One of our favorite YouTubers, 19Bozzy92, has come out with yet another amazing compilation of race cars screaming around Monza. In this specific video, it was during the 2021 Ferrari Corse Clienti, which was held over two days at the end of March.
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The event hosted all the levels of Corse Clienti, of which there are three: GT clients, XX Program clients, and the rarest, the F1 clients. All of the cars in this video are privately owned, but most of them stay with Ferrari for care, storage, and servicing between client events.
Of course, the biggest field was made up of the XX program, with FXX, FXX-K, FXX-K Evo, and 599XX cars all screaming around the palace of speed that is Monza. Of these, the standouts were the insanely loud 599XX’s, and the unbelievably fast FXX-K Evo’s.
599XX being chased by an FXX into Variante Ascari
The rarest class at these events is the F1 clients. Ferrari will often offer one or two of their Formula 1 cars for sale after they have been out of the championship for a couple of years, with loyal clients getting the first choice. At this meeting, two F1 clients made it out, with one driving the 2008 season F2008 Kimi Raikkonen car, and the other driving the 2013 F138 Fernando Alonso car.
2013 F138 Fernando Alonso screaming through Lesmo 1
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Ferrari meeting without the GT cars. The Corsa Clienti at Monza this year featured multiple 488 GT3 and GTE cars, 458 GTE’s, and even an F430 Scuderia GT3.
A 458 GTE chases a 488 GT3 Evo through Variante Ascari
However, words and pictures can only do so much. Watch the video, let your ears be bathed in the sounds of screaming V8’s, roaring V12’s, and the snarls of Formula 1 cars as they celebrate speed at Monza!
May 3, 2021 / Comments Off on Hear The Glorious Noise of Ferrari Race Cars from The 2021 Corse Clienti at Monza
I’ve always been a fan of the Eighties TV Series, Miami Vice, and while the black convertible from the early seasons was only a kit car, it was intended to look like the stunning Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider from the Seventies, in the end, when Miami Vice became too popular they had to swap out that car for a real Ferrari, and the Vice cop received an impounded Testarossa, that was black when the ‘criminal’ owned it, but it was repainted to white because the good guys don’t drive black cars.
But back to the Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider, in the Seventies, the Spider was a Scaglietti build, and initially, only 121 of these Daytona spiders were built, many Coupe would later be converted into a convertible, which could make a Coupe the rarer car eventually, but this 1971, yellow Spider we’re admiring here was the 36th built of the original 121 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti, and to make her even more interesting, chassis 14863 was the actual 1972 New York International Automobile Show car, and she’s coming up for auction later this month.
That’s right, at the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island auction in Florida to be held on 22 May 2021, this yellow over black classic Ferrari will pass the block, with an estimate between $2,250,000 and $2,750,000, adding this Prancing Horse to your collection will not come cheap, to put this evaluation into perspective, there is a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta finished in the classic red over tan combination enlisted at the same auction, presented in her restored and carefully maintained condition, that’s only estimated between $500,000 and $600,000!
The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 was launched, and initially, there weren’t any plans to create anything else than a closed coupe GT, but Scaglietti and Pininfarina put their minds together to create an open-top design, the prototype was approved by Ferrari and the 1969 Frankfurt Auto Show the official Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider production model was unveiled.
In December 1971 this Giallo Fly (20-Y-191) over Pelle Nera (VM 8500) finished Spider left the factory in Maranello, this car was built for the US market, complete with instrumentation in miles and air conditioning, and in early 1972 it would be shown at the New York International Automobile Show, after which the car was sold to a long-time Ferrari client, Alfredo Ducato of Hillsborough, California. By 1990 the car was sold to to Herb Boyer of Burlingame, California who had it repainted in the original shade in 1997, at the same time the black leather interior was redone too.
This rare Ferrari would change hands several times more over the next years, on 26 January 2008, when Mr. Yassky owned the car, he showed her at the Cavallino Classic Concours d’Elegance in Palm Beach, Florida where she received the coveted Platinum Award, today, the car shows just 13,442 miles from new, and such a low, original mileage Ferrari Daytona Spider, that is also Classiche Certified, and a Platinum award-winning example, will not go cheap when the hammer comes down at the end of this month, but this might be the chance of a lifetime to acquire such an amazing car from Maranello.
Italian coachbuilder, Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, has been in the business since 1926 and they have big plans to celebrate their 95th anniversary. They plan to unveil a mid-engine coupe but details have been kept under wraps until the big reveal in June.
According to MotorAuthority, the Milan-based company is said to be releasing a two-seater with a mid-engine – the first-ever mid-engine vehicle to come from the coachbuilder. The new car will likely be based on an Italian car. The design cues for the unreleased car will come from the Aero 3 and the Disco Volante – based on the Ferrari F12 and the Alfa Romeo 8C.
Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera Aero 3
Touring says the car is in the final stages of production and has pegged a release of June 2021 – they have also said a more formal unveiling will be appropriated during the 2021 Monterey Car Week held at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in mid-August.
Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera Disco Volante
While Touring tends to stick to a dozen production cars the chances are high that the new masterpiece will be available in the US. Last year, Touring launched the Sciadipersia – based on the Maserati GranTurismo, to the US market.
May 3, 2021 / Comments Off on Italian Coachbuilder to Release Its First Ever Mid-Engine Build
Ferrari’s Most Powerful and Highest-Revving V12 Engine. Ever.
In the face of the global pandemic, Ferrari is holding no punches as it continues to roll-out newer, wilder and faster models with aplomb. The latest of these to be (partially) revealed is the Ferrari 812 Superfast Versione Speciale. The “Limited Edition” and “Versione Speciale” monikers currently being associated with this hardcore 812 Superfast variant are said to be unofficial – a complete unveiling of the car will take place on May 5, 2021 via livestream, where all of the final details will be hashed out. For now, we’ll amicably refer to it as the Ferrari 812 Superfast VS.
Now, on to the stuff we already know for sure… and oh boy, is it juicy. The Ferrari 812 Superfast VS will continue to be equipped with a 6.5L naturally-aspirated V12 engine sending power to the rear wheels via a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. This version however, has been upgraded to produce 819 hp and revs all the way up to 9,500 rpm – up 30 hp and given an extra 500 rpm of vocal range over the standard model, thanks to some valve timing and exhaust flow wizardry. The math says that’s good for 125 hp per liter. And not a single turbo in sight.
