it amounts to about the same information repackaged.

Why bring it up? Well, the timing now may be a little less perfect than when Ferrari started building the park. But maybe by the time it really opens (I’m guessing 2010 is a pipe dream), the economy will be back in full swing.

What do people think? Does it seem a smart piece of marketing and branding or might it go the way of Euro Disney? Is it just plain stupid or do you have a new “Must See” item on your travel list?

Rare Ferrari sets $16m auction record

2009-10-26T22:46:00.000-07:00

A RARE Ferrari has set a world record for the most expensive car sold at auction, with an anonymous buyer ignoring the global recession by paying €9.02 million ($A16.2 million) for a 1957 250 Testa Rossa.

This beats the previous world record – set at the same event at Ferrari’s Maranello factory a year ago – of €7.04m ($A12.4m) for a 1961 California paid by celebrity DJ Chris Evans.

Another famous Prancing Horse that was expected to challenge the record failed to sell after reaching €7.25m ($A12.8m). The 330 P4 is one of only three built, finished second at Le Mans in 1967 and raced in Australia at Surfers Paradise a year later, but which is currently in its last racing form with modified bodywork for the United States Can-Am series.

Also failing to sell on the day was a Maserati 250F Grand Prix car driven to victory in the 1956 Monaco Grand Prix by Stirling Moss. It was passed in at €1.35 million ($A2.4 million).

The record-setting black 3.0-litre V12 ‘pontoon-fender’ 250 Testa Rossa (chassis 0714TR) is one of 22 examples built and also has a racing history, but mainly in US amateur racing.

The new auction record was posted on Sunday at the third annual factory-sanctioned Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event held by RM Auctions, which would not reveal the identity of the winning phone bidder.

“The historical significance of this car attracted a bidding war as collectors from around the world – both in the room and on the telephone – competed to secure one of the most alluring and iconic of all Ferrari racing cars,” said RM Europe managing director Max Girardo.

Top 10 Ferrari Cars

2009-10-23T01:34:00.000-07:00

Here are the Top 10 Ferrari road cars for your reference.

1. F50: More modern than F40 and more focused than Enzo, it provides the best driving experience among Ferrari's 200mph supercars. The engine sound is awesome. I think it is the best supercar ever made. It is possibly the last Ferrari with engine based on Formula-1 car.

2. 250 GTO: Rare beauty. The performance is amazing for its era and is one of the first cars that made Ferrari legendary.

3. Enzo: Ferrari's pinnacle (for now).

4. 166MM: It brought Ferrari's earliest victories. Ferrari became a significant player in the automotive world because of this car.

5. F40: Enzo's last car and the genesis of modern superexotics. In my opinion the besk looking car ever made. It had a successful racing program that allowed it to compete with much more modern and expensive apponents.

6. 206/246 Dino: The first entry level Ferrari and is one of the best looking roadcars.

7. 365 Daytona: The best GT car of its era, and sets the standard for later cars like 550 Maranello and 599 GTB.

8. F355: The best looking entry level Ferrari with amazing sound.

9. 360 Challenge Stradale: A good looking car with amazing handling and amazing sound. A true racecar for the road.

10. 275 GTB/4: One of the greatest traditional front engine sportscars, and one of the best looking sportscars ever made.

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia

2009-10-21T17:50:00.001-07:00

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia

2010 Ferrari 599XX

2009-10-21T17:49:00.000-07:00

Ferrari has created a new 'technological laboratory' for a select group of 599 enthusiasts, called the 599XX.

The 599XX incorporates the most advanced technologies resulting from Ferrari's road-going and F1 research. Many of the technological solutions it carries are being used for the first time and have been developed exclusively for this special car.

A limited number of places and cars will be available, with the vehicles only used at private track sessions, worldwide.

2010 Ferrari 599XX Sports Car aimed at the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

2009-10-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

The Geneva Motor Show isn't all about hybrids, EVs and hopeful thinking. There are some hardcore sports cars there as well. Ferrari, as always, brought out some serous iron. Or in this case, some serious alloy, carbon composites and technical know-how.

Witness the 700-horsepower 599XX. It’s about as serious as a sports car gets, but sadly, we’ll never see it on the roads. The 599XX is designed exclusively for the track.

The 599XX is based on the magnificent 599 GTB Fiorano but is a different beast altogether. It’s slathered with all the latest high tech goodies from Ferrari’s racing department and is not aimed merely at the rich. The 599XX, like the FXX before it, is to be sold, in Ferrari’s words, to "a select group of clients," which is to say people are are both rich and want to go wheel-to-wheel during exclusive Ferrari track days. When those few fortunate souls aren't actually behind the wheels of their 599XXs, Ferrari will graciously store them.

