Ferrari

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Ferrari rules (what else?) at Ferrari Challenge at Sonoma Raceway

Started 20 years ago by Ferrari North America, the Ferrari Challenge affords its customers the opportunity to appreciate their cars in competition while racing against other Ferrari owners on tracks throughout North America. The Challenge began with the then-current Ferrari 348. When newer models arrived — the 355, 360 and F430 — they were included.  Since 2011, the 458 had been the Ferrari of choice in the Challenge. Ferrari cars racing in the series are prepared and maintained for competition by authorized Ferrari dealers, many of whom have formed racing teams for the series. All images © Bruce Aldrich, Sonoma Raceway, April 28, 2013 This year, the Ferrari Challenge series stop in the extended San Francisco Bay Area was held

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Monterey Auto Week showcases all things cars, Ferrari to Ford, Bugatti to Bentley

Monterey Auto Week is the unofficial name of all things automotive on the Monterey Peninsula during the month of August. The name doesn’t make sense because combined the car-related activities last for about two weeks. The Concours d’Elegance, of course, is the most well-known event during Monterey Auto Week, but my favorite celebration of cars for the last few years has been the Concours on the Avenue. It’s a free, full-day gathering on Ocean Ave. and several side streets in Carmel where a vast collection of automobiles — Bentley to Volkswagen, Ferrari to Porsche — are on display and judged. The beauty of the event is that unlike some of the other events during Monterey Auto Week, the cars are

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Ferrari F12 quickly moves to the front as most powerful street car

No other auto manufacturer attracts more attention than Ferrari, and when the Italian carmaker is touting its newest offering as the most powerful street-legal car it’s likely to attract further attention. But if you get Dan Neil, the Pulitzer Prize-winnning journalist, to write about the new Ferrari, then sit down in your favorite chair with a beverage of choice and go along for a journalistic ride with the wondrous wordsmith. Neil’s review the F12 appears in the Aug. 4 edition of the newspaper is his weekly column titled Rumble Seat. In an early review paragraph, Neil writes: “Ferrari says the F12 is its quickest, most powerful and most dynamic street car to date: 740 horsepower, a top speed of 212

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Fiat 500 Abarth, 2012: Italian, sexy mini car has Ferrari relatives

The sexiest cars arguably long have come from Italy, and the new Abarth version of the 2012 Fiat 500 is such a car. The 500 Abarth follows the colorful tradition of the very small, low-volume race-winning “Double Bubble” Fiat Abarths of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Those cars are valued at $135,000—if you can find one that wasn’t thrashed in races. (They had nifty twin roof humps—or “bubbles”—to clear race driver helmets.) The early Abarths were standard Fiats cleverly modified by Karl Abarth, who made a fortune selling hot rod exhaust systems, mainly for sports cars. If you wanted the greatest sports car sound around and higher performance, it seemed mandatory that you get an Abarth catalog-available exhaust system.

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Rare Ferrari sells for $35 million, assumes most expensive car record

A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO made for race driver Stirling Moss and one of 39 of the rare vehicles manufactured during its three-year run, has become the world’s most expensive car. It sold in a private transaction in May for $35 million. Bloomberg News reports the apple-green Ferrari is listed among May’s high-end sales on the classic car dealers website, anamera.com. The sale was confirmed, according to Bloomberg, by two sources. The car was sold by the Dutch-born businessman Eric Heerema, owner of the Nyetimber vineyard in Sussex, southern England. American collector Craig McCaw is the new owner. Neither seller nor buyer could be reached for comment. The green GTO was acquired by Heerema a decade ago for about $8.5

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Ferrari recall: faulty crankshaft could cause no-so-good vibrations

Even the esteemed Ferrari, specifically the 458 and California, apparently aren't perfect. But a crankshaft issue? As odd as it may sound, Ferrari is recalling a combined 206 Califiornia and 458 models worldwide. The problem is caused by an incorrect finish to the models' crankshaft. As a result, unwanted vibrations can damage the engine "We are writing to all clients affected now, asking them to return the car to a dealer for the work to be done,"Ferrari spokesman said. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The

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Historic Ferrari racing returning to Laguna Seca Raceway

Historic Ferraris and their modern-day relatives will take to the race track May 18-20 for Ferrari Racing Days at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. Ferrari 458s will compete alongside their predecessor the F430s in the Ferrari Challenge as well as separate 599XX, FXX and Shell Historic races. “We had a tremendous response to this event last year,” said Gill Campbell, CEO/raceway general manager. “Ferrari’s have such a loyal following and we had participants and spectators from around the world turn out to see these cars in their natural environment – the race track.” The single marque racing series allows Ferrari owners and drivers seeking to sharpen their skills to compete against each other on some of the finest

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Ferrari unveils its fastest coupe ever, 0-60 mph 3.1 seconds

Ferrari doesn't need to market its products much. Its reputation is intact as the world's most respected sports car. Unless, of course, the Italian carmaker really has something boast about — like the fastest car it has ever built. And so it is. The F12berlinetta, the replacement coupe for the 599 GTB, will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds and 0-100 mph in 8.5 seconds. The new mid-engined V12 coupé has 730 horsepower and weighs 3,472 pounds, about 150 pounds less the the Ferrari 599. The F12berlinetta also uses 30 percent less fuel than the 599. Here are the full technical specifications of the F12berlinetta: Engine – 6262cc V12; Maximum power output – 740 CV at 8500 rpm; Maximum

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Ferrari sets sales record in 2011, new 12-cylinder model set for Geneva debut

