Ferrari Blog
Spy Video: Mystery Ferrari caught outside MaranelloFiled under: Spy Photos, Performance, Videos, Ferrari, Luxury 
In an appearance more akin to UFO footage, one quick cameraphone-wielding shooter has caught a couple of seconds of a Ferrari mule doing a drive-by. There are cues from the 458 Italia up front, rear three-quarter glass that's more 599, then a tiny rear overhang and what appears to be a vent slapped on the back of the greenhouse. We know there are a slew of Ferraris coming, so the question is, which one is this? Follow the jump to see the video and weigh in yourself.
[Source: YouTube]Continue reading Spy Video: Mystery Ferrari caught outside Maranello Spy Video: Mystery Ferrari caught outside Maranello originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFerrari fined $100,000 for transgressions in German Grand PrixFiled under: Motorsports, Government/Legal, Ferrari 
Fernando Alonso leads teammate Felipe Massa in the 2010 German Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery
If you followed yesterday's 2010 German Grand Prix, you'll remember that Felipe Massa mysteriously (not really) slowed late in the race, allowing his teammate Fernando Alonso to take the lead and the eventual win. Although this type of teamwork has been going on since the first two-chariot entry at the Circus Maximus, team orders are technically no longer allowed in Formula 1. As if the on-track maneuver wasn't obvious enough, the radio chatter between Rob Smedley and the drivers made it pretty clear what was going on. And that radio chatter is monitored, so it wasn't surprising that soon after the race an inquiry began into Ferrari's tactics.
Well, the official word has come that Ferrari has been fined $100,000 for breaking the Sporting Regulations during the German Grand Prix. The stewards have also referred the matter to the World Motor Sports Council, meaning the result of the race could be in jeopardy. But for now the results stand.
Massa, probably stung by the call to move aside, admitted after the race that he let Alonso past, but he said he did it on his own accord. Ummmm... okay. Ultimately the driver has the final decision, but if he wants to return to the driver's seat next season he'll usually want to heed the advice of his team boss.
The official statement tells us that the stewards found Ferrari guilty of breaking article 39.1 of the Sporting Regulations, which forbids team orders that influence the outcome of the race. They also charged that Ferrari transgressed article 151c of the International Sporting Code, relating to bringing the sport into disrepute, the same section that McLaren was famously busted for back in 2007. Thanks to everyone for the tips.
Ferrari fined $100,000 for transgressions in German Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsSibal renders Ferrari 458 GTFiled under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Ferrari, Design/Style, Racing 
Ferrari 458 GT by Jon Sibal - Click above for high-res image
Brace yourself for big ol' dose of sexy. Ferrari hasn't exactly made a secret that this is the last year for the F430 GT in the American Le Mans Series. With its days numbered, more than a few souls have begun meditating on what will come next for the Prancing Horse's ALMS teams. Most have settled on the notion that the new 458 Italia will make its way to the paddock in race guise, resulting in a 458 GT. Fortunately for us, one of those contemplative souls just happens to be the design guru Jon Sibal.
Sibal worked up a quick rendering of what the new bruiser would look like, and we have to say we're smitten. The lunging lines of 458 Italia lend themselves well to an even more low-slung race stance. Throw in a few aerodynamic tweaks, a new set of shoes and proper rubber and you've got a genuine heart throb. Sibal says the rendering is just a quick shot at what the car looks like - we'd can't wait to see what happens when he takes his time with the car.
[Source: Jonsibal]Sibal renders Ferrari 458 GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsFerrari World Abu Dhabi renders its attractionsFiled under: Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Ferrari, Toys/Games, Middle East, Luxury 
Abu Dhabi's Ferrari World - Click above for high-res image gallery
The world's first one-make auto theme park has officially dished the goods on what we can expect behind its walls. According to the powers that be in Maranello, Abu Dhabi's Ferrari World amusement park will boast a passel of attractions designed to turn just about anyone into a fan of the Prancing Horse. You've likely already heard all about the Fiorano GT Challenge by now - the roller coaster that pits two F430 cars against each other on parallel tracks, but rides like the G-Force are news to us. Think of it as a typical tower ride designed to replicate the g forces that an Enzo can produce under acceleration. Supposedly the ride even comes stocked with seats modeled after the thrones in the supercar.