Ferrari SUV

2009-10-21T16:52:00.000-07:00

After rumors about a Lamborghini SUV, is now time to talk about a future Ferrari SUV. And even if Ferrari is about supercars, it seems that company has finally decided that they need a SUV in their line-up. Maybe the conclusion came after Lamborghini decided to built one, or maybe after seeing the success of the Porsche Cayenne, but, in any case the SUV is on its way and will be launched sometime in 2010.

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia Live Image

2009-10-18T17:03:00.000-07:00

The Ferrari 458 Italia, that debuts today at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, is an 8-cylinder two-seater berlinetta with a mid-rear mounted engine, and represents a genuine break with the past in terms of Maranello’s previous high-performance sports cars. Designed to fulfil the expectations and ambitions of our most passionate clients, the 458 Italia continues the Ferrari tradition of putting the thrill into driving as a result of track-derived technological innovations.

Maranello’s racing experience can be felt not only in terms of pure technological transfer but also on a more emotional level, because of the strong emphasis on creating an almost symbiotic relationship between driver and car. This is one of the areas where Michael Schumacher’s contribution, right from the early stages of the project, was of fundamental importance.

Thanks to a new 4,499 cc V8 engine, which punches out 570 CV, the F1 dual-clutch gearbox and a 1,380 kg dry weight, the 458 Italia boasts an extraordinary weightpower ratio of 2.42 kg (a power-weight ratio of 413 CV per ton). This means it sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in under 3.4 seconds and hits a maximum speed of over 325 km/h.

The 458 Italia delivers superb vehicle dynamics with an ideal weight balance for a midrear engined sports car – 58 per cent rear, 42 per cent front. Evolved electronic control systems also help guarantee maximum performance in all driving conditions. Its new suspension set-up, featuring twin wishbones with L arms at the front and a multilink set-up the rear, is tuned for ultimate road-holding and superlative handling. This, together with a more direct steering ratio, ensures the car is extremely responsive whilst maintaining superior ride comfort.

As is the case with the Scuderia’s Formula 1 single-seaters, the engineers focused their efforts on achieving maximum efficiency right across the board with this car. The result is that the Ferrari 458 Italia produces only 307 g/km of CO2 and has a fuel consumption of just 13.3 l/100 km (combined cycle), a benchmark for the entire segment.

Aside from the work done to reduce both internal friction in the engine and overall weight, this result has been achieved thanks to aerodynamic research which focused on cutting drag and maximising downforce.

The 458 Italia is thus a synthesis of technological innovation, creative flair, style and passion, a combination of characteristics for which Italy as a nation is renowned. Ferrari’s Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo, chose to pay homage to this fact by adding the name of the car’s homeland to the traditional figure representing the displacement and number of cylinders.

Styling and aerodynamics

Every Ferrari is the result of an uncompromising design approach that integrates styling and aerodynamic requirements. The Pininfarina design features compact, aerodynamic lines, underscoring the concepts of performance-oriented efficiency that inspired the project.

The nose features a single opening for the front grille and side air intakes, with aerodynamic sections and profiles designed to direct air to the coolant radiators and the new flat underbody. The nose also sports small aeroelastic winglets which generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator intake and cut drag.

The oil radiators for the F1 gearbox and the dual-clutch are situated in the tail and air is fed from two intakes on the top of the rear wings. This solution provides a base bleed effect, an aerodynamic function that was developed by Ferrari for the FXX and which reduces drag by feeding the hot air out of the radiators under the nolder and into the slip stream. Using experience gained in aerodynamic development on the Ferrari F430 GT2, the flat underbody now incorporates the air intakes for engine bay cooling. These are positioned ahead of the rear wheelarches where they use pressure differences to efficiently channel air flow to the engine bay, at the same time generating more rear downforce.

The car’s sills are characterised by two keel forms that act as fairings to the rear wheels, while the rear bodywork between the rear diffusers acts as the surround to the novel triple exhaust tail pipes, a styling cue that recalls the legendary F40 and gives the 458 Italia’s tail an aggressive sporty stance. The engine, in mid-rear V8 Ferrari tradition, is visible below the engine cover.

Technical development of the car’s shape started using CFD (Computational Fluid- Dynamic) techniques which helped optimise the management and interaction of the internal flows prior to wind tunnel testing. The latter was carried out on Ferrari’s rolling road facility using modular 1:3 scale models. The final solution chosen ensured adequate cooling to the running gear, while, at the same time, achieving a high level of aerodynamic efficiency (1.09) through excellent drag and downforce figures (Cd 0.33 and Cl 0.36 respectively) with 140 kg of downforce at 200 km/h and no less than 360 kg at top speed.

The front-mounted coolant radiators are trapezoidal in shape and positioned to minimise the impact of the internal cooling flows on drag and downforce. The oil radiators for the gearbox and clutch are are situated in the tail with air fed from two intakes on the top of the rear wings. The hot air from the radiators creates a base bleed effect, venting into the car’s low-pressure trail below the nolder and reducing drag.

