FERRARI

Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari is celebrating the opening of a dedicated customisation centre in Asia to launch two special editions based on the F12 Berlinetta and the FF, named ‘Polo’ and ‘Dressage’ respectively. The customisation centre is based in Shanghai, China. The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta Polo is white, in a colour called ‘Bianco Italia Opaco’. Two navy blue stripes run across the bonnet. This ambience is transposed to the cabin. Only the effect is reversed: the seats are blue, while the trim, stitching and piping are white.

Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari is celebrating the opening of a dedicated customisation centre in Asia to launch two special editions based on the F12 Berlinetta and the FF, named ‘Polo’ and ‘Dressage’ respectively. The customisation centre is based in Shanghai, China. Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari is celebrating the opening of a customisation centre in Asia to launch two special editions based on the F12 Berlinetta and the FF, called ‘Polo’ and ‘Dressage’ respectively. The customisation centre is based in Shanghai, China. The Ferrari FF Dressage is black, in a colour called ‘Black Piano Nero’. The interior is finished in special brown leather. Year of the Horse” logos adorn the centre console and steering wheel. The backrests of the seats are treated to enhance comfort.

As a tribute to their victory in the Tour de France in 1964, the Francorchamps Motors Brussels garage ordered a unique F12 from the parent company. In 1964, the Lucien Bianchi-Georges Berger team won the Tour de France in a grey 250 GTO. The same colour is used on this unique F12, enhanced by a yellow stripe (the national colour) across the bonnet. While the interior is covered in ‘Soul Leather’ that is as perfect as it is rare and… expensive, the importer specifies that it can be replaced by a blue fabric reminiscent of the bucket seats on Bianchi’s 250 GTO. Other exotic materials are used for the interior, such as ‘SuperFabric’, an ultra-resistant and abrasive fabric that has already proved its worth in the military sector. And Mycro Prestige SP 07 FR, used on the sides and high roof, is a high-tech material made specifically for Ferrari that is particularly light.

There’s little chance of seeing the Ferrari F60 America on our roads. Firstly, because there will only be 10 of them. Secondly, because it is reserved for the American market. This special model, built on the basis of the F12 Berlinetta, has been given the livery of the North American Racing Team. It thus celebrates the 60th anniversary of the prancing horse brand on American soil. In fact, the F60 America was designed with the American public in mind: V12 and open-top. In fact, with its targa configuration, it doesn’t really have a roof. A lightweight panel can cover the two passengers. But then, it’s best not to exceed 120 km/h! Yet under the bonnet is a 740bhp V12.

The new 458 Speciale A (A as in Aperta) limited edition special series is a tribute to the success of the various versions of the 458, a model that has received numerous awards from the international motoring media and won numerous victories in motor racing, including a double WEC title and class wins in classic races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Visually, the Speciale was already particularly extroverted in closed body form, with its gills and active aerodynamic panoply on a red body with a blue and white central stripe. The Speciale Aperta takes up the latter but applies it to a yellow livery dotted with blue, right down to the carbon trim in the cabin.

Initially, there were no real plans for series production of the Pininfarina Sergio concept unveiled almost two years ago at the Geneva Motor Show. The decision to produce this rather special creation, extrapolated from a 458 Spider, has finally been confirmed. Admittedly, the radical open-top spirit of the Sergio concept (a tribute to the son of Pininfarina founder Gian-Battista) has faded somewhat, replaced by a much more conventional targa-style architecture. The proportions of the 458 Spider are retained, but dressed up in reference to the 1965 Dino Berlinetta Speciale concept. It inherits the V8 engine from the 458 Speciale… the 4.5-litre engine increased to 605 bhp. At the stern, the positioning of the two tailpipes is a clear indication of the connection with the 458 Speciale Aperta. As with all Ferrari’s ultra-exclusive creations, the price largely depends on the configuration chosen. The Sergio, finished in Maranello’s Tailor Made personalisation department, is said to cost around €3 million. The first example will be housed in the SBH Royal Auto Gallery, a private collection belonging to the royal family of the United Arab Emirates.

At a time when everyone is talking about reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, sports car manufacturers seem to have never been so aggressive. The proof is in the new Ferrari 488 GTB, which at first glance might appear to be a simple update of the 458 Italia. However, from the specification sheet, you can clearly sense a desire on the part of the Italians to remain at the top of the category at all costs. With the adoption of a new 3.9 twin-turbo V8 in place of the naturally-aspirated 4.5 V8, the saloon gains 100 bhp in one fell swoop, going from 570 to 670 bhp. The performance figures claimed were at a level not so long ago reserved for the sharpest supercars, with a 0 to 100 kph time of 3 seconds and a 0 to 200 kph time of 8.3 seconds. This new Ferrari could even have dominated the category, had it not been for rival McLaren’s presentation of the ultimate evolution of its 12C, the even more powerful 675 LT (675 bhp and 7.9 s for 0 to 200). Nevertheless, we can imagine that the firm with the cavallino will not hesitate to bring out a more extreme 488 Speciale in a year or two’s time… As for charisma, it is difficult to separate the champions from Modena and Woking, since they both rival each other in terms of suggested sportiness. In this respect, the 488 GTB boasts new fascias and modified air intakes compared to its predecessor, making it even more aggressive from certain angles.