Visitors will find a stash of other Italian-flavored takes on the typical theme-park fair, including a log-flume type ride that allows riders to experience the thrill of going through a V12 engine. That sounds fun and all, but we're more interested in an exhibit that the company is calling "Galleria Ferrari." Think of it as a walk through the pages of Ferrari history, one classic model at the time. Ferrari says that the galleria is the largest collection of Ferrari models outside of Maranello, Sign us up. Feel free to click past the jump for the full list of attractions after checking out the high-res gallery below.
[Source: Ferrari]Continue reading Ferrari World Abu Dhabi renders its attractions Ferrari World Abu Dhabi renders its attractions originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsFerrari 458 Italia fans the flames in the City of LightsFiled under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Ferrari, Luxury  Ferraris have been known to have the fire inside, and sometimes the coupes like to give their owners a baptism by fire. Literally. The gent in the photo was cruising through Paris in his new 458 Italia when he noticed that the rear fender was on fire. While he bolted from the driver's seat and left the car burning in the middle of the street, a passerby happened to have a fire extinguisher and put the flames to rest before the 458 got an even blacker paint job.
We presume that was a different passerby than the one with the camera, who just took lots of photos of the car-b-que. Click the link for more of them, and watch out for flaming stallions in Paris.
[Source: Autogespot (translated)]Ferrari 458 Italia fans the flames in the City of Lights originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Jul 2010 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsAutoblog attends 2010 Le Mans Classic, celebrates 80 years of legendary racingFiled under: Motorsports, Classics, Performance, Europe, Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Lamborghini, Porsche, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari, Racing 
2010 Le Mans Classic - Click above for high-res image gallery, and help us caption some of the cars!
Every two years in July, hundreds of vintage race cars gather at the famed Le Mans race circuit in France to fire up their engines and relive the glory days in the historic corners and long straights of the nearly 8.5-mile Circuit de la Sarthe. But that's just part of it. In addition to the priceless machinery racing on the track, thousands of other classic cars trek to the grounds to fill nearly every open spot at the huge venue. Autoblog was invited by Porsche France to enjoy the 2010 Le Mans Classic in person, and needless to say, it was absolutely spectacular.
According to the organizers, this year's show welcomed 100,000 spectators, 8,000 display cars, 460 racing cars and 1,000 drivers. With sunny 95-degree temperatures over both days, the weather was unusually hot and the grounds chokingly dusty, but it didn't seem to keep anyone - or anything - from the event.
When not enjoying the racing, we strolled the show and stumbled over well-preserved classics from Jaguar, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Renault, Lamborghini, Audi, BMW and more. Porsche models were everywhere as the various European Porsche Car Clubs stormed the venue with more than 800 cars. Where else can you physically brush elbows with a race-ready BMW M1, a brand-new 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO and ride in the back of a historic war-era Willys Jeep all within the same 60 seconds? Le Mans Classic, baby. And these weren't sterile, stuck-behind-the-ropes museum stock, either - everything was meant to be driven and enjoyed.
We've put together a massive gallery offering just a taste of the caliber of vehicles on display, running hot laps and racing last weekend. While we've attempted to caption many of these, some still have us stumped. If you can identify a few of the nameless, give us a shout in the comments (with the photo number as seen in the URL) and we'll update the captions as quickly as our server's cache will let us.
Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Autoblog attends 2010 Le Mans Classic, celebrates 80 years of legendary racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: The 1970 12 Hours of Sebring completely ruledFiled under: Motorsports, Classics, Videos, Porsche, Ferrari 
1970 12 Hours of Sebring film - Click above to watch video after the jump
If we had a time machine, we'd set it for 1970 and never look back. And once we landed, bought some new threads and scored one of the amazing cars in production at the time, we'd road trip it to Sebring so we could see that year's 12-hour enduro in person. Why? Because as good as modern sports car racing is, Sebring '70 is special. From the cars and drivers (a who's-who of legends including Mario Andretti, Jo Siffert, Pedro Rodriguez, Dan Gurney, Henri Pescarolo, and yes, Steve McQueen, who co-drove his Porsche 908 with Peter Revson despite having his broken left foot in a cast at the time), to the the overall atmosphere, Sebring, Florida on March 21, 1970 was very much the place to be.
Sadly, there's no time machine to take us back there, but there was a brilliant race documentary made of the 1970 12 Hours of Sebring. Follow the jump to see the story play out in five parts. Unfortunately, the embedded YouTube clips don't include the film's seven-minute intro section. But that's okay, because you can catch that part over at the State Library and Archives of Florida, which has the 22-minute movie posted in its entirety.
So, follow the jump and see the drama unfold as the Gulf-Porsche 917s battle the Ferrari 512S trio led by Andretti while McQueen and Revson try to pull off an unimaginable upset. Forty years after the checkered flag dropped, this is still an absurdly exciting and entertaining race to watch, even if you already know its storybook ending. Need a spotter's guide before you hit play? No worries, just click here. Thank you, 1970, for being so incomprehensibly awesome.
[Source: State Library and Archives of Florida, YouTube]Continue reading Video: The 1970 12 Hours of Sebring completely ruled Video: The 1970 12 Hours of Sebring completely ruled originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsOfficially Official: Ferrari 458 Challenge races inFiled under: Motorsports, Coupe, Europe, Ferrari, Racing 
Ferrari 458 Italia Challenge - Click above for high-res image
The 458 Italia, like any other roadgoing Ferrari, draws its inspiration and development from the Scuderia's considerable racing prowess. Turning the 458 back into a racing car, then, is an extra special feat - one to which Maranello is well accustomed, from the Challenge versions of the 348, 355, 360 and 430 that came before. The new race car will run alongside the F430 Challenge as part of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo next year, the latter of which is also getting a new Asia-Pacific series for 2011 as well.
While the Challenge car maintains the production 458's 5.5-liter V8 drivetrain, it has gone on a substantial diet that includes thinner body panels comprised of Lexan and carbon-fiber. Ride height has been dropped for circuit duty by 30mm, and the Challenge also gets its own suspension bits and setup with stiffer springs, dampers and aluminum bushings. Center-lock 19-inch racing wheels are banded in slick Pirelli tires, and the whole gorgeous Italian parade reins to a halt with Brembo CCM2 carbon-ceramic brakes from the 599XX. In other big news, the 458 Challenge receives F1-Trac electronics that makes use of specific programs that help set the car up for both wet and dry conditions.
All of this information arrives on the heels of the initial spy shots and the video that followed, with Ferrari having issued an official statement (available after the jump) and the image above. In addition, a small batch of photos have crept their way onto the Teamspeed forums, apparently from the vehicle's official unveiling in Maranello. You can check them out at the gallery below.
[Sources: Ferrari, Teamspeed.com]Continue reading Officially Official: Ferrari 458 Challenge races in Officially Official: Ferrari 458 Challenge races in originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsPics Aplenty: Ferrari 599 GTOFiled under: Coupe, Performance, Ferrari 
Ferrari 599 GTO - Click above for high-res image gallery
The 599 GTO being the fastest road-going Ferrari ever to roll out of Maranello, you don't stand much chance of seeing one sitting still. Of course, the limited run of 599 examples doesn't help. But as if an excuse were needed, that does give us a reason to bring you the latest batch of high-resolution images showing the Prancing Goat in all its glory.
You can check 'em all out in the gallery below. That is, assuming you haven't seen enough from the seemingly endless stream of videos that have circulated since the supercar's debut. Yeah, we didn't think so.
