- Filed under: Motorsports, Earnings/Financials, Ferrari, FIAT
Many of the biggest teams in Formula One extract enormous budgets from the automakers that own them: BMW, Renault, Toyota, Honda, even Mercedes-Benz, which is part owner of McLaren. Not Ferrari, though. The team, part of the Maranello-based sportscar maker, is owned by the Fiat auto group. However, Fiat does not contribute even one centesimo (er... euro-cent) to the team's budget.
This according to Luca Cordero di Montezemolo. And he should know, being both president of Ferrari and chairman of Fiat (in the mid-'70s, Montezemolo directly headed up the Scuderia before being promoted up the Fiat ladder). The marquis insists that the entirety of the Ferrari F1 team's budget is generated from within Ferrari, through the sales of its road cars (all of which go for six digits) and the team's sponsors, to say nothing of the company's considerable merchandising efforts.
[Source: The Daily Telegraph via F1-Live, Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty]
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Euro, Videos, Supercars, Lamborghini, Ferrari
Click above to view the video.
We've said it before, but it warrants repeating: it takes a special kind of crazy to take an epic supercar like a Ferrari or a Lamborghini and tune it like you would a Mustang or even a Porsche. Fortunately, Novitec and EDO are just such a breed of crazy. We've brought you news of the former's modified Ferrari 430 Scuderias and 599 GTBs and the latter's Lamborghini Superleggera, Maserati MC12 and Audi R8 (to name just a few), but never side by side. For that, you may follow the jump and thank those zany Germans for pitting a Novitec Rosso-modified Ferrari 575M Maranello against an EDO Competition-tuned Lamborghini Gallardo. You'll need four and a half minutes to spare, but not fluency in German... "vroom" is international.
[Source: YouTube via Autoblog.nl]
Continue reading Autoblog Night Watch: Novitec Ferrari 575 vs. EDO Lambo Gallardo
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- Filed under: Ferrari, Alfa Romeo
Click for hi-res gallery of the Alfa 8C Competizione
When Alfa Romeo announced it was actually building the 8C Competizione, we had but to applaud. The automaker slashed its own marketing budget to finance the car's manufacturing, justifying that the halo supercar would do more for the brand's image than any television ad ever could. (Then they did it again with the Spider version.) Right they were, and we wish more automakers would think that way. The latest reports indicate that Alfa Romeo is following its own example, so while CEO Luca de Meo campaigns within the Fiat hierarchy for an even more hard-core version to wear the vaunted GTA badge, some of his subordinates are thinking a step ahead towards the 8C's successor.
The current 8C is based on an aging Maserati platform - not unlike the resuscitating Aston Martin DB7 that was based on old Jaguar underpinnings. However, strategists within Alfa Romeo want to see its successor based on the new Ferrari California, trading in the input of one sister company for another. While they realize it will be an uphill battle - one which could come down to Fiat chairman and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemelo's decision - to get Ferrari to agree to the proposal, Alfa Romeo is reportedly keen to get the project off the ground and get the second-generation sportscar ready within the next two years to celebrate Alfa's centennial in 2010.
[Source: Autocar]
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- Filed under: Convertibles, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Ferrari
Click above to view the latest batch of Ferrari California images in our gallery
We hate to ruin your summer, but in the automotive world the sunny season is little more than a few months with no car shows. What kind of fun is that? Well, after the summer's over we'll be headed to Paris to bring you your fix of new car extravaganza. Among the new models being unveiled there will be the Ferrari California, which we've so far only been able to see in bits and pieces as Maranello sees fit to release it. So while the California's launch site (not to mention the Ferrari media site) continue to offer only the initial batch of computer-enhanced studio shots, major publications like Auto Bild and now Road & Track get exclusive new shots of the hardtop convertible from every angle. We'll continue to do our best to bring you what's available, but unfortunately the latest crop is decidedly low-res. Check 'em out in the constantly-updated gallery by clicking the new thumbnails below, or follow the jump to watch them in a YouTube video slideshow (though we'd recommend turning off the sound).
[Source: Road & Track]
Continue reading Ferrari releases more California images to magazines
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- Filed under: Euro, Plants/Manufacturing, Ferrari
Click above to view in high resolution
Several months ahead of its scheduled debut at this fall's Paris auto salon, production of the new Ferrari California has already begun at the Ferrari factory in Maranello. The news comes after previous speculation suggested that the California might have to be assembled off-site - potentially at sister-company Maserati's nearby facility in Modena - because the existing Ferrari assembly lines were already at full capacity. However, having now unveiled its newly-retooled manufacturing facility under the Formula Uomo program, the company has apparently increased production capacity to accommodate the assembly of the California, thus securing its legitimacy in the eyes of enthusiasts and potential customers alike.
