Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

Ferrari laid out its model refresh plan last month, and it is promising to Ferrari lovers. The company will continue with four lines: the California, 612 Scaglietti, 458 Italia and 599 Fiorano. The former two will be part of the GT division and the latter two will be part of an “extreme performance” car division. Each individual car’s cycle will run four years, at the end of which, a heavily-revised M or modificato model will replace the original and will include significant styling, powertrain and chassis changes. Four years later a completely new model will replace the M model. With four cars in its line, Ferrari will add an M or brand new model every single year.

If that isn’t intriguing enough, Ferrari will also launch a flagship model like the Enzo every 10 years or so and will launch variants like Spyder and Scuderia models within the cycle.

Ferrari believes that they will keep the four-model range for years to come, with the two GT models and the two high performance models. The Italian automaker intends to widen the gap between the two types in the future.

The first new model will be the 612 Scaglietti replacement, codenamed F151, which will be due out in 2011. It will be cheaper and more practical car than the current 612. The F151 will cost around the same amount as the 599 GTB, with an aluminum body and engine in the front, but it will also get more interior and cargo space.

The 599′s replacement, the F152, is due in 2012. It will be positioned farther from the F151 than the 599 is from the 612. We think that this new model will be harder and faster than the current 599 GTO. The F152 will keep its front V12 and rear transmission layout.

Even though Ferrari is working on a hybrid model, nothing has yet been planned up to 2014. At the Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa told Motor Trend “It’s not feasible for production yet. It would take three years to develop the components and two more years to get the suppliers ready for production. The purpose of this is to find customers.

“We are doing hybrids because if we don’t there will be no more Ferrari,” he added. “We are forced by fuel consumption and CO2 rules. We will have to do other things too-aerodynamics and lightweight-because hybrid isn’t enough. But it’s not under discussion to change the character of a Ferrari. We won’t lose performance.”

He finished by ruling out the possibility of an all-electric Ferrari, though he believes that an electric motor combined with a normal engine can result in serious fun. “Every new model needs a new sensation. It is not just about extra performance or lateral g. If you couple an electric motor with a combustion engine, you can have an extra feeling of sportiness. I cannot imagine a fully electric Ferrari.”

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Source: motorcrave.com and topspeed.com

Ferrari Logo Prancing Horse

Ferrari could put a hybrid car on the market by 2015, according to the automaker’s CEO and General Manager Amedeo Felisa. In an interview with Autocar, Felisa says that either European Union or Italian environmental regulations could force the company to put a hybrid up for sale.

Speaking to Autocar at the last Beijing Motor Show, Felisa had some rather interesting remarks on the future of his company, notably regarding the powerplants needed to meet future emissions and fuel mileage requirements. Says Felisa: “Our customers are looking for the essence of Ferrari-the emotion, the performance, the technology and so on. The way in which we fix emissions is not their problem but ours. If we are not able to fix it, only then will it become a problem for them.”

That’s rational, we’d say. But here’s the point where Felisa’s comment’s seem sure to raise some eyebrows amongst the environmental crowd: “[Hybrid will come in] 2015, if we are forced to by the [government] regulations. The issue of emissions for Ferrari is more a political one than real one. Lowering emissions of every Ferrari will not save the planet, but it will cost us a lot of money…In the next five to 10 years, hybrid technology will develop and maybe something else will come up. Maybe it’ll be hydrogen, but for our cars only hybrid is ready.”

According to Autocar’s quote from Felisa, “Hybrid means we can protect the V12,” suggesting Ferrari believes its unassisted 12-cylinder will live on. Autocar’s theory is that the next Enzo could see its V12 paired with an electric motor to keep the government watchdogs happy. Of course, this contradicts Autocar’s Ferrari piece from about ten days ago when, after speaking with Felisa, it wrote, “Felisa also hinted that the new Ferrari Enzo will be powered by a direct-injected twin-turbo V8 when it is launched in 2012.”