The air intakes for engine bay cooling are situated on the aerodynamic underbody, where differences in pressure channel the air in the most efficient manner, and are positioned to increase rear downforce. Similarly air is channelled from the front air dam to the rear diffuser where the position and number of the fences has been developed to optimise the distribution of the vortex to improve rear downforce.

Engine

The engine is a dry-sump 90 degree V8 with a displacement of 4499 cc and is mid-rear mounted. It is an entirely new design engineered to reach a maximum of 9,000 rpm – a first on a road car – with a high 12.5:1 compression ratio and maximum power output of 570 CV. This equates to an outstanding power output of 127 CV/litre, a new benchmark for a naturally-aspirated production engine.

The generous torque available – 540 Nm at 6000 rpm, with over 80 per cent available from 3250 rpm – ensures rapid pick-up from all revs. The specific torque output of 120 Nm/l is another record.

The design of the engine components has been influenced by the carry-over of racing technology – F1 in particular – for maximum fluid-dynamic efficiency in order to achieve both performance and fuel consumption objectives, and meet the most stringent international emissions restrictions. The piston compression height was reduced as per racing engine practice. Similarly, thinner compression rings have been adopted to minimise friction between piston and liner. A graphite coating was applied to the piston skirt for the same reason.

To help further reduce internal friction, the cylinder block has four scavenge pumps. Two pick up oil from the cylinder heads and front and rear of the engine via dedicated oil recovery ducts outside the crankcase area, and two pick up oil from below the crank throws. The recovery ducts of the latter are interconnected in two groups of four cylinders to optimise the scavenge function and create a strong vacuum (800 mbar) around the crankshaft. This solution prevents excess oil splashing out of the sump and onto the rotating crankshaft and thus reduces power loss caused by friction. It also reduces losses due to windage caused by the pumping action of the pistons.

The engine oil pressure pump features variable displacement geometry which reduces the amount of power absorbed at high revs. Lowering the pump’s displacement actually increases the power available at the crankshaft for the same amount of fuel used.

As is traditional for Ferrari engines, the new V8 is equipped with continuously variable timing on both inlet and exhaust cams. The aluminium intake manifold has been lightened by reducing the wall thickness. It has short, almost straight inlet tracts to reduce losses and a system that varies the geometry of the manifold, optimising the volumetric efficiency throughout the rev range. This is achieved by incorporating three pneumatic throttle valves in the central section between the two plenums. The engine mapping provides four different configurations of the valves for optimum torque values at all revs.

The use of GDI with Split Injection improves engine performance by modulating the injection in two phases, increasing combustion efficiency and the torque at low revs (by up to 5 per cent). A high injection pressure (200 bar) guarantees adequate pulverisation of the petrol and an optimal air/fuel mix right up to 9000 rpm. This feature again results in better performance and lower fuel consumption.

The exhaust system was designed to provide the kind of thrilling soundtrack owners of Ferrari’s V8s are used to whilst also guaranteeing high levels of acoustic comfort. One of the main objectives with the exhaust was to reduce weight. The catalytic converter is attached to the central section of the exhaust by a flexible element to reduce the amount of vibration transmitted and to thus allow thinner metal to be used. Similarly the pre-catalytic converter has been eliminated, lowering overall weight and reducing back pressure whilst still respecting strict Euro 5 and LEV2 emissions.

Dual-clutch F1 gearbox

One of the important novelties on the 458 Italia is the introduction of the 7-speed F1 dual-clutch gearbox which guarantees faster yet smoother changes. The technology is based on the independent management of even and odd gears which are pre-selected using two separate input shafts. The gear shifting time (the overlap between the opening and closing phases of the two clutches) is zero and thus there is no interruption of engine torque to the driven wheels. Compared to the California gearbox, response times have been reduced and the 458 Italia has specific, sportier gear ratios to match the power and torque curves of the new V8, guaranteeing high torque even at lower revs. The E-Diff 3 electronic differential has also been integrated into the gearbox, resulting in a more compact and lighter unit.

Chassis

The modular chassis is an all-new design. New alloys join the traditional aluminium, along with high-resistance aluminium extrusions, developed by the aviation industry, and innovative manufacturing processes, such as heat-forming. The aim was to keep weight down to the benefit of performance and handling. The result is a chassis with improved structural rigidity, with torsional rigidity up 15 per cent compared to the F430, and beam stiffness up 5 per cent.

