James Glickenhaus’ P4/5 Competizione project may have missed its June 2010 deadline, but luckily for the famous car collector, he still has the “normal”, Enzo-based Ferrari P4/5 to kill some time with, while waiting for the custom racecar. In the latest footage available on Youtube, Mr. Glickenhaus took the car to France for high speed testing, followed by some R&R time in Paris. Check out the video after the break to see the simply breathtaking P4/5 in action.
A prototype model of the Ferrari 599 covered in black cladding has been snagged on film during testing at the Fiorano circuit. We're not entirely sure if it's a test mule for a replacement of the 599 or an updated version of the current model, possibly featuring Ferrari's upcoming KERS energy-recovery system which was first shown on the Geneva Salon HY-KERS hybrid concept.
In any case, the vented hood and the styling of the bumpers point towards a prototype based on the 670-horsepower 599 GTO, which was introduced into the range this past April, with some minor changes such as the California-esque LED headlamps. Watch the video right after the jump.
At this year’s Bologna Motor Show in Italy, Ferrari unveiled the fabulous 458 Challenge, a competition model boasting the standard model's 4.5-liter V8 capable of 570 hp. To promote the new racer, Ferrari also organized a series of tests at the Valencia circuit in Spain, inviting its own test drivers and Challenge Cup competitors to share their thoughts about the car. According to Raffaele De Simone, the 458 Challenge is faster than its predecessor, the F430 Challenge, but also easier to drive, while Maurizio Mediani was impressed with the double-clutch gearbox. Scroll down for the video.
British car magazine Auto Express, has crowned the Ferrari 458 Italia their 2011 Performance Car of the Year (PCOTY). The magazine chose the Italian supercar from a list of 20 contenders, including other big names like the Audi V10 Spyder, Porsche GT3 RS, BMW M3 Competition and Mercedes SLS AMG. The Honda CR-Z, Renault Twingo Cup 133 and Skoda Fabia RS were the more down-to-earth cars of the group. Watch the video summary after the break to see what makes the F458 this year's performance car in AE's opinion.
A new set of photos showing a... red-hot Ferrari 458 Italia going up in flames is making the internet rounds today. Even though some websites are reporting that the incident happened in Sao Paulo, Brazil, two months after Ferrari issued the infamous recall on the 458 Italia (see here), we don't have sufficient information to be sure about the date, let alone if this particular example had gone through the mandatory repairs. So until we find out more details, follow the jump to take yet another glance of what a 458 Italia on fire looks like.
Where are my friends with their Ferrari 430 Scuderias and Monza track days? The best I can hope for is a ride around the McDonald's parking lot in a rust-coloured Datsun 280ZX with a faulty clutch. No wonder I'm so cynical.
So the story goes that YouTube member "Marchettino" flew shotgun in his mate's Ferrari 430 Scuderia at some sort of invitation only track day for Ferraristas. Speaking of which, there's a nice selection of Maranello muscle there. I think I saw (and correct me if I'm wrong) two 430s (white and red), a red 360, a black 458 Italia, a red 599 and a silver 575 M. Man, my Jealous-O-Meter is at like 11 right now.
So his friend hits 270km/h (170mph) in 6th gear...big deal. That doesn't make me green with envy. I'm a grown man; I have no interest -cough-cough- in this girly, track day malarkey.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to buy some bright red Michael Schumacher F1 gloves and a bottle of Ferrari Light Essence. Ciao...
The first ever theme park dedicated to Ferrari and the largest of its kind, opened its doors to the international press on Wednesday. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi's much-anticipated public opening was also scheduled for the same day, however it was postponed due to the death of 92-year-old Sheik Saqr bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, the ruler of emirate Ras Al Khaimah.
Ferrari World's officials are said to have been expecting up to 10,000 people on the first day of its opening. Today, it was announced that the 40-acre theme park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, will open to the public on November 4.
"Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is pleased to announce it will open its doors to the general public on 4th November 2010 at 12 noon. Tickets can be purchased from the ticketing counters at the Park on the day," the company said in a statement. "We look forward to welcoming guests to experience the world's first Ferrari theme park for this soft opening."
Chairman of Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo:
"First of all I would like, on behalf of both myself and everyone at Ferrari, to express our sincere condolences to the government and the population of the United Arab Emirates for their tragic loss. Then I would like to thank the nation and all those who made it possible to make this dream - a unique theme park dedicated to theworld of Ferrari - a reality. Congratulations to everyone involved.
