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Ferrari 288 GTO Announced by Enzo Ferrari in September 1983 and unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1984, the GTO (also known unofficially with the 288 prefix - 2.8 litres, 8 cylinders) sparked off a wave of enthusiasm. The legendary name, the stunning styling by Pininfarina, the engine with its seemingly inexhaustible power and the widespread use of special composite materials made the car the closest thing to a racing car on the market. To meet customer demand, 272 were built instead of the planned 200: they were all sold before production even began. Ferrari F430 The F430 hails the arrival of a whole new generation of Ferrari V8-engined berlinettas. Every inch of the car was inspired by the engineering research carried out at Ferrari's Gestione Sportiva F1 racing division. The result is a highly innovative design characterised by cutting-edge technologies perfected for use on a road-going car. Two of these innovations are world firsts for production cars: the electronic differential (E-Diff) initially developed by Ferrari for its F1 single-seaters and designed to make the most of the engine's torque to optimise traction, and the handily placed steering wheel-mounted commutator switch (better known to the Scuderia's drivers as the manettino) which directly controls the integrated systems governing vehicle dynamics. The F430's light, compact 4,308 cc engine is completely new and gives the car its name. It punches out 490 hp and delivers a specific power output of 114 hp/l and 465 Nm of torque. Needless to say, performance is outstanding: acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 4 seconds flat and a maximum speed in excess of 315 km/h. Ferrari Challenge Stradale The Challenge Stradale had the precise aim of giving drivers the performance and feel of a true racing car for road use.This aim meant that Ferrari technicians gave exclusive preference to Ferrari Challenge and 360 GT racing-type solutions for all aspects of the car and every single performance parameter, the combination of which gives this car its highly individual character. The starting point was aerodynamics, where the aim was to obtain increased vertical load, or downforce and followed by all the vehicle-specific features (transmission, set-up and braking, in particular the introduction of carbon-ceramic brakes as standard). And finally, that determining factor for all racing cars - achieving the lowest possible weight. Ferrari Superamerica The limited series production of the 12-cylinder front-engined sports berlinettas in convertible form has been seen in two guises, both exclusive and unmistakably Pininfarina-designed. The latter of these, the Superamerica retained the beautifully balanced proportions typical of Ferrari's V12 berlinettas, cleverly integrating the model's unique Revocromico™ roof. This innovative feature integrated seamlessly with the car's lines thanks to the two side buttresses, a styling cue taken from some of Ferraris most classic models. Ferrari 550 Barchetta Unveiled at the Paris Show in 2000, the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina was so named to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Ferrari's coachbuilder and stylist, Pininfarina. A strictly limited edition of just 448 numbered cars were built, with the last example leaving the factory in December 2001. A pure and functional front-engined V12 roadster in the tradition of cars like the 166 MM, the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina was equipped with a manual soft-top for emergency use only; a simple expedient that also helped to keep the car's kerb weight down to that of the coupé version, despite the additional strengthening to the chassis. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti For the first time, Ferrari has manufactured a 12-cylinder model with both the space-frame chassis and body panels in aluminium, built entirely in-house in the dedicated Scaglietti light-alloy technologies facility in Modena. The benefits of this construction method include a 60% increase in structural rigidity and significant weight savings of 60 kg compared to the previous 456M 2+2 - despite the new car's larger dimensions. Ferrari 308 GTS The pleasure of open top driving has a very special place in the heart of many Ferrari fans. The 308 GTS was developed in collaboration with Pininfarina in 1977 to help make that dream come true. When not in use, its Targa hard-top could be stored neatly away behind the seats. The chassis was specially reinforced to compensate for the lack of a full roof. Performance was similar to that of the 308 GTB. Ferrari 575M Maranello The Ferrari 575M Maranello marked a whole new level of achievement for the famous Italian marque's hugely successful line-up of V12 front-engined sports supercars. It represented a further leap forward in the development of the 550 Maranello, a car generally considered to be one of the marque's most popular models since its introduction in 1996. The heart of the car is the engine and the 575M name is the abbreviation of its engine capacity - 5,748 cc together with 'M' which stands for 'modificata' (Italian for modified). The strengths of the 575M build on those of its predecessor, the 550 Maranello, boosting all-round performance and introducing the company's legendary Ferrari F1 semi-automatic gearchange in a road-going Ferrari V12 for the first time. Ferrari F430 The F430 hails the arrival of a whole new generation of Ferrari V8-engined berlinettas. Every inch of the car was inspired by the engineering research carried out at Ferrari's Gestione Sportiva F1 racing division. The result is a highly innovative design characterised by cutting-edge technologies perfected