Suspension

The 458 Italia’s front suspension employs a novel new double wishbone set-up which features an L-shape design for the lower wishbone, with the rearward facing arm longer than the one in line with the wheel axis to provide greater longitudinal flexibility. This in turn improves the car’s ability to absorb bumps and it also reduces suspension noise. Another benefit is in terms of greater transverse rigidity which improves handling. The same characteristics are shared by the new rear multi-link suspension and, combined with specific tyre development, overall vertical rigidity has thus been improved (+35 per cent with respect to the F430) for less body roll, and the engineers were able to introduce a more direct steering ratio (11.9° compared to the F430’s 16.9°, a reduction of 30 per cent) which makes for quicker and more responsive steering on both road and track.

The 458 Italia also features the latest, second-generation Magnetorheological Suspension Control shock absorber system. Compared to the system first introduced on the 599 GTB Fiorano, SCM2 boasts an evolved ECU (-50 per cent input time) and a damper force generation time of 8 ms compared to the 599’s 15 ms. There is also a new piston rod bushing in the damper which reduces internal friction (-35 per cent) for more precise small-bump control and improved ride comfort.

Vehicle dynamics and electronics

On the 458 Italia the E-Diff and F1-Trac control software are integrated in the same ECU. This minimises communication times between the two systems and, at the same time, the individual logics were evolved to improve vehicle performance.

A new Power On strategy has been developed for the E-DIff governing traction out of corners and is integrated with the F1-Trac logic, an evolution in the combined action of both systems which is also connected with the high-performance ABS control logic, which is specially set up for high-grip surfaces.

The electronic differential continuously distributes torque to the rear wheels, both in Power Off (turning in for the corner) and Power On (accelerating out of the corner), guaranteeing excellent vehicle stability and control in all driving conditions and on all surfaces. The E-Diff 3 now works in a more integrated manner with the F1-Trac, using a series of F1-Trac parameters and evaluations (such as estimates of grip) both in manettino positions in which the F1-Trac is inserted (Sport – Race) and those in which it is deactivated (CT Off and CST Off). Compared to previous versions, E-Diff 3 delivers improved torque distribution coming out of corners (in Sport, Race, CT Off and CST Off), which translates into improved grip, better roadholding and more progressive handling on the limit. The result is an improvement of 32 percent in longitudinal acceleration out of corners compared to previous models and a lap time at Fiorano of just 1′ 25” seconds.

High-performance ABS

Since the beginning of 2008 Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes have been standard on all Ferraris. The 458 Italia is no different and is equipped with 6-pot aluminium callipers with 398 x 223 x 36 mm discs at the front, and 4-pot aluminium callipers with 360 x 233 x 32 mm discs at the rear.

The 458 Italia boasts outstanding braking distances (100-0 km/h in 32.5 metres; 200-0 km/h in 128 metres) thanks to the development and optimisation of the Bosch control logic and the evolution of Ferrari’s Pre-Fill logic, which reduces response times by activating the pistons in the callipers, thus minimising the gap between the brake pad and the disc as soon as the driver lifts off the accelerator. Similarly, these excellent results were achieved thanks to a specific calibration of the ABS for medium/high grip surfaces, and by integrating the ABS control logic with that of the E-Diff 3 to ensure a more accurate estimate of the vehicle speed and hence better braking torque control, as well as enhanced vehicle stability.

Interior design

The Ferrari Styling Centre set out to re-interpret Ferrari’s traditional sports car interior themes in an innovative and functional way. The interior reflects the design rigour of the exterior of the car, with clean, uncluttered forms that highlight the new driver-oriented cockpit inspired by the racing world.

Radically new and intuitive ergonomics see the driver set in the centre of a simple, streamlined lay-out. The upper and lower surfaces of the dashboard are trimmed in leather while the instrument binnacle sits atop an aluminium insert that forms a single, structural element housing the satellite pods and secondary commands. The original shape of the air vents was inspired by the design of Formula 1 exhaust chimneys in use up until a few years ago.

The slim and minimalist centre console features a sculpted aluminium casting which houses the F1 panel. This panel includes the Launch Control along with the secondary gearbox controls for reverse and auto settings. There is also a leather-trimmed ergonomic wrist support for actioning the F1 panel buttons and the electric window lifts. The console also includes two Alcantara-trimmed storage trays for small oddments.

The door panel is fitted with side airbags and its simple sleek lines are enhanced by the fact that the demisting vents for the side windows are now positioned on the corners of the dash. There is additional oddments storage space in the soft leather pocket at the bottom of the door.

Driver-car interface

Working closely with the Ferrari Styling Centre, the engineers have reinterpreted the positioning of the major commands to provide a truly driver-oriented cockpit. All main controls are now located directly on the steering wheel, while secondary functions are set in two satellite pods either side of the dash and the panel ahead of the driver includes comprehensive instrument displays. These solutions represent an important safety aspect, enabling the driver to concentrate fully on driving. Similarly this layout ensures maximum control of the car in high-performance driving, an uncompromising approach that derives directly from Ferrari’s F1 experience.