Though torque figures are still a mystery, we’re still inclined to suggest that this should make the VS a better all-around performer; allowing it to surpass the standard car’s 0-60 mph time of 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 340 km/h, if only by a smidge. The 812 Superfast VS will continue to embrace Ferrari’s most impressive tech, with familiar features such as the Side Slip Control (SSC) traction and stability control system, and rear-axle steering coming standard. However, we wouldn’t be surprised if Ferrari engineers had decided to tweak the electronics to be better optimized with the revisions made elsewhere on the car. Aerodynamics and weight reduction will obviously play a huge role in this as well, so let’s dive into that next.
The visual differences between the 812 Superfast and the VS are immediately obvious, with the latter cutting a much more aggressive figure. One of the most notable changes takes place at the back end of the car, with the rear glass being replaced by a body-colored panel which could be best described as a “super-louver” made from carbon fiber and aluminum. This is one element of the VS’s extreme-downforce mandate, which comes at the loss of some of the regular car’s utilitarian demeanor.
Other displays of the car’s aerodynamic effectiveness are less intrusive, but just as wild. At the front, larger air intakes flank the grill, which is enclosed by a more aggressive bumper with fins at each end appearing to function as integrated canards; a massive front splitter is then added for good measure. Air vents right behind each of the rear wheels and a reimagined carbon fiber diffuser also form part of the organism responsible for optimizing any air flow going under, through or over the VS’s silhouette.
Typical of just about every performance-biased special edition car ever produced by Ferrari, is a strict carbon fiber diet – and this is no different for the upcoming Ferrari 812 Superfast VS. Owners should expect a healthy serving of the carbon fiber good stuff – inside and out – which not only upgrades the car aesthetically, but also allows for the just-as-important art of weight reduction. It’s a given that the VS will weigh less than the standard Superfast’s 1,525 kg, but by how much, we will have to wait and see.
Similarly, there can be absolutely no doubt that the VS will command a “not insignificant” amount more than the regular car’s $340,000 base price. Likewise, the May 5 world premiere will provide more insight and specifics into what is shaping up to be an absolute riot of a car – we will be providing our coverage of the event as soon possible, so stay tuned!
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April 22, 2021 / Comments Off on Ferrari 812 Superfast Versione Speciale
Imagine you are finally able to get hold of a Ferrari F50 back in 2003 for only €260,000 ($310,000) … for about $447,000 in today’s money, an Italian and his brother managed to obtain this rare and beautiful Prancing Horse … unfortunately, their luck quickly backfired, and the car was stolen from a parking lot at their hotel only a month after purchase.
Reference photo from our Ferrari F50 Wallpapers post
A search was initiated, but it seems the car was quickly transported out of the country and was never to be found again … until 2019. This rare car with only 349 units ever built between 1995 and 1997 is currently valued at around $1,750,000 had been out of sight for 16 years until it was halted at the Canada-US border while she was being transported on a trailer.
Customs checking the car for export discovered the chassis number was illegible, so they investigated it further and found out about the theft in Italy back in 2003, so they seized the car and it was impounded … where this beauty would remain under lock and key until recently when the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced a civil action was filed for ownership of the car … two different parties claim it’s theirs.
Reference photo from our Ferrari F50 Wallpapers post
In the Buffalo News, an article was published that states not only the original owner in Italy from 2003, a Mr Paolo Provenzi, claims it is still his property, he has documentation stating his ownership and the fact the theft wasn’t covered by his insurance. On the other hand, we have Mohammed Alsaloussi, who bought the Ferrari F50 at auction in September 2019, who wasn’t aware he was buying a stolen car and had it transported from Canada to his house in Miami, Florida.
It seems the Ferrari F50 was located in Japan at one point, but how she ended up in Canada is unknown at this point in time, Provenzi asked a Miami attorney to block both parties from taking action against the government to obtain the car, at this time the car is still in the custody of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, waiting for a court decision on who is the rightful owner at the moment.
Personally, I think a car like a Ferrari F50 that’s been sitting in custody somewhere in a warehouse since December 2019 will need a serious overhaul to be driven safely on the road today, but I wouldn’t mind parking her on my driveway in the meantime …
March 19, 2021 / Comments Off on Lost and found Ferrari F50
Ferrari announced today the return of their Ferrari eSports Championship, a dedicated spec series that is raced online, for a second season. Registration opens today, March 16, 2021, with the first qualifying session in early April.
The series, open to European residents only due to flight and travel restrictions this year due to the global pandemic, is run on the well-known and well-loved Assetto Corsa simulator, produced by Kunos Simulazioni. After confirmation of registration, participants will be able to download two dedicated cars for the competition, with many hours of input from official Ferrari drivers, including Charles LeClerc.
Charles LeClerc testing the cars for this years Ferrari eSports Championship
Qualification rounds last from April until the end of July, with one day per month dedicated to “The Hotlap Challenge.” Using one of the four cars available, including the two provided by Ferrari as well as the in-game Ferrari 599XX Evo and the Ferrari FXX-K, registered participants have four chances, if they attend all the hotlap challenges, to place in the top 24 times for that car.
Ferrari 599XX Evo
Those qualifiers are then put into the 488 Challenge Evo for a series of four elimination races until the 96 qualifiers are reduced to 48 finalists by mid-August.
Those 48 finalists will then take part in the actual championship series in September, with once-weekly full duration races lasting from a sprint (1 hour) to endurance (3 hours) depending on the race venue.
The top 24 drivers by points after those four rounds will qualify for the grand final, which will occur in December. The grand final consists of three races, with three different cars (the two official 488’s and the 599XX), and the driver with the most points at the end of all three is crowned the champion.
Ferrari FXX-K
Running alongside the drivers’ qualification rounds from April to July is a new entry for 2021, namely the livery design championship. This allows creative people from across the globe to download a template, apply their own special touch to it artistically, and then submit it for review by official Ferrari representatives who will choose the 48 best liveries, and assign them to drivers for the official competition rounds.
So what’s in it for the participants, we hear you asking?
The champion driver will be invited down to Maranello, to the Ferrari factory, to join both the Ferrari Driver’s Academy and Ferrari eSports Team, and represent Ferrari at multiple online racing events. These events can include participation in the Virtual Formula 1 eSports Championship, World Virtual Endurance Championship, and other official racing series. As part of their prize, they also get to drive an actual Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo around Fiorano, to understand how the actual car handles compared to the virtual car, and carry that knowledge back into the games.
All in all, not a bad thing to race online for!
