Archive for Ferrari

Ferrari has raised $601,000 for relief efforts in Haiti by the CMMB (Catholic Medical Mission Board) and the William J. Clinton Foundation. At the star studded gala event, the first Ferrari 458 Italia to arrive in America was auctioned off for $530,000. US prices for Maranello’s latest isn’t out yet, but it’s priced close to £170,000 in the UK, which translates to nearly $255,000, so the unnamed buyer “gave away” quite a bit for charity.

Hosted by Piero Ferrari, Deputy Chairman, Amedeo Felisa, worldwide CEO of Ferrari, and Marco Mattiacci, the newly appointed North America CEO, the party was attended by over 500 guests and Ferrari aficionados, including John Mayer, Jeremy Renner, Patrick Dempsey, Aaron Eckhart, Joel McHale, Malin Ackerman, Mollie Simms and Katie Cassidy.

Other things to go under the hammer was Fernando Alonso’s original racing suit (which raised $31,000) and two “experiences as a Scuderia Ferrari team member” at the Canadian Grand Prix in June, which went for $20,000 and $21,000.

It was also announced that the Department of Orthopedics and Hand Surgery of the University of Modena will make its knowledge and resources available to help CMMB in Haiti. A team of hand and microsurgery specialists, whose studies have been financed by Ferrari, will help out in the earthquake wrecked Caribbean nation.

Pictures after the jump. Click here for a video on the 458 Italia’s styling elements.

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The Ferrari California does very well for an “entry-level” model, with its front-mid mounted 460 bhp/485 Nm 4.3-litre V8 paired to a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox for 0-100 km/h in four seconds and a top speed of 310 km/h. German based tuner Novitec Rosso aims to put the California’s performance beyond doubt by plonking in a supercharger for the V8.

The result is 606 bhp at 7,900 rpm and 603 Nm of twist. Now the 2+2 GT can complete the century sprint in under 3.8 seconds and reach maximum velocity of 325 km/h. The cogged belt driven mechanical charger’s boost pressure is at 0.4 bars. New components include a water-to-air intercooler, custom intake manifold and larger injectors. The Cali is also equipped with a Novitec stainless-steel exhaust system with sport catalysts. An integrated flap mechanism activated by the steering wheel manettino switch controls the intensity of the exhaust note.

I must say that the white example seen here isn’t too over the top (can’t always say that for tuned cars), and the add-ons blend in nicely without looking like add-ons. Novitec says that its front spoiler was wind tunnel developed and reduce front axle lift at high speeds. New rocker panels with integrated airfoils and black side markers are the changes to the side profile. For the rear, of course there’s a diffuser and a spoiler lip, but also here is a carbon-fibre strip surrounding the number plate.

Novitec’s springs lower ride height by 35 mm, but what’s cool here is a hydraulic lift system for the front axle that can raise the Ferrari’s chin by 40 mm at the push of a button. This will make it easier to navigate speed bumps or car park ramps. The front reverts to its original position at a second button push or automatically upon reaching 80 km/h.

Lastly, those pretty three-piece star spoke Novitec NF3 wheels of 21 inches up front and 22 inches at the back are wrapped with special order Pirellis measuring 255/30 and 315/25, respectively.

More pictures after the jump. For videos and images of the standard California (with Michael Schumacher getting cozy in it!), click here.

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Abu Dhabi is slowly but surely catching up with its showy sister emirate Dubai. It’s already a Formula 1 host, and later this year we’ll see the world’s largest indoor theme park and the first ever Ferrari theme park open its gates at Yas Island. The mega development covers the already in use racetrack, shops, hotels, thrill rides and everything else that will make it a “Disneyland” for the car enthusiast.

Unsurprisingly, everything here is the biggest or the fastest. The theme park’s red roof, which is supposed to be inspired by the side profile of the Ferrari car, shades over 2.15 million square feet and is imprinted with the largest Prancing Horse emblem ever made (66-metre diameter).

The star ride at Ferrari World will be the world’s fastest rollercoaster. Travelling at speeds “in excess of 200 km/h”, one doesn’t need to be in Alonso’s car to feel extreme G-force and wind on the face at 200 km/h. Passengers can expect to be launched over 62 m through the roof and back down again to replicate the F1 G-force experience. Another rollercoaster ride is the GT Racing Coaster which will have two “competing” cars racing along parallel tracks to the “finish line”. As you can see here, the car is a replica of a Ferrari F430 Spider with a cabin for four – another world’s first?

Those who attend the Abu Dhabi GP this year are bound to have a blast! More pics after the jump.

