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sexta-feira, 10 de abril de 2009

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is the perfect marriage of sporty thoroughbred Ferrari berlinetta performance and excellent onboard comfort for four occupants. The replacement for the highly successful Ferrari 456M, the new model's own winning combination derives from a roomy interior enhanced by significantly larger dimensions, a 60 kg reduction in weight, and a range of uncompromising design solutions.

All-aluminium space frame chassis and bodywork construction used for the very first time on a Ferrari 12-cylinder and built entirely by Ferrari at the Scaglietti light-alloy technologies facility. The result is a massive 60% increase in overall structural rigidity (rigidity-weight ratio). The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti's advanced aluminium construction also translates into improved comfort and handling, in addition to offering maximum occupant protection in the case of a collision.

A mid-front layout with the engine mounted behind the front axle, and the gearbox and differential in unit at the rear ensure that the centre of gravity is kept as far back and as low as possible. This in turn significantly improves the car's dynamics in terms of performance (0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds), stability and braking efficiency, as well as delivering much nimbler handling. Excellent weight distribution (46% front, 54% rear) is enhanced by a performance-oriented handling set-up with active damping and the special CST stability and traction control system, used here for the very first time on a Ferrari.

A 65° V12 engine with a displacement of 5748 cc which is rounded off to give the figure 6 (litres) in the 612 model designation. The V12 represents the very pinnacle of Ferrari engine design, thanks in particular to improved fluid dynamic characteristics of the intake and exhaust manifolds, generating a blistering 540 bhp at 7250 rpm. The six-speed mechanical gearbox is available with both a manual and a new generation electro-hydraulic set-up, known as the F1A, designed to marry fast manual gear shifting with comfortable automatic use.

Designed by Pininfarina to epitomise dynamism and elegance, the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti boasts characteristic scalloped sides that recall the famous 375 MM bodied by the Turin coachbuilder for Rossellini and used by Ingrid Bergman. Its thoroughbred spirit effortlessly combines with outstanding comfort and space on board, from the ease of entry for all four occupants and the notable legroom (helped by an increase in length of 139 mm compared to the 456M), to the excellent rear seating layout with extra headroom. Lastly, the overall roominess of the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is complemented by a 240-litre luggage compartment - a full 25% larger than the Ferrari 456M's - which can hold a five-piece Ferrari luggage set or two golf bags.

The level of on-board comfort is completed with a range of new generation of ergonomic features: the instrument binnacle and steering wheel-mounted commands designed for maximum driver control, dual-zone climate control, and a Hi-End Bose sound system specifically developed for the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti's sophisticated aluminium and leather interior which can, naturally, be fully personalised on request.

Working in Modena right at the start of Enzo Ferrari's great adventure, Sergio Scaglietti bodied some of the most beautiful cars ever to emerge from Maranello. Scaglietti wasn't a man who relied on pencil and paper to create his magnificent designs: he worked like a sculptor, fashioning their forms from aluminium. And now Luca di Montezemolo has dedicated the understated yet historically important all-aluminium Ferrari 612 Scaglietti to the memory of that great designer.

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Technical Specifications

  • Dimensions and weight
    • Overall length: 4902 mm
    • Overall width: 1957 mm
    • Height: 1344 mm
    • Wheelbase: 2950 mm
    • Front track: 1688 mm
    • Rear track: 1641 mm
    • Kerb weight: 1840 kg
  • Tyres
    • Front: 245/45 - 18"
    • Rear: 285/40 - 19"
  • Engine
    • Cylinders: 65° V12
    • Bore/stroke: 89 x 77 mm
    • Unit displacement: 479 cc
    • Total displacement: 5748 cc
    • Compression ratio: 11.2:1
    • Max power: 540 CV @ 7250 rpm
    • Max torque: 588 Nm (60 Kgm) @ 5250 rpm
  • Performance
    • Top speed: >315 km/h
    • 0-100 km/h (0-62mph): 4.2 s

quinta-feira, 9 de abril de 2009

Ferrari 575GTC

The Ferrari 575 GTC has not wasted any time, winning first time out in the FIA GT series. The car is based on the road-going Ferrari 575M Maranello, developed by the Ferrari Corse Clienti department in collaboration with N-Technology and has won the penultimate round on the 2003 calendar at Estoril in Portugal. The JMB Racing-Pirelli crew of Fabio Babini and Philipp Peter crossed the line ahead of the BMS-Scuderia Italia Ferrari 550 Maranello of Cappellari/Gollin and the similar car of Biagi/Bobbi.