March 16, 2021 / Comments Off on Ferrari Announces Season 2 Of The Ferrari eSports Championship
“Gianni Agnelli and Ferrari. The Elegance of the Legend” is an homage by the Maranello marque to one of its greatest touchstones, first and foremost as a loyal client and later as close confidant and partner, on the 100th anniversary of the latter’s birth tomorrow. The official online opening of the exhibition takes place on March 12 on the Ferrari Museums’ social media channels and website. As we wait for new government regulations to allow us to reopen the MEF’s exhibition halls to the public, we will be organizing two free virtual live tours of around 30 minutes each day until April 1.
A Prancing Horse enthusiast from a young age, Gianni Agnelli was consistently courteous and respectful in his proposals for highly customized special versions of certain models. For his part, Enzo Ferrari was aware that the influence, aesthetic tastes, and personality of a client who was both very close to the factory and familiar with working on exclusive projects, might lead to successful and farsighted choices. The duo’s close relationship produced a collection of peerlessly beautiful and seductive cars, which Gianni Agnelli drove with rigorous understatement.
One such car is the essentially elegant Ferrari 166 MM. Agnelli was so captivated by it at the 1948 Turin Motor Show that he coined a whole new term to describe its sleek lines. The word “Barchetta” (little boat) has ever since been used in the sector to describe open-top racing cars. Finely customized in green and blue and with a bespoke cabin, the 166 MM was Ferrari’s first one-off for the Avvocato (the Lawyer) as Agnelli was affectionately known.
The next car to be tailored to the personality of this very special client was the 1952 Ferrari 212 Inter, which was given sophisticated detailing and styling cues that set a whole new trend. Two-tone “family” 456 blue was paired with a magnolia white roof, while two imposing headlights were designed to make high-speed driving a pleasure at night as well as during the day.
The exhibition continues with the stupendous and timeless 375 America, a coupé built by Ferrari in 1955 thanks to its symbiotic creative relationship with Battista “Pinin” Farina. The Avvocato was instantly smitten and customized his car with uniquely sophisticated interior trim that included a beautifully-made clock at the center of the tunnel.
The now well-established relationship between Agnelli and Enzo Ferrari produced yet another masterpiece in 1959 in the form of the Ferrari 400 Superamerica. Bodied and fitted out by Pininfarina, this one-off on show at the MEF opened a whole new chapter in Ferrari grand touring styling.
Also exhibited at the MEF is the 1966 365 P Speciale, the lines of which had been sculpted by the racing world. Pininfarina brilliantly interpreted the car in two three-seater prototypes with a central driver seat. The version commissioned by Gianni Agnelli sports a uniquely elegant silver livery with a slender strip of black molding running along the beltline.
In 1984, Ferrari unveiled the legendary Testarossa, a car for which no open-top version was planned. However, two years later, the Avvocato commissioned a spider version of the famous model from Pininfarina with some highly sophisticated details, such as a newly designed engine lid and his signature livery colors: magnolia white for the soft top, Nürburgring grey bodywork, and navy for the cabin.
Another ground-breaking icon that proved a must-have addition to Gianni Agnelli’s collection was the Ferrari F40. The Avvocato ordered a special version in 1989 with unusual black fabric seat upholstery and a Valeo electronic clutch.
In 2000, Agnelli once again commissioned Pininfarina to create an extreme one-off Barchetta, this time using the 360 Spider as the stylistic starting point. Clothed in a silver-grey livery paired with elegant blues, this particular car was a wedding gift for Luca di Montezemolo, who was then Ferrari Chairman.
The exhibition concludes with the 2003 Formula 1 car, the culmination of an extraordinary technological and racing journey. It was unveiled by the Scuderia on 7 February 2003 and dedicated to Gianni Agnelli, who had passed away on 24 January. This was a genuinely heartfelt gesture from the whole Ferrari community in memory of an unforgettable partner, client, and a refined, discreet, and pivotal companion on its long journey.
Ferrari Chairman John Elkann declared: “The exhibition we are opening tomorrow tells of an extraordinary encounter. It combines, on the one hand, the excitement that the most beautiful cars in the world evoke in people who love driving, and on the other, the enormous respect and real passion that my grandfather had for Maranello cars. A passion that led him to make every Ferrari he owned special and which we are happy to share with all the enthusiasts”.
Deputy Chairman Piero Ferrari remembered the mutual respect and esteem the two great entrepreneurs shared: “My father was impressed by the Avvocato’s power, acumen and ability in business. They understood each other intuitively and that relationship consolidated over the years, culminating in the agreement in 1969 that created one of the strongest partnerships in the automotive world. I was with my father on that historic day when I had the pleasure of meeting Agnelli. From then on, with FIAT by his side, we felt that our company had a guarantee of continuity and development”.
March 13, 2021 / Comments Off on Gianni Agnelli and Ferrari
There was a time when coachbuilding was common on cars, albeit reserved for the rich and famous, it wasn’t uncommon to buy a Rolls Royce chassis complete with engine and drivetrain, and have someone else design and build a body for it, today this is still possible, but it seems to be much less widespread, and companies like Rolls Royce, Bentley, Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche, or Lamborghini all have in-house departments now to cater very special requests from their customers.
But the traditional coachbuilding is still possible, companies that take a ‘base’ car from an expensive make and redesign the body, and we’re not talking about the likes of for instance Mansory that replaces a body with their own carbon fiber version, complete with an aggressive aero design … when we look at Niels van Roij Design from London in the UK, he has returned to the classic meaning of coachbuilding, I’m sure you’ve read my earlier article on the 1962 Ferrari 250 GT ‘Breadvan Hommage’ he created at the request of a customer, taking a Ferrari 550 Maranello and turning her into a modern version of the Breadvan.
Breadvan Hommage – photo copyright Niels van Roij Design
And that wasn’t even Niels van Roij’s first car in this ‘estate’ style, previously he also created the Silver Spectre Shooting Brake, limited to only 7 units worldwide, Niels takes the two-door Rolls Royce Wraith and converts that one into a Shooting Brake inspired by those cars from the 1930s, the longer roof is created in one-piece from light-weight carbon fiber and naturally the headliner features the sparkling star ceiling.
The Silver Spectre Shooting Brake by Niels van Roij Design
Niels van Roij Design even made a one-off Tesla Model S Shooting Brake for a Dutch customer, painted in a stunning green metallic shade that even used gold particles to create a very special shade, but you can also request them to create a two-door version of cars that don’t come from the factory in this configuration … like the Range Rover, at Niels van Roij you can opt for their Adventum Coupe, based on the large four-door Range Rover, van Roij turns her into a coupe, inspired by the actual two-door Range Rover that was available in the Seventies, there will only be 100 units of the Adventum Coupe made.
