Ferrari To Consider Turbocharging

Ferrari is considering using turbocharging in future engines, but it needs to improve the forced induction technology before it will make its cars available with the set-up.

Speaking with Britain's Autocar magazine, Ferrari engine chief Jean-Jacques confirmed that the company is preparing to use turbochargers, but that it will take time to develop a new version that will mitigate the effects of turbo lag. This confirms the patent drawings that leaked out earlier this year revealing a developmental two-stage turbocharging system from Ferrari.

He went on to explain that a delay of any sort before the power arrived was unacceptable for a Ferrari engine.It’s unlikely that Ferrari will be using Multiair, the Fiat Group’s variable valve technology, any time soon, though.

He said Ferrari had tried applying the system to an F430’s V8 but couldn’t get it to work at the power outputs required.“The main benefit from Multiair comes in torque,” he said, “and it is difficult to get it to work at high revs.”The report does confirm, however, that the dual-clutch transmission launched on the California is capable of handling the power from V12 engines, suggesting that the gearbox may be implemented across the range for future models.

His also said Ferrari’s dual-clutch transmission, currently only available in V8-engined Ferraris, was suitable for V12 cars and would work up to 10,000rpm.

Source : Autocar.uk

Car Review : Ferrari 458 Italia

The Ferrari 458 Italia was officially revealed to the public during the Frankfurt Motor Show this year. The Italia will set you back at least £149,246 excluding VAT in the UK, €162,900 in the europe & $240,000 in the US. Prices may vary at according to trim & equipments.The following is the spec list together with views from the experts.

Ferrari 458 Italia Technical specifications

Dimensions and weight

Overall length 4527 mm/178.2 in

Overall width 1937 mm/76.3 in

Height 1213 mm/47.8 in

Wheelbase 2650 mm/104.3 in

Front track 1672 mm/65.8 in

Rear track 1606 mm/63.2 in

Kerb weight* 1485 kg/3274 lb

Dry weight* 1380 kg/3042 lb

Weight distribution 42% front - 58% rear

Boot capacity 230 l/8.1cu ft

Fuel tank capacity 86 l/22.7 US gall./18.9 Imp. gall.

Tyres

Front 235/35 20" x 8.5"

Rear 295/35 20" x 10.5"

Brakes

Front 398x223x36 mm/15.7x8.8x1.4 in

Rear 360x233x32 mm/14.2x9.2x1.3 in

Engine

Type V8 - 90°

Total displacement 4499 cc/274.5 cu in

Bore/stroke 94x81 mm/ 3.7x3.2 in

Maximum power 425kW** (570CV**) @ 9000 rpm

Maximum torque 540Nm (398lbs/ft) @ 6000 rpm

Specific output 127 CV/litre/1.55 kW/cu in

Maximum revs per minute 9000 rpm

Compression ratio 12.5:1

Performance

Maximum speed >325 km/h/>202 mph

0-100km/h (0-62mph) <3.4s>

0-200km/h (0-124mph) 10.4s

0-400m (0-437 yards) 11.3s

0-1000m (0-1093 yards) 20.3s

100-0 km/h (62-0 mph) 32.5 m/106.6ft

Dry weight/power ratio 2.42 kg/CV/7.16lb/kW

Fiorano lap time 1'25"

Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions

Fuel consumption***(European market version) 13.3 l/100km

CO2 Emission*** (European market version) 307g CO2/km

Transmission and gearbox

F1 dual-clutch transmission, 7 gears

Electronics

E-Diff3, F1-Trac, High-Performance ABS

*with forged rims and Racing Seats

**Including 3.7 kW by ram effect

*** ECE+EUDC combined cycle

EVO Magazine:



Car & Driver :

The Feel

Turns out, driving the 458 quickly is practically effortless, like strapping on parabolic skis or doing square roots with a calculator. With an 11.5:1 ratio, the steering is unbelievably quick and surprisingly light, as though the front axle were barely touching the ground. Still, the grip is tenacious, the turn-in to a corner so fierce and direct that you’ll swear it has a rudder tilling the asphalt.

The Experience

Inside, the cabin is slightly larger than the F430’s, and there’s more space behind the seats for golf clubs or small bags. Ferrari has moved more controls onto the electrically tilting and telescoping steering wheel, pruning all column stalks and putting wiper and headlight controls at your thumb tips. Because the column stalks are gone, the shift paddles are longer and easier to hit, and the hyperquick steering means you’re only spinning the wheel 90 degrees off-center in U-turns.

The five-position manettino rotary switch on the wheel governs traction control and stability control and throttle, suspension, and shift settings. It has a new option called “CT off,” or “a driver’s parachute,” according to De Simone. This is a new, high-threshold setting for the stability control that allows so much oversteer that you can be looking out the side window before the computer will intervene to prevent a full spin. We used it to great effect on a mountain switchback to do some no-fear fishtailing silliness for the camera. As we said, easy. Another steering-wheel button allows you to reset the magnetic shocks to a softer setting even if you’re still in the hard-core “race” or “CT off” mode. That’s great for Italy, where lumpy pavement in the mountain passes can toss your cookies around.Read More

Automobile Magazine :

Maranello, Italy -- Ferrari does it again. The 458 Italia raises the bar for mid-engine exotic sports cars to new heights.