From this perspective you could say that hybrid drivetrains are doing something unimaginable, they are saving the possibility of having a massive V12 engine in the supercar of your dreams.

Felisa said that the only reason behind the company developing hybrids is not to compete with Porsche’s KERS or any other mainstream application but simply to find a loophole in fuel economy that would save their way of thinking up Ferraris of the future.

Currently, Ferrari is only exploring hybrid powertrains to reduce emissions within the next ten years. The company has not ruled out the eventual use of hydrogen.

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Source: autoblog.com, automotorblog.com and worldcarfans.com

Amedeo Felisa presents the Ferrari 599 GTO in a factory alongside its sibling the Ferrari 599XX where the technology has since been developed from its forefather called the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.

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Source: ferrari.com via youtube.com

Ferrari Enzo

People are eager to see Ferrari’s replacement for its famous Enzo supercar, and more details about the car are beginning to emerge as it moves along from concept towards production. The latest information comes from Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa, who indicated that the car will in fact use a direct-injected, twin-injected turbocharged V-8.

Ferrari verified it is working on a ”special series Enzo” set to debut in 2012 at Fiat’s five-year business plan. Other details include the use of lots of carbon fiber and no hybrid powertrain. Amedeo Felisa also hinted that the car is going to use a direct-injected, twin-turbocharged V-8, the opposite of earlier reports of the possibility of a twin-turbo V-6 or twin-turbo V-12. Reports indicate the engine will produce around 700 horsepower and use the vehicle’s lower weight for mind-bending performance.

“There are no plans for a six-cylinder engine today. Ferrari will not build a six-cylinder engine until customer attitudes towards smaller engines change,” Felisa told Autocar. “The perception today is that the number of cylinders equates to the possibilities of the car. That is why we are developing hybrid technology that can be applied to our V-8 and V-10 cars. Hybrid means we can protect the V-12.”

The most interesting aspect of Felisa’s statement is the mention of V-10-powered cars–an engine not found in Ferrari’s current lineup, not even in racing. This demostrates Ferrari is planning a V-10 engine for use in a car in the near future. Given Ferrari’s current lineup and the unveiling of the 599 HY-KERS, the future V-10 engine, if used at all, is likely to power Ferrari’s next large grand tourer, the 612 Scaglietti replacement.

Additionally, Felisa confirmed that Ferrari will use carbon fiber to lower the weight of the Enzo successor. “We will only use carbon fiber on very special cars which have a very low rate of production and which are not for everyday use, such as the new Enzo,” he said.

Besides validating that Ferrari will continue to use copious amounts of carbon fiber in its supercars as it did on the Enzo and F50, this shows Ferrari won’t follow rival McLaren’s example of using carbon fiber in its “everyday” cars. McLaren uses a carbon fiber monocoque in its latest MP4-12C roadgoing car. Both BMW and Mercedes-Benz have committed to using carbon fiber extensively in the future as well.

“The fact is that nobody today has a real understanding of what happens if you damage a carbon fiber structure. After 20 or 30 years of use, who knows what state a carbon fiber structure will be in?” Felisa gave as his reason behind limiting the use of carbon fiber to Ferrari’s exotic supercars.

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Source: autocar.co.uk via rumors.automobilemag.com

2010 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

Ferrari won’t be pressured into producing a four-door sports saloon, unlike its rivals Aston Martin and Porsche. “As Enzo Ferrari would say, we will never do four doors,” Amedeo Felisa, Ferrari’s vice general manager, recently told Autocar. “We will keep this tradition.”

Although his company has broken into some new (and unusual) territory with the likes of the 599 HY-KERS hybrid and is using fuel-saving stop-start technology on its cars-which it previously has said that it won’t ever do, Felisa points out the European Union regulates emissions and fuel economy–not the number of doors a vehicle must incorporate.

