Category: Ferrari (Page 7 of 7)

An iconic name for a car that encompasses the very best of Prancing Horse passion, technology and exclusivity
On display the most comprehensive and acclaimed Ferrari range ever

Maranello, 5th March 2013 – The wraps are finally off the LaFerrari. The Prancing Horse’s eagerly-anticipated limited-series special, of which just 499 will be built, made its world debut today at the Geneva International Motor Show.

“We chose to call this model LaFerrari,” declared Ferrari’s President, Luca di Montezemolo, “because it is the maximum expression of what defines our company – excellence. Excellence in terms of technological innovation, performance, visionary styling and the sheer thrill of driving. Aimed at our collectors, this is a truly extraordinary car which encompasses advanced solutions that, in the future, will find their way onto the rest of the range, and it represents the benchmark for the entire automotive industry. LaFerrari is the finest expression of our company’s unique, unparalleled engineering and design know-how, including that acquired in Formula 1.”

For Ferrari the development of a limited-series special like the LaFerrari represents an opportunity to experiment with all the technological solutions that will later filter down onto the production cars. Of particular significance in this context is the introduction of the hybrid system which, making full use of the Scuderia Ferrari’s F1 KERS know-how, has resulted in a solution that exalts Ferrari’s fundamental values – performance and driving thrills. The hybrid technology used, known as HY-KERS, represents the perfect combination of maximum performance and lower emissions. LaFerrari in fact emits just 330 g/km of CO2 but without resorting to electric-only drive which would not fit the mission of this model. The HY-KERS system is, however, designed so that in future applications a car can be driven using exclusively electric power for a few kilometres and, during development testing, a full-electric version of LaFerrari achieved just 220 g/km of C02 emissions on the combined cycle.
The LaFerrari is equipped with dynamic controls that are integrated for the first time ever on a Ferrari road car with active aerodynamics and the HY-KERS system. Thanks to Ferrari’s proprietary logic which govern all the systems, the car can achieve absolute levels of performance, aerodynamic efficiency and handling without any form of compromise in any area. A very advanced and uncompromising approach was also taken with the interior design which features an HMI inspired by F1 single-seaters.

Architecture
The LaFerrari’s architecture posed the first challenge for the Prancing Horse team at the planning stage of the design. The aim was to achieve ideal weight distribution (59% at the rear) and a compact wheelbase despite the extra bulk of the hybrid system. The result is that all of the masses are situated between the car’s two axles and as close as possible to the floor to lower its centre of gravity (by 35 millimetres) and thereby guarantee dynamic handling and compact dimensions.
The layout of the cabin made a significant contribution in this regard. The seat is fixed and tailored to the driver while both the pedal box and steering wheel are adjustable. The driving position is similar to that of a single-seater and was designed after consultation with the Scuderia Ferrari drivers, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, who played an active role throughout the entire development process.
The LaFerrari’s chassis features no less than four different types of carbon-fibre, all hand-laminated and autoclave-cured in the racing department using the same design and production methods as the Formula 1 car. This helped optimise the design: various functions were integrated (e.g. seats and battery compartment) into the chassis to improve torsional rigidity (+27%) and beam stiffness (+22%) whilst cutting weight.

Powertrain
The LaFerrari is the first car in Ferrari history to be powered by the HY-KERS system. The ICE represents the pinnacle of engine development and research, with a 6262 cc V12 that punches out 800 CV and revs to a maximum of 9,250 rpm, a record for an engine of this displacement. It also features a very high 13.5:1 compression ratio and a high specific output equal to 128 CV per litre. The engine is coupled with a 120 Kw (163 CV) electric motor, giving it a combined power output of 963 CV.
The high torque levels available at low revs from the electric motor allowed the engineers to optimise the internal combustion engine’s performance at higher revs, thus providing a constant supply of exceptional power throughout the rev range. Total torque generated is in excess of 900 Nm. The hybrid system is composed of two electric motors developed in collaboration with Magneti Marelli – one powering the driven wheels and the second the ancillaries – and a battery pack attached to the floor of the chassis consisting of cells that are assembled in the Scuderia Ferrari department where the KERS for the F138 is also made. The Scuderia’s expertise allowed considerable savings in weight and size of the individual components and the batteries weigh just 60 kg while providing the highest energy density possible for this kind of application.
The batteries are charged in different ways: under braking (even hard braking with the ABS active) and every time the V12 produces more torque than required, such as in cornering. In the latter instance, rather than the being sent to the wheels, the excess torque is converted to energy and stored in the batteries.
The electric motor is coupled with the F1 dual-clutch gearbox to the benefit of optimal weight distribution, but also to boosting energy efficiency as torque is instantly available to the wheels and, vice versa, from the wheels to the electric motor in recharging.

