2009 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

The oldest current model, the 612 Scaglietti, is also its least desirable, if the marketplace is any indication. While the F430 and the 599 GTB Fiorano enjoy long waiting lists, Ferrari's flagship can sometimes be bought right off of the showroom floor. Does it make the car bad? Not at all-it's still a Ferrari.
The problem is that the 612 has an elegant, reserved demeanor compared to the entry-level F430 with which its behavior is juvenile in respect to the polished Scaglietti that feels best when it's cruising gently around town. Its V-12 is quiet inside the cabin, the ride is plush, and the steering is light, offering far less feedback than you'd expect. The interior is flawlessly finished, with beautiful leather on every surface.
When you turn the manettino to Sport mode, the 612's automated-manual transmission starts off a neck-snapping, 100-millisecond, full-throttle shift. That may explain the Ferrari key fob, which seems totally out of place in this understated coupe, remains arrest-me red.
Ferrari has made some subtle changes to the Scaglietti for its fifth year, and one not-so-subtle change to the price. The cheapest 612 you can now buy retails for an almost incomprehensible $318,538. Last year, you could drive out of a dealership in a 612 for roughly $55,000 less. What do you get for the extra money?
First of all, an updated SuperFast version of Ferrari's F1 automated-manual gearbox is now standard, complete with the aforementioned manettino. A manual transmission is no longer available. If you force it to, the updated 612 will haul its 4100-pounds self to 62 mph in 0.2 sec.
faster than before, in four seconds flat. The coupe keeps accelerating to 199 mph, and it's them numbers that is likely will impress potential 612 customers.
The updated Scaglietti also receives a Bose infotainment and navigation system and a glass panoramic roof. A center-console-mounted, three position switch commands electrochromatic elements in the glass to help block the sun's rays and keep the interior cooler on warm days.
If the sticker price still isn't steep enough, you can make use of Ferrari's new One-to-One program, which allows you to customize your car to your own tastes.

Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/

World Premiere of the 2009 Ferrari California

In a webcast from its new factory in Maranello, Italy, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo officially introduced Ferrari's latest model, the California, to the tune of "California Dreamin" by the Mamas and the Papas, and images depicting the history of the Prancing Horse which were displayed along the walls.
The world premiere was held also simultaneously outside of Los Angeles, California, at a Santa Monica private airport, with more than 1,000 guests from all over the world at the two locations. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Governor of California and guest of honour was also present at the event.
Amidst the speeches, we weren't able to learn much more about the car itself. We already knew that it has a 4.3L direct-injected V-8 that makes 460 hp under the hood and that it sprints to 62 mph in under four seconds. We knew it's stopped by carbon-ceramic brakes clamped by Brembo calipers and features Ferrari's first dual-clutch gearbox along with its F1-Trac traction control system.
What we did learn, however, is that it will produce 1.08 lb/mile of CO2. Although on the high side, Ferrari says that the figure represents a 30% reduction over previous models. The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox took Ferrari four years to develop and the third-generation F1-Trac traction control system has been updated with new programming for rainy conditions. Ferrari also confirmed that the car will ride on third-generation magneto-rheological shocks, and that it will be available in at least two colors, the classic Ferrari Red and a blue-ish silver metallic.
In addition to Luca di Montezemolo, the unveiling was attended by current Scuderia Ferrari drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa.
The event featured Ferrari Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher who was also on hand, having been involved since the very earliest stages in the development of the California, an innovative car sporting a new eight-cylinder engine and a retractable folding hard top.
Di Montezemolo was in such a good mood after praising the car, every member of the design team, the late Phil Hill and Andrea Pininfarina, and all three drivers that he decided to take a shot at the driver one point ahead of Massa in the F1 standings. Without mentioning said driver, Lewis Hamilton, and his McLaren-Mercedes team by name, di Montezemolo remarked that Ferrari was "proud to provide technology to the Germans," a reference to last year's scandal in which the McLaren-Mercedes team was found to be in possession of secret Ferrari race car specifications.
Not much more was gleaned from the official unveiling, so it's likely we'll have to wait until the California's debut at the Paris Motor Show on October 2nd, 2008 to find out anything more. For now, you can see more of the California in video clips created by movie director Michael Mann at http://www.ferraricalifornia.com/ .

Source: http://wot.motortrend.com/, http://www.easier.com/ , http://www.motor.co.za/, http://www.wheels24.co.za/ and http://www.wheelsunplugged.com/

Flying Ferraris may be in our Future

The California-based Moller International is beginning its flying prototype test mule with a Ferrari 599 GTB, or at least a scale model of one, and Paul Moller insists that the end result is workable and has production potential.