[Source: Ferrari]
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Supercars, Ferrari
Click above for a high resolution image
Is it wrong to mess with perfection? We don't know if we would dare to change even a single nut or bolt on the F430 Scuderia if we happened to have one in the garage, but Novitec Rosso seems to have no problem with it. Granted, they have plenty of experience laying their hands on the F430; in addition to their standard version, they've also built RACE, TuNero, and Evoluzione variations. For the Scuderia they've added their twin-supercharger package good for 717 horsepower and a top speed of just over 215 mph. Considering the standard F430 Scuderia can lap Ferrari's Fiorano test track faster than the Enzo, we'd imagine this car would be insanely quick.
[Source: WorldCarFans]
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- Filed under: Convertibles, Sports/GTs, Tech, Videos, Supercars, Ferrari
Click on the image above to jump to the video
If you're on Ferrari's mailing list for the new California, you might have seen a new email in your inbox today with a link to another chapter (literally) opening up on the vehicle's dedicated website. Today's installment leads to a video of the California's trick folding hard-top - another first for Ferrari (if you don't count the innovative one-piece mechanism designed by Fioravanti for the limited-production 575-based Superamerica). Thanks to a mechanism that moves multiple segments in unison, the hard-top can be deployed or retracted in only 15 seconds - faster than the soft-top on any convertible ever to roar out of the gates at Maranello.
Follow the jump to watch the video.
[Source: Ferrari]
Continue reading VIDEO: Ferrari California's fast-action retractable hard-top
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Sports/GTs, Ferrari
There are revivals, and then there are revivals. Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera got it right by making a big splash at Villa d'Este when it showed up with not one, but two custom coachbuilt Maseratis: the sumptuous A8GCS Berlinetta and the innovative Quattroporte Bellagio Fastback. Talk about hitting the ground running.
Evidently not content to rest on its show-stopping, beautifully-shaped aerodynamic laurels, the Carrozzeria is now tipped to be readying a coachbuilt Ferrari. The rumors are fueled by a trip down memory lane (at full throttle, no less): Some of the first Ferraris featured Touring coachwork, including the 166 MM in which Ferrari claimed its very first victory back in 1959, along with the vehicles in which Ferrari won both Le Mans and the Francorchamps 24 the very same year. Quick math, carry the one...what's the square root of 1959? Oh wait! Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of that victorious partnership, and you can bet the revived coachbuilder will want to mark it in style. Insiders tip 612 Scaglietti underpinnings, and we certainly hope that, following the beautiful A8GCS, Touring can cook up something even prettier.
[Source: Autoblog.nl via CarScoop]
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- Filed under: Green, Plants/Manufacturing, Ferrari
Ferrari Company Restaurant designed by architect Marco Visconti
Ferraris have long been known as striking and powerful machines, typically at the front of the pack in any competition. It should come as no surprise, then, that Ferrari the company is also a leader, extending that same philosophy to how it designs its manufacturing facilities. Late last millennium, the company launched its "Formula Uomo" plan to modernize production in a way that would be good for profitability, good for the environment, and good for the workers. With the opening of their latest new car assembly lines facility and company restaurant, they have reached that goal. The restaurant is a thing of beauty that allows workers a peaceful retreat from the factory. The new assembly lines reduce worker movements so they can work more efficiently, all while catching glimpses of the original plant's red walls through their huge windows. Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo and CEO Amedeo Felisa presented these most recent and final pieces in the "Formula Uomo" program, just over ten years after the launch in 1997. It cost the company something like 200 million euro to hire award-winning architects to design and build the new facilities.
The other bold move the company is making is the launch of a new magazine. Produced in conjunction with Condè Nast, this new Ferrari Magazine is a large-format mag that features "a lively and interesting mix of cars, racing culture, fashion and design seen from the point of view of the Ferrari world and the passionate individuals who buy these superb cars." What they said. This quarterly publication will be sent to 30,000 owners worldwide and will only be offered in English. A limited number of subscriptions will be offered to the public as well, at 250 Euro per year. Our CPAs tell us we can write this off. Expect Montezemolo and Schumacher to make regular appearances, as well as other company executives, designers, and even celebrity owners like Nick Mason. The magazine will capture everything Ferrari, with the December issue each year acting as a replacement for the annual yearbook. So you can be sure that F1 will get a thorough rundown as well. For more info, read the press releases after the jump.
