Ferrari Four put through the paces at Bolocco in the dark

 

 

You can bet dollars to donuts that when Ferrari brings a new car to market, it’s undergone a ridiculously thorough testing regimen. That applies whether it’s developing a coupe, a convertible or even a station wagonshooting brake, as we saw with the release of the new FF.

Especially the FF, as it turns out, as the new four-seater from Maranello represented a number of firsts for Ferrari. It has an all-new engine, incorporating the HELE system for the first time, coupled with a completely new kind of all-wheel drive system, and mounted into a body-style that was previously the exclusive purview of custom coachbuilders.

In short, the Ferrari Four is nothing like they’ve ever made before, and so – as you can see from the video after the jump – thorough testing was required. Which is exactly what was carried out at a number of race tracks, test tracks and proving grounds. In this case, it’s the Centro Sperimentale Bolocco in Italy. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it.

 

Graf Weckerle answers all questions with Comte Noir edition Ferrari 599

We’re not saying we’re psychic or anything, but after years of bringing you the best – and the worst – from the automotive industry, we’re getting a bit of a handle on what you, our dedicated readers, are thinking. So here goes: you were thinking that what the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano really needed was a set of fleur-de-lis wheels.

Okay, so maybe we’re a little off. But those pentagram alloys on the original 599 didn’t do it any favors. And these? They take 20 days to build. They’re forged from aluminum and titanium and have a two-tone anthracite and black finish. But the Comte Noir (French for “black count”) edition Fiorano is about more than those fancy wheels.

German tuner Graf Weckerle has also upped the 6-liter V12′s output from 620 horsepower to a whopping 835. No word on exactly how they did that, but we wouldn’t be surprised if they turned to an experienced Ferrari tuner like Edo Competition or Novitec Rosso for assistance. They’ve also mounted a new coil-over suspension and adjustable shocks, and hopefully upgraded the brakes to go with the extra power. Otherwise those pretty flowery wheels won’t do you any good as the apex approaches.

2000 Ferrari Enzo mule

It’s not every day that a Ferrari mule comes up for sale, but that day, ladies and gentlemen, has arrived. What you see here may look like an old 348, maybe with some 355 components retrofitted. But what you’re actually looking at is one of the mules that gave rise to the all-conquering Enzo supercar.

The car may wear modified 348 bodywork – disguising evaluation testers with existing sheetmetal is common practice in Maranello – but like so many things, it’s what’s inside that counts. And in this case, it’s a 670-horsepower V12 derived from the Scuderia’s Formula One racing program, but adapted for roadcar use and mated to a six-speed paddle-shift transmission.

Enamored of the Enzo’s performance, but less so of its styling? This could be your once-in-a-lifetime chance. Think of it the same way as the 288 GTO was to the F40, only one-of-a-kind, and suddenly the Langenfeld, Germany dealer’s 750,000 Euro (a cool $1M at today’s rates) asking price doesn’t seem quite so extravagant, though it’s not much cheaper than a full-on factory Enzo. Have a closer look in the high-res image gallery below and then be sure to take a look at Modena Motorsport’s website.

1949 Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta up for grabs from RM Auctions in Arizona

As far as Ferraris go, it doesn’t get more authentic than this. What you’re looking at is a 1949 Ferrari 166 MM– the first model made by Enzo Ferrari after setting up shop under his own name – with custom Barchetta coachwork by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. And it’s going up for auction.

Chassis number 0024 M – the 10th of only 25 examples made – was originally displayed at the 1949 Paris Motor Show in Argentina’s official racing colors, yellow and blue, before being sent off to South America to win the 1950 Mar del Plata. True to its name, it was also campaigned in the 1951 Mille Miglia rally, and has since undergone a thorough restoration – including the red paint job you see here.

This authentic piece of Ferrari history is set to cross the block at RM Auctions’ event in Arizona on January 20th, where it is expected to fetch upwards of $2 million. Details in the press release after the jump.

Ferrari - on the Road

2011 Ferrari 458 Italia

Low fuel consumption sport car of Ferrari 458 Italia, this is the new ferrari car that use the cutting-edge technology with Italian characterictic design. Ferrari 458 Italia is a massive mid-rear engine sports cars. This Ferrari 458 Italia use V8 engine with 570 CV at 900 rpm and specific torque 120 Nm/liter. Ferrari 458 [...]

2010 New Porsche Supercar Concept

Emil Baddal, an Iranian artist has unveiled several new renderings with his Porsche Supercar Concept. Porsche Supercar concept is next generation of Bugatti Veyron and Ferrari F430 look like. Porsche Supercar Concept has features with an aggressive front bumper, huge side scoops, and a panoramic glass roof.
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McLaren Targets Ferrari -- On the Road

A New Supercar Company -- and a New Supercar -- is Coming to America in 2011

 

 

The on-track rivalry between the Ferrari and McLaren Formula 1 teams has been one of the most intense and hard fought in the history of grand prix racing. Now McLaren wants to take that battle to the streets. If surprise plans announced by McLaren Group chairman Ron Dennis today come to fruition, within five years McLaren Automotive, the division of the Group that currently builds the Mercedes-McLaren SLR, will be a stand alone company building up to 4000 high-performance sports car a year.

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Centerpiece of the plan is an all-new mid-engine McLaren sports car codenamed P11. Dennis gave no detail about the car, but it is a Ferrari F430-sized coupe. The P11's design is the work of talented American Frank Stephenson, whose credits include the new Mini and the new Fiat 500, and stints at Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo. It's a handsome, relatively conventional looking coupe that appears to feature advanced aerodynamics, including a flat floor and movable rear wing.

Given F1 division McLaren Racing's long standing engineering expertise -- the team was the first to use structural carbon fiber in a grand prix car, for example -- it's reasonable to assume P11 will feature extensive use of lightweight materials and sophisticated electronic controls. While no details of the engine or transmission have been released, sources close to McLaren say the car will offer significantly higher levels of performance than either the Ferrari F430 or the Lamborghini Gallardo.

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Dennis says McLaren Automotive has been working on the P11 for more than two years. More than 20 prototypes have been built and are undergoing testing. The silver-grey coupe shown briefly to assembled media at the high-tech, high-style McLaren Technology Center in Woking, England, will be the show car. Sources say the P11 may make its public debut at this year's LA Auto Show.

One detail seems clear: the P11 will not be powered by a Mercedes-Benz engine. While Mercedes parent company Daimler owns 40 percent of McLaren Group, it will ultimately have no interest in McLaren Automotive, says Dennis. McLaren is seeking $370 million in equity funding from outside investors for a 49 percent stake in the Automotive division. "We have already secured commitments to a significant percentage of that funding," said Dennis. "It is intended this whole project is run from beginning to end debt free."

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P11 will be the first in a range of sports cars from McLaren, says Dennis. Though he refused to be drawn on detail, a look at how Ferrari has expanded the F430 range suggests future P11 variants will include a convertible version, and an ultra-light, track-oriented model to rival the Scuderia. The P11 will also be a global car, and the company is already talking with potential dealers in the United States. "This is not just a new car," says McLaren Automotive managing director Antony Sheriff, "but a new car company."

McLaren plans to build the P11 and its variants in a new factory in England, employing up to 800 people.