“We stand 60 years and never needed four doors,” he said. “Frankly speaking, no one is asking for a four-door Ferrari. If you want a four-door Ferrari, we have a Maserati.” He said that one of Ferrari’s strong points has been that its products are kept “in the right way.” He said further that while he can’t categorically state that four doors isn’t right for its image, it’s just not part of its heritage.

On that note, look for a few new four-doors in Maserati’s future. During Fiat’s five-year product plan rollout, it was revealed that a new Quattroporte is in the works, as is a smaller sedan, designed to compete with the BMW M5. No time frame was given for either model offering.

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Source: rumors.automobilemag.com and 4wheelsnews.com

Ferrari 599 GTO

Women in China buy four times as many Ferraris as women in North America, thanks in part to newfound prosperity and a glut of female entrepreneurship.

Of the 220 Ferrari cars sold last year in China, 44 were bought by women. That is four times greater than their Western counterparts. This represents 20% of the total sales, as compared to 5% elsewhere. In an interview with GoAuto, Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa stressed the importance of the Asia-Pacific market. “We don’t see big possibilities (to increase sales) in Europe and we don’t see big possibilities in the U.S.,” he said “But for sure we have not exploited the potential we have in Asia-Pacific as well as the Middle East and East Europe.” Felisa pointed out that the customers who buy Ferraris in China are 10 years younger on average than European customers.

He thinks that it’s because many women in China are running businesses and they can certainly afford this type of car. Felisa added that it still came as a surprise for them since they didn’t think that the car would appeal that much to women.

He also believes that it could be a reflection of the business condition in China. Because of the emerging sales in China, Ferrari was shielded from the economic difficulties in the North American and European markets that were actually dropping even before the global crisis.

Felisa also stressed that Ferrari would adapt their production to meet the needs of the Chinese market, but it would not oversupply the market with cars. Ferrari spokesman Antonio Ghini once said that “…we will produce one less car than the market demands”, and this maxim has unquestionably helped Ferrari maintain its mystique and cachet among the uber-wealthy of the world.

Ferrari sought to honor the Chinese market by deciding to launch the 599 GTO at the Beijing Motor Show. Last year, Ferrari was the only sports car maker to continue to grow in the Asia-Pacific. About 500 cars were sold last year in the Asia-Pacific. The biggest market was China, including Taiwan and Hong Kong. Over 220 cars were sold via 10 China dealerships, 150 units sold in Hong Kong and 50 cars in Taiwan.

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Source: 4wheelsnews.com and autoguide.com

Ferrari had the official presentation of the new 599 GTO  on the night of Wednesday, the 14th of April. It was presented by the company’s chairman Luca di Montezemolo, chief executive Amedeo Felisa and vice-chairman Piero Ferrari, son of the legendary Enzo.  Considering the place: Modena’s Ducal Palace military academy… it is the same location, incidentally, as the sister company Maserati which chose to unveil the Quattroporte Automatic over three years ago.

The grand gala involved the participation of Ferrari factory test drivers and military cadets in front of a crowd of 500 clients. The super car is set for an additional unveiling at the Beijing Motor Show later this month. The 599 GTO, according to reports, is already sold out. All 599 examples of it.  Which means that, even you’ve got the GBP 300,000 asking price, the closest you’re likely to get to it is through watching the video and looking at the pictures.

Ferrari 599 GTO presented at Modena’s Military Academy. Montezemolo “A wonderful and extraordinary car”

Maranello, 15 April – The 599 GTO world premiere, held exclusively for Ferrari clients, ended around midnight last night.

The 12-cylinder Berlinetta, produced in a limited edition of 599, was presented at a symbolic place of the city of Modena: the Military Academy’s Ducal Palace. A choice, as Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo underlined, to “confirm the deep relationship between Ferrari with the terroir and especially with Modena. The Academy is a proper centre of excellence, a historical place, with culture and passion. The Academy and Ferrari are an expression of Italian excellence of this region.”

