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Ferrari
Ferrari theme park on track for 2010
By Paul Lester
16:21 November 2, 2009 PST
Supercar aficionados will undoubtedly be salivating at the thought of a visit to Ferrari’s Theme Park. Now set to open in 2010 it will be home to a range of multi-sensory experiences ranging from rollercoasters to displays and driving experiences. Read More
Ferrari 458 Italia debuts at Frankfurt
By Gizmag Team
04:15 September 16, 2009 PDT
The Ferrari 458 Italia finally saw the light of media flash bulbs on the Ferrari stand at the 63rd IAA Frankfurt Motor Show yesterday after a series of online sneak previews. We've written extensively about the car previously, an evolution of Maranello’s mid-rear engined V8 sports cars and, as usual with Ferrari, the 458 Italia is a concentration of innovation thanks to the company’s racing expertise. Employing exactly the same techniques and methods used to develop the Scuderia’s F1 cars, Ferrari’s engineers concentrated their efforts on obtaining the maximum in terms of efficiency in every aspect of the car, and their commitment was repaid with levels of fuel consumption and C02 emissions that set the benchmark in this market segment – 13.3 l/100 km and 307 g/km respectively in the combined cycle (ECE+EUDC). Read More
Ferrari gives the 599 GTB Fiorano a spit and polish with its HGTE package
By Darren Quick
23:48 September 13, 2009 PDT
As it nears the end of its product cycle, Ferrari is giving the 599 GTB Fiorano an extra lease on life with a 'Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione' (HGTE) package. The package hones the 599’s performance with the inclusion of modified suspension with stiffer springs, rear anti-roll bar and new calibration settings for the magnetorheological (a type of smart fluid that becomes a viscoelastic solid when subjected to a magnetic field) shock absorbers. Read More
Ferrari advances driver-car interface
By Mike Hanlon
07:18 August 29, 2009 PDT
In the run-up to the official unveiling of the Ferrari 458 Italia at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Ferrari has released new imagery of the 458 Italia’s interior and of the steering wheel and instrument binnacle which represent a significant step forward in the concept of the ergonomic interface between driver and car. Read More
Ferrari’s innovative new V8 – the 458 Italia
By Gizmag Team
06:31 July 28, 2009 PDT
The 458 Italia is the latest incarnation of the mid-rear engined Ferrari berlinetta and will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. 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. Read More
New limited edition chronograph for Ferrari fans
By Jeff Salton
06:31 July 27, 2009 PDT
Ferrari fans wanting to ‘wear their hearts on their sleeves’ and show their allegiance to the dancing horse brand have a new option with this limited edition timepiece - the Lap-Time Chronograph. The watch features precise Swiss movement; special functions such as a tachometer, split times and digital alarm; some distinctive Ferrari branding - and of course, it's red. Read More
Ferrari announces free Roadside Assistance service for all cars not covered by warranty
By Gizmag Team
07:55 July 22, 2009 PDT
We suspect that the retained value figures for all Ferrari automobiles just took a significant hike in value. In a stunning move, Ferrari has announced the launch of a new “With You” roadside assistance service which will be provided free of charge to owners of all Prancing Horse cars built since 1947 and not covered by either existing factory or POWER warranties. Under the new scheme, Ferrari clients will not only enjoy 12 months of roadside assistance if their vehicle breaks down, but also be offered cover for expenses involved in returning home or reaching the Ferrari Authorised Service Centre to which their car has been taken. The service is free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, initially for Italian and UK owners, but to be extended to other European markets in the near future. No announcement has yet been made as to whether the scheme will be extended beyond Europe. Read More
Goodwood Festival of Speed: faster, greener and partly pedestrian
21:33 July 8, 2009 PDT
Once a year, car connoisseurs and speed freaks gather together at Goodwood House, Essex, to witness the fast, the furious and the utterly fantastic. This year’s 17th Festival of Speed held last weekend was no exception. A crowd of over 150,000 saw the fastest man on earth drive Jaguar’s fastest, Renault’s zero emission concept, Ferrari climb the hill in under a minute, Audi celebrate 100 years, Maserati’s newest, and Porsche set a new world record…on foot. Read More
‘Go anywhere’ amphibious vehicle might go under
By Jeff Salton
00:38 June 30, 2009 PDT
Fed up with your Ferrari? Lamborghini a bit lame? Rarely get a reason to take your dinghy out of the shed? Haven’t scared the neighbors for a while? If you've answered yes to at least three of these questions, then the Scamander RRV could be just what you’re looking for. Before his death in June this year, former-TVR owner Peter Wheeler built the Scamander RRV (rapid response vehicle), a car that could drive on track, off-road or even on the water, all while carrying four people. Read More
1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa fetches world record $12.1 million at auction
20:54 May 17, 2009 PDT
The world record for a car sold at auction tumbled as predicted on the weekend when this 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa fetched 9,020,000 Euro (more than USD$12 million) at the “Ferrari Leggenda e Passione” in Maranello, Italy. Beautiful, rare (only 22 similar models were made) and with a rich and successful race history that began with a debut in the Buenos Aires 1000km in 1958, the 250 TR chassis no. 0714TR was snapped up by an anonymous phone bidder. Read More
Ferrari set to withdraw from Formula One
By Mike Hanlon
16:51 May 12, 2009 PDT