1975 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Shooting Brake – Photo Credit: Gooding & Company
Niels van Roij confirmed on his Social Media channel they are now working on a second, bespoke Ferrari based conversion, taking inspiration from the unique 1975 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Shooting Brake and creating a similar car today, starting from a modern Ferrari 599 GTB, Niels and his team of craftsmen will completely modify the 599 GTB into an homage for the Daytona based Shooting Brake.
1975 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Shooting Brake – Photo Credit: Gooding & Company
They intend to design new headlights to fit a different bumper and front bonnet design that reminds us of the car from the Seventies, but the most prominent change will be visible at the rear naturally, where a completely different roofline will be featured, but also new fenders and bespoke taillights … in the end, there will be not much left of the original Ferrari 599 GTB bodywork.
At this time we only have a few design sketches available for this new Daytona Shooting Brake Hommage from Niels van Roij Design, but they do show a very interesting, contemporary interpretation of the original car, most likely the hommage will also be finished in black, and just like the classic car, come with butterfly rear windows to access the space behind the seats.
This modern recreation of the Daytona Shooting Brake will take some time to develop and subsequently build, Niels van Roij Design will feature the process from design over construction to finalizing of this new hommage build on his social media accounts, I can’t wait to see what they will do for the interior, and if this new version will have a similar layout on the central console as the original.
March 12, 2021 / Comments Off on Daytona Shooting Brake Hommage
Having just completed its Ferrari Breadvan Homage, Niels van Roji Design is preparing yet another custom shooting brake inspired by a classic Ferrari. This new one-off will be a tribute to another custom coachbuilt car, a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Shooting Brake built in the 1970s.
That original car, shown in the video below, was created by British coachbuilder Panther Westwinds, and was an extensive redesign of the Daytona coupe. Not only did it get a wagon tail, but it had wild gull-wing glass openings to access luggage, a fully revamped interior, and a tweaked nose with some unusual hideaway headlights.
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The Niels van Roji car, based on the renderings, appears to take all the key design cues and apply them to a more modern Ferrari, as was the case with the Breadvan. While they don’t explicitly say it, the renderings, V12 engine and production dates starting in 2006 seem to indicate the base car will be a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. The front will be redesigned to feature low, wide headlights connected by a bright stripe to emulate the old Daytona’s signature look. A large rear hatch will be added with big windows including a distinctive glass rear fascia for rear visibility and to house the custom taillights. Those large rear windows will also open up like they did on the original.
We’re excited to see how this car develops, as the renderings look promising, and the company’s past shooting brakes have always been impressive. No reveal date has been set, but Niels van Roji Design will share updates on its Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts.
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March 9, 2021 / Comments Off on Niels van Roji Daytona Shooting Brake is a one-off inspired by a one-off
Ferrari has been spotted using a LaFerrari as a test mule for their latest road car to hide its new internal hardware.
The test vehicle is assumed to be next-in-line to the LaFerrari. The successor would likely be the road-going version of the World Endurance Championship’s Le Mans hypercar that Ferrari will use in 2023. In February, Ferrari gave confirmation of its intentions to participate in the WEC’s premier class in 2023. The rules will require the race team to have a similar road car version of the car participating in the race.
The LaFerrari hit the streets in limited numbers in 2013, which makes the timing (once every decade) fit Ferrari’s M.O for the release of a new limited-edition flagship model. This was also the case for cars like the Ferrari F40, F50, Enzo, and most recently, the LaFerarri.
The test mule clearly shows some differences from the LaFerrari. Covers have been removed from the front and rear to promote more airflow. Even with the distracting wrap on the car, you can see the differences in the hood, roof, rear deck, and side intakes. The exhaust on the test mule is also different from the LaFerrari’s as it sits higher on the rear of the test mule.
Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
There has been very little said from Ferrari regarding a successor to the LaFerrari. At this point, there is no mention of the engine that will be powering the car. All we know is that the test mule is electrified in some fashion by the blue stickers on the car. Which gives hope that there may still be a Ferrari V-12 under the hood.
According to Motoauthority, former Ferrari Chairman Sergio Marchionne said it would be “nuts” to add turbochargers to a V-12 in a statement given in 2017, which rules out any chances of running forced induction on the car. The case for the LaFerrari consisted of a hybrid solution deriving from Formula 1, this could also be the case for a successor.
Ferrari may be stepping away from attaining gigantic horsepower and instead focus more on the other aspects necessary to use such power. This includes fine-tuning the aerodynamics, weight, stability, and handling of the car. This route was hinted at by Ferrari Chief Marketing Officer Enrico Galliera in 2019. A route that was also taken by Aston Martin when developing the Valkyrie hypercar.
No matter what Ferrari chooses to do with the LaFerrari successor – it will be nothing short of spectacular. Let’s hope they can come up with a more creative name this time around.
A final reveal of this assumed hypercar should take place in 2022, prior to racing in the 2023 LeMans.
March 3, 2021 / Comments Off on Spy Shots: Successor to the LaFerrari Coming Soon
After finishing the worst year of his F1 career, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel will no longer be racing for Ferrari. He will also be cutting ties with his amazing Ferrari collection he had gathered throughout the years. He will begin a fresh start for the 2021 season with Aston Martin.
Vettel’s Ferrari collection currently rests in Switzerland at his home and they are now for sale through veteran supercar dealership Tom Hartley Jnr located in the United Kingdom.
Though the split between Vettel and Ferrari is said to amicable, it does seem like Vettel is throwing away all memories and making way for his new love. This comes as no surprise as the Ferrari’s in his collection were acquired after his start with the Italian F1 team in 2015.
Image from: Tom Hartley Jnr
Vettel has also been seen sporting the Aston Martin DBX SUV in promotional footage. He could be making room for some new British supercars in the near future.
Vettel will be driving alongside Aston Martin teammate Lance Stroll. Aston Martin will be unveiling its new F1 car on March 3rd and complete official testing on March 12-14. The first race of the F1 season will be the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 28. Ferrari has since replaced Vettel with Carlos Sainz who will be alongside Charles Leclerc for the 2021 F1 season.