The evening, with the participation of Ferrari Vice Chairman Piero Ferrari and CEO Amedeo Felisa, started with a welcome address from Montezemolo and the Academy’s Commander General Roberto Bernardini.

A few moments later three 599 GTOs arrived through the Ducal Palace’s entry gate, accompanied by impressive light beams in red, illuminating the Academy’s courtyard. The cars were driven by Luca Badoer, Giancarlo Fisichella and long-time test driver Dario Benuzzi, with three cadets as co-drivers, underlining the strong relationship with the Academy.

The three Berlinettas were then admired by the 500 guests from all over the world, followed by enthusiastic comments on the 599 GTO, while some felt sorry for not being amongst the 599 clients of this exceptional model. The 599 GTOs of this special limited series, which will be produced, are already sold.

The expectations for this car with such an important name are extremely high, as Montezemolo explained: “We’ve created a wonderful car, the most powerful in our history, an exclusive car I wanted to give a historical name like GTO, because it deserves it”.

The 599 GTO’s next official appearance will be in Beijing, at the International Automotive Exhibition. A decision taken, considering the growing market for Ferrari in the Asia Pacific region and in China.

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Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo on the left and the Academy's Commander General Roberto Bernardini on the right.

 Source: autoblog.com

Actor Patrick Dempsey with a Ferrari 458 Italia at the Haitian relief auction

 The first Ferrari 458 Italia to arrive in the United States was auctioned off for $530,000 for relief efforts in Haiti by the CMMB (Catholic Medical Mission Board) and the William J. Clinton Foundation. The sale took place on the expansive grounds of the Saperstein estate in Holmby Hills (an extra exclusive area of Beverly Hills in southern California, not too far from the Playboy Mansion) the evening last March 18th.

The auction was a star-studded event. Grammy Award winner John Mayer donated his time to perform, and such luminaries as Michael Bay, the director of Transformers, and actor Parick Dempsey were in attendance.

Other things to go under the hammer was Fernando Alonzo’s original racing suit (which raised $31,000) and two “experiences as a Scuderia Ferrari team member” at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal in June, which went for $20,000 and $21,000.

Classic car auction promoter David Gooding and motojournalist Dan Neil conducted the sale, and the crowd held its hands high, paying about $350,000 extra in the name of a huge tax write-off, and for the privilege of having the first Italia to be delivered in North America.

Company Vice Chairman Piero Ferrari and worldwide CEO Amedeo Felisa flew in from Italy for the occasion. Marco Mattiacci, the newly appointed North America CEO was there also. They addressed the eager crowd just days after Ferrari won the first F1 race of the 2010 season. All of the sale proceeds went to the foundation in the name of relief efforts; Ferrari took no money for the car. In total, Ferrari raised $601,000 for Haiti.

It was also announced that the Department of Orthopedics and Hand Surgery of the University of Modena will make its knowledge and resources available to help CMMB in Haiti. A team of hand and microsurgery specialists, whose studies have been financed by Ferrari, will help out in the earthquake wrecked Caribbean nation.

The 570-horsepower Ferrari 458 Italia will hit showrooms here in June with an estimated price tag of $225,000.

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Musician John Mayer performing at the auction

John Mayer at the Ferrari 458 Italia auction

Motojournalist Dan Neil at the auction

Source: blogs.motortrend.com, paultan.org, allworldcars.com and insideline.com

Ferrari 599 GTO

This grainy picture claims to show the upcoming GTO version of the Ferrari 599.

The Ferrari 599 GTO was expected to be shown earlier this month at the Geneva International Motor Show, but instead Ferrari revealed a hybrid version of the V12-powered supercar. It’s supposedly will be publicly unveiled in September at the 2010 Paris Auto Show.

The peculiar thing is Ferrari’s reuse of the GTO tag hasn’t been applied to one of Ferrari’s road cars since the launch of the much-revered 288 GTO in 1984. Nevertheless, Ferrari 599 GTO will be a lightweight version of the 599 GTB Fiorano.