[Source: Ferrari via eurocarblog]Pics Aplenty: Ferrari 599 GTO originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Fiat says Ferrari boss Montezemolo not quittingFiled under: Ferrari, Fiat 
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo stepped down from his position as chairman of Fiat a couple of months ago but remains chairman and president of Ferrari. There have been recent reports that Montezemolo also leave that role, with an Italian paper claiming that an Agnelli family scion would take over the position. Fiat has gone on record with Reuters to say those reports aren't true.
Montezemolo is 62, and outside of his Ferrari obligations runs a think tank and is considering a leap into politics. People would certainly understand his leaving, but it looks like Montezemolo will retain his position and continue making bi-weekly complaints about the FIA and its Formula 1 stewards for a while longer.
[Source: Reuters]Report: Fiat says Ferrari boss Montezemolo not quitting originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFerrari F430 gets Lambo-style SV treatmentFiled under: Aftermarket, Performance, Japan, Ferrari 
Ferrari F430 Super Veloce Racing - Click above for image gallery
Exotic cars may look all the same to most passers-by, but gearheads know a Ferrari from a Lamborghini. Japanese tuning house Auto Veloce has blurred the lines somewhat, however. Its Ferrari F430 package gets a similar visual treatment to those seen on the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera and Murcielago SuperVeloce. The result is dubbed the F430 Super Veloce Racing. It's got the front air dam, quarter panel intakes and rear wing like the hardcore Lambos, only they're applied to the outgoing mid-engined V8 Ferrari. As you can see in the attached image gallery, the Super Veloce Racing package can be applied to either Berlinetta or Spider bodystyles. Call it an unholy mash-up or the best of both worlds; either way, it's available for order.
[Source: Auto Veloce via JonSibal]Ferrari F430 gets Lambo-style SV treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsMouthwatering Italian classics join the Gooding roster for Pebble BeachFiled under: Classics, Auctions, Maserati, Ferrari 
1955 Maserati A6G/54 Zagato - Click above for high-res image gallery
Pebble Beach is an octane-drenched event that never disappoints, and this year's event is shaping up to be no exception - but it will be exceptional. Already lined up for the August concours are the debuts of Morgan's new EvaGT and Ferrari's 599 roadster, with notable auction lots including the 1959 Le Mans-winning Ferrari 250 TdF and a famous 1927 Benz owned by the Marx Brothers. The latter will be part of Gooding & Company's auction, but that's far from the extent of what the venerable auction house has in store for Monterey this year.
An ex-Stirling Moss 1956 Maserati 200 SI and the Ferrari 340 America from the 1952 New York Auto Show have already been announced, but once the Pebble rolls around they'll be joined by a growing roster of drool-worthy classic Italian machinery. Among them will be a rare Zagato-bodied 1954 Fiat 8V, a stunning 1971 Lamborghini Miura S and a pristine alloy-bodied 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione, along with the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta SEFAC Hot Rod and 1955 Maserati A6G/54 Zagato pictured in the galleries below.
SEFAC, as the tifosi will tell you, stands for Scuderia Enzo Ferrari Automobili Corsa, the precursor to the modern Scuderia Ferrari, represented here by what could very well be the ultimate expression of the 250 GT racer in existence today. And that Zagato Maserati? That's the coachbuilt special which the Modenese marque chose to represent at the 1955 Turin Motor Show. In other words, these cars have mad pedigree. Read more about 'em in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Gooding & Company | Images: Simon Clay & Pawel Litwinski]Continue reading Mouthwatering Italian classics join the Gooding roster for Pebble Beach Mouthwatering Italian classics join the Gooding roster for Pebble Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsMotor Trend forecasts Ferrari 458 Scuderia, new EnzoFiled under: Performance, Ferrari
Ferrari 458 Italia - Click above for high-res image gallery
There's been a lot of talk recently about new Ferraris slated to roll out of Maranello. Which makes sense, considering that its parents at Fiat are in the midst of a big product shake-up. But while previous reports foreshadowed replacements for the 599, 612 and Enzo - and even went as far as outlining the product life-cycle to be implemented across Ferrari's entire line - executives in Maranello have until now avoided any mention of a Scuderia version of the new 458.