February 22, 2021 / Comments Off on Vettel Sells Ferrari Collection for a Fresh Start with Aston Martin
As is a successful tradition with Ferrari, there is also an open-top variant of the 812 series, the GTS. The twelve-cylinder front-engine sports car, equipped with a power-retractable hardtop in keeping with the times, can be customized exclusively at NOVITEC, the world’s leading refinement specialist for the powerful sports cars from Maranello.
The extensive product range includes aerodynamic-enhancement components in naked carbon, customized hi-tech forged wheels developed in cooperation with American manufacturer Vossen, a power upgrade to 618 kW / 840 hp, high-performance exhaust systems in various versions, and an interior tailored to the customer’s wishes in every detail.
The NOVITEC designers give the Spider an even sportier appearance with naked-carbon components. Of course, the development of the components did not only focus on thrilling looks: It is also based on extensive wind tunnel testing, which helped to optimize the handling stability of this sports car further.
To minimize front-axle lift, a front spoiler lip upgrades the production fascia. Its complement is a surround for the central air intake, whose two flaps extend over the side air intakes. This upgrade not only gives the 812 a more aggressive front view but also optimizes handling stability at high speeds.
A three-piece spoiler lip taking the form of a separation edge was developed as an aerodynamic counterpart at the rear, as was a strikingly contoured carbon upgrade for the bumper.
The NOVITEC rocker panels calm the airflow between the front and rear wheel arches and give the open-top sports car an even sportier look. The carbon trim for the exterior mirrors and the trim for the side air outlets behind the front wheel arches round off the modified side view. The two air outlets on the hood round off the racing looks.
The forged wheels developed specifically for the 812 models in cooperation with Vossen play of course also a crucial part in the thrilling looks of the Ferrari refined by NOVITEC. To emphasize the wedge shape of the open-top two-seater further, three tailor-made wheel/tire combinations with staggered diameters were developed for the front and rear axle. All NOVITEC forged wheels are available in a variety of colors and with three different surface finishes – standard, polished or brushed.
The Ferrari 812 GTS in the attached photos runs on NOVITEC NF 10 wheels of sizes 10Jx21 with high-performance tires of size 275/30 ZR 21 at the front and size 12.5Jx22 wheels with size 335/25 ZR 22 tires in back. The wheels with five pairs of delicate twin spokes are produced by high-end US manufacturer Vossen using state-of-the-art forging and machining technology. The NOVITEC NF 10 wheels transfer the racing legend of Ferrari to the road-going sports car with their stylized center lock.
The NOVITEC sport springs lower the ride height of the Ferrari by about 35 millimeters. The lowered center of gravity makes the handling even more agile. In order to negotiate obstacles such as speed bumpers or steep parking garage ramps on the road easily, NOVITEC offers a hydraulic height adjustment system for the front axle. At the touch of a button in the cockpit, the front end raises by about four centimeters and lowers again at another touch of the button or automatically upon reaching a speed of 80 km/h.
Not even an open-top super sports car can ever have enough power. That is why the NOVITEC powerplant engineers are working on a performance upgrade for the 6.5-liter naturally aspirated four-valve V12 engine. With the NOVITEC High Performance exhaust system, combined with sports catalysts, output jumps to 618 kW / 840 hp at 8,750 rpm. At the same time, peak torque grows to 751 Nm at 7,300 rpm. This slings the powerful open-top sports car from zero to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds. The top speed increases to 345 km/h.
Of course, the NOVITEC high-performance exhaust systems offer not only optimized performance but also a particularly thrilling exhaust note. They can be combined with tailpipes measuring 110 millimeters in diameter, which are adapted to fit the rear contours. They are available in a version made from polished stainless steel or finished with a matte black coating. The NOVITEC exhaust systems for the 812 are available with or without sound management by means of active exhaust flap control and can also be finished with 999 fine gold plating for optimized heat dissipation.
Opting for the variant made from INCONEL, which is also used for exhaust systems in Formula 1 racing, saves up to eleven kilograms of weight over the production system.
NOVITEC also offers exclusive refinement for the cockpit. The owner of the Spider can have his interior upholstered in the finest leather and Alcantara in virtually any color imaginable.
February 15, 2021 / Comments Off on The Ferrari 812 GTS tuned by NOVITEC
Remember the 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB that was built specifically to attack the factory 250 GTO race cars at Le Mans? Oh wait, you might know it better by its nickname: ‘Breadvan’ … a little offensive as this was one of the fastest race cars in the early Sixties. Read about this amazing car in detail in our earlier article: ‘1962 Ferrari 250 GT Breadvan’.
Back in 1961, there was a bit of trouble at the Ferrari headquarters, Enzo’s wife had a dispute with several high placed employees, and it caused many of them to leave the company altogether, among them Giotto Bizzarrini and Carlo Chiti. Both of them joined the largest Ferrari race team of the time: Scuderia Serenissima, owned by Count Giovanni Volpi of Misurata.
Scuderia SSS had two Ferrari 250 GTO on order for their 1962 racing season, a car that was developed with the help of Bizzarrini when he still worked at Ferrari … Enzo was zo angry with the latter going to work for Scuderia SSS that he canceled the order, so no race cars for the team … now what?
Giotto Bizzarrini and Carlo Chiti managed to get hold of a competition built Ferrari 250 GT SWB, chassis 2819GT, and set to work on creating a masterpiece. Adding dry-sump lubrication, lowering the engine into the chassis, and moving it 12cm to the back … but more importantly, they created a totally unique design for the body of this ‘Breadvan’.
Breadvan Hommage – photo copyright Niels van Roij Design
Piero Drogo and his coachbuilders modified the original 250 GT SWB body completely, a longer nose with aggressive air intakes, a transparent dome over the intakes, and the most distinctive feature: a roof that went all the way to the back, only to be finished in a vertical panel to the bottom of the car, taking the aerodynamic theory of Dr. Kamm to the rear of this car.
It turned out the ‘Breadvan’ would outperform the other Ferrari GTO at Le Mans consistently in 1962, rumored to be 7 km/h faster on the Le Hunaudières straight, beating not only the 250 GTO’s but also the 250 Testarossa models … sadly the ‘Breadvan’ wasn’t entered into the GT class at Le Mans, and even more unfortunate, it has to retire after four hours due to a broken driveshaft.
The ‘Breadvan’ would be entered in more races during the 1962 season, secured two GT wins and even set a track record, but Count Volpi couldn’t afford further development and ended up using her as a daily driver … all the time this car didn’t have any Ferrari badges mind you. The car would change hands several times over the next years, repainted in black at one time, restored multiple times during which the body shape got altered.