Steering wheel and dash

In a radical move that emphasises the vicinity of Ferrari’s road cars to its F1 cars, the steering-column mounted stalks have been eliminated and all the major commands are now on the steering wheel for maximum vehicle control at all times.

The 458 Italia is equipped with a Racing manettino switch which is biased towards more sporting set-ups, giving the driver a wider selection of track-oriented electronic control parameters. In fact the F430’s ICE setting has been dropped in favour of CT Off which de-activates the traction control while maintaining the stability control.

The right-hand satellite pod on the dash incorporates controls for the infotainment, while the one on the left controls the Vehicle Dynamic Assistance display on the lefthand TFT screen. The Vehicle Dynamic Assistance monitors the operating parameters of the most important areas of the car – engine/gearbox, tyres and brakes. The VDA is enabled in the following manettino settings – Race, CT Off and CST Off – and provides visual confirmation of the status of each component based on an algorithm from parameters reading lateral and longitudinal acceleration, revs and speed. This enables the driver to assess the ideal operating conditions for the car. There are three status settings: WARM-UP (operating temperature too low), GO (ideal operating conditions) and OVER (one or more components are no longer at their optimum level and need cooling).

Carrozzeria Scaglietti Personalisation Programme

The Carrozzeria Scaglietti Programme allows Ferrari clients to personalise their car to suit their own tastes and requirements. As with the rest of the range, there are four main personalisation areas dedicated the 458 Italia: Racing and Track, Exterior and Colours, Interior and Materials, Equipment and Travel.

The car’s sporting character can be further underlined by fitting the optional diamond finish forged alloy wheels or the Racing Superleggero (super lightweight) seats in carbon-fibre. Naturally, there is a virtually infinite number of trim combinations available for the interior, with a choice between leather, carbon-fibre and Alcantara.

Samples of colours and materials as well as virtual configuration tools are available to clients at every Ferrari showroom to help them choose their specifications. They may also request out-of-range colours and content to ensure their 458 Italia is truly unique.

Ferrari's Felipe Massa back in the cockpit, preps for return in 2010

2009-10-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

Felipe Massa is relishing the prospect of returning to Formula One after his first Ferrari drive since his life-threatening accident in Hungary.

The Brazilian took a privately owned F2007 for a spin at the Fiorano track near Maranello, Italy in his first drive in an F1 car since July. He is not allowed to drive this year's Ferrari beacause of restrictions on mid-season testing, but already feels close to full fitness.

He told Sky Sports News: "It is a really great feeling to be back in a Ferrari on the track, even if it is not this year's car, it is a great car, very good to drive.

"I was really, really happy straightaway that all the movement, braking, acceleration, the speed, the vibration... everything is working like it was before the accident, nothing diferent.

"I can even go back to everything that happened after my accident. When I started to do exercises for the fitness, in one week I was really almost similar to how I was before the accident.

"I did three days of go-karting before comming here and it was really, really great. The feelings, the vibrations, the movemnets in the go-carts are even stronger than in F1 because you are always on the kerb, you don't have suspension. It is stong movement but nothing happened, even the lap times, consistency.,... everything was normanl."

Sportier Ferrari 599 Fiorano HGTE

2009-10-10T07:58:00.000-07:00

The new sportier Ferrari 599 Fiorano HGTE (Handling GranTurismo Evoluzione) features stiffened and lowered suspension which can make the ride a touch more jittery over uneven road surfaces. It is still supple enough to rival other supercars, the Ferrari 599 Fiorano HGTE changes direction with ease and has immense grip around the tightest bends. There is a new exhaust system which provides a more vocal engine, the engine is the same 612bhp V12 that is standard on the regular Ferrari 599 so no performance improvement but the F1 style paddleshift gearbox changes gear much faster.

The Ferrari 599 Fiorano HGTE is capable of 0-62mph in just 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 200mph.

The new Ferrari 599 Fiorano HGTE costs £13,960 more than a regular 599, the new version can be identified by its bespoke 20 inch alloy wheels, black rear diffuser and mesh front grille. Inside the Ferrari 599 Fiorano HGTE there is extra carbonfibre trim and new leather and Alcantara sports seats. Prices start at £207,194 on the road.

one-off Ferrari 599 update

2009-10-10T07:44:00.000-07:00

A one-off 599 for auction has got released by Ferrari that has been designed by Chinese artist Lu Hao. And the inimitable model will be auctioned off at a Ferrari charity gala auction in Beijing on November 3rd.

Ge Liln porcelain of the Song Dynasty has been used by Hao and included it to the Ferrari’s design.

A Jade start button and a gold-coloured rev counter with ancient Chinese script Xiao Zhuan are the other special features that are available. And the later is observed in the Ferrari 599 HGTE China Limted Edition that has been released earlier.