Aerodynamics
Active aerodynamics play an essential role, as they allow a complete adjustability of the car’s configuration to attain LaFerrari’s exceptional performance.
The engineers’ aim was to deliver the highest degree of aerodynamic efficiency ever achieved with any road car, with a coefficient of nearly 3, thanks to technical solutions honed with CFD analysis and fine-tuned in the F1 Wind Tunnel.
To boost efficiency, the LaFerrari sports active aerodynamic devices front (diffusers and guide vane on the underbody) and rear (diffusers and rear spoiler) which generate downforce when needed without compromising the car’s overall drag coefficient. These devices deploy automatically on the basis of a number of different performance parameters which are monitored in real time by the car’s dynamic vehicle controls, thus guaranteeing the ideal configuration on the basis of the driving conditions.

Control systems
One further innovative aspect of the LaFerrari is the integration of its active aerodynamics and hybrid system with the other dynamic control systems aboard. This means the car responds intelligently to driver inputs, making for a seamless blend of unprecedented performance and unparalleled driving emotions.
Proprietary Ferrari algorithms deliver optimal integration of the electric motor and V12 for instantaneous response. In cornering, for instance, the HY-KERS keeps the V12’s revs high to guarantee better acceleration on exit.
The LaFerrari’s Brembo braking system is also integrated with the hybrid system, and incorporates several new features, including new lightweight callipers designed to guarantee correct cooling and carbon-ceramic material (CCM) discs featuring a new composition.
The car’s extreme performance potential called for a different tyre set-up, with 265/30 R 19 Pirelli P-Zeros on the front and 345/30 R 20s on the rear.
All in all the car guarantees maximum driving thrills in every situation and performance levels are top level: 0-100 km/h in less than 3 seconds and 0-200 km/h in under 7 seconds, a lap time at Fiorano of under 1’20” – 5 seconds faster than the Enzo and over 3 seconds faster than the F12berlinetta. LaFerrari is thus the fastest road car in Maranello’s long history.

Styling The Ferrari design team led by Flavio Manzoni developed the LaFerrari’s styling working in close synergy with the engineers to emphasise the exacting link between form and function. The result is an extreme, innovative design which retains close links to the marque’s tradition. This is most evident in its side profile: the car has a sharp, downward-sloping nose and a very low bonnet which emphasises its muscular wheelarches, a clear nod to the gloriously exuberant forms of late-1960s Ferrari sports prototypes.
The LaFerrari’s body has been given a sculptural treatment heavily influenced by its clearly F1-inspired aerodynamics and a tail section that exudes uncompromising sportiness.
Inside there’s a newly-designed steering wheel sporting all the major commands, and the gear-shift paddles are now longer and more ergonomic. The signature bridge on which the F1 gearbox functions are clustered has taken on a sleek, suspended wing-like shape. The whole interior, in fact, has a fiercely track-inspired, pared-back allure.

The Ferrari range
Aside from the new limited-series special, the Ferrari stand also features the complete range which is the most wide-ranging and critically acclaimed in its entire history. The five models all share the same Ferrari DNA in terms of performance, driving pleasure and technology, yet each one has its own strongly unique identity, in line with the company’s philosophy of “different Ferraris for different Ferraristi”.

Ferrari’s 12-cylinder GT sports car prowess is represented at Geneva by the FF, the very first four-seater and four-wheel drive in Prancing Horse history. It will be sporting a Grigio Ingrid livery with an elegant glass roof and Iroko interior. The FF is also now seamlessly integrated with Apple technologies, thanks to direct access to the infotainment system via SIRI voice commands and the adoption of two iPad Minis as the entertainment system of choice for the rear seat passengers.