But in 2007, Dutch Coachbuilder Alwin Hietbrink took it onto himself to fully restore chassis 2819GT to her former, original glory, just the way she was made for the 1962 Le Mans race, complete with the V12 engine nr. 942/62E and refinished in original Rosso Corsa over a black interior with racing seats and multi-point seatbelt harness … today this unique car is valued at over $20,000,000.
Breadvan Hommage – photo copyright Niels van Roij Design
But there is another option now … a customer of Niels van Roij Design loves this Italian one-off so much, he requested to have his very own coachbuilding project created, taking a Ferrari 550 Maranello and convert it into the Breadvan Hommage, at whatever cost … but trust me, it’s bound to be cheaper than getting the real deal into your garage.
Breadvan Hommage – photo copyright Niels van Roij Design
The Ferrari 550 Maranello was built between 1996 and 2002, and little over 3,000 were built, but more importantly, the 550 was the first Ferrari V12 with the engine at the front after the 365 GTB/4 from the Seventies … every new Ferrari V12 would be a mid-engine model before the 550 was unveiled, so this was the perfect candidate for the Breadvan Hommage.
Breadvan Hommage – photo copyright Niels van Roij Design
But the task of creating a modern interpretation of the 1962 race car wasn’t easy for Niels van Roij, as it involved restyling the entire donor car from front to back, including the interior, in the end, we’ve been told only the windshield remained of the original 550, and this mainly for practical reasoning in case a replacement would be needed, as the owner of this one-off intends to drive it regularly.
Breadvan Hommage – photo copyright Niels van Roij Design
The entire project starts with sketches, various designs to show the customer, and goes back and forth until a final decision is made, after which that sketch gets turned into a clay model … on top of the actual donor car, that had been stripped completely by now and got a space frame skeleton to hold the clay.
Breadvan Hommage – photo copyright Niels van Roij Design
Van Roij: “A car is a complex, three-dimensional sculpture, which has to look right from all angles and under different light circumstances. Like sketching, the clay modeling process is iterative and the Breadvan Hommage was reshaped many times, to get it spot on. After establishing the correct proportions the search for sophistication in the surfacing, or skin, started: finding the right subtleties for transitions from one element to another. It includes exterior graphics like the richly sculpted air vents on the front fenders.The body of the Breadvan Hommage was hand-beaten by coachbuilder Bas van Roomen. Bas also worked on the clay model of the Breadvan Hommage. Only the windscreen of that car remained OEM and it was painted in one of the eight specially designed reds.”
Breadvan Hommage – photo copyright Niels van Roij Design
For the interior Van Roij just couldn’t leave the original 550 Maranello seats and dashboard in place, he did keep the base of the seats, as the donor 550 came with the rare, lightweight, carbon-fiber seats, but Van Roij replaced the upholstery with stunning blue Alcantara, as seen in many Ferrari 250 GTO of that era (little detail, the original Breadvan had a black leather interior…).
Breadvan Hommage – photo copyright Niels van Roij Design
But he didn’t stop there … the dials were restyled with a font reminiscent of the one used on the Sixties, and the central tunnel, the lower parts of the door, and the entire headliner from the windshield down to the rear was made of black, quilted leather to recall that feeling you get in a true classic car.
Breadvan Hommage – photo copyright Niels van Roij Design
That attention to detail continues on the door cards, you pull them close with a small, blue Alcantara section, but there is also a large, aluminum part on the door, left bare … no topcoat, no fine finishing, you can still see the hammer strikes to give you that raw, race car feeling … the same aluminum was used to shape the exterior by the way. Opening the door involves pulling a red cord inside this aluminum surround … back to basics for sure.
Breadvan Hommage – photo copyright Niels van Roij Design
There is no word on pricing for this one-off, bespoke build, and Niels van Roij confirms there will not be a second Breadvan Hommage built, this car will remain a unique car on the road and on the track …
January 27, 2021 / Comments Off on One-of-a-kind 1962 Ferrari 250 GT ‘Breadvan Hommage’
In 1998, Ferrari introduced an updated version, the 456M GT and GTA. This “Modificata” had a revised interior, some bodywork changes around the nose and hood, and a slight increase in horsepower to 442. The 456M GT remained in production until 2003, and in all just under 3,300 456 GTs and 456 GTMs were built until giving way to the 612 Scaglietti in 2004.
Specs & Performance
submitted by
Richard Owen
type
Series Production Car
engine
65 Degree V12
position
Front Longitudinal
aspiration
Natural
displacement
7473 cc / 456.0 in³
bore
88 mm / 3.46 in
stroke
75 mm / 2.95 in
compression
10.6:1
power
329.6 kw / 442.0 bhp @ 6250 rpm
specific output
59.15 bhp per litre
bhp/weight
261.54 bhp per tonne
torque
550.46 nm / 406.0 ft lbs @ 4500 rpm
front tires
255/45 ZR 17
rear tires
285/40 ZR 17
front brakes
Vented Discs w/Hydraulic Assist & ABS
rear brakes
Vented Discs w/Hydraulic Assist & ABS
front wheels
F 43.2 x 21.6 cm / 17.0 x 8.5 in
rear wheels
R 43.2 x 25.4 cm / 17.0 x 10.0 in
steering
Rack & Pinion w/Power Assist
curb weight
1690 kg / 3726 lbs
wheelbase
2600 mm / 102.4 in
front track
1585 mm / 62.4 in
rear track
1606 mm / 63.2 in
length
4763 mm / 187.5 in
width
1920 mm / 75.6 in
height
1300 mm / 51.2 in
top speed
~299.3 kph / 186.0 mph
0 – 60 mph
~5.0 seconds
January 22, 2021 / Comments Off on 1998 – 2003 Ferrari 456M (GTA & GT)
If a factory standard Ferrari F8 Tributo just isn’t exclusive enough for you, just give Novitec a call and have them transform your Prancing Horse into an 802 hp super car. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h only takes 2.6 seconds, and now the Ferrari doesn’t run out of breath until it reaches 340 km/h.
This increase in performance is thanks to the Novitec engineers development of a custom mapping of two plug-and-play modules, called Novitec N-Tronic, that work in harmony with the standard ECU of the twin-turbo V8. Add the Novitec high-performance exhaust system and the boost from 720 hp to 802 hp is present.
