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Tag: California

Newsletter 47: ALL ABOUT THE FERRARI CALIFORNIA!

LIKE KIM KARDASHIAN AFTER A VISIT TO THE PIE SHOP!

At the time of its launch, Enzo Ferrari would have probably been turning in his grave at the thought of his beloved company offering a practical, easy to drive cruiser and supercar all rolled into one!
So, can the California be a convertible, a gran tourer and a supercar, and still be a proper Ferrari?
Well for starters, it displays all that grace and poise a Ferrari should, before a wheel has even turned. This is Ferrari’s first-ever hardtop convertible and its “folding swan” routine is the most elegant one out there!
It may disappear beautifully but it does reveal something slightly less dainty. Some might think, it’s got a backside like Kim Kardashian after a visit to a pie shop, and no amount of designer lines can disguise the fact that with such bulk comes weight, 200 kilograms more than the f430, and more even than the bigger 599 GTB.
This car needs to have a pretty amazing engine to shift it …………..and it does!

full side of FerrariIt’s the first fuel-injected, front-engine, v8 Ferrari ever. It’s got a really broad powerband so it is incredibly user-friendly. It marked the start of the company’s commitment to reduce emissions, the co2 output is a new company low of 305 grams per kilometre with an average of 12.5 L/100 which is not too shabby figures for a supercar, but the only figure you really want to know is this one, 0 – 100 in under 4 seconds, so any worries about a lardy back-end will literally be left behind. The lightning-fast twin-clutch, the seven-speed gearbox was a first for a Ferrari road car. Keep your foot down through the gears and you’ll see 310Kmh, very, very quickly. If you’re not in the mood to attack, attack, attack, then just drop the pace a little and enjoy the California as a cruiser, it’ll pooter along and 130 – 140Kmh quite happily, proving that it is a very capable Grand Tourer.

Ferrari frontWhen launched, the California was more expensive than competitors like the Bentley Continental GT and the Mercedes SL63 AMG, but what you don’t get with the Merc and Bentley is firstly, value, the Merc and the Bentley are worth half the Cali price now, and secondly, something that’s in abundance with the Cali, sexiness! This car makes you feel like a million dollars! Inside it’s a sumptuous mix of stitched leather and aluminium, but good money’s also been spent on the more practical areas like the electrically adjustable steering column and beautifully sculptured and supportive seats.

Ferrari with doors openSo far we know the California is at least two Ferraris rolled into one, within 14 seconds it transforms from a convertible into a hardtop coupe. Flip the little manettino switch on the steering wheel, that controls the gearbox, traction control and suspension the car becomes a legitimate supercar. It’s got great balance because of its weight distribution, almost 50/50 between the front and rear end, and that equals great handling. Pick a corner, turn in, bury the throttle and that voluptuous derriere is all yours to play with. Amazingly, the California doesn’t feel overweight at all. It may lack the intensity and feedback of an F430, but it has so much more to offer.
The California is the most user-friendly way of indulging in the Ferrari spirit……………….ever!

The California side view

Newsletter 44: FERRARI’S NAMED AFTER PLACES

FERRARI’S NAMED AFTER PLACES

We can all name a couple of Ferrari’s which were named after places, but it turns out there are a few more than we thought!

AMERICA/SUPERAMERICA

The Ferrari America and Superamerica were a series of cars built in the 1950s and 1960s primarily intended for the US market. The cars were fitted with large V12 engines and often had custom bodywork by the likes of Vignale, Pinin Farina, Boano and Ghia.
In later years, the America name came back, primarily on limited cars or special projects. Both the Superamerica 45 and SP America were for American clients, and in 2014, just 10 examples of the F60 America were made, also only for the US market.
All Ferrari America/Superamerica models:
1950 Ferrari 340 America, 1951 Ferrari 342 America, 1953 Ferrari 375 America, 1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica, 1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica, 2005 Ferrari 575 Superamerica, 2011 Ferrari Superamerica 45, 2014 Ferrari SP America, 2014 Ferrari F60 America.

