John Lennon's 1965 Ferrari 330 GT up for bid

Bonhams will auction off John Lennon's very first car, a 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Coupe, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 12th.

As soon as news broke out that the lead singer of the Beatles got his driver's licence in 1965, dozens of Maseratis, Aston Martins and other luxury cars wound up in front of his house, as automakers desperately wanted to profit from Lennon's popularity. He eventually picked the Ferrari.

Initially sold for £6,500 (the equivalent of £110,000 today), the car is expected to fetch anywhere between £180,000 and £220,000, or $281,000 to $343,000.

Source : Bonhams

June 15, 2013

by Guillaume Rivard

April 29, 2013

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March 08, 2013

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Ferrari plans elite club for VIP customers

Ferrari wants to create one of the most exclusive collector car clubs on the planet, favouring long-time customers over first-time buyers.

Members of this elite group must own at least five of the Italian automaker's high-price supercars. At the moment, there are about 300 such owners around the world.

These select few will get the best opportunities to purchase limited edition models, even ahead of the 13,000 members of the Ferrari Owners' Club.

The idea for a VIP club came after some of the brand's highest-profile customers missed out on the 80 available copies of the Ferrari SA APERTA.

Source: NY?Daily News

June 15, 2013

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One-off Ferrari SP12 EC named after Eric Clapton

Ferrari just created a special one-off car, the SP12 EC, as an homage to famed guitarist Eric Clapton’s career and his long-lasting passion for Ferrari, having owned three 512 BB models over the years.

Clapton wished that the car be based on a Ferrari 458 Italia but with styling reminiscent of the 512 BB and the early '80s.

No technical specs were released by the Italian automaker, but some sources report that the 458's 4.5L V8 engine sits under the hood. The total cost also remains vague, with estimates ranging from €3.8M to €4.5M ($4.9M to $5.8M).

June 15, 2013

by Guillaume Rivard

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RM to auction Ferrari F40 prototype in Monaco

RM Auctions has added a rare Ferrari F40 Prototype to its Monaco event, due May 12 at the Grimaldi Forum. The car is one of a mere eight F40 Prototypes known to exist; it was converted into GT racing spec by Michelotto, and was most recently housed in the garage of a Milanese collector.

The sixth of eight cars used by the factory for testing, it is chassis number 74047. It was displayed t the 1987 Frankfurt Motor Show, with GT modifications made subsequently. Its ride height is lower by 5 cm. It produces 590 hp and boasts Brembo brakes, racing uniball suspension, quick-fill fuel system, extra NACA cooling ducts, fire system, and wider, Speedline wheels.

It still wears the colours it had when winning two first and two second-place podium finishes in the Italian Supercar GT Champsionship.

Estimated worth is between 700,000 and 900,000 euros.

Source: GTSpirit

June 15, 2013

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Ferrari F150 prepares to wow Geneva Motor Show crowd

We received confirmation that the all-new F150 will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Hailed not as a mere supercar, but rather as a “hypercar” that can outperform every competitor, the Enzo replacement will reportedly be built in very limited numbers (fewer than 500 around the world) and retail for around $1.6 million.

According to Ferrari, the F150 will feature a more advanced version of the 6.3L V12 engine that currently powers the F12 Berlinetta, along with the Ferrari-developed Hy-KERS hybrid system that would reduce emissions by up to 40%.

Final output is projected at 920 horsepower for a car that could weigh as low as 1,079 kilograms (2,425 pounds) thanks to a carbon fibre unibody construction.

Don't miss the big event on March 5th!

Source: Motorauthority

June 15, 2013

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Dubai police bolster crime-fighting fleet with a Ferrari

As if adding a Lamborghini Aventador wasn't enough to scare speeding drivers, police in Dubai can now also count on a brand new Ferrari FF to patrol the city's popular tourist areas.

The car, which sports the green and white of Dubai law enforcement, will be driven by female cops only.

Similar to the Lamborghini, however, the Ferrari will essentially do promotional work and won't actually chase down offenders; that job still belongs to a fleet of Camaro SS coupes.

Police in Dubai also have the support of powerful German sedans and Japanese-branded 4x4s -- a sign of the city's luxurious and prosperous living.

Source:?libération

June 15, 2013

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Ferrari and Apple join forces

Thanks to Apple, the Ferrari FF, the first-ever Ferrari with four-wheel-drive, as of today offers direct access to its infotainment system through the Siri Eyes Free voice command technology.

Rear passengers can watch movies, play video games, or browse the Internet thanks to two iPad Minis integrated to the seatbacks.

June 15, 2013

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The new Ferrari F12berlinetta

With the F12berlinetta, the legendary Italian firm brings us a new generation of mouth-watering V12 machines. The quickest Ferrari in history was unveiled today in the run-up to the Geneva Auto Show.

The chassis is made of a dozen different alloys put together using new assembly methods. The result is a 20% stiffer frame and a car weighing it at just 1,525 kg. Extensive wind tunnel testing ensured a 76% improvement in aerodynamics and a huge drop in drag coefficient.

The F12berlinetta’s 6,262cc, 65-degree V12 engine unleashes 729 snorting ponies (or 740 metric hp) and 509 lb-ft of torque; it’s mated to an F1-derived dual-clutch transmission designed specifically for this model. The new supercar leaps from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and from 0 to 200 in 8.5 seconds. What’s more, it’s 30% more fuel-efficient and produces just 350 g/km of CO2.

