Ferrari unveils new web site with Formula 1 season

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As one of the first companies to build a presence on the ‘net in the early 1990s, Ferrari’s goal now is to ensure the millions of tifosi and enthusiasts who log on to the Ferrari website each day will live the Ferrari experience online. Through its new www.ferrari.com portal, Ferrari now offers site visitors to the site now enjoy more content and a better internet relationship with Ferrari headquarters in Maranello, Italy.  The new sites boasts a wide range in a revised and freshened graphic design and unique content. Apart from its numerous interactive sections with exclusive images and dedicated

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Shelby, Tesla, Datsun (?) among world's top-10 fastest electric cars

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“Below, we’ve listed the world’s top 10 fastest electric cars, based on the best available information (and a little creative license). Note that our criteria does not take into account a variety of important factors like charging time, availability and cost. All cars are simply ranked by the time it takes them to get from 0-60 mph. “Most of the machines shown here are either not available or otherwise out out of the realm of possibility for most, but then again, so are most high-performance gas-powered cars, but that doesn’t keep us from admiring them.” And here’s the list: 1.

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Saturn Sky (Convertible), 2008: Weidel on Wheels

Needing a little “bling” in its lineup, Saturn finally convinced parent company General Motors a sports car could elicit positive results. Although the Sky convertible wasn’t exactly unique when it came out a year ago, it provided Saturn with definite eye appeal. And even if car shoppers didn’t buy it, at least they were taking a good look at the attractive Sky, a better version of the Pontiac Solstice, another GM product. The American car-buying public has a fascination for convertibles. They represent a vehicle most people feel they want, yet can’t justify the purchase, simply because in most cases

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Hyundai unveils concept vehicle Nuvis at New York International Auto Show

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Hyundai’s all-new, homegrown Hybrid Blue Drive architecture helps define the Nuvis concept. Hyundai‘s proprietary parallel hybrid drive system mates the already fuel-efficient 2.4-liter Theta II engine to a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 30kW (205 N-m) electric motor for maximum fuel economy. Hybrid Blue Drive has an all-electric mode and a parallel drive mode, meaning the wheels are turned by power coming directly from the gasoline engine, or the electric motor, or both together, as conditions demand. This parallel hybrid drive architecture will serve as the foundation for future Hyundai hybrid drive vehicles, starting with the next-generation Sonata in the

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General Motors set to end Pontiac, famous muscle car GTO

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Pontiac, introduced in 1926, wasn’t listed as a core brand with the automaker’s leading brands, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac. Saturn, Saab and Hummer are expected to be sold or “killed off.” But Pontiac was expected to remain as a “niche brand” with a focus on selected models. Pontiac was the third-best selling GM brand in 2008 behind Chevrolet and GMC. In 2005, vice-chairman Bob Lutz referred to Buick and Pontiac as “damaged brands” during a conference at the New York Auto Show. Speculation soon began than Buick or Pontiac would eventually be dumped. With a focus on affordable luxury,

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Ferrari expands brand popularity with new retail store in London, more Prancing Horse outlets planned

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Set in two stories of a columned, stone building in the heart of London, the 5,705-square-foot store will have all the usual Ferrari goods, including spaces devoted to car and F1 products, such as clothing and model cars. Räikkönen, the team’s most recent world champion in 2007, also signed the counter, the now-traditional way Ferrari breaks in its new outlets. The store will be managed by the Percassi Group, an Italian retailer which also owns the Ferrari store in Milan. There are other Ferrari stores in Rome, Venice, Barcelona, San Francisco, Miami, Abu Dhabi and Macao (China). Ferrari plans to

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Ferrari prepares for two new car debuts, automaker's new London retail location opens

Which is particularly good for Ferrari lovers right now. The luxury Italian automobile and its Prancing Horse logo are represented in three new ways — two new cars and a new upscale retail store selling Ferrari paraphernalia. The new Ferrari offerings include the Scuderia Spider 16M and the Ferrari California. The Scuderia Spider 16M will be elusive and the fastest convertible Ferrari has ever offered. Only 499 will be built and its price has not been announced. But it will cost more the Scuderia Spider coupe priced at $277,000. The Ferrari California will debut as the automaker’s attempt to make

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BMW, X5, 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The Weekly Driver Ratings Acceleration (6) Steady as it goes. It’s not the fastest SUV, but the 3.0-liter, 24-valve, 260-horsepower doesn’t waste any time, either. There’s also a 4.8-liter, 350-horsepower, V8. It wasn’t test, but it likely gets the job done with a quicker acceleration and obviously heavier duty power. Braking/Steering/Handling (6) Three of BMW‘s finer traits. The X5 exudes confidence on the open road. But it’s a good thing a friend’s wife drives an X5. When I mentioned the stiffness of the car’s steering, he mentioned the dealership where his wife’s car was purchased offered steering adjustments at the

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Maserati Clunker? How about Maserati Biturbo junker?