Ferrari named after places America

CALIFORNIA

Ferrari introduced the 250 GT California Spider in 1957. The California name came from the fact it was designed for export to North America. About a decade later, the California badge came back with the introduction of the 365 California. In recent years, we’ve had both the California and California T. The philosophy behind the name is the “sublime elegance, sportiness, versatility and exclusivity” of the Spider concept.
All Ferrari California models:
1957 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider,
1966 Ferrari 365 California,
2008 Ferrari California,
2014 Ferrari California T

Ferrari California

EUROPA

Ferraris named after the continent were designated only for sales in Europe.
The 1969 212 E was named after Europe because of its participation in the “European Montagna” Championship. Driven by Peter Schetty, the car dominated the 1969 European Hill Climb Championship, placing first in every race it entered and setting many course records.
All Ferrari Europa models:
1953 Ferrari 250 Europa
1954 Ferrari 250 Europa GT
1969 Ferrari 212 E

Ferrari named after place Europa

FIORANO

A magical place for fans of the brand, Pista di Fiorano is Ferrari’s very own test track in Maranello, Italy. Enzo Ferrari unveiled the circuit in 1972 and told the press: “From this moment on, I don’t want any Ferrari to tackle the track or address mass-production without passing the Fiorano test with flying colours.” And in 2006, the 599 GTB Fiorano became the first and only car named after the legendary circuit.

Ferrari Fiorano

NAMED AFTER ITALY

Place of origin. Ferrari named the 2009, 458 and 2011, F1 car after the country.
All Ferrari Italy models:
2009 Ferrari 458 Italia
2011 Ferrari 150 Italia (F1)

Ferrari named after place Italy

LE MANS

Cars with the LM name competed in the iconic Le Mans 24hr race. Both the 330 LM and 250 LM managed to win, in 1962 and 1965 respectively.
The last Maranello-produced car to receive the LM designation was the F40 LM, though it didn’t have any successes in the race.
All Ferrari Le Mans models:
1955 Ferrari 735 LM
1956 Ferrari 625 LM
1962 Ferrari 330 LM
1963 Ferrari 250 LM
1978 Ferrari 512 BB LM
1989 Ferrari F40 LM ‘IMSA GTO’
1994 Ferrari F40 LM

Ferrari Le Mans

MARANELLO

The place where it all began in 1947. Maranello is a relatively small town in Northern Italy and home to both the Ferrari Factory and the Scuderia Ferrari Racing teams. It’s surprising that the name was only first used in the late 1990s.
All Ferrari Maranello models:
1996 Ferrari 550 Maranello
2002 Ferrari 575M Maranello

Ferrari Maranello

MEXICO

The Ferrari 340 Mexico was unveiled in 1952 and competed in the 1952 Carrera Panamericana, which took place in Mexico. It used a 4.1-L V12 producing around 280 bhp and had a mind-boggling maximum speed of 280 kph (174 mph). Just four Vignale bodies were made – three Berlinettas and one Spider. All were designed by Giovanni Michelotti, and Chinetti and Lucas finished the race in third place.

Ferrari named after place MexicoFerrari Mexico

MODENA

The Ferrari 360 Modena, which debuted in 1999, was also named after places, the town of Modena – the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari.

Named after the town Modena

PORTOFINO

Named after a charming village in the Italian Riviera, the 2017 Ferrari Portofino is the successor to the California and California T. Portofino is an Italian fishing village and luxury holiday resort famous for its picturesque harbour, great seafood and rich history.

Ferrari Portofino

MONZA

The Monza-named Ferraris were racing cars in the 1950s and named after the town of Monza, in Northern Italy. The city is home to one of the most iconic racing tracks: the Autodromo Nazionale Monza Circuit. Through Ferrari’s Icona Series, the name made its reappearance in 2018 with the introduction of the Monza SP1 and Monza SP2.
All Ferrari Monza models:
1954 Ferrari 750 Monza, 1954 Ferrari 250 Monza,
1956 Ferrari 860 Monza, 2018 Ferrari Monza SP1,
2018 Ferrari Monza SP2

Ferrari MonzaFerrari named after place Monza

ROMA

Named after the capital of Italy, the 2019 Ferrari Roma is a grand touring sports car associated with the ‘pleasurable way of life’ (La Nuova Dolce Vita). The shapely coupe brings to mind iconic mid-century Ferraris, but packed with cutting-edge tech and a 611-hp turbocharged V-8.

Ferrari Roma

NAMED AFTER VENICE

Venice, the famous Italian city of romantic canals, inspired the name of one Ferrari: the 456 GT Venice, which debuted in 1996. The Venice was a 5-door station wagon based on the Ferrari 456 and commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei. Only seven examples were made. After Pininfarina designed and built them, the prince only purchased six and the remaining car was sold to a private collector in the United Kingdom.

Ferrari named after place Venice

So could you imagine that there were many Ferrari’s named after places?

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