Novitec offers different exhaust options for the Ferrari F8 Tributo, but without a doubt the best one is the lightweight Inconel version, complete with electronic sound management. This Inconel version is also plated with 999 gold, not only for looks, but this material dissipates the heat better (remember the gold surround in the McLaren F1?), and you can even have the 100-cell sports catalyst gold plated to match.
Probably the best part of the Novitec Aero parts for the Ferrari F8 Tributo is the fact you can order them in clear-coated carbon fiber, to get that F1 inspired look on your road car. At the front a two-part spoiler is fitted with flaps on the air intakes, a front hood insert in carbon fiber just completes the F1 look.
Novitec side sills generate a better airflow, and thanks to the carbon fiber mirrors and air deflectors on the side air intakes, the race car looks gets even better. Naturally, you also need a rear wing, and Novitec has options there too, either a large version that offers massive downforce, or a more subtle style version. A new cover can be fitted to the rear diffuser, while a cover for models with a rear-view camera is on the list too.
If you really insist, Novitec will even ship you a complete replacement diffuser for the Ferrari F8 Tributo to fit into the factory rear bumper, add the carbon fiber trim on the engine cover to have the full kit.
The Novitec wheels are made with the service of Vossen, and these forged rims fit the F8 Tributo perfectly, Novitec offers a few different designs for the most discerning customers out there. And on top of that Novitec offers a palette of 72 shades, brushed surface, or polished surface … whichever you prefer.
If you really want to fit a special wheel, you should go for the Novitec NF10 forged wheel, with five, twin spokes and center-lock look. These would be 9×21 at the front and massive 12×22 at the rear, 255/30 ZR 21 and 335/25 ZR 22 tires are fitted, and the Ferrari sits 35mm lower to the street thanks to a set of Novitec Sports springs. if the car is fitted with the front lift system, Novitec can install their own rendition that can raise the car by 40mm when needed.
A fully bespoke interior using Alcantara and leather is no problem at all for the artisans at Novitec, they can even change the design of the factory original upholstery, naturally, some exposed carbon fiber will be possible too.
January 18, 2021 / Comments Off on Ferrari F8 Tributo by Novitec
Exotic cars and armored cars are often found in the same garage, but they’re positioned on opposite ends of the automotive spectrum. AddArmor leveraged the latest developments in armoring technology to build a Ferrari 458 Speciale that can survive .44 Magnum impacts while posting a sub-three-second sprint from zero to 60 mph.
Founded by military and law enforcement veterans, the California-based firm explained it wanted to build an armored Speciale without sacrificing the model’s performance or handling. It’s much more difficult than it sounds, because the simplest and most straight-forward way to make a car bullet-proof is to add heavy metal plates to it. For example, Brabus unveiled an armored G63 earlier in 2020 that weighs a hefty 8,400 pounds.
“Heavy vehicles tend to be slow, and a slow target is an easy target. In situations where clients need to be protected, speed is always an advantage,” reasoned company president Jeff Engen.
AddArmor upgraded the 458 Speciale with a type of light armor that’s 10 times stronger and 60% lighter than ballistic steel. It achieved a B4 level of armor, meaning the mid-engined supercar can withstand bullets fired by a handgun. It’s offers relatively basic protection; an AK-47 or a high-powered rifle can pierce right through it. It adds 156 pounds to the Speciale’s weight, so AddArmor offset it by ticking every carbon fiber option offered by Ferrari, including exterior and interior parts plus bits in the engine bay. It also fitted a custom exhaust system provided by Capristo that further reduces weight while adding 40 horsepower and 65 pound-feet of torque.
All told, the armored 458 weighs 67 pounds more than stock. It still posts a 2.8-second sprint from zero to 60 mph, and it’s still capable of reaching 202 mph. We’re told it handles like a non-armored model, too. If you lose the heat, all of the armored extras can be removed to end up with a lighter 458 with a 40-horsepower bump.
AddArmor stressed its 458 Speciale is a one-off prototype built to showcase how far armoring technology has come, and what’s possible in the exotic car segment. If it were to sell it, it would charge about $625,000 for it.
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December 19, 2020 / Comments Off on AddArmor’s Ferrari 458 Speciale is a 605-horsepower safe on wheels
The new Ferrari SF90 Spider has been unveiled as the open-top sibling to the Prancing Horse’s SF90 Stradale. The SF90 Spider thus becomes Ferrari’s first plug-in-hybrid roadster, and with nearly 1000 horsepower on tap and four driven wheels, performance is solidly in the supercar realm. The new Spider maintains the Stradale’s 211-mph top speed, and it rockets from 0 to 62 mph in 2.5 seconds.
Like other Ferrari Spiders dating back to the 458, the SF90 is a retractable hardtop. The top is made of aluminum, which saves a claimed 88 pounds over more traditional materials, although the Spider’s stated dry weight (3,682 pounds) is still 220 more than the Stradale. The retractable roof can be lowered or raised in 14 seconds and can even be operated when the car is moving at low speeds. A power rear window that can be raised even when the top is stowed provides a measure of wind-buffetting protection for the cockpit. Additionally, the center section of the cockpit has been redesigned to help manage airflow: A central trim piece between the seats channels air away from the occupants’ heads and shoulders and into a double-layered trim piece at the top of the tunnel. The rest of the cabin mirrors that of the SF90 Stradale, with a 16-inch curved display screen, a head-up display, and a steering wheel with haptic-touch switches on the spokes.
The SF90’s plug-in-hybrid powertrain is unchanged from that of the SF90, which means a mid-mounted, twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (which alone makes 769 horsepower), supplemented by a trio of electric motors fed by a 7.9-kWh battery pack. One motor, located between the engine and the gearbox and making 157 horsepower, directly bolsters engine output, while two other 97-hp units each power one front wheel, giving the SF90 all-wheel drive as well as torque vectoring across the front axle. Total output stands at 986 horsepower, and the engine’s grunt is dispatched via Ferrari’s latest 8-speed DCT transmission.
Because the Spider’s roof stows where the engine-heat vents are in the Stradale, Ferrari engineers had to redesign the heat-management system for the powertrain. They introduced transverse louvers in the rear screen to exhaust engine heat. Compared to the coupe, the Spider also has a specially designed rear spoiler with both a fixed and a movable element, which allows it to either minimize drag or maximize downforce.
Impressively, the engine remains visible in the SF90 Spider even when the top is retracted. Ferrari designers also reworked the car’s B-pillars to seamlessly integrate the removable top.