The fluctuating economy didn't hurt Ferrari in 2011. In fact, it helped the Italy luxury carmaker establish two sales records, including the most vehicles it's ever sold in one year. Ferrari sold 7,195 cars globally in 2011, an increase of 9.5 percent from the 2010 previous record, 6,573. The record sales number translated into 2.251 billion euros ($2.63 billion) in sales, the first time Ferrari has surpassed two billion euros in sales in one year. Ferrari, owned by the auto giant Fiat, recorded record sales in the United States, Greater China region and in the Middle East in 2011. "We can only be satisfied with these results," said Luca di Montezemolo, the head of the Ferrari brand. was quoted as

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Pontiac Aztek (again), Ferrari, Aston Martin Among 100 Worst Cars In History

It's not often a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti and Pontiac Aztec get mentioned in the same review. Or, when was the last time you've read a comparison between a Hyundai Excel and a Rolls Royce? How about when all the above are named to the list of 100 worst cars in history? Good or bad, cheap or pricey, fast or slow, underpowered or unsafe, car lists are subjective and fun. Which is why InsideLine.com, the sibling site of Edmunds.com, recently published its choices for the 100 best and worst cars is history. In reverse order on the all-time worst list, the 2006 Pontiac Solstice claimed No. 100 position, the 1955 Dodge La Femme claimed the 50th position and the 2001 Pontiac

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Ten 2012 Ferrari FFs sell in 50 minutes . . . that's fast

It wasn't the fastest sellout in automotive history, but Ferrari's popularity is still acutely intact after 10 Ferrari FF models recently sold in 50 minutes. The caveat: the 2012 editions were part of the annual Fantasy Gift category in the Neiman Marcus holiday catalog. Despite a $395,000 price tag (about $100,000 more than the cost of the same car at a delearship), the allotment of Ferraris as catalog gifts were purchased quickly because there's more to the story. Since only 10 specialty Ferraris were made, each car's exterior is painted "Grigio Caldo" and will bear a numbered interior plaque. Each of the buyers of a Ferrari from he Neiman Marcus catalog was also given a Ferrari Winter Driving Experience in

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Arnold Schwarzenegger's Ferrari 360 an eBay no-sale but still for sale at Sacramento Maserati dealership

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's 10-year Ferrari 360 didn't sell during its recent auction on eBay, but the pristine high-powered machine is still for sale. According to Andrew Lyon of Sacramento Maserati, the 2002 vehicle formerly owned by the former Governor of California attracted some international attention, but there were no potential buyers on eBay from the United States. The listing for the car on eBay ended Nov. 1. Schwarzenegger had listed the Ferrari 360 Spider, via the dealership and eBay Motors for $92,450. The convertiable Ferrari features a 3.6-liter, eight-cylinder, 400-horsepower and has silver exterior and black interior. The vehicle has been driven less than 13,000 miles. In 2002, the list price for the car new was $161,475. Lyon said

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Ron Howard set to direct F1 film on Nikki Lauda, Ferrari

Ron Howard, whose long acting, directing and producing career have included auto-related movies Grand Theft Auto and American Graffiti, is in pre-production for another auto-themed film, Rush. The film, in which Ferrari will likely be consulting, depicts legendary Ferrari race driver Niki Lauda’s perilous quest in 1976 to repeat as Formula One Champion. Howard was recently in Italy and met with Lauda and Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo, who was in charge of the Ferrari race team Howard was given a tour of the Ferrari factory and nearby locations in a Ferrari — and with Lauda driving. Rumored for a 2013 release, Rush currently may include actors Olivia Wilde, Chris Hemsworth and Russell Crowe. James RaiaA sports, travel and business

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Ferrari fantasy: How about owning a F430 for a $1 donation?

The owner of a new charity website called TheFreeFerrari.com is likely offering the best fantasy car prize ever — a Ferrari F430. It could be won by someone who donates as little as $1. Brian McLane, whose brother was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin's lymphoma, initiated the site, the proceeds of which will go The Cancer Patient Relief Foundation (https://www.TCPRF.org). With as little as a $1 donations, entrants' chances grow exponentially via the link they receive just by donating via e-mail, Facebook, Twitter or other social media sites. When their friends click, the donors receive additional entries for every entry their friends get. More sharing means more chances to win, and more money raised for charity. “For as little as

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Manny Pacquiao adds to car fleet, buys new Ferrari 458

Like many famous athletes, Manny Pacquiao is fond of cars. The Filipino boxing star recently purchased a new $225,000 Ferrari 458 Italia. The Italian-made Ferrari has  a 570-horsepower 4.5-liter V8 engine and can achieve 0-60 mph speed in 3.4 seconds Pacquiao, 32, who will fight Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico on Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, owns or is often escorted in numerous cars, including a Cadillac Escalade and several other sport utility vehicles. Pacquiao also has a Porsche Cayenne, Mitsubishi Pajero, Lincoln Navigator, Honda CR-and a Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Expedition and a Toyota Landcruiser given to the boxer by a dealership last year. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years,

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Arnold Schwarzenegger has 'mint' 2002 Ferrari 360 on eBay

Arnold Schwarzenegger, former governor of California, actor and purveyor of the finer and not-so-fine things in life — expensive cigars, expensive divorces, expensive fine cars — is selling his 2002 Ferrari 360 Spider. The 3.6-liter, eight-cylinder, 400-horsepower Ferrari less than 13,000 original miles and features a silver exterior and black interior. The two-door convertible has a clean title and will be on sale for 15 days. It can be purchased now for $92,450 and is being offered by Maserati of Sacramento. Here are the Ferrari 360's Facts & Figures: Make, Ferrari; Model 360; Year, 2002; VIN, ZFFYT53A920127992; Stock Number, UM5291; Mileage: 13,000; Transmission, Manual; Engine: 8 Cylinder, 3.6 liter; Exterior Color, Silver; Interior Color, Black; Title: Clean. In 2002, the

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