I’ve just driven the 458 Italia, the latest in Ferrari’s lineup of mid-engine V-8 sports cars. These are the cars that, in the modern era, have cemented Ferrari’s status as maker of the most desirable sports cars in the world. The 458 succeeds the F430 Scuderia, which followed the 360 Modena, which came after the F355. Before that we had the 308/328/348 series, but it’s really the 360 Modena that, a decade ago, really put Ferrari back on the map.

Some Ferrari fans didn’t care much for the styling of either the 360 Modena or the F430 Scuderia. Even as they conceded that the cars drove brilliantly, they pined for the classically clean lines of the F355. For them, the 458 Italia’s debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September must have been a red-letter day, because this Pininfarina design is drop-dead gorgeous. Did you think it looked good on the show stand, or in the published photographs you have seen in print or on the Web? Wait until you see the car on the street. It will not just turn your head, it will make your head spin around like a top.

The 458 is wide, low, lean, lithe, and luscious. The rear view is the most compelling, with the car’s triple exhaust pipes, the visible diffusers and venturi ducts, the silver prancing horse above the license plate, and the simple but evocative round taillights at the far upper corners. Unlike the F430, with its excessively slashed body sides, the 458 has clean body sides and relatively modest ducting. The pinpoint bi-xenon headlights and the LED eyebrows that spring back from them are delicate in appearance yet delightful to the eye. It’s all quite yummy, and that’s even before you take a gander through the rear glass and behold the redheaded Ferrari V-8 on display.Read More

CAR :

Baby Enzo, anyone? The Ferrari 458 Italia’s a dead ringer!

Funny you should say that, because not only does the 458 bear a striking resemblance to the legendary supercar flagship, it can actually lap the Fiorano circuit in the same 1min 25sec. That’s the same as the stripped-out Scuderia by the way, and 2sec quicker than the F430 it replaces.

Impressive, but with the eco-conscious Mille Chili concept from 2007 fresh in my mind, I’m guessing that this thing weighs 1000kg and has a hybrid motor stuffed behind the seats?

Not exactly, but the 458 does employ some of the Mille Chili’s ideas, including active aerodynamics. Two fins located at either side of the front grille are designed to deform at speed, partially blocking off the grille needed to cool the front-mounted radiators at low speeds and directing the air around the car, reducing the drag co-efficient. Read more

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Spyshots

The present Ferrari 612 Scaglietti unlike most of its siblings can seat four adults comfortably was penned by Italdesign-Giugiaro S.P.A design studio back in 2006. Autoexpress brings us pictures of the upcoming version which seems to have its wheelbase extended slightly to offer more space to the passengers. According to them the next generation 612 Scaglietti 5.7-litre V12 will be upgraded to a direct-injectction 6.0-litre version boosting power from 540bhp to 600bhp. This translates into mind boogling performance where the 0-60mph sprint is done in less than four seconds with top speed hitting 200 mph.

Apart from the heart transplant, the Scaglietti will be fitted with a tweaked version of the seven-speed double-clutch gearbox first seen on the California that will work hand in hand with the engine to cut greenhouse gas emmisions & fuel consumption. Sales are expected to commence in 2011 bearing a price tag in the neighborhood of £225,000.









Source : Autoexpress

Ferrari World Theme Park At Abu Dhabi

Its every Ferrari enthusiast dreamland literally. The Ferrari World Theme Park At Abu Dhabi will open its doors to visitors come 2010. The theme park has an alien like structure which reminds me of the Nitrogenous base life-forms seen in the 2001 sci-fi movie Evolution. The iconic red roof is rumored to be inspired by the classic double curve side profile of the Ferrari GT body & this where the largest Ferrari Logo in the world lives. This will be the biggest indoor theme park to date and of course the first Ferrrari Theme park.



The theme park is built on Yas Island, a 2,500 hectare island dedicated to leisure, entertainment and lifestyle. Among other worlds best are the fastest roller coaster travelling at top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph) which is aimed at giving thrill seekers a feeling of being in an F1 race car. Speaking of F1 the theme park is actually located adjacent to the Yas Marina Circuit which host the inaugural 2009 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

General

• World's first Ferrari theme park
  
• World's largest indoor park
  
• Opening in 2010
  
• Owned by Aldar Properties PJSC
  
• Managed by Farah Leisure Parks Management L.L.C, a joint venture between Aldar Properties PJSC and ProFun Management Group Inc.
  
