This video probably won’t last very long so get it while it’s hot. Ferrari president Luca Cordero de Montezemolo drove a Ferrari California, with Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso on board, into the gravel at the end of the world championships in Valencia. In hilarious scenes, Montezemolo gets himself deeper with the sand making a nice little mountain around the rear wheels.

With Massa and Alonso getting out of the car, a few technicians turn up to try and push it out, but in the end Montezemolo and the guys had to complete the round with a different vehicle. If you’re a bit anti-supercar, this is an example of the total impracticality of buying one. I love the fact the two Formula One drivers get the hell out of there and leave Montezemolo in his Ferrari, all at sea.

Source | Motorsportblog via Autoblog.it

Continue reading: Ferrari president drives California into the dirt with Massa and Alonso on board

Joy for Ferrari fans as president Montezemolo confirms that the Ferrari 458 Spider will be produced. He also revealed more news on the 458 Italia, saying it follows the 430 Scuderia in having full steering wheel commands. 458 pricing is 197,000 euros with deliveries commencing January. The 458 Spider version won’t appear before a couple of years.

Ferrari is looking to expand its offerings, making a greater range for fans. The California follows a GT model, while the 458 is intended as the supersports model. The spider should prove to be a popular development.

Source | Quattroruote via Autoblog.it

Continue reading: Ferrari 458 Spider confirmed

Ferrari has confirmed that the Ferrari California is one of the biggest successes of the brand recently. Luca di Montezemolo has said: “In 2008 there has been the success of the Scuderia, 2009 will be characterised by the California. It has an incredible success. We have already sold all of the 2008 and 2009 production. You have to now wait until 2011 for one.”

Ferrari’s first coupé-cabriolet couldn’t have been anymore than the Italian masterpiece it is. “There were two aims: to find an eight cylinder car with complementary characteristics to the F430 and to have a car with maximum flexibility.” It would appear that the mission is accomplished. Annual production of the California is estimated at 2,000 units, at a base price of 179,000 euros.

Source | Repubblica

Continue reading: Ferrari California: production sold out as everyone wants one

While you might not think so, the Ferrari California is a real Ferrari, and we’re convinced after having seen the Californa debut at the Paris motor show and hearing Amedeo Felisa present details on the specs and performance of this Italian sports car.

The new Ferrari coupé-cabriolet can accelerate to 100km/hr in just 3.9 seconds, which is an improvement on recent 12 cylinder efforts from the company. This figure indicates the work undertaken by Schumacher, Felisa&Co: the V8 central engine is truly a development, with plenty of versatility and uncomprising sports style.

The presentation has also brought to the stage the Pininfarina family, to whom Montezemolo wanted to give a personal thanks, in memory of Andrea Pininfarina and recognising the strong links with the California’s style today.

Continue reading: Ferrari California debuts at Paris motor show

After Bugatti, Ferrari has fallen victim to the online world and its intricate system of knowledge sharing and leaking, with details released about a new model, which has provided us with some juicy news on the FX70.

If this isn’t a sophisticated attempt at viral marketing, a document leaked from the company reveals some details of the Enzo. Take a deep breath because it goes like this: an alluminium V8 engine, carbon fibre body, twin-clutch, seven-speed shift with gear change time at only 50 milliseconds.

Continue reading: Ferrari FX70: new Enzo leaked online through secret document

After the first official shots, with the open roof, we finally see the coupè version of the Ferrari California, with a closed roof. That the California is a different Ferrari is shown by the blu colour chosen for the photos, rare for this brand but linked to an important event: it was with a similar blue that the original California was revealed in New York in 1962.

The impression that the California gives with the roof closed is one of some grunt, thanks to the inclined nose. In an interview, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo spoke about the car after having tested it at Fiorano: in addition to praising the new transmission with double clutch, he revealed a 14-second time frame to open the roof. The boot is ample, with 360 litres with the roof closed and 260 when it’s open and folded back.

For the occasion other technical data has been revealed. Aerodynamics guarantee a push of 70kg at 200km/hr, and it has similar dimensions to the F430 at 4.56 metres long and 1.9 metres wide. No new performance details have been released, so the V8 4.7 is being talked about for its ecological qualifications: despite the 460 hp, the car has an average consumption of 13.3 l/100km and emissions of 310 g/km.

Continue reading: Ferrari California: the closed top version

After an extraordinary 2007, Luca Corsero di Montezemolo waxes lyrical at the Ferrari end-of-year results meeting: we would not expect anything less, given that Ferrari’s turnover for the past year has grown by 15% from 1,447 billion euro recorded in 2006 to 1,668. Also recorded is a massive increase
of 45.4% in trading profit, represented by 266 million euro.

Montezemolo certainly sounded pleased with himself as he outlined the balance sheets for an historic 2007. The 60th anniversary of the birth of the brand was celebrated in style with splendid victories in the F1 World drivers Champions and Constructor Champions: All thanks mainly to outstanding designs such as the F430 Scuderia.

World sales have surpassed the 5,671 units of 2006 to 6,464 in 2007, with a growth in all the major world markets: Asia-Pacific sales grew 47.2%, whilst Middle East sales grew by 32.3%. Even the classic European market contributed (for instance Great Britain was up 8.2%) and the States saw some
growth (+7.7%).

Allocation of funds for Research and Development and Investments (excluding F1) rose 29% to 299 million euro, equal to 18% of the turnover. Investments concerned the building of a new company restaurant and the new productions lines facility, designed by Jean Nouvel.

“These excellent results - states Montezemolo - are all down to the men and women who work for Ferrari, whose hard work and diligence has allowed us to reach such a historic level.”

Via | Repubblica.it

Continue reading: Montezemolo: 2007 a fantastic year for Ferrari