The 599 China Limited Edition model is a factual masterpiece uniting rich Chinese artistic heritage with Italian design in a most impressive way, said Ferrari Asia Pacific CEO Marco Mattiacci

Ferrari 308 GT4

2009-10-04T19:33:00.000-07:00

Ferrari 308 GT4

Production period
Number built

1974-1980
2826

Engine

Engine
Bore (mm)
Stroke (mm)
Stroke volume
Compression ratio
Maximum power (HP)
At speed of rotation (rpm)
Gear

V-8
81
71
2926
...
255
7000
5 Speed

Performance

Top speed (kph)
0-100 kph

236
6.6

Ferrari's made of top gear

2009-10-04T19:32:00.000-07:00

The car is made from a staggering 1,999 items - including 1,682 t-shirts, 88 pairs of jeans, 64 pairs of shoes and 31 belts.

A team of eight people worked for five hours at the Puma store in Carnaby Street, London, to turn the pile of clothes into a model of Kimi Raikkonen's motor.

The wheels on the impressive car are made from water bottles, the wing mirror from sun glasses and the harness from a backpack.

Black jeans are used for the tyres and red t-shirts give the car its classic Ferrari colour.

Ferrari Enthusiasts And Horsepower

2009-10-02T14:52:00.000-07:00

One of the dramatic Lamborghinis (with wings) on display Saturday at "Run Out East" at Pindar Vineyards. Photos by Joe Strand

Peconic - If you are above the grass and love automobiles the Ferrari Club rally at Pindar Vineyards in Peconic was the place to be on Saturday, May 9. Proud owners showcased the classic sports cars to the delight of aficionados who came from far and wide to this North Fork vineyard to be among these awesome collections of wheels.

Incredible turquoise blue Porsche.

The misty soft day put no damper on the activities and was great for the finer details of shooting these old and new, cherished 'friends.' The "Run Out East" attendance showed the timeless appeal of ushering new members to the 'car occult.'

The start of a few engines just to rev up the crowd, as this was a stationary showcase, making those "Grand Prix" sounds made me think back to the classic races at Watkins Glen during the 1950s through the 1970s. The mantra of smooth engine sounds hit the nervous system with a little race day excitement.

There were refreshments and food offerings so everybody could relax and take in the sights, allowing the hard core enthusiasts ample time to view these gems.

Stunning foot deep paint job on this Corvette.

Ferrari
The top-of-the-line design never falters in any decade. In fact, the opportunity to own one of the custom design masterpieces with that well-known and well-loved yellow and black prancing horse emblem is as desirable to a car lover as water is to a thirsty man. Most of the owners expressed their respect and adoration of Enzio Ferrari and his family. Bright paint, chrome, detailing and upholstery made this display some serious eye candy.

Another appealing aspect of this regal automotive display was the number of female car enthusiasts in attendance - reminding me of my fondness for satin clad women with stilettos on the accelerator. Also, it seems an unusual number of the cars were red - maybe for love - maybe just for passion.

It's All In The Details
The bulbous, streamline curves of the old Ferrari racing cars have given way over the years to a more rectilinear design, but in many of the Ferraris on display (1980s and up), there seems to be a merging back to their sleek race car roots.

Check out these horses.

And The Rest
This day's showcase was certainly about Ferrari Club members, however, there were some sweet vintage Fiats, Aston Martins, Porches, Corvettes and Chrysler Vipers. I would have been happy to drive home in any one of them. A beautiful Turquoise Porche Carerra also caught my eye because of the ace blue color giving this well-loved 1980s vehicle a pumped-out look.

One paint job that struck me was a bright red Corvette Stingray with a fastback, circa 1961 (as they were only made for a few years), displaying the most amazing foot deep paint job of any car on view - maybe incorporating a custom wax job as well.

Ferrari Boss Tips Future Plans

2009-10-02T14:48:00.000-07:00

Ferrari expects to roll out a drop-top companion to the new 458 Italia, along with successors to the 612 Scaglietti and the 599 Fiorano, over the next six years.

The Ferrari 458 Italia Spider should arrive in early 2011, according to CEO Amedeo Felisa in an interview with Britain's Car magazine. Felisa, who took over the top job last year, added that it is "too early" to talk about plans for an even more potent Scuderia edition of the latest Pininfarina design.

Amedeo said a new supercar — a spiritual successor to the Enzo — is due "around 2012," according to Car, with replacements for the 612 Scaglietti and the 599 Fiorano to follow by 2015.

As for a hybrid-powered Ferrari road car, that's still at least four years away.

Ferrari Hot Babes or Girls collection

2009-10-02T14:46:00.000-07:00

Ferrari 458 Italia Spyder Confirmed

2009-09-30T23:04:00.000-07:00

Ferrari has only recently launched the 458 Italia and began the requisite promotional campaign for it. The automotive industry always thrives on the next thing, and reports are surfacing already about the 458’s model derivative, the Spyder, being confirmed by Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo.