• Located on Yas Island on the North East side of Abu Dhabi's mainland
  
• Yas Island is a 10-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport, 30 minutes from the city of Abu Dhabi, and 50 minutes from Dubai
  
• Adjacent to the Yas Marina Circuit, hosting the inaugural 2009 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
  

Building

• Designed by globally renown architectural firm Benoy
  
• Building height is 45m (147.6 ft), with a roof edge circumference of 2,200 m (7217.8 ft)
  
• Enclosed space (area accessible to the general public) is 100,000 m2 (1,076,391 sq ft)
  
• Over 35,000 tonnes of steel have been used to reinforce the structure
  
• Landscaped area around the main building is 450,000 m2 (4,843,759 sq ft)
  

Roof

• Design inspired by the classic double curve side profile of the Ferrari GT body
  
• Made from metal and glass designed to reduce glare and heat
  
• Total surface area is 200,000 m2 (2,152,782 sq ft)
  
• The Ferrari logo is 65m x 48.5m, the largest Ferrari logo ever created
  
• Highest point is 48m, with a total of 6,900 meters of roof guttering
  

Rides

• Designed by one of the world's most prominent design firms Jack Rouse Associates
  
• Over 20 state-of-the-art rides and attractions.
  
• Featured attractions include:
  
  • The world's fastest roller coaster emulating the feeling of being in an F1 car
    
  • G-force experience taking passengers on an adrenaline-pumping ride up over 62m, through the roof and back down again
    
  • State-of-the-art racing simulators using a similar system as those used by the Ferrari racing team
    
  • Flume ride journey through the heart of a Ferrari 599 engine
    
  • Driving and Racing school for junior drivers, with expert training
    
  • Aerial voyage over Italy following a Ferrari
    

Food & Beverage

• A broad range of dining, quick service and beverage locations offering Italian inspired delicacies as well as a variety of international dishes.
  
• Highlights include:
  
  • Two restaurants inspired by the real Maranello food experience
    
  • A true Italian ambiance of a traditional delicatessen, including:
    
    • Customized fresh pasta and pizza made-to-order
      
    • An array of international dishes to satisfy all tastes
      

Shopping

• Visitors can expect a retail experience that celebrates Ferrari's rich heritage in a way never seen before.
  
• Highlights include:
  
  • 825 m2 store celebrating Ferrari's rich history with vintage and contemporary racing memorabilia
    
  • Souvenir photo opportunities for capturing the thrill of the moment
    
  • "Interactive Corners" where children can customize their own park souvenirs
    
  • 1300 m2 flagship store offering Ferrari and special Ferrari World Abu Dhabi items

Source : Carscoop

Chinese - Themed Ferrari 599

Well it doesn't take a genius to know that China's economic boom will give birth to a wealthy group of elites yearning for a set of wheels to flaunt their status .Knowing that Ferrari the prancing horse pays tribute to the dragon of the middle kingdom with the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE China Limited in a hope of seeing more Ferraris gracing the China's tarmac. This Ferrari was co-developed with chinese artist Lu Hao. Among the Chinese elements incorporated into the Car is the rev counter which has medieval Chinese characters replacing the usual roman numbers. The Red Ferrari 599 you see above gets my vote over the Ming Dynasty Vase inspired version you find in the subsequent pictures. In the Chinese culture, red symbolizes prosperity and it so happens that Ferraris are made to look good in red from the start. The "Glaze cracking porcelain" version would be much better off being a luxury cruiser for Abe Sapien from hellboy.

Source

AutoAlert : Ferrari F458 debuts

The Successor of the F430 is now available in UK with a price tag no less then £175,000. It is the fastest and obviously most powerful Ferrari ever made with 0-60mph sprint of less than 3.5 seconds & going all the way to 203mph. The 4.5 liter V8 pumps out a mind blowing 570bhp at 9,000rpm while mated to a seven speed dual clutch gear box. According to insiders, this Ferrari was built to fend off fierce competition from the likes of Lamborghini & Audi that have seem to catch up on the prancing horse company in this exclusive segment.

Among the technological highlights that this machine carries includes specially design front air scoop to channel wind to the car's flat under tray that incorporates series of aerodynamic venturi tunnels. Ferrari's "e-diff" limited slip differential and adjustable F1-Trac traction control system together with the downforce those venturi tunnels generate at high speed ensures the car sticks to the tarmac like a Gecko. To enhance the design 'wow' factor, Pininfarina decided include LED technology into the headlamp while minimizing gaps on the body through cutting edge technology. This is truly an italian masterpiece at its best.



Source : AutoExpress

AutoAlert : Hertz's Rent A Lotus Exige

Always wanted to take a Lotus sports car for a spin but can't afford to own one or having difficulties locating any company that will actually rent you one? Well good news for those living in Italy as they will be able to rent an Exige or Elise from Hertz. Interested drivers can make reservation on www.hertz.it within these few days. This car is the latest edition to Hertz Italy's "Fun Collection" which includes other desirable models such as the Alfa Romeo Brera, Mazda MX-5 & Peugeot 307 CC. The interior sports a custom made seat bearing the Hertz logo..cool :) But you have to agree with me that including Ferrari's into the line up will definitely be the ultimate decision Hertz Italy can take. After all, Italy is home to the legendary sports car maker.

source : Lotus Enthusiast