The park just 4 years ago was a project, an idea, maybe even a too ambitious idea, is now a fantastic reality. Everyone at Ferrari is grateful to the people who have worked without rest for the last two years to make it happen.
Abu Dhabi is a great city that constantly looks to the future, and we are very proud of our partners who share with Ferrari the same passion, the same vision, the same will to go beyond.
This park combines innovative technology and tradition, it is dedicated not only to Ferrari fans and car enthusiastic, but to the whole family; there are attractions for kids, men and women. It has also the real touch of Ferrari: how things really are for us, with our exclusive GT road cars and racing cars, but also our history and our cultural background. Something else that was crucial for us was for the Park to be a symbol, built actively on the heritage that Italy represents for the world. We are pleased to see that all this has become reality, and that the excitement - like the roller coaster that makes you feel like a Formula One driver - goes hand-in-hand with messages that perfectly combine having a good time with the reality represented by the passion for Ferrari.
We also like to think that this Ferrari Theme park can be a small contribution to reinforcing the bridge between our two cultures.
And finally I would like to express my personal thanks to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; for their guidance and support. Warm thanks are also due to Khaldoon Al Mubarak, and to Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, for their invaluable support."
In 1971, one of the greatest one-on-one boxing matches took place in New York's Madison Square Garden: the bout between Mohammed Ali and Joe Frazier. So big was this event, advertisers dubbed it, 'The Fight of the Century'. Now, two different contenders take to the ring (uh...tarmac). The reigning champion: the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE. The challenger: the Lexus LFA. Video after the jump.
One is a purebred, Italian racehorse with decades of motor racing heritage under its belt. The other is the new kid on the block: the young hood with its 'doof doof' music and unshakable will to win.
So maybe I went a bit too far with the boxing analogy...
The real scoop here is U.S. magazine Car and Driver putting the V12-powered 599 GTB HGTE and V10-powered LFA through their paces on the narrow, sodden backroads of Wales. Technical editor Michael Austin is behind the wheel of the Ferrari while executive editor Mark Gillies is in the Lexus. Their goal: to find out which of these two, similarly priced front engined, rear-wheel-drive GTs is the best?
What is believed to be a test mule of the next Ferrari 612 Scaglietti using the current model's sheet metal as camouflage, was spied doing the rounds at the Italian firm's Fiorano race track near Maranello. From what we know up until now, the 612 Scaglietti's replacement is due in showrooms by early 2012 and will benefit from a lighter chassis and a revised V12 engine with direct-injection.
Though not confirmed, there's also the possibility the new four-seater supercar may adopt the gasoline-hybrid technology Ferrari unveiled in the 599 GTB Fiorano HY-KERS concept at the Geneva auto show earlier this year.
The system, which is derived from the kinetic energy recovery tech Ferrari used in Formula One, comprises of an electric motor coupled to the rear of the dual-clutch 7-speed F1 transmission and a set of lithium-ion batteries, to boost fuel economy and cut CO2 emissions by around 35 percent.
Ferrari has announced a virtual simulator to give fans of its Scuderia F1 team something to do between races. Using input from its F1 drivers (Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa, Giancarlo Fisichella) and engineers, the Ferrari Virtual Academy will be revealed live at Monza in Ferrari's paddock at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix.
The game will evolve and be released in stages, allowing people to race each other online on a variety of tracks. At launch, races will be held at the Fiorano track, followed by Mugello and the Nürburgring at a later date.
According to Ferrari, this is the only simulator to faithfully reproduce the F10 in all its glory. It is derived from Ferrari's own driver simulator, provides gamers with a realistic portrayal of the F10's cockpit, as well as realistic "aerodynamic effects, tire characteristics and behaviour of the chassis-suspension system and engine".
For fans willing to get seriously involved, there will be an online tournament that will track the simulator's top performers and reward them with weekly Ferrari goodies. Not only that, but Ferrari will bring the top five fastest tournament drivers to Maranello to do the Ferrari Driver Academy.
The Fiorano simulator will be released online at a price of €14.90, with Mugello and the Nürburgring set to follow at €9.90.
We'll remind you that Ferrari has admitted through its UK spokesperson that it is currently investigating the 458 fires. According to media reports, in the past three months, a total of 11 Ferrari 458 Italia models (including this latest incident in China) have crashed with five of them being ruined by fire. Grab a bag of chips and enjoy the short film "A qualcuno piace caldo" right after the break.