This isn't the first time Moller took on such projects and the company bearing his name. He's been working on the flying car since the early '80s, and his dream hasn't taken flight yet. There are two other creations which include the Moller M200 flying saucer and the M400 Sky Car, both which received lots of press on their way to obscurity.

Thanks to a wealthy Russian businessman who clearly wants to commute to his Moscow office quicker than his competitors in the style he's become used to, Moller hopes to have a life-size prototype of the Autovolanter flying soon. The car will be able to fly 75 miles without refueling and travel by ground for a total of 150 miles, says Moller, giving it a range necessary for short-range commuting.

This in consideration, it can't be a plane only flyable by specially trained pilots, but rather needs to be easy enough to be managed by an occasional weekend pilot.

The Autovolanter scale prototype shows helicopter-like blades enclosed within the car's "fuselage" for verticle lift, similar in principal to Britain's Harrier fighter jet or more recently, the Rolls-Royce Lift Fan and 3 Bearing Swivel Module (3BSM) that provides the verticle lift capability for the EU's Joint Strike Fighter, which is also known as the Eurofighter. While it appears as though the Autovolanter would get some verticle takeoff and landing capability it's more likely these fans are positioned to increase in-flight stability and allow greater computer control. The car-plane will also feature a large wing folded over its backside when not in use.

Unexpectedly, only 800-horsepower is needed, says Moller, to achieve flight. While such power should be possible through a tightly sprung version of Ferrari's V12, the engine simply weighs too much to work. Instead, the Autovolanter uses a hybrid powertrain featuring a rotary gasoline engine making approximately 350-horsepower and an electric motor developing about 500-horsepower.

Just like one of Ferraris F1 cars the Autovolanter is limited by fuel restraints. Rather than going a few more laps on a fully filled tank, the car-plane requires just the right balance of fuel versus weight on board to eliminate the problem of where the heavier it becomes, the shorter the range. Increasing consumption further, the added weight of excess fuel means that it needs more to get airborne.

While the idea is great in a George Jetson meets Enzo sort of way, news suggests Moller's dream may remain just that if considerable funding (approximately $5 million) doesn't intervene. Then again, even if an insurance company is not no longer seeking to underwrite the project, there just might be a wealthy Middle-Eastern sheik needing a flying Ferrari for his personal militia to go along with that wealthy Russian businessman. Paul, keep your fingers crossed.

Source: http://car-reviews.automobile.com

Ferrari confesses to KERS problems

Ferrari is "struggling" with the development of its Kinetic Recovery System (KERS) and expects troubles in making it fully dependable for the start of 2009, its engine chief Gilles Simon has admitted.
The energy-saving device, which stores energy otherwise lost during braking and changes it into power, is allowed to be used in Formula 1 cars from next year-but teams have admitted it is proving to be a testing development challenge, while some have experienced high-profile teething problems.
Simon has now shown that the world champion squad is also having its own difficulties and predicts the teams that do decide to run it from the beginning in their cars next year are unlikely to have found a fully-reliable solution.
"The Kinetic Energy Recovery System is a complex subject, which finds us dealing with a lot of new and complicated areas, while ensuring that we still devote all necessary efforts into continuing our usual development programme on the current year car," he said. "It will be really challenging to run this system next year. "We are learning every day, but we are struggling and I think that all teams will struggle to run the new system reliably right from the opening race of the 2009 season."
He further said that gaining a better understanding of the standard Electronic Control Units (ECU) used from this year would also be needed to take full advantage of next year's major regulation changes.
"Next year, with KERS as well as the other rule change allowing the use of an electronic front flap adjuster (on the front wing) electronics will play a very big role and the common ECU will have to be fully understood in order to operate these new elements successfully," he commented.

Source: http://www.itv-f1.com

Spy Photos of Ferrari Enzo Successor

Look at these photos of the early stage to the successor of the Enzo which is currently under development with the program code named the FX70.

This early prototype hidden under a 430 Scuderia shell can be seen with a massive Murcielago-style center mounted exhaust, a wider track and suspiciously looking rear wheels and tires. The FX70 mule sounds pretty amazing, the spy photographer commented.

It has been suggested through rumors that Ferrari is working on two separate engine alternatives: A twin-turbo V-8 pushing 700 horsepower and a twin-turbo V-12 which should produce an additional 50 to 100 horsepower more. We expect the times and temperament of the current automotive climate to push Ferrari towards the V-8. We'll see.

Source: http://www.carzi.com/