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Didn’t anyone send Ferrari the memo that the colour for anything green and environmentally friendly is blue, and not green? It’s nevertheless a nice colour for the car, as with most bright colours on Ferraris. It’s matte green if you notice. This concept is called the HY-KERS. In Ferrari speak, a concept is a vettura laboratorio, which is Italian for experimental vehicle. It’s based on a 599 GTB Fiorano but has hybrid technologies in it.

Weighing about 40 kg, the compact, tri-phase, high-voltage electric motor of the HY-KERS is coupled to the rear of the dual-clutch 7-speed F1 transmission. It can produce over 100 horsepower. In town driving, the car can run on motor alone. The motor can also act as a generator for brake energy regeneration. All engine ancillary components are now electrically powered.

The batteries for the electric motor are located below the floorpan of the car in the underbody. As usual, this placement helps with the vehicle’s centre of gravity as it is positioned low and below the passenger cabin. The result is a centre of gravity that is even lower than the standard 599. Look after the jump for a short video presentation on the new 599 HY-KERS.

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Naza Italia has introduced a Pre-Owned Program for Ferrari cars in Malaysia. Under this program, all cars undergo a 190-point check that is in line with the Ferrari Approved Vehicle Specification Sheet, Template Content Guide and Functionality Guidelines.

These checkpoints include mechanical, electrical, bodywork and interior checks, along with a full road test. Defects are repaired or replaced, using Ferrari genuine parts while a written vehicle evaluation report in presented to the future owner for a review and discussion.

These cars also come with a 12-month warranty, and road-side assistance for the same period. So while the 458 Italia may be on the way to Malaysia, those without huge budgets to blow (but still large nonetheless) may opt for a pre-owned F430, 599 GTB or a 612 Scagliette instead.

I just took a look at the classifieds and found the 360 going for under RM700k or even under RM600k for some examples – that’s cheaper than a brand new M3? Ah, all just dreams for now!

The 599XX is one of of the most extreme cars Ferrari makes, along with fellow XX model FXX. Making its debut at last year’s Geneva show, the 599XX is made for track but not official competition use, which means it’s unrestricted either by homologation limitations or regulatory restrictions. This 700 bhp Prancing Horse is, in Ferrari’s own words “a genuine technological laboratory” which “incorporates the very best of Ferrari technology”.

The 599XX has finally made its track debut, driven by none other than the Scuderia’s F1 driver Felipe Massa. The Brazilian driver met 599XX customers and members of Ferrari’s Corse Clienti programme (private owners who race Ferraris) at the Ricardo Tormo track in Valencia , leading seven cars around the circuit. After several laps Felipe said: “I really enjoyed testing this car, I think it’s extremely powerful and has an exceptional stability. Considering that it has been planned for the track it’s really easy to drive.”

Ferrari will organise customer events on race tracks in America, Europe and Asia featuring the 599XX. My guess is that the Asia leg will be in Shanghai to coincide with the F1 race. I was at an A1GP race in Shanghai when Ferrari held such an event featuring the FXX, which sounded absolutely ballistic! More pictures after the jump.

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2009 wasn’t a year to remember for Ferrari, which just won one race and finished fourth in the constructors’ championship. The Scuderia is keen to close that chapter and look forward to 2010, and becomes the first team to launch its 2010 challenger.

Maranello’s F10 machine is the result of substantial design work, after Ferrari decided to switch its focus to 2010 early in last year’s campaign. Piloting the F10 will be Felipe Massa and two-time champion Fernando Alonso, who makes his switch from Renault. Making a debut along with him is Spanish banking group Santander. Naturally, hopes are high.

“This championship will be very important for us,” team boss Stefano Domenicali told Autosport. “The last championship, for different reasons, was not very positive, that is why we are dealing with this one looking to be competitive – and this is what Ferrari deserves to have.”

Domenicali added that Ferrari has “two new drivers”, taking into account the “new version of Felipe” after the Brazilian’s dreadful mishap in Hungary which left many wondering if his F1 career was over. More pictures after the jump!

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Glamour brands Ferrari and Maserati will be present at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show – Maranello was absent last year – but will share the same floor space with the Chrysler Group! High-end marques normally set up shop at the show’s luxury row, so imagine seeing the Ferrari 458 Italia next to a Dodge Ram and a Jeep Wrangler!

But that’s where the Italians will be, sandwiched between Dodge and Jeep brands. Both are part of the Chrysler Group, now part of the greater Fiat Group, which has Ferrari and Maserati under its umbrella. One big happy family indeed!

Chrysler is reportedly not hosting a press conference at this year’s show, so its new neighbours will do the job of drawing in the crowd. The Lancia Delta rebadged as a Chrysler is set to be one of the few “new” offerings on display.

The North American International Auto Show 2010 press preview starts on January 11, and we will bring you the best Detroit has to offer so keep your eyes peeled!