Keeping things in check are carbon-ceramic brakes, a magnetically controlled suspension and the usual slew of systems (E-Diff, ESP Premium, F1-TRAC and high-performance ABS).

June 15, 2013

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Ferrari auction raises 1.8 million euros

On May 31st, we previewed an online auction organized by Ferrari to raise money to help victims of the Italian earthquakes. This very auction helped raise 2.3 million dollars (1.8 million euros), which will be sent to the families in need.

Ferrari 599XX Evo (Photo: Ferrari)
Among the items sold, featured a very special Ferrari 599XX that went to an American customer for a whopping 1.4 million euros. It is a unique piece signed by Luca di Montezemolo himself, as well a F1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. As a matter of fact, the car will be delivered to the new owner by the two Scuderia drivers during the Grand Prix of Italy.

Another item, an F2008 engine went to a Briton who paid 80,000 euros ($103,500) for it. The proceeds going to the Italian families also include online donations. One Russian customer generously gave out 100,000 euros.

June 15, 2013

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2013 Ferrari F12berlinetta Preview

When Ferrari launches a new car, the automotive world stands up and pays attention. The latest masterpiece to come from Maranello is quite possibly the most striking and sensual car to ever be designed by the house that Enzo built.

The 2013 Ferrari F12berlinetta replaces the outgoing, but still unflappably hot, 599 GTB Fiorano. In the absence of an anniversary car (F40, F50 and F60 [Enzo]), these cars (550, 575, 599) serve as the poster boys for the fabled company with a cavallino rampante on its logo.

As the latest offspring of Ferrari, the 2013 F12berlinetta features all the latest aerodynamic wizardry that not only makes it slice through the air, but adds all-important downforce for weekly sprints to the gym.

All kidding aside, the F12’s 0.299 Cd and downforce figure of 123 kg at 200 km/h (a 76% increase over the 599) not only improves fuel consumption numbers but plays a huge role in high performance driving dynamics. Keep in mind that all of this is being achieved without the use of spoilers -- anywhere.

As with all Ferrari products, this new car is highly customizable. The number of exterior colors is numerous and the racecar-like cockpit can be draped in tan or blue and black. Only the finest materials such as leather and carbon-fibre are ever found in these cars. The piece de resistance is the F1-inspired steering complete with manettino.

The piece de resistance is the F1-inspired steering complete with manettino. (Photo: Ferrari)
The 2013 F12berlinetta’s driving dynamics are also assured by a highly sophisticated Magnetorheological damping system. The F12 is endowed with the latest version and includes new dual-coil technology which permits quicker suspension reaction times for improved everything. Its ride height is 25 mm lower and weight 70 kg lighter than the 599. These are all ingredients to make this car the best driving Ferrari ever.

The crown jewel in the F12’s arsenal is its 6.3L V12. This is the most powerful naturally aspirated production V12 they have ever assembled. It is rated at 740 hp and 510 lb-ft (690 Nm) of torque. The engine is designed to produce 80% of the torque figure as of 2,500 rpm, and will scream all the way to an 8,700 rpm redline.

As with all Ferrari cars, save for the FF, the 2013 F12berlinetta is rear-wheel driven and, as with all modern ‘Rarris, it features a lightning-fast, dual-clutch 7-speed F1 transmission. This gearbox is integrated with the electronic E-Diff for better overall weight distribution.

Here are a few stats to illustrate how good and fast the new 2013 F12berlinetta is: We all agree that the 599 was a bullet, but the new F12 is like Superman; faster than a speeding bullet. It reaches 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and 200, in 8.5. That’s 0.6 and 2.5 seconds faster (respectively) than the 599.

The 2013 F12berlinetta will be equipped with a slew of safety features. It is expected to land in Canada in early 2013. Final Canadian specs and pricing should be available later this year.

The latest masterpiece to come from Maranello is quite possibly the most striking and sensual car to ever be designed by the house that Enzo built. (Photo: Ferrari)

June 15, 2013

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Crashed Ferrari makes unique living room ornament

Car aficionados are a special breed with special tastes, even when it comes to interior decor. If you think you've seen it all from bucket seats turned into living room chairs and a home entertainment system built out of a classic Mini, guess again.

Charly Molinelli, of Molinelli Designs, recently pushed the furniture envelope by squeezing a heavily wrecked Ferrari inside a glass-top coffee table. The French artist wanted to show the world how a crashed automobile can become a part of your lifestyle at home.

Why on earth would someone feel the need to invest in something like that? Ah, but think outside the box (or inside the box in this case): That's the beauty of art! Maybe an exotic car owner who suffered a collision will look to give his or her precious ride a new lease on life through this most unusual expression.

June 15, 2013

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Ferrari to give select few a taste of Enzo replacement

Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo says the company will show its Enzo replacement to a hand-picked group of current and potential customers by the end of the year. The new limited-edition model will most likely make its public debut in Detroit in January 2013, or next March in Geneva.

The new model will not carry the name of company founder Enzo Ferrari, as the Enzo was also a limited-edition model. Its replacement promises to be the company’s fastest, most powerful road car ever, surpassing the 740 hp in the F12 Berlinetta revealed in Geneva, which goes from zero to 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds.

The Enzo replacement will have a carbon fibre body and a new, normally aspirated V12. Ferrari produced 399 Enzos from 2002 to 2011 and 349 F50s from 1995 to 2001; they aren’t saying how many of the new car will be produced.

di Montezemolo says Ferrari expects to sell more than 7,000 supercars this year.

Source: Automotive News

June 15, 2013

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