The GTO (translated as Gran Turismo Omologato) will be a more focused version of the 599 than the current GTB and HGTE models, and was confirmed by Ferrari boss Amedeo Felisa on a trip to Australia last month.

This model will have a 6.0-liter V12 engine derived from the Ferrari Enzo. Power will likely be north of 650 bhp, with a similar rise in torque and performance.

Weight will be reduced to less than 3,630 lb (1,650 kg), and the car will likely feature the higher performing ferous iron brake pad technology pioneered on the hardcore 599XX model plus, perhaps, the more aggressive gear shift software and certain elements of the aerodynamic upgrades seen on the 599XX. The new model will feature a set of carbon-fiber exterior panels and a stripped-out interior and specially developed alloy wheels.

This car is capable of racing from 0-60 mph in just 3.3 seconds which is 0.3 seconds faster than the Enzo. With a top speed at 210 mph, this model is limited to 500 editions only and will cost around a half a million dollars.

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Picture used courtesy of FastLane Daily.

Source: autocar.co.uk, automotto.org, and mibz.com

Dino 246 GT

You don’t buy a Ferrari expecting the latest in green technology, but there are signs of environmentally friendly evolution in Maranello.

Not only did Ferrari’s chief executive, Amedeo Felisa, spoke to the British press, he has had several things to say such as that V-6 cars could be in the company’s future and asked about the possibility of V-6-powered Ferraris by Autocar, Mr. Felisa said, “If I had to answer the question a year ago I would have said no, but attitudes are changing and we build cars for customers.” He has said to Autocar in the U.K. saying in regards to the hybridized 599 that the automaker has been testing for quite some time:

“The technology is not ready. The suppliers are not ready. Everything is underdeveloped. There is a lot of work to so. It is not for tomorrow. We haven’t decided when [it will be introduced]. It will be around 2015, but not before five years.”

Luca di Montezemolo, the company’s chairman, also announced recently that it was bringing a hybrid version of the 599 GTB to the 80th Geneva International Motor Show, which runs from March 4-14, 2010. He described the hybrid as “a great path towards the future.”

A Ferrari 599 hybrid model has been in testing for about one year. The vehicle is showing a 25 percent reduction in fuel consumption but that comes with an increase in weight. While a Ferrari hybrid is going to have a smaller impact on the environment, at its core it is still a Ferrari, and Ferraris are known for their performance. This increase in weight may be a deal breaker for Ferrari enthusiasts.

Amedeo Felisa explains that the Italian supercar manufacturer has no plans to introduce electric cars, saying:

“If you look at global warming, the right solution is not full electric. It’s more a marketing solution than a real one. Sound, in the form of a rich exhaust roar, is important to Ferrari,” he said, and the company “will not make engine sounds with speakers.”

The V-6 car, anathema to purists, is probably not imminent – Mr. Felisa said, “In 20 years, who can say?” – but a Ferrari hybrid is definitely coming, though there’s no assurance it will ever see production.

Matteo Sardi, Ferrari North America spokesman, said: “It is going to be a prototype, and it will appear in Geneva. We absolutely think ahead of everybody in technology research, and a hybrid is in line with that.”

The last time Ferrari built a V6 (also used in Fiats and Lancias) was with the Dino 246 (pictured above) that went out of production in over a quarter century ago. The Dino is, however, fondly remembered as a classic, despite its relatively small engine.

The hybrid has long been rumored, especially since the company patented a “four-wheel-drive system with hybrid propulsion a year ago. In that concept, the gas engine and electric motor drive the front or rear wheels separately. In practice, according to Motor Authority, that could enable the driver to switch between rear-and four-wheel-drive, and enable brief spurts of battery-only power. And that, the site said, “will vastly improve Ferrari’s carbon footprint and position in the eyes of environmentalists.”

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Source: wheels.blogs.nytimes.com, green.autoblog.com, autoblog.com and mnn.com