May 13, 2009 In an announcement that shocked the motor racing world yesterday, Ferrari has signalled its intentions to withdraw from Formula One next year. Ferrari’s Board of Directors announced a EUR 54 million Q1, 2009 trading profit, only slightly down compared to EUR 59 million last year. At the same time it criticised the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile for its decision to introduce “two different sets of regulations based on arbitrary technical rules and economic parameters.” The Board announced that unless the regulatory framework for Formula 1 is changed, then “the reasons underlying Ferrari’s uninterrupted participation in the World Championship over the last 60 years – the only constructor to have taken part ever since its inception in 1950 – would come to a close.” Read More
Ferrari 599XX extreme track car developing new technologies for future roadgoing supercars
By Mike Hanlon
19:39 April 28, 2009 PDT
First seen at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show, the Ferrari 599XX is an extreme track car being used to develop new technologies for future roadgoing supercars .. and you can buy one if you're the right sort of client. A limited number of 599XXs will be available for sale to Ferrari’s most valued customers, but Ferrari will prepare and run the cars on behalf of their owners, enabling them to drive them at special events at Ferrari’s own Fiorano test track and at leading race tracks in Europe and the USA. Data gathered from these track days will be used to further enhance and develop technology for future frontline Ferrari models. Read More
Prost's infamous 1990 F1 Ferrari to go under the hammer
By Mike Hanlon
19:21 April 21, 2009 PDT
A Formula One car at the centre of one of the most bitter battles in F1 history, as well as one of its most infamous acts, goes under the hammer at the highly anticipated Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event at Ferrari’s home in Maranello on May 17. The car is the Ferrari 641/2 F1 car driven by Alain Prost in 1990 during his acrimonious run-ins with his McLaren rival, Ayrton Senna. It is also the actual car that Prost was driving when Senna punted him off the track in Japan within seconds of the start of the race, handing the Brazilian the 1990 title – an act which prompted an appalled Prost to make the comment that “motor racing is sport, not war.” In the hands of Prost, chassis 121 scored in total two third-place finishes, two second places and a victory in 1990, and is expected to fetch an estimated USD$700,000 at auction. Read More
Red Bull takes maiden F1 win – KERS dropped by all but three cars
By Mike Hanlon
03:24 April 19, 2009 PDT
Red Bull Racing finally took its maiden Formula One victory in a rain-soaked Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai today. German prodigy Sebastian Vettel took his second career win in the wet (he won in the rain at Monza last year for the other Red Bull Team, Torro Rosso), followed home by team mate Mark Webber to give the team a 1-2 finish. Only three cars elected to use the KERS hybrid systems after Ferrari, Renault and one BMW car dropped the system for the race. Read More
Meccaniche Veloci teams with Brembo to create world's first carbon fiber wristwatch
By Mick Webb
16:24 April 16, 2009 PDT
For many years now the Formula 1 industry has championed the use of carbon fiber as a superior material for creating a competitive edge. With the current buzz surrounding the Moto GP and the Ducati carbon-framed Desmosedici GP9, it seems only timely that two other Italian companies should unveil the world's first carbon fiber encased wristwatch, the Quattro Valvole CCM. Read More
World's top 5 fastest street legal electric cars
By Paul Evans
02:40 April 10, 2009 PDT
Cars like the million dollar Porsche Carrera GT and Ferrari Enzo are rightly considered supercars with their lightweight carbon fiber construction and 650 hp (477 kw) thoroughbred mid mounted engines making them capable of 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. The amazing thing is that electric vehicles like the 250 hp (183 kw) Tesla Roadster, which produce 100% instant torque from zero rpm, can accelerate to 60 mph in the exact same time, and at costs as low as $0.02 per mile. Paul Evans takes a look at the leading lights of this new breed of speed demon - the top 5 fastest Electric Vehicles in the world. Read More
Formula One Double Deck Diffuser explained
By Paul Evans
06:59 April 7, 2009 PDT
Only two rounds into the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship and the largest number of rule changes in the history of the sport have well and truly reshuffled the deck. We took a close look at the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) before the opening round got underway in Melbourne, Australia, but it turns out the biggest news in Formula One at the start of the season is the rear diffusers being used by the Brawn, Toyota and Williams teams. The diffusers in question were cleared by the FIA as long ago as January but the matter will again be considered by the FIA's International Court of Appeal on April 14. Paul Evans investigates. Read More
Formula One KERS explained
By Paul Evans
01:33 March 26, 2009 PDT
The 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship starts this weekend with round one in Australia where we are about to witness the biggest number of rule changes in the history the sport. The front and rear wings have been significantly changed in size and height to reduce the aerodynamic effect on cars following each other. Many of the aerodynamic 'extras' added by teams last season around the side pods will be banned and after 11 years of grooved tires slicks will make a return. The aerodynamic changes include a first in F1, driver adjustable front wing flaps, but the rule changes we're most interested in are those concerning the introduction of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) that will eventually make every future Formula One race car a hybrid. Read More
Brawn buys Honda F1 team … is this a fairytale in the making?