for use on a road-going car. Two of these innovations are world firsts on high-performance sports cars: the electronic differential (E-Diff), originally developed by Ferrari for its F1 single-seaters, and the steering wheel-mounted commutator switch (the manettino) which directly controls suspension settings, the CST stability and traction control, the E-Diff and the change speed of the F1 transmission. The F430's all-new 4,308 cc engine punches out 483 bhp and 465 Nm (343 lbs/ft) of torque. Needless to say, performance is outstanding: acceleration from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4 seconds flat and a maximum speed in excess of 195 mph. As well as an increase in performance, new aerodynamics provide even greater downforce, with 616 lbs being generated at 186 mph. Other Ferrari Formula 1 influences can be seen in the optional carbon-ceramic discs, which offer superior stopping power, and the F1 paddle shift itself, which effectively halves change times compared to the 360 Modena. The F430 comes as standard with new 19" alloy wheels and adaptive suspension in a package that has been perfected to deliver outstanding performance and maximum driving pleasure. Ferrari F430 Spider The F430 Spider joins the F430 as the latest addition to the new generation of Ferrari V8-engined sports cars. The Spider boasts all of the F430's stunning technology, itself the product of a close working relationship with Ferrari's Formula 1 racing division. The track is the prancing horse's finest research and development arena and the impact of the Scuderia's experience has had a huge influence on the F430 Spider - the highly innovative aerodynamics, honed to generate special flows to increase downforce and improve cooling, and the F1 transmission featuring upgraded software, are just two examples of how Ferrari's technological excellence has been seamlessly transferred from the track to the road. Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano 599 for the displacement of its V12 engine, GTB as in Gran Turismo Berlinetta, after the most famous Ferrari berlinettas ever built and Fiorano after the famous private track Ferrari uses to hone its F1 and road cars. This stunning all-aluminium two-seater coupé is summed up rather succinctly by its name and delivers everything that this promises. The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, in fact, sets a new benchmark of excellence in the sports car world. With its 612bhp Enzo-derived 5,999cc V12, the 599 GTB Fiorano sprints from 0 to 62 mph in an astonishing 3.7 seconds and boasts a top speed in excess of 205 mph. These impressive performance figures are backed up by cutting-edge technological solutions, from the new generation F1 gearbox which guarantees shifts in just 100 milliseconds, to the sophisticated F1-Trac traction and stability control for even greater cornering grip, and the magnetorheological (MR) fluid suspension for unbeatable body control. Enzo Ferrari The Enzo Ferrari is a 12-cylinder Ferrari supercar named after the company's founder, Enzo Ferrari. It was built in 2003 using Formula One technology, such as a carbon-fiber body, F1-style sequential shift transmission, and carbon-ceramic brake discs. Also used are technologies not allowed in F1 such as active aerodynamics. After a maximum downforce of 1709 pounds is reached at 186 mph (301 km/h) the rear spoiler is actuated by computer to maintain that downforce. The Enzo's V12 engine is the first of a new generation for Ferrari. It is based on the architecture of the V8 found in sister-company Maserati's Quattroporte, using the same basic architecture and 104 mm bore spacing. This design will replace the former architectures seen in V12 and V8 engines used in most other contemporary Ferraris. The 2005 F430 is the second Ferrari to get a version of this new powerplant. The Enzo was initially announced at the 2002 Paris Motor Show with a limited production run of 349 units and priced at US$643,330. The company sent invitations to existing customers, and all 349 cars were sold in this way before production began. Later, after numerous requests, Ferrari decided to build 50 more Enzos, bringing the total to 399. On January 17, 2005, Ferrari announced that it would build one additional Enzo, bringing the total to 400. It was ceremonially presented to Pope John Paul II by a large group of Ferrari's employees and partners, including F1 drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello. Luca di Montezemolo, President of Ferrari, offered to donate the auction proceedings of this extraordinary vehicle for humanitarian purposes. The Pope then requested that the car be auctioned off to benefit the Caritas charity. Ferrari FXX The Ferrari FXX is a car developed as part of an unusual development program by automobile manufacturer Ferrari in Maranello, Italy. It began production in 2005. The car uses some technology developed from the Enzo Ferrari and combines it with some all-new developments from Ferrari and some of the suppliers. However, the car is only a part of the overall program. Essentially an evolution of the Enzo, the FXX shares some components with the Enzo, but significant portions are exclusive to the FXX. The FXX's engine is based on the Enzo's mill but has been expanded to 6,262 cc (from 5,988 cc), and output has been boosted from 660bhp as seen in the Enzo to 800bhp (588kW) @ 8,500 rpm. The gearbox incorporates the latest developments from Ferrari's F1 program and can complete shifts in under 100 ms. The brakes are upgraded compared to those on the Enzo. The brakes do, however, retain the ceramic discs found on the Enzo. The tires on the FXX are 19 in (483 mm) slicks custom-developed for the car. As with the Enzo, the seat and pedal configuration are