Blistering performance and sublime driving pleasure even at low speeds are assured behind the wheel of the multi-award-winning F12berlinetta, which is powered by a mid-front V12. Unique handling characteristics, extreme aerodynamics and an innovative yet classic design are its signatures. The car on show at Geneva has a Grigio Silverstone livery and a Sella di Cavallo interior.

Moving on to the 8-cylinders, the California 30, in sophisticated Nero Stellato with a Crema interior, is a convertible GT that uncompromisingly marries sportiness and versatility. The California’s already-massive popularity with both press and public alike grew still further after its V8’s output was upped by 30 hp to 490 hp, and 30 kg was slashed off its overall weight.

The blistering 458 Italia is a sublime, thoroughbred sports car. It and its drop-top sibling, the 458 Spider, are equipped with the same extraordinary mid-rear-mounted V8 engine which was named International Engine of the Year in both 2011 and 2012. These two models continue Ferrari’s glorious tradition with this particular layout. The coupé seen at Geneva sports an aggressive Bianco Avus livery and sleek black interior with carbon-fibre trim, while the Spider, which dominates the Tailor-Made extreme personalisation area, takes its inspiration from the legendary 1957 250 Testa Rossa that sold for a record 16 million dollars at auction at Pebble Beach in 2011. It has the same red and blue livery and a host of competition car details in its cabin, not least of which are suede-upholstered seats and Alutex trim.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

* with dynamic ram effect
**Undergoing homologation

Maranello, 18 February – Today is a special date. On 18 February 115 years ago a man was born in Modena, who, thanks to his passion, his determination and his ability to look ahead created a legend which continues to grow day after day: Enzo Ferrari.

After his career as a racing driver, the still young Enzo founded the Scuderia in 1929, the team, still carrying his name today. In 1947 the first car with the name Ferrari was born – thus creating a symbol of Italian excellence in the world – the start of our Company.

“My father always had one objective in mind: always improve,” Piero Ferrari, the founder’s son, told Ferrari.com. “It was part if his motorsport and racing driver DNA to look for something more than the others. He transferred it into a way of life. He was never satisfied and he expected that from everybody else: he was curious and he wanted to find original solutions. I admired his courage and his vision for the future: just imagine that in 1929, the start of the Great Depression, he founded the Scuderia, a club to let the gentlemen of the times participate in races. In a moment when everybody else stopped investing he did exactly the opposite, betting on the future.”

The life of Enzo Ferrari represents numerous elements, which don’t just turn him up-to-date, but make him even more modern than many of our contemporaries: his values are part of our genetic patrimony and are implemented every day in the work of the men and women in our Company.

Maranello, 5th November – The 458 Italia has won more awards and titles than any other road car in Ferrari history. It has received more than 30 plaudits from the leading international magazines, including the best high performance engine award for two consecutive years. Now the GT2 and GT3 versions of the 458 have added to that long list a string of trophies won on circuits across the globe.

The latest arrived this weekend at the International GT Open in Barcelona where AF Corse secured both the Drivers’ title and the Team trophy for the SuperGT category, courtesy of Gianmaria Bruni and Federico Leo, while Kessel Racing did likewise in the GTS category, thanks to Daniel Zampieri and Michael dalla Stella. These prestigious victories resulted in Ferrari beating rivals of the calibre of Porsche, Mercedes and McLaren to win the Manufacturers’ title.

The new titles flank the many others won in the course of the year in the world’s most prestigious enclosed wheel championships including the FIA World Endurance Championship, the Grand AM, the Blanc Pain Endurance Series and the FIA GT3 Asia.

F12berlinetta debuts in the USA, handover of the first Tailor Made in America and some of the most beautiful Ferrari models on auction

Pebble Beach (California), 16 August 2012- Pebble Beach has always been a special place for Ferrari. The elegant town near San Francisco with a special event inside a special event, where thousands of clients and collectors come together so see the latest models from Maranello and some legendary cars included in the traditional auction and the Concours d’Elegance.