[Source: Ferrari]Continue reading Ferrari launches new magazine, next phase of "Formula Uomo"
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- Filed under: Convertibles, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Ferrari
Click above for hi-res gallery of the Ferrari California
For the unveiling of its first front-engined V8 sportscar, Ferrari rolled out a dedicated launch site. But up until now, the site (as well as the company's media portal) only gave us a glimpse at a handful of studio shots. Germany's 
AutoBild, meanwhile, managed to obtain a handful of new shots of the California out in the open, inside and out and front to back. Natural sunlight seems to soften the sportscar's lines a fair deal... but don't take our word for it: Check out the images in the gallery below to see for yourself.
[Source: AutoBild]
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- Filed under: Gadgets, Motorsports, Tech, Ferrari, First Drive
Ferrari has placed an order with aircraft systems supplier Moog to build the Scuderia a new high-tech driving simulator for its championship-leading F1 pilots to be installed at the company's headquarters in Maranello, Italy. The system, which you can bet costs a fair bit more than a PS3 and a new barcalounger, features a custom motion-control solution with motion mechanism, control loading system and top platform with the software and operator workstation necessary to control the installation.
Moog develops and manufactures simulators and control stations for everything from aircraft and satellites to medical equipment and industrial machinery. Although the terms of the deal between Moog and Ferrari were not released, Moog's stock prices shot up last Wednesday following the announcement. Check out the press release after the jump for more information.
[Sources: Moog]
Continue reading Moog tapped to produce Ferrari simulator
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- Filed under: Green, Supercars, Ferrari
Click above to view the Ferrari Millechili in our hi-res gallery
Since the epically fast Enzo supercar finished its limited production run, the 430 Scuderia has been left to uphold the mantle as Ferrari's fastest. But as amazing as the Scuderia's performance is, outrunning every previous Ferrari around the company's Fiorano test track, it only goes to show what Maranello is capable of: If they can do this with their erstwhile "entry-level" V8 sportscar, what do they have in store for the Enzo's successor?
Emerging reports suggest that Ferrari could go one (or both) of two ways with its next range-topper. One approach is reportedly being based on the Millechili concept, which as you'll recall was essentially a chopped-down Enzo crafted out of cardboard and plastic holding the promise of environmentally-friendly specs. The production vehicle is tipped to be based on the F430's platform - remember that the 288 GTO and F40 were based on modified 308 underpinnings - but feature a 600hp V10 in a lightweight 1000kg package, with a lengthened wheelbase of around 104 inces, a $500,000 price tag and a production run of 300.
While reports suggest that a second supercar could appear based on the FXX development program, we think it far more likely that one vehicle will prevail, borrowing on themes and components from both the Millechili and the FXX test-bed.
[Source: Car and Driver]
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- Filed under: Etc., Supercars, Ferrari
Click above for high-res gallery of this reflective 599
For some Ferrari faithful, every prancing horse that comes out of the factory should be painted in red. Yellow, black, blue and grey are just plain heretical, and perhaps that's why some of the purest Ferraris, the F40 and 288 GTO, were only offered in red. Well, if anything but Rosso Corsa bothers you, then this particular Ferrari will give you the shivers. We can't imagine what inspired this Saudi Arabian Ferrari owner to chrome his 599 GTB Fiorano, but it definitely reflects his personality. We also have to wonder if it helps keep the car cooler in the hot sun. No matter his reasoning, he's guaranteed himself plenty of looks.
Gallery: Chrome Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
[Source: CarDomain.com]
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- Filed under: Sports/GTs, Etc., Supercars, Mazda, Ferrari, Humor
Click above for more shots of the Mazda-rrari RX-8
Thanks to an astute reader, we now have further proof that owners of Mazda's rotary powered RX-8 wish they were driving a Ferrari instead. Not that we blame them or anything, as the Prancing Horse has been plastered on many of the finest sportscars that this world has ever seen. What we don't recommend, however, is actually attempting to replicate a Ferrari of your own with a Mazda RX-8, as the owner of said car seen in our gallery has done. It's not that the car is an RX-8, a fine vehicle in its own right,- but a Ferrari it is not. The rotary is a fun engine to wring out on the way to its 9,000 RPM redline, but it just doesn't quite match the aural pleasure that a fine Italian V12 is able to deliver.
This particular Mazda-rrari was caught at a mall in Denton, Texas, and we believe it's probably the only one in existence. Before you get real upset about all that's been done to it though, remember that it could be worse. Much, much worse. Just don't tell the guys in Maranello, they tend to get rather upset about this kind of thing. Thanks for the tip, David!