To me though, it isn’t a surprise. Was there ever any real doubt Ferrari wasn’t going to produce it? That would have been the real shock. There was some noises about the possibility Ferrari would skip the 458 Italia Spyder because of feared cannibalization of the recently-introduced California drop-top. The 458 Italia is the bread and butter though, and that is what Ferrari will focus on above all else.

As is the usual with Ferrari Spyder derivatives, there won’t be a fancy retractable hardtop – it will be a conventional folding soft-top to save weight. Expect timing to follow a similar pattern to other releases – midway into the car’s life cycle it will be debuted to spark interest once again, after some of the initial hype from the first coupe model fades.

Fernando Alonso Joins Ferrari

2009-09-30T23:01:00.000-07:00

It has now happened. Fernando Alonso had dropped about as many hints as it was possible to do without giving away the “secret.” But now, between the Singapore and Japanese Grand Prix in the early hours of the morning in Japan, Ferrari has announced that Alonso will be racing for the team next year, alongside Felipe Massa.

So that means Kimi Raikkonen is going elsewhere. This must all mean that the championship is almost played out. The final pieces of the puzzle of who is going where have begun to fit together - with no real surprise. We heard, after all, that Kimi Raikkonen might go to McLaren, that Nico Rosberg might go to Brawn and that Rubens Barrichello might go to Williams. Busy time between these two races that are only a week apart!

Here is an Alonso statement from Ferrari:

“Fernando Alonso, just announced as the new official Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver, who will drive next to Felipe Massa as of the 2010 season, spoke to Ferrari.com: “I’m very happy and very proud to become a Ferrari driver. Driving a single-seater from the Prancing Horse is everybody’s dream in this sport and today I have the opportunity to make this dream come true. Above all I want to thank Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo, who really wanted this 3-year contract. We already had an agreement this summer starting in 2011, but then, the last days, the picture changed and we decided to anticipate my arrival in Maranello by one year.

“The years at Renault were fantastic: together we won four World Titles (two Drivers’ and as many Constructors’ Championships) until this day, 21 Grands Prix. I wish the team all the best and let’s hope we gain some good results in the last races this year.

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia Live Image

2009-09-27T04:49:00.001-07:00

Fisichella disappointed with Ferrari struggle

2009-09-27T04:41:00.000-07:00

Giancarlo Fisichella was bitterly and visibly disappointed after qualifying a lowly 18th for his second Grand Prix at the wheel of a Ferrari.

The Roman veteran had an uncompetitive weekend at Monza two weeks ago after replacing the hapless Luca Badoer, but had expected a step forward on the Singapore streets.

"Unfortunately the improvement has not come," Fisichella is quoted as saying by Auto Motor und Sport.

"The track is very bumpy, the walls are extremely close and I am missing the confidence when I am braking," he explained.

Fisichella said he is losing most of the lap time compared with his teammate Kimi Raikkonen under braking.

"Every time I come to a braking point I think, 'This is a Ferrari, not a Force India'. You have to brake differently and change down the gears later.

"The field is so close together and (the cars) look alike but they are completely different," he continued. "The best thing for me would be a full test day so I can get some more confidence."

Fisichella said the problem is not Ferrari's engine, with many commentators believing the Mercedes he has raced for most of 2009 is clearly the best in the field.

"The power (of the two engines) is about the same but the driveability of the Ferrari is better," said the 36-year-old.

Fisichella's former teammate Adrian Sutil sympathises with the Italian.

"I don't know what I would have done in the same situation (of being offered a Ferrari seat)," the German said. "It would be a difficult decision.

"I am glad that I sat in the Force India at Monza and got my points," he added.

Configuring Ferrari 458 Italia

2009-09-19T10:53:00.000-07:00

Ferrari sent me a link to its new online configurator for the just-presented 458 Italia. It’s one of the benefits of owning a Ferrari…of course Ferrari doesn’t take into consideration that the combined values of my 328 GTS and 308 GT4 wouldn’t cover the sales tax on a 458 Italia.

Despite the undeniable fact that it will take a minimum of 25 years of depreciation before affording one, I decided to create one to my specifications. I like to stand out in a crowd — except to police, so I’m going not for Rossa Corsa (red), but for TdF Blue with black and charcoal interior.

As with most Ferraris, color has a drastic effect on the overall presence of the vehicle. To me, black (angry), silver (sporty) and TdF (elegant) look great.

What do you think?

Ferrari 458 Italia: The Best Just Got Better

2009-09-19T10:52:00.000-07:00

The wait is finally over. Ferrari has unveiled the 458 Italia, one of the most anticipated debuts of the Frankfurt auto show, and it is stunning.