This year Ferrari has organised a series of exclusive events including the presentation of the F12berlinetta. It is the debut of the most powerful 12-cylinder, praised by the specialist press all over the world for style, handling and performance as well as the combination of high power outlet and reduced emissions and consumption.

Meanwhile the first Tailor Made car in the USA will be handed over at Pebble Beach: an FF, which has been personalised by the famous British golfer Ian Poulter thanks to the innovative personalisation programme available from the Prancing Horse. The car’s livery is a particular triple-layer “Sabbia” colour, while the interior is made of black Poltrona Frau leather with tartan pattern, the characteristic of Poulter’s next clothing line collection.

The boot in carbon fibre and high-tech fabric reminds of the world of golf with some details (like the tartan) used for the first time in a car. The British golfer will receive his FF during a special evening with the participation of Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa.

The Prancing Horse will also take part in other events at the Pebble Beach festival. In the Gooding & Co auction catalogue one can find a 1973 365 Daytona Spider certified by Ferrari Classiche and models such as the 1960 250 California Spider Competizione passo lungo and the 1955 857 Sport, once owned by the artist Andy Warhol. Those cars might probably reach 10 million dollars or more.

On Sunday Ferrari will participate in the great Concours d’Elegance in two categories for the Prancing Horse. Pebble Beach is still a way for clients and collectors to come together and share their passion for the cars from Maranello, for which the USA is first legendary market.

Maranello, 11 June 2012 – Ferrari Classiche recently took delivery of one of the more interesting cars ever to leave the factory – a 275 GTB4 that originally belonged to legendary American star, Steve McQueen who took delivery of the car in San Francisco when he was on the set filming Bullitt.

The new owner brought the car to Ferrari Classiche for the company’s authenticity certification process, knowing that at some time during the 1980s, when under previous ownership, the car had been converted to a Spider.

Under the provisions of the certification process, a Ferrari can only be authenticated if it is to exactly the same specifications as when it left the factory. To this end, the new owner wisely decided to return the car to its original coupé form and Ferrari Classiche has undertaken the restoration reproducing the roof and buttresses with hand-beaten steel panels.

Ferraris continue to be an excellent investment, as has been shown in a recent report by Business Week on a private treaty sale for $35 million of a 250 GTO built for Stirling Moss.

A world record price that celebrates the 50th anniversary of the launch in 1962 of this homologation special (hence the designation Gran Turismo Omologata), of which just 36 examples were built, and which achieved a seemingly endless series of victories in GT racing in the early 1960s, culminating in three consecutive Manufacturers’ titles in 1962, ’63 and ’64.

The Ferrari 250 GTO has been revered in classic car circles for decades for its combination of thoroughbred looks, performance and motor sports heritage and, in 1990, a 1962 example set a then record auction price of $10,756,833. This world record was to stand for 18 years until it was beaten in 2008 by another Ferrari, a 1961 250 California sold by RM Auctions in collaboration with Sotheby’s in Maranello for $10,910,592. That record was again beaten in 2011 by the sale in Pebble Beach of a 1957 250 Testa Rossa for $16.39 million.

A considerable contribution to the interest for classic Ferraris in recent years has come from the company’s direct involvement, with its dedicated department providing certificates of authenticity which testify to the originality of a car. Set up in 2006, Ferrari Classiche has to date processed over 3,300 certification requests using the company’s exhaustive archive records and original designs.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., May 18, – Starting today, Friday, May 18 – Sunday, May 20, the third race of the 2012 North American Ferrari Challenge Series GRAND-AM Road Race will take place against the picturesque backdrop of the Monterey Peninsula, California at the legendary Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca track.

Launched in 1994 in North America, the Ferrari Challenge is a single-marquee racing series designed to give Ferrari owners the opportunity to compete with fellow Ferrari owners on some of the greatest race tracks in the U.S. and Canada. The challenge also gives Ferrari enthusiasts the chance to enjoy watching Ferraris put through their paces at the race track.

“There is perhaps no better way to experience the passion of Ferrari together with the technology and engineering excellence of our cars than to attend the Ferrari Challenge racing days,” says Marco Mattiacci, President & CEO, Ferrari North America. “True to the spirit of Ferrari, the competition at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will be intense,” Mattiacci concludes.