By Mike Hanlon
22:07 March 22, 2009 PDT
March 23, 2009 The first cars were unloaded onto the pit apron at Albert Park yesterday in preparation for next weekend's first Formula One Grand Prix of the 2009 season. It already shapes up as the most intriguing F1 season ever. Technologically, despite a raft of changes this year, the wild card not yet fathomable is the implementation of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), a fancy name for regenerative braking, and a technology that will ultimately force all F1 cars to use hybrid power sources, most likely during 2009, but not necessarily. Only a few teams will arrive in Melbourne ready to race with electronic KERS systems that offer approximately 80 bhp extra for six seconds a lap, but we're not even sure which teams they will yet be. The biggest intrigue of the weekend though, will be the performance of the newborn Brawn F1 team. Everyone always knew Ross Brawn was a special talent, but no-one saw this one coming. Brawn is poised to deliver one of the greatest motorsport fairy tales ever. Read More
1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa expected to break world auction record
By Mike Hanlon
17:22 February 7, 2009 PST
IMAGE LIBRARY UPDATED The world record auction price for a motor car was set last May at the Ferrari Leggenda e Passione by a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder which sold for USD 10,894,400 (€7,040,000, £5,598,208 GBP). The event is held annually in Maranello, during the final stretch of the Mille Miglia and the RM/Sothebys auction always sees the finest available specimens of the Prancing Horse go under the hammer. This year a Scaglietti-designed, ‘pontoon-fender’ 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (pictured) is expected to break the record once more. Read More
Ferrari goes solar
18:34 January 21, 2009 PST
When you think Ferrari you think fire breathing supercars and F1 racing, not environmental consciousness, but the renowned marque is looking to boost its green credentials with the unveiling of a new photovoltaic system at its Engine Mechanical Machining facility in Maranello, Italy. The 210,000 kWh photovoltaic system is part of an ongoing sustainability program which also includes plans for a new tri-generation plant which the company says will cover "virtually all" of its electricity requirements and cut its annual CO2 emissions by 25-30% compared to the present levels when it becomes operational mid-year. Read More
2008 Paris Motor Show round-up
19:37 October 19, 2008 PDT
As the curtain falls on the Paris Motor Show for 2008 we take a look back at some of the biggest surprises and brightest innovations to emerge from this massive global automotive extravaganza. As a starting point it's hard to go past Lamborghini, which emulated its 2007 most-talked-about crown by showing its Estoque concept. As a mid-engined four-door coupé with a V10 motor and permanent four-wheel drive, it's not really eco-inspired but a weapon to behold for the family man. Mazda definitely made our short-list for the most striking design with the aerodynamic Kiyora Urban compact and Citroen also floated some compelling concepts including the colorful Hypnos luxury hybrid crossover and the virtual-meets-real-world GTbyCITROEN which will appear on-screen in the next installment of Gran Turismo. Read More
Lamborghini shows 4-door 4-seater super sedan
By Mike Hanlon
19:30 October 4, 2008 PDT
October 5, 2008 Lamborghini sprang the surprise of the Paris Show with the Lamborghini Estoque 4-door 4-seater super sedan. Deigned to be driven more regularly than the current Lambborghini Gallardo or Murcielago product lines, the Estoque is an instant contender in the Gran Turismo category currently dominated by Ferrari and Maserati. Propelled to a top speed of 170 mph by a 552 bhp V10 motor, the car comes with the refinement of its Audi stablemate dual-clutch sequential manual transmission. This thing really looks like a projectile and it is positively huge with its five metre length and considerable mass supported by massive 22-inch wheels on the front and 23-inch on the back. A likely third product line from Lamborghini, the car could hit showrooms by 2011 with a likely price tag similar to the Gallardo. Read More
The autovolantor Flying Car
By Jack Martin
11:11 September 9, 2008 PDT
September 9, 2008 Moller International has announced that it has designed a hybrid flying car. The two-seater autovolantor is fashioned in the shape of a Ferrari 599 GTB with wings and is claimed to be capable of lifting off vertically from a traffic jam and flying at up to 150 mph for a short distance (about 15 minutes). The autovolantor is designed to function on the road very much like a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) using one of its eight Rotapower engines to generate enough electrical power to drive for up to 40 miles. Read More
New Ferrari California (UPDATED - new images)
02:12 May 15, 2008 PDT
Ferrari has released three enticing photographs of the California in the build up to the car's official unveiling at the Paris Motor Show. The new stablemate for the 612 Scaglietti and the 430 Scuderia features the marque's first mid-front mounted engine. Read More
Freedom Glen
- November 25, 2009 @ 02:47 UTC