And we could hardly blame them. After all, there aren't many better ways to kill off excitement for a brand-new supercar than talking about the better version in the pipeline. Motor Trend, however, claims to have it on good authority that a lighter-weight, more powerful version of the 458 Italia will arrive in 2013, taking up the position held by the outgoing 430 Scuderia and the 360 Challenge Stradale before it.
Unfortunately, not much else is known, other than to say that, while some body panels will be replaced by carbon fiber, Ferrari's intent on sticking with aluminum for its production models, rather than integrating the magic black weave into its mainstream offerings as some of its competitors are doing.
The Enzo's replacement, however, is not considered a mainstream production model. MT figures the twin-turbo, direct-injection V8 that will power the new flagship will produce upwards of 700 horsepower, driving through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and aided by all the latest electronic wizardry which Ferrari has cooked up in its F1 and XX development programs.
[Source: Motor Trend]Motor Trend forecasts Ferrari 458 Scuderia, new Enzo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: Goodwood 2010 - Taking the hillFiled under: Motorsports, Classics, Performance, Ford, Lexus, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Ferrari, UK, Racing 
Porsche 908/3 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, 2010 - Click above to watch video after the jump
There are plenty of reasons to get excited about the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The annual shindig is a mecca for metal from all over the world - old and new. Motorsports events from across the go-fast spectrum make it onto the schedule and there's even plenty of auto-themed art to keep the masses entertained when they aren't huffing tire smoke. In a word, the event is bliss for anyone with even a passing interest in the automobile.
But the grand daddy of it all has to be the Hill Climb. At 1.16 miles, the course features nine turns, a looming stone wall and enough hay to feed all the cows in Wisconsin for a week. Last year brought out a rash of new high-dollar supercars, including the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the Lexus LFA, and as a result, there were plenty of manufacturers on hand to show off their newest hardware. While we were lurking the grounds and looking at all the shiny conveyances, drivers were blasting across the grounds and recording their exploits. We've rounded up 10 of the best videos from the hill and arranged them in no particular order. Sure, some of them are more entertaining than others, but all of them are better than what you're doing at work, right? Hit the jump to get started.Continue reading Video: Goodwood 2010 - Taking the hill Video: Goodwood 2010 - Taking the hill originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsRiding with the King: Clapton wants a Ferrari 458 Italia... with a V12Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ferrari, Celebrities 
Hey brother, can you spare a chin? Clapton in the Ferrari paddock with Michael Schumacher
When you've recorded as many platinum records, collaborated with as many big names and topped as many best-guitarists-of-all-time lists as Eric Clapton, you can get pretty much anything you want. And the ironically nicknamed Slowhand is known to have a taste for Ferraris. So much so that when he stopped by the factory in Maranello, even Ferrari couldn't pass up the opportunity to interview him.
Neither could Quattroruote, for that matter. While speaking with the Italian car-mag, Clapton reportedly professed his love for the new 458 Italia... with just one caveat: He's not such a fan of eight cylinders. Could he get it with V12?
According to Quattroruote, apparently he can, as Ferrari has reportedly agreed to build it for him, with the 6.0-liter V12 from the 599 GTB Fiorano. We'll believe it when we see it, which is pretty much exactly what we said the first time we heard the guitar riff on Layla.
[Source: Quattroruote via autoblog.it]Riding with the King: Clapton wants a Ferrari 458 Italia... with a V12 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsSpecial two-tone California to lead Ferrari fleet at GoodwoodFiled under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari, UK, Racing 
Ferrari California with two-tone paintjob for Goodwood 2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ferrari always shows up big for the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and this year will be no exception as a roster of factory and private entries fill out the Prancing Horse stables on the run up the Earl of March's front yard.