Spectators are welcome to attend the race. Tickets are now available through the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca website (www.MazdaRaceway.com) or by calling the Ticket Office at: (800) 327-7322 or (831) 242-8269, 8am – 5pm PST, Monday – Friday. VIP Hospitality Packages to the Ferrari Challenge can be purchased by contacting the Ferrari Concierge at (866) 551-2828.

The Corse Clienti Department’s 599XX “evolution,” FXX and F1 Clienti programs will also participate on the track, adding to the excitement of the GRAND-AM Road Racing at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Competitors will drive the Ferrari 458 Challenge exclusively, which debuted at the start of the 2011 Ferrari Challenge series, and is derived from the spectacular 458 Italia road car.

Based on the results of the second Ferrari Challenge weekend of the 2012 season, held at Infineon Raceway near Sonoma, Calif., April 27-29, this third leg of the series at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca promises to be no less exhilarating for drivers and spectators alike.

At Infineon Raceway, Ferrari owner Harry Cheung took first place, driving the Ferrari of Beverly Hills 458 Challenge. Starting in third place on the grid, Cheung immediately roared into the lead, and never relinquished it to get the checkered flag. Second place went to Central Florida Ferrari owner Onofrio Triarsi, who drove a great race to climb up the order to second place from twelfth, while Richard Fant from Houston came in third.

Poleman Ryan Ockey (Ferrari of Ontario) took a well deserved win in the Coppa Shell, finishing fourth overall ahead of Jose Valera (Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale) and Robert Herjavec (Ferrari of Ontario.)

The 2012 Ferrari Challenge continues to the following racing venues:

Montreal, Canada, (during the Canadian F1 Grand Prix), June 8-10
Toronto, Canada, July 6-8
Lime Rock Park, CT, July 20-21
Homestead Miami Speedway, FL, September 28-30

The Ferrari Challenge Series is organized by Ferrari North America, Inc., and sanctioned by the Grand American Road Racing Association. Complete Challenge information can be found on www.ferrarichallenge.com.

Ferrari North America, Inc. is headquartered in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and is the exclusive North, Central and South American importer of Ferrari vehicles including the 458 Italia, 458 Spider, the California and FF Grand Tourers, and the newly unveiled Ferrari F12berlinetta. For more information please visit www.ferrariusa.com.

1988 Pontiac Fiero GT WS6
Typical asking prices*: $4,000-$6,000
Collector status: Buy and hold

It is somewhat ironic that a car used as a basis for crappy replicas of other collector cars (Ferrari F40 and Testarossa for example) should be considered a collector car itself. But then the Pontiac Fiero was an irony from the beginning. It was given a reluctant go-ahead by GM brass only because it was proposed as an economical commuter car. The irony is that somehow it ended up with a mid-engine layout and arguably perhaps the most “exotic” looking design to ever come out of Detroit. Initially it was indeed limited by economy car underpinnings like a 92-bhp 4-cylinder and suspension carried over from GM’s X-body cars. This of course caused a great deal of disappointment from both press and enthusiasts who had higher expectations. By its final year of production in 1988 however, the Fiero grew into a respectable “sporty” car with a 140-bhp V6 and suspension more befitting a mid-engine car. The GT version in particular, with its flying buttress roofline, was now more adept at playing the part of a legitimate contender, at least among its peers like the Toyota MR2. With the WS6 suspension package, it was a nicely balanced, spirited performer for its day. Despite being a good seller, GM didn’t see a need for a another two-seat sports car, as that niche was being filled by the Corvette. Some might argue that with its late-blooming sporting characteristics, the Fiero GT may have even posed a threat to the Corvette’s sales. In any case, the Fiero was killed after a successful five-year run. In those five years, nearly 400,000 were produced and they are plentiful in the used car market. Many have been modified, some have been abused, but there are a few that remain unmolested and appreciated for what they are. That, along with relatively low production numbers for the year, make the 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT WS6 an excellent example of how capable the American auto industry can be when they don’t mean to be.