custom fit to the user's exact measurements. The FXX features a comprehensive data-monitoring and telemetry that not only allows the driver to improve performance, but also provides Ferrari technicians with valuable data to improve the FXX and future road-going Ferraris. Upon its release in 2005, the FXX became the most expensive vehicle ever sold new, with a staggering list price of US$1.8 million. The previous car to hold this record had been the Schuppan 962CR, which sold for just over US$1.5 million in 1994. Ferrari will only build 29 of these cars, and they have all been sold to preselected past Ferrari customers. These lucky customers will not only own a Ferrari FXX, but also participate in further testing and brand development. Ferrari Mondial 8 The Mondial was introduced as the Mondial 8 in 1980. It was the first Ferrari to depart from the company's familiar 3-digit naming scheme, and was fairly mild-performing (for a Ferrari). It used a mid/rear-mounted V8, shared with the 308, mounted transversely. The engine was originally used in the 1974 Dino 308 GT4. The chassis was also based on the 308 GT4, but with a 100 mm longer wheelbase at 2650 mm. The suspension was double wishbones all around. The Mondial 8 is considered one of the marque's most reliable, inexpensive to maintain, and even practical cars due to its 214 hp (160 kW), proven drivetrain, and four seats. Ferrari Mondial t The final Mondial evolution was 1989's Mondial t. It was a substantially changed model, "spearhead of a new generation of V8 Ferraris", according to Road & Track magazine. The "t" called attention to the car's new engine/transmission layout: though the previously-transverse engine was now mounted longitudinally, the gearbox remained transverse, forming a "t". This configuration was used by Ferrari's Formula 1 cars of the 1980s, and would be the standard for the marque's future mid-engined V8 cars, beginning with the 348, introduced later in the year. That transverse gearbox was a dual-clutch design with beveled gears driving the axles on the earlier models, a single clutch and auto-manual gearbox (termed Valeo - the clutch was actuated automatically without a clutch pedal) were added later. The engine was up to 3.4 L (3405 cc) and 300 hp (224 kW). The Mondial's chassis would underpin a new generation of 2-seat Ferraris, right up to the 360, but the 2+2 Mondial would end production just four years later in 1993. The company has not produced a mid-engined 2+2 car since, leaving the front-engined V12 456 as the company's only 4-seat car. The Mondial was home to other Ferrari firsts: It used power brakes for the first time, and had a 3-position electronically controlled suspension. It also had standard antilock brakes, though other Ferraris had this feature as well. Ferrari 166 The Ferrari 166 was an evolution of the 125 S race car that became a sports car for the street. It shared its Aurelio Lampredi-designed tube frame and double wishbone/live axle suspension with the 125. Like the 125, the wheelbase was 2420 mm long. 39 examples were produced from its introduction at the Turin Motor Show in 1948 to its retirement in 1950. It was replaced by the 2.3 L 195 and 2.6 L 212 for 1952. As was typical at the time, a bare chassis was delivered to the coachbuilder of the customer's choice. Many used Carrozzeria Touring, who produced a somewhat-standard barchetta and coupe, but Stabilimenti Farina, Ghia and Vignale also dressed 166s. 166 S competition models generally used Allemano. The 1.5 L Gioacchino Colombo-designed V12 engine of the 125 was changed, however, with single overhead camshafts specified and a larger 2.0 L (1995 cc/121 in³) displacement. This was achieved with both a bore and stroke increase, to 60 by 58.8 mm respectively. Output was 110 to 140 hp (82 to 104 kW) at 6,000 rpm with one to three carburettors. Ferrari 212 The 212 replaced Ferrari's successful 166 sports car in 1951. Unveiled alongside the similar 195 at the Brussels Motor Show that year, the 212 was an evolution of the 166 — a sports car for the road that could also win international races. The chassis was similar to the 125 with double wishbones in front and live axles in back. Coachbuilders included Carrozzeria Touring, Ghia, Vignale, and now Pinin Farina. The latter was an important move for the company, as Farina was already well-known and adding his styling skills would be a tremendous boost for Maranello. However, Pinin Farina was as proud as Enzo Ferrari, and neither would go to the other to request business up to this point. A mutual meeting halfway between Maranello and Turin was the negotiated solution. Both 2500 mm and 2600 mm versions were built (Export and Inter models, respectively), both with a larger 2.6 L (2563 cc/156 in³) version of Ferrari's Colombo V12 engine. Like the 195, the additional displacement over the 166 was achieved with a larger bore, this time to 68 mm. Output was 150 to 165 hp (111 to 123 kW) with one or three Weber 36DCF carburettors. The short-wheelbase Export model got the more-powerful engine. 5 hp (3.7 kW) more was on the table for 1952 thanks to better cylinder heads. Ferrari F355 The Ferrari F355 is a sports car built by Ferrari from May 1994 to 1999. It is an evolution of the Ferrari 348 and was replaced by the Ferrari 360. It is a mid-engined V8-powered 2-seat coupe. One major difference between the V8 in the 348 and that in the 355, apart from the displacement increase from 3.4 to 3.5 L, is that the 355 features a 5-valve per cylinder head. Like its predecessors and descendants, the F355 is a fairly common car (for a Ferrari) with nearly 12,000 produced. At launch, two models were available: the coupe Berlinetta, and the targa topped GTS. The Spider (convertible) version was introduced in 1995. |