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- Filed under: Etc., Supercars, Ferrari, Australia
It wouldn't be correct to say that all Ferrari drivers can't drive. What we can say is that a lot of Ferrari drivers are probably not short of ego, and also probably have little idea of what their cars can do when pressed. Combine a robust confidence with a watching crowd, add a high-powered and sometimes testy car, thrown in a little bit of ignorance... and a pole.. and what you get is the image above.
A man in Australia pulled out of a garage in his Ferrari 360 Spyder, took his chance to impress some gathered folks at cafes lining the street, and floored it. The car, as they say in the business, got away from him. The pole in the median did not. We're never happy to see (another) wrecked Ferrari, or to see a man carted away from his toy by the police, so to you kids with Ferraris, please learn from this and stop the madness.
Our favorite part of this picture is that, having made his boo-boo and probably realizing what he's in for, the driver is still just sitting in the car, although the guy in the blue shirt flexing in the background also gets a special mention... Thanks for the tip, Sam!
[Source: EHOWA]
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Archive for the 'FERRARI' Category
Wednesday, June 6th, 2007
The Ferrari F430 already is a brilliant, eye-catching vehicle. The “look” as well as engineering technology presents many similarities to motor sports racing. In the latter instance, most vehicles here feature a catchy paint finish in “warrior look”. HAMANN MOTORSPORT now offers the mid-engine Ferrari a special outstanding design that equally provides a racing car look standing out from the crowd. It’s called “Black Miracle” and will be responsible for great deal of turned heads.
outstanding “Black Miracle” look in black matt with coloured finishes for aerodynamic parts
improved performance from 50 HP
competently integrated wing doors
light weight wheels “Edition Race” in 20-inch
An individual entrance thanks to Black Miracle design
HAMANN’s “Black Miracle” designed black car body via a foil suggests the appearance of a primary base coat versus a ready-finished lacquered vehicle. It leaves an impression as if the entire car body is covered in velvet. Here as well, comes an idea directly from motor sports racing scene where motor covers are often finished in black matt to aide drivers with glare reduction. The “Black Miracle” design by HAMANN acts similar to a black hole absorbing all light. For the “light at the end of the tunnel” HAMANN provides additional parts following customer preferences in brilliant red, orange or yellow finish. The contrast between black matt and each “luminizing” addition is unquestionably mesmerizing especially for countless admirers at Ferrari meetings. Such an individualized F430 entrance has never been seen before! The highlight of the “Black Miracle” designs: when the black matt colour doesn’t seem pleasing anymore, the foil can be easily removed.
The noted HAMANN aerodynamic kit for the Ferrari F430 in dazzling colours grasps many elements directly out of motor sports. Front impressions of the F430 “Black Miracle” through HAMANN’s front spoiler provide a distinct racing sports face and minimize front axle buoyancy. The wide rocker panel wings give a lowering impression. Further reminiscence of sports racing awakens at the rear end through the HAMANN diffuser and a powerful rear wing which provides more downthrust on the rear axle. HAMANN air dams for the downforce generating Venturi Tunnel boosts the effect.
Additionally included in the “Black Miracle” design are finished aerodynamic parts in red, orange or yellow as well as coloured side mirrors and brake callipers, tinted rear lights, a coloured engine cover framing, dark tinted windows (including front window), bi-coloured leather furnishings (any choice of colour combinations), HAMANN logos within the head rests as well as the wheels finished in the colour of the aerodynamic components and with completely covered black matt rim flange.
The finest detail through wing doors
The absolute show stopper effect with the eye-catching “Black Miracle” colour in combination to the car body is achieved with the addition of HAMANN constructed wing doors. This process is completed without compromise as HAMANN offers a completely full car body integration through guaranteed technology minus that look of actually being built-in. In other words, this vehicle looks as if it just rolled directly off the assembly line.
Performance jump
Through new motronic programming including a new rear silencer plus a sporty high-performance header and sport steel catalyst, the F430 in HAMANN “Black Miracle” style has a performance increase of 36kW /50 HP which is naturally a plus for vehicle performance.
Even more driving pleasure is promised with a specially designed set of suspension springs. Through the HAMANN springs, not only does the F430 lurk lower to the ground, it also moves noticeably with more agility.
The F430 “Black Miracle” comes equipped from HAMANN with a 3-pieced, forged light weight wheel “Edition Race” in 20-inch. Available for the front axle in size 8,5 x 20 (tires 235/30-20) and for the rear axle in size 12,75 x 20 (tires 325/25-20).