This is by far the coolest thing I'm allowed to say I've seen today. It's a massive robot arm from some future Terminator that's been transformed into a Ferrari F1 simulator... a big one. Look closely and envision yourself in that seat kicking it to some Gran Turismo 5. It's immense.
The CyberMotion Simulator, built at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, in Tübingen, Germany, rides on a theme park-derived Robocoaster arm that can lift 500 kg. But why is it important scientifically?
"A motion simulation system is a fundamental tool to understand how humans experience the sensation of motion," [Robuffo Giordano] says. "By running suitable experiments, one can gain better insights into the cognitive processes of the human brain."
The system uses the robot arm to move people along 6-axes of motion "freely" (versus units using jacks); if you roll, it can even put you upside-down. Awesome, but how long before they're available for purchase?
Nothing says you're a tool going to be one of Ferrari's finest customers better than crashing a brand new 458 Italia right outside the firm's plant in Maranello only 24 hours after buying the supercar (according to the person who taped the video). Follow the break to watch the film showing the 458 Italia revving its 570HP 4.5-liter V8 one day and making love to a tree the next.
Now that things are starting to look a little more "up" after that global economic hiccup, a digital fly-through video of the Ferrari World theme park in Abu Dhabi has been released along with its official opening day: October 28, 2010.
Furthermore, the Italian automaker published the first pictures and teaser video of its "Formula Rossa" rollercoaster, billed as the fastest of its kind.
Here's what the Prancing Horse company had to say about the park: "Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will pay tribute to the passion, excellence, performance, and technical innovation that Ferrari has established over the years and represents today. Its iconic sleek red roof is directly inspired by the classic double curve side profile of the Ferrari GT body, spanning 200,000 m² and carrying the largest Ferrari logo ever created."
It looks like an "under the tarp" air-conditioned take on Las Vegas and Disney World, with roller coasters and race simulators scattered around for kicks. They've also got go-karts, so I'm sold.
Other activities include a G-force ride resembling the Drop-Zone, a Splash Mountain flume ride through a 599's V12, and a history of Ferrari racing and assembly on film.
There's an extra, eye-protecting feature, too: "Safety goggles must be worn due to speed. It's that fast."
It seems as if this is more than just a Ferrari theme park though, because for Italy Ferrari is more than just a car builder; it's an automotive ambassador of the country.
To celebrate, Ferrari World will also be getting miniatures of Italy's famous landmarks and provide video flyovers chasing a Ferrari through Italian cities and the countryside. All in all, this looks to have come together really nicely.
Key facts about Formula Rossa
World's fastest roller coaster reaching speeds of up to 240 km/h (149mph)
0 to 100 km/h in 2 seconds
Winch system uses 20,800 horsepower
2.07 kilometer track
Designed by Jack Rouse Associates
Manufactured by Intamin
Roller coaster cars designed to resemble the Ferrari F1 car, down to the use of the exact
"Rosso Scuderia"
Ride capacity of 16 passengers – 4 cars in the train, 4 riders per car
The last thing we'd expect you to do now is to read a recap of our previous post on Ferrari's "fastest ever production model", the new 670-horsepower 599 GTO... So without further ado, follow the jump to watch Ferrari's chief test driver, Dario Benuzzi, getting behind the wheel of the 599 GTO and tackling the firm's Mugello race track.
Sent over by Señor Chris Harris from EVO were these tasty videos featuring an "unauthorized comparo" between Ferrari's 458 Italia and Porsche's GT3 RS. According to Mr. Harris, "I'm probably banned from Maranello for life. Hey-ho. At least I got to rinse a 458 and a GT3 RS."
HEY-HO indeed.
For an interesting run-through and comparison of these two track-day supercars (Ferrari isn't releasing the 458 Scuderia/track model for a while), check out the vids after the jump. Don't forget, we over here aren't afraid of no stinkin' Ferrari. I'm watching you, Montezemolo.
Records are meant to be broken, though we're not quite sure what kind of record the track-focused, but not street-legal, Ferrari 599XX broke at the Nurburgring race track.
The Italian maker said in a press statement that the 700HP 599XX, which inspired the road-legal 599 GTO, is the first ever "production-derived sports car to break the 7-minute barrier on the 20.832 km Nordschleife circuit, lapping it in 6 min 58.16 sec."
For comparison, the Dodge Viper ACR and the Corvette ZR1 turned the 'Ring in 7:22.10 and 7:26.40 respectively, however, unlike the juiced-up Ferrari, both American sports cars are street legal.
In any case, the video of the 599XX lapping the Nurburgring is definitely worth 7 minutes of your time.