Both the 458 Italia and the 599 GTO will be making their British debuts at the event, but arguably more intriguing is the specially-prepared California that will be joining them. The two-tone roadster is decked out in a Argento Nurburgring hue, offset by a black roof and pillars similar to the treatment which Ferrari gave to various versions of the 599, including the XX, GTO, HY-KERS and China editions. Other optional extras like 20-inch matte-black rims and special interior stitching set this example apart from the standard model, but the question is - with some saying the body-toned roof helps the California's unwieldy shape - does the blacktop treatment do it any favors?
Along with the 458, 599 GTO and California, the Scuderia will also be fielding last year's F1 car piloted by factory test driver Marc Gené, while a range of vintage road and race Ferraris will also be on hand, all of which you can read about in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Ferrari]Continue reading Special two-tone California to lead Ferrari fleet at Goodwood Special two-tone California to lead Ferrari fleet at Goodwood originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsSlick Little Number: Pogea Racing develops Fiat 500 Ferrari Dealers Edition with 264 HPFiled under: Aftermarket, Performance, Hatchback, Ferrari, Fiat 
Fiat 500 Ferrari Dealers Edition by Pogea Racing - Click above for high-res image gallery
Soon enough, we Americans will be able to feast upon the Forbidden Fruit that is the Fiat 500. Will we get the hotted-up Abarth models? That remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure, we're super duper jealous of the hotter hatch that the folks at Pogea Racing have created - the 500 Ferrari Dealers Edition which boasts more power (a lot more power, actually) all wrapped in a too-cute (but still somehow menacing) package.
The Pogea team starts with a 500 Abarth, which in standard form produces 160 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque. From there, a new turbocharger, exhaust system, downpipe and catalytic converter have been added, meaning that the tiny Fiat now cranks out a whopping 264 hp and 243 lb-ft. Staggering numbers for a car that's smaller than a Mini Cooper. To tame all of that extra grunt, larger brakes have been added that reduce braking distance by about six feet, though the new stoppers are identical in weight to the standard Abarth setup.
Yes, we want one. In fact, we'll take two. Scroll through the gallery below to see dozens of high-resolution photos, and follow the jump to read Pogea Racing's (translated) press release.
[Source: Pogea Racing]Continue reading Slick Little Number: Pogea Racing develops Fiat 500 Ferrari Dealers Edition with 264 HP Slick Little Number: Pogea Racing develops Fiat 500 Ferrari Dealers Edition with 264 HP originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: Fernando Alonso shows us how to get around Fiorano... and the test banFiled under: Motorsports, Videos, Ferrari 
Fernando Alonso takes the Ferrari F10 around Fiorano - Click above to watch the video after the jump
The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty may have made the world a better place, but the test ban in place in Formula One has had some other rather interesting effects. Take Jaime Alguersuari, for example, who was racing in actual grands prix before getting a chance to actually test out the machinery. Or Michael Schumacher, who had to sharpen his skills in a GP2 car before coming out of retirement. Or in this case, Fernando Alonso, who had never even lapped Ferrari's iconic private Fiorano test track... until now.
Ferrari took advantage of a loophole in the regulations that allows teams to run their cars during the season for "promotional purposes." So in order to test the revisions that the Scuderia made to its F10 racer in advance of this past weekend's European Grand Prix, and allow their two-time world champion to get some track time at Fiorano, Ferrari had to release this clip. Follow the jump to watch the video from inside the cockpit, and consider the team suitably promoted.