The Spider, like the SF90 Stradale, can be had with the optional Assetto Fiorano track pack, which includes Multimatic shock absorbers, a carbon-fiber rear spoiler, other lightweight carbon fiber and titanium elements that shave 46 pounds, ultra-sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and, most critically, an available two-tone livery “that further underscores the car’s racing vocation.”
U.S. pricing has not been announced, but we’re told the Spider command a tariff about 10 percent more than the Stradale, currently $507,300. Besides a shopping bag full of money — or, perhaps, bitcoin — SF90 Spider buyers will also need a good bit of patience. U.S. deliveries aren’t set to begin until about a year from now, at the end of the third quarter 2021.
November 12, 2020 / Comments Off on New Ferrari SF90 Spider puts a 211-mph hurricane of wind in your hair
European spies caught a mystery Ferrari hypercar mule testing on public roads this week. This prototype, which is based on a LaFerrari, seems to indicate that Ferrari is working on a successor.
Though it may not seem like that long ago, it has been two years since Ferrari closed the books on the LaFerrari halo car with its run of open-top Aperta models. Though all LaFerrari models were said to be pre-sold, it technically remained in production through 2018. We have no reason to believe Ferrari is planning to produce continuation variants of the LaFerrari, which leads us to suspect that this is a powertrain mule for what might be a next-generation, range-topping hypercar.
There are quite a few visible differences between the production LaFerrari and this mule, though some of them could be products of its extensive disguise. The front fascia appears to be different, with narrower side intakes and a missing winglet on the lower lip. The rear glass is smaller on this prototype too, stretching only about halfway to the end of the rear deck, with what appears to be an air intake sitting where the glass would have extended toward the tail. The intakes on the flanks also appear smaller than on the production LaFerrari.
A few things can be pinned down as more than mere vinyl-induced hallucinations, including the conventional five-lug wheels (rather than the LaFerrari’s center-locks). The blue triangle aft of the driver’s side window indicates that this is an electrified model, which would point to this being yet another high-performance hybrid.
It remains to be seen what Ferrari has in store for this early prototype, but a new hypercar introduction in 2022 or 2023 would match the company’s typical 10-year gap between halo car introductions, so we probably won’t have to wait too much longer to find out more.
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November 11, 2020 / Comments Off on Spy photos reveal mystery Ferrari prototype
Finally, the poor saps who own the Ferrari SP1 and SP2 have an aftermarket solution for more horsepower. The car was just a total dog with the 809-horse 6.5-liter V12 it came with from the factory.
We jest.
But for real, Novitec just released a tuning and performance package compatible with the SP1 and SP2 that ups the performance to an even higher bug crushing (with your face) 844 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque. That’s 34 horsepower and 45 pound-feet more than normal, reducing the 0-62 mph run from 2.9 seconds to 2.8 seconds. Top speed is simply said to be above 186 mph, at which point the bugs and your face become one.
The extra power comes thanks to a full Novitec exhaust system (headers on back) and a Novitec tune. You can select between stainless steel or Inconel (lightweight material used for Formula 1 car exhaust systems) pipes. Additionally, you can have the exhaust plated with fine gold for better heat dissipation — plus you get to say that your exhaust is plated in gold. You’ll be able to choose between a system with electronically controlled exhaust flaps, or a standard one-noise system. Novitec says the one with exhaust flaps can go especially quiet.
If the power isn’t enough, Novitec also offers aftermarket springs that lower the ride height by 1.4 inches to give the car a lower center of gravity. Aftermarket wheels developed with Vossen are also available. They’re wrapped by 275-section-width rubber in front and 335-section-width rubber in back.
And lastly, if the Ferrari interior you chose wasn’t exactly what you wanted (but why wasn’t it?) Novitec will also customize the interior to “any desired color.” Pick your leather and Alcantara, and have at it.
Novitec didn’t release prices, but Ferrari didn’t either when it revealed the SP1 and SP2 originally. Just know that many zeros are involved. For the 500 folks who own an SP1 or SP2, it very likely won’t matter what the price is.
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October 13, 2020 / Comments Off on Ferrari SP1 and SP2 get faster with Novitec exhaust and tune
Ferrari has introduced the Omologata, a client-commissioned one-off based on the 812 Superfast. It’s a heritage-laced tribute to the firm’s historic race cars, but its designers chose not to venture too far into retro territory.
Finished in Rosso Magma, the Omologata is the 10th front-engined, V12-powered one-of-a-kind car that Ferrari has built since 2009. Visually, it shares only its windshield and its headlights with the model it’s based on, though its proportions are inevitably similar. Its pure, muscular design is characterized by subtle references to the Prancing Horse’s past models, like vents below the hood that echo the hugely successful 250 GTO race car. It was also inspired by science fiction and modern architecture, according to the Italian company.
Ferrari created a new shade of red for the 7 emblems on both doors and on the hood, and for the stripe that runs beneath the windshield as it connects the rocker panels. Why 7? We don’t know, but we highly doubt it was chosen randomly. Its owner may sooner or later shed light on its relevance. Here’s another interesting number: two. That’s the number of years it took to create the Omologata, from the moment a designer completed the first sketch to its unveiling in September 2020. It wears a hand-made aluminum body, after all.
Electric blue seats with four-point harnesses add a touch of color to a mostly black interior. Ferrari notes the metal parts on the dashboard and on the steering wheel are finished with a crackled paint effect, while the door handles and the center console wear a coat of hammered paint. Both connect the Omologata to decades-old race cars.
The sculpted hood hides a V12, but technical specifications haven’t been published. For context, the 812 Superfast easily lives up to its name with a naturally-aspirated, 6.5-liter V12 tuned to develop 789 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque. It spins the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Ferrari hasn’t revealed the identity of the customer who commissioned the Omologata; all we know is that it was made for “a discerning European client.” Pricing remains under wraps, too, but we suppose it came with a seven-digit price tag. Keep in mind it’s a coachbuilt supercar based on a model whose base price hovers around $340,000, and it’s made with numerous components developed and manufactured specifically for it.
Ferrari stressed its aim wasn’t to create a museum piece. The Omologata meets the same quality and drivability standards as a regular-production model, hence its name, which means “homologated” in Italian. Time will tell if its owner will take advantage of the street-legal status to use the car on a regular basis, or if it will be kept hidden until it’s displayed in front of the champagne-soaked crowd at the 2073 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
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September 27, 2020 / Comments Off on One-of-a-kind Ferrari Omologata took over two years to complete