While the 25-year Italian sports car can be categorized as rare, it’s certainly not in high demand. In fact, the 1984 Maserati Bitiurbo has a dubious distinction. It’s listed as No. 37 on the Time Magazine list of Worst Cars in History. The same Maserati is also made the dubious list called “Crap Cars” compiled by the BBC. It’s also cited on some lists as the worst car made in 1984. The 1985 Maserati Biturbo is, however, unique. Among the thousands of old largely American pick-up trucks and SUVs turned in across the country in the “Cash For Clunkers” program,

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Ferrari Red will also be "Green" says company president

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Ferrari, according to company president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, is also developing hybrid vehicles. Ferrari is currently developing a vehicle that will use alternative energy sources and which will be based on its Formula 1 vehicle. In Formula 1, Ferrari uses a Kinetic Energy Recycling System (KERS), designed to draw extra power from the brakes. Ferrari said its hybrid will be available to the general public in 2015. Montezemolo said he believes the public will embrace a hybrid or electric Ferrari since “It’s the best sports car in the world and it will still fundamentally be a Ferrari.” James RaiaA

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Chevrolet Malibu, Volvo S60 get largest depreciation, appreciation honors

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But the Malibu still can’t find its true identity. It’s been selected as among the country’s most improved vehicles. But it’s also now near the top the list for largest depreciation value. In the most recent statistics released in August by Kelley Blue Book, the Chevrolet Malibu has the second-worst depreciation The Malibu, a midsize, lost 5.5 percent of its value for the month despite being one of General Motors’ most highly touted cars. On the contrary, Volvo (two models), Porsche and Kia were the vehicles with best appreciation. Here are the Kelley Blue Book statistics: Top 10 Depreciating Cars

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Ferrari 430: An iconic sports car nearing its final production (with video)

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Its replacement, the Ferrari 458 Italia was unveiled on the 28th July 2009, and is expected to go on sale in Spring 2010. The F430’s all-aluminum chassis was produced in partnership with Alcoa and is virtually identical to that of the previous model, the Ferrari 360. In the F430 it has been slightly re-worked and improved with extra stiffening beams around the floor pan. The car shares parts with the 360, including the roof, doors, front windshield, and passenger compartment-to-engine glass. Internally, both cars are referred to with the same model number (F131), although the F430 has the Evoluzione tag

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Ford expands massive recall by 4.5 million, says National Highway Safety Administration

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has alerted owners of more than a half-dozen truck and van models sold in the U.S. of potential fire hazards linked to the flawed part manufactured by Texas Instruments. Safety officials investigating the switches said leaking hydraulic fluid can overheat and potentially cause vehicle fires even when the ignition is off. Toyota  recalled several brands last week because of numerous accidents involving unhinged floor mats causing stuck accelerator pedals. Previous recalls over the past several years related to the faulty cruise control problem covered nearly 12 million Ford vehicles. Models included in the

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Lincoln MKT, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

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The 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost ia unique car. It’s as luxurious as a . . . well, as a Lincoln. And it’s as fast as a Mustang — if a Mustang came with all-wheel drive. The MKT is equipped with about every modern convenience, including adaptive headlamps and cruise control, self parking, blind spot indicator, and duel sunroofs, to name a few. The Lincoln also comes with a 255 HP V-6 twin turbo that produces 0-60 mph in about 6 seconds. That’s as fast as the 385 HP Jaguar I recently drove. So does all of this luxury work in

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Lexus GS450h, 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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It’s a heavy heavyweight in the premium sedan market. It features extraordinary technology, including some features other hybrids don’t offer. The GS 450h operates in gas-only or electric-only mode or a combination, for example, with little difference in performance but plenty of eco-friendly ambition. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (8) Rating of 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds. In a hybrid? Impressive is an understatement. Cargo Room (7) Nicely configured and deep trunk, but where’s the light? Side pockets pull out for easy access. Front-seat cup holders a little snug. Controls (6) Elegant dials. Nothing too high-tech. Independent temperature controls “ping”

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New Ferrari (Red) Super Facility Theme Park, Retail Store in Abu Dhabi, Dubai

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Ferrari may have outdone itself. Not with a new car, but with a spectacular new facility in Abu Dhabi to house all things Ferrari. The Italian automotive manufacturer in collaboration with real estate developer Aldar Properties plan on rivaling Disneyland with their new Ferrari themed amusement park. Its estimated cost is $624 million. In conjunction with the announcement of the theme park, expected to open in 2010, was the opening a few days earlier of the Ferrari store in Dubai. The theme park was originally scheduled to open in time for Sunday’s Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi. According

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