[Source: Ferrari via Axis of Oversteer]Continue reading Video: Fernando Alonso shows us how to get around Fiorano... and the test ban Video: Fernando Alonso shows us how to get around Fiorano... and the test ban originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: Ferrari 599 GTO reviewed in all its glory by EVO's Chris HarrisFiled under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Videos, Ferrari, Luxury 
EVO reviews the Ferrari 599 GTO - Click above to watch video after the jump
Ah yes, the Ferrari 599 GTO - the sinister odd duck in the Ferrari stable. It goes without saying that any one of us would give any number of appendages for a shot at the flappy paddles in this particular Prancing Horse. You probably already know that the car gets its grunt from a 6.0-liter V12 distilled from the same mill that powers the mighty Enzo, though in the right hands, the 599 GTO is actually quicker than the discontinued Ferrari supercar. You're likely also aware that the chassis is a whopping 430 pounds lighter than the more pedestrian 599 GTB.
That's all fine and good, but we're betting our britches that you don't know what the car sounds like as it gets flung around the Italian countryside. For that, we turn to the ever-talented Chris Harris at EVO. The guy was lucky enough to get some seat time in the barely road-legal 599 GTO and took along a few cameras to share his experience. You can hop the jump for the full show, but if you're looking for your own personal moment of Zen, we suggest you skip ahead to around 2:30. You can thank us later. Thanks for the tip, Michael!
[Source: EVO via YouTube]Continue reading Video: Ferrari 599 GTO reviewed in all its glory by EVO's Chris Harris Video: Ferrari 599 GTO reviewed in all its glory by EVO's Chris Harris originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments2010 Dana Point Concours d'Elegance at the St. RegisFiled under: Motorsports, Classics, Performance, Bugatti, Porsche, Ferrari, Specialty, Design/Style, Luxury, Racing 
2010 Dana Point Concours d'Elegance - Click above for high-res image gallery
It seems a bit odd calling this the 28th Annual Dana Point Concours d'Elegance when it's only been in this city for three years and has only had that name officially for one, but after spending a good portion of Sunday at the St. Regis and its Monarch Bay golf course, it really felt like this is where this show was always meant to be. With dramatic views of the ocean, the rolling greenery of the links and the surrounding mansions, the venue feels like it was built solely to play host to Southern California's premiere concours.
Second only to Pebble Beach in prominence among the California concours, Dana Point has really come of its own. With nearly 200 judged entries and perhaps an equal number of display vehicles, it's a big show that still manages to feel manageable, and the field of entrants was once again amazing. This year's show honored 100 years of Alfa Romeo, 80 years of Pininfarina and 20 years of the Ferrari F40, as well as drag racing legend Don "The Snake" Prudhomme. Classes included American Pony & Muscle Cars, Corvettes to 1967, Kustoms & Hot Rods, and the second annual exhibit of Supercars, as well as a new category for vintage motorcycles.
With proceeds going to support the Ocean Institute, the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center at Hoag Hospital and other Southern California youth charities, the Dana Point Concours is run as a Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Concours, but with some of those additional classes thrown in to showcase particularly interesting and relevant automobiles. Just take a look at the photo above and you'll see the wide variety of outstanding vehicles that this show attracts. Click through the rest of the gallery and you'll see everything from a Bugatti 57SC to the nicest Oldsmobile Starfire you're ever likely to encounter.
Some favorites this year included just about everything in the gallery, but especially the low mileage original '57 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, '32 Ford Phaeton Hot Rod, '58 Ferrari 250 Tour de France, '59 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Pinin Farina Cab, 1980 Kawasaki K2, "Animal House" Death Mobile, that crazy cute 1957 Fiat "Eden Rock" Yacht Tender, and the fantastic '52 Muntz Jet Convertible. The Muntz, however, wasn't our top pick. That honor had to go to the Bugatti among the classics, Don Prudhomme's funny car collection among the American cars and the Alfa Romeo TZ2 GT Coupe as the car we'd most like to drive. Click below to check out the massive gallery and pick out your favorites.
Photos by Frank Filipponio/ Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.2010 Dana Point Concours d'Elegance at the St. Regis originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
Ferrari blog
Ferrari History
Maranello
Enzo
Fastest & Most expensive cars
Super Cars
Modified Cars |