One example of the ultra lightweight wheels with dimensions of 12,75 x 20 have an astounding weight of only 15,45 kg! As previously indicated, within the “Black Miracle” package HAMANN finishes a wheel spider in the colour of the aerodynamic components and rim flange matching to the car body in black matt.
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Sport Cars, Tuning Cars, Automotive News, FERRARI | No Comments »
Thursday, May 17th, 2007
HAMANN Ferrari 612 Scaglietti: For the gentleman driver with sporting ambitions
Therefore a modification of the body stood at the top of the HAMANN engineers’ to-do list. But the refiners from Laupheim didn’t neglect sound and handling either.
-Extensive aerodynamic kit with diffuser
-Sporty end mufflers for an even stronger sound
-Agile road-handling through sport suspension
-Split-rim light-alloy wheels “Edition Race” in 20 and 21 inch
Form and function assume a strong symbiosis through the HAMANN aerodynamic components. The sports car designed by Pininfarina acquired a front spoiler from the noble tuner from Laupheim to provide optimal downforce on the front axle, which also improved the optics of the largest Ferrari even further. The pair of side sills for the flank of the 612 impart an impression of lowered suspension. The rear spoiler helps to ensure optimal downforce on the rear axle, while clearly bringing a more sporting look to the rear view without disturbing the basic design. HAMANN achieves an even bigger modification to the rear view through a new rear end component with integrated diffuser, which also ensures more downforce.
As customary with HAMANN, the aerodynamic components are available in fiberglass and carbon-Kevlar.
HAMANN addresses the subject of wheels with its self-developed design “Edition Race”. The appearance of the three-part, ultra-light, forged rim with cross-spoke design and black rim-star is characterized by the nine main spokes, which each branch out to form two more. Besides the exciting design, the titanium screwing is particularly pleasing to the eye. The cherry on the cake of the noble optics is the highly polished rim flange. Naturally HAMANN also offers the wheel as a complete wheel set.
Typical wheel and tire combinations:
front 9.0 J x 20″ / rear 12.5 J x 20″ - 245/35 ZR 20 / 335/30 ZR20
front 9.0 J x 21″ / rear 12.0 J x 21″ - 245/30 ZR 21 / 345/25 ZR21
With the aid of a chassis spring assembly, HAMANN lowers the center of gravity even further which even in a vehicle of this caliber still brings noticeable improvement to the handling.
Incontestably the sound of a Ferrari 12-cylinder is something completely special. The sport mufflers are made from in V2A stainless steel and are offered by HAMANN for left and right, each of which has double exhaust pipes (O 90mm). When ordering the sport mufflers, the 540 HP symphony sounds twice as potent as before. This also means that the twelve cylinders can breathe out more easily.
Naturally HAMANN also dedicates itself to the interior. Traveling should be made as pleasant as possible for the passengers. For example, an exclusive foot mat set in black in the Ferrari’s cockpit makes it appear more homey. Of course HAMANN can also modify any 612 Scaglietti to the individual tastes of the customer, e.g. with lavish leather fittings in different colors or extensive multimedia configurations involving a DVD player, TV or PlayStation.
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Sport Cars, FERRARI | No Comments »
Friday, August 12th, 2005
Details info: Alternative names:
Ferrari F430 Coupé 2d
(2004 - )
Sales Company:
Available version:
4.3 V8 32v
Previous version:
Variation:
Coupé 2d
(2004 - )
Assembly Plants:
Info:
Introduced at the 2004 Paris Motorshow, this is the new \”entry-level\” Ferrari with strong connections to the Italian sportscar manufacturers\’ Formula 1 technology.
Donors:
Posted in FERRARI | No Comments »
Friday, August 12th, 2005
Details info: Alternative names:
612 Scaglietti
(2003 - )
Sales Company:
Available version:
5.7 V12 48v F1
Previous version:
Variation:
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Coupé 2d
Assembly Plants:
Donors:
Posted in FERRARI | No Comments »
Friday, August 12th, 2005
Details info: Alternative names:
Ferrari 575M Maranello
(2002 - )
Sales Company:
Available version:
5.7 V12 48v
5.7 V12 48v F1
6.0 V12 48v F1
6.0 V12 48v
Previous version:
Variation:
Coupé 2d
(2002 - )
Coupé 2d
(GTC)
(2003 - )
Roadster 2d
(Superamerica)
Ferrari 575M Maranello GTC
Assembly Plants:
Donors:
Posted in FERRARI | No Comments »