We’ll say this up front — we fell in love with this car the moment we saw the the pre-release photos and videos. The 458 is one hot car, and judging from the specs, a force to be reckoned with on the street.

The new 4,499 cc V8 engine produces 570 horsepower and 398 foot-pounds of torque. The F1-derived dual-clutch gearbox and superlight 3,042-pound dry weight (3.274 ready to drive) mean the 458 Italia shoots from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3.4 seconds. Top speed is just a hair over 200 mph.

To read the specs, it seems the 458 can’t get any better. For starters, it has an ideal weight balance for a mid-engined sports car – 58 percent rear, 42 percent front. More F1-derived tech includes the electronic control system that Ferrari says guarantees optimal performance in all conditions. The new suspension, featuring twin wishbones with L-arms up front and a multilink setup out back, is tuned for maximum handling. The F430 is one of the best-handling cars on the planet, and the 458 promises to raise the standard.

For all the performance, the Ferrari emits a relatively low (for its class) 307 g/km of CO2. Fuel consumption is 13.3 liters per 100 kilometers on the Euro combined cycle, which by our count is roughly 17.1 mpg. Ferrari says it sets a new standard for the class, and that fuel economy figure is on par with the Nissan GT-R, Chevrolet Corvette and Audi S5, to name a few.

As if the Italia’s stunning looks aren’t enough, the bodywork up front also features small aeroelastic winglets which generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator intake and cut drag. The drag and downforce numbers are as impressive as the looks: A Cd 0.33 for drag and Cl 0.36 for downforce. At 200 km/h the 458 puts out 140 kilograms of downforce and no less than 360 kilos at top speed.

Faster yet smoother changes are on tap with this latest iteration of the best gearbox on the planet. Thanks to two separate input shafts and a liberal dose of F1 tech, Ferrari says the gear shifting time is essentially zero and there is no interruption in power sent to the wheels. The new E-Diff gearbox is lighter and more compact than the unit found in the F430.

No price was announced at the Frankfurt debut, but whatever the bottom line is, we are sure it will be worth every penny.

Edo Competition Turns The Ferrari Enzo Into Street-Legal XX Evolution

2009-09-19T10:50:00.000-07:00

Despite only 400 Ferrari Enzos being produced in total (not including the even more extreme FXX and FXX Evolution models), German tuner Edo Competition has managed to turn the ultra-rare supercar into a street-legal version of the FXX Evolution.

For anyone unfamiliar with the FXX and FXX Evolution, the cars are a development test-bed for new technologies that will eventually filter across to Ferrari’s road cars. Those few lucky owners are given the chance to drive it regularly on Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in Italy, where the automaker’s own engineers compile useful data from the track sessions to help develop future models.

For this reason, the FXX cars were never intended to be driven on public roads. That was never going to stop Edo Competition’s founder Edo Karabegovic, who saw modifying them as a challenge. One year ago we saw Edo Competition modify the FXX to make it street legal and now the company has taken the Enzo and essentially converted it into a street-legal version of the FXX Evolution.

A bump in displacement from 6.0 to 6.3-liters, new camshafts, new titanium valve spring retainers and connecting rods, modified cylinder heads, new high performance exhaust headers, high flow catalytic converters, mufflers and air filters: that's the scope of Edo Competition's engine modifications. The standard hydraulic tappets are replaced with newly developed solid tappets, enabling the 12 cylinder engine to rev to an incredible 9,600 rpm. Additionally, the intake system of the V-12 was modified, a new high performance clutch--available with “strada” or “pista” friction pads--and a more powerful oil pump were installed. The power output is increased by 180 to 840 horsepower. Without mufflers more than 860 horsepower is possible. The maximum torque of 575 pound-feet is available at 5,800 rpm.

While the power output is increased, the Enzo's weight is decreased by a respectable 220 pounds. The result in numerical terms is that the Edo-prepped “Enzo XX Evolution” accelerates from 0 -62 mph in 3.2 seconds, 124 mph in 9.0 seconds and 186 mph in just 19 seconds. The top speed exceeds 242 mph.

The acoustical side of things are obviously not being neglected. A stainless steel muffler featuring remote-controlled butterfly valves is available on request. This setup lets the driver switch the high performance exhaust between two different sound levels.

In terms of the drivetrain, while the production Enzo takes 110 milliseconds for gear shifts, the Edo Enzo XX Evolution shift times are reduced to an incredible 60 milliseconds. For comparison, an F1 car shifts in 40 milliseconds.

Other mods include a race-spec suspension set-up from KW Automotive that features low-friction 3-way adjustable shock absorbers, tire pressure monitoring systems, Edo Competition wheels, and several aerodynamic aids.

A test day with an instructor, mechanics, data logging, transport and hospitality is include