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German tuner Gemballa, which is famous for its work on Porsches, has dabbled into the world of molesting Ferraris – and they aimed for the best. This Enzo you see here is called the Gemballa MIG-U1 (sounds more like a Russian fighter jet) which should be a privately-commissioned one-off model favoured by the mega rich when a standard supercar (even if it’s the Enzo) is not exclusive enough.

Details of the MIG-U1 flows out from the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, a conglomerate that runs several automotive companies, among other businesses from their HQ in Dubai. They claim the Enzo has a brand new exhaust system, freshly sculptured rear bumper and wing, new side sills, and fierce front bumper. As with Gemballa’s Porsches, the MIG-U1 comes with a roof-mounted air intake. Interior mods include quilted upholstery, dual-tone floor mats, and a LCD screen.

If I was a Stormtrooper, I’d gather my mates to petition Darth Vader to make this the official company car! More pics after the jump.

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The cracked-glaze-vase look special one-off Ferrari 599 China was auctioned off for a final price of 1.2 million Euros, which translates to just over 6 million ringgit. The car was auctioned off at a gala dinner organised by Ferrari at the Red Gate Gallery in Beijing.

The cracked glaze paintwork by Chinese artist Lu Hao was inspired by Song Dynasty Ge Kiln pottery patterns. There are more Chinese-inspired features inside including a jade-encrusted start button and rev counter numbers written in Xiao Zhuan script. There is nothing technically special about the car except the fact that it comes standard with the HGTE package.

The buyer is a Chinese but was unnamed in Ferrari’s press release. The money will go to the Tsinghua University’s Department of Automotive Engineering. Top students from the department will be sent to study at Italy’s Politechnico di Milano University and then do an internship at Ferrari’s factory.

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What exactly is a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE China Limited Edition? For some xenophobes, anything that’s associated with the word China is likely to be scorned upon. But maybe this car will change their mind. It just shows us how important China is becoming in our world economy. More and more people are interested in Chinese culture now and need to learn the language to conduct trade.

The 599 China Limited Edition was developed together with Chinese artist Lu Hao. The car comes in a two-tone paint that I think looks pretty good actually, maybe some Ferrari owners could like to emulate it on their existing cars. The body is red as usual (this shade is called Rosso Fuoco, or fire red) but the pillars and roof is done in a shade of medium grey.

There is more to remind you that this is a special edition car on the inside. Just look at the rev counter! I took some Mandarin classes when I was very young and that’s all gone to waste now but I can still recognise the numbers one to four.

And of course like its very long name suggests, the car also gets the HGTE package. Less than 12 will be made and there is one one-off car that will be sold in an auction. For this one, the “cracked glaze” pattern of the paintjob was inspired by the Ge Liln porcelain of the Song Dynasty. Er, I’d rather stick with the red and grey paintjob. A vase, no matter how expensive or precious it is, doesn’t exactly tie in with the qualities that one would associate with a Ferrari.

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I can definitely ignore how bad the new 458 Italia looks after this video… plenty of engines screaming and tyres screeching. Two Ferrari 458 Italias battle it out on a track. It should help any potential owners decide between yellow and red… heh. Check the video out after the jump.

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No, this isn’t a video about Schumi trashing the new Ferrari through the bends but more of Schumacher waxing lyrical (er, sort of) about the new Ferrari 458 Italia in this third video in a series which features Ferrari and related (Pininfarina?) executives giving their scripted opinions about the new car. Nothing being said is particularly interesting but watch it just for the sights and sounds of the 458 Italia on the track.

Other Ferrari 458 Italia Videos:
VIDEO: Ferrari 458 Italia Styling Elements
New video on the new Ferrari 458 Italia

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I’m sure there are some of you that wonder why the new Ferrari 458 Italia looks the way it does, especially those that don’t really like it. According to Ferrari, every design feature on the 458 Italia is driven by aerodynamics, and the video after the jump explains each grille’s function as well as how the deformable winglets at the grille area work. Watch the video after the jump. There’s also one previous video, in case you missed that.

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Maranello-based Ferrari has released eleven brand new high-res images of the recently unveiled Ferrari 458 Italia. Some of the images were taken outdoors, which is good news. The 458 Italia is motivated by an all new 4499 cc V8 with direct injection, that can crank out 562HP (570PS) at 9,000 revs and 540Nm of torque, achieved at 6,000 revs (with over 80% available from 3250 rpm). It sprints to 100 km/h in under 3.4 seconds and delivers a top speed of slightly more than 325 km/h. Mated to a 7 speed dual-clutch transmission, the engine consumes 13.7 liters to deliver 100 kilometers (combined cycle), which is lower than the F430’s figure.

Look after the jump for a high-res image gallery of the 458 Italia.

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