Thanks to their third place finish, Thomas Biagi and Matteo Bobbi have now won the drivers' championship with one race in hand, while the BMS-Scuderia Italia has taken the team award ahead of schedule.

"I am particularly happy with this debut win for the Ferrari 575 GTC and my congratulations also go to Biagi, Bobbi and all the BMS-Scuderia Italia crew for taking the titles," commented Jean Todt, the Managing Director of the Ferrari Gestione Sportiva.

In the N-GT class, victory went to the Ferrari 360 Modena (JMB Racing-Pirelli) driven by Andrea Bertolini and Fabrizio De Simone, who beat the similar car of the English Maranello Concessionaires team, in the hands of Davies/Turner and the Porsche of Sugden/Collard. This good result revives the hopes of Davies and De Simone as far as the drivers' title for the category is concerned, with the chance of beating current leaders Ortelli/Lieb (Porsche) in the final race, which took place at Monza on 19th October, 2003.

Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale

The Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale was unveiled at the 2003 Geneva Motorshow. It joined the Ferrari 360 Modena and the Ferrari 360 Spider in the Ferrari 8 cylinder range of road cars.

The Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale derives from the latest interpretation of the pure Ferrari tradition of making road cars directly derived from the race cars. With the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale the racing expertise comes from the Ferrari Challenge International Championships and the FIA GT races, where the Ferrari 360 Challenge and 360 GT models are top protagonists, both in Europe and in the United States.

The strong links of the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale road car to racing are underlined by a significant weight reduction, obtained also through a sporty set up and additional aerodynamic contents, enhanced braking performance and F1-style gearbox.

The engine is the 3,586cc V8, with five valves per cylinder and titanium conrods, which secured a worldwide success for the Ferrari 360 Modena and the 360 Spider. The all aluminium body and chassis are the ones designed and produced by Ferrari for the 360 Modena.

Ferrari 360GTC Fiorano

The Ferrari 360GTC Fiorano with a dry weight of 1100 kg was developed by the Corse Clienti Department in Maranello, in collaboration with Michelotto Automobili to compete in the N-GT class. It makes use of recent evolutions successfully race tested on the Ferrari 360 GT, with a sequential six speed gearchange and a further improved Magneti Marelli electronics package. The aerodynamics are substantially different to the 360 GT, given that the Ferrari 360GTC Fiorano has been newly homologated by FIA/ACO from the Challenge Stradale, taking up from its basic elements: front bumper, side skirts, engine cover and double rear end. Wind tunnel research has led to a new system for the rear wing, with a notable improvement in vertical downforce. The performance of the 90-degree V8 3586.2 cc engine has been improved in terms of consumption and power, putting out 445 horsepower (332 kW) at 8750 rpm.

General specifications

  • Country of origin: Italy
  • Year of introduction: 2004
  • Introduced at: 2003 Bologna Motorshow
  • Body design: Pininfarina
  • Weight: 1100 kg (2425 lb)

Drivetrain

  • Engine: F131 90º V8
  • Engine Location: Mid, longitudinally mounted
  • Displacement: 3.586 L
  • Valvetrain: 5 valves / cylinder, DOHC
  • Fuel feed: Magnetti Marelli MR3 Fuel injection
  • Aspiration: naturally aspirated
  • Gearbox: 6 speed sequential
  • Drive: rear wheel drive

Performance

  • Power: 445 bhp (332 kW) @ 8750 rpm
  • Torque: 410 Nm (302 ft.lbf) @ 6500 rpm
  • Power to displacement ratio: 124 bhp/L (92 kW/L)
  • Power to weight ratio: 0.4 bhp/kg (300 W/kg)

Ferrari Enzo

Ferrari regularly produces a model that represents a synthesis of its technological knowledge and its sporting experience. The Ferrari 250 LM was the first of this type of models in 1963. It was conceived by the founder especially for the owner-driver and was deliberately designed for racing. The Ferrari GTO (1984), the Ferrari F40 (1987) and for Ferrari's fiftieth anniversary the Ferrari F50 (1995) have been the significant milestones in this journey. Each of these limited edition cars had a specific technological message that enriched the performance of the model. In 2002 Luca di Montezemolo presented the Ferrari Enzo which married four consecutive years of supremacy in the Constructor's World Championship to the technical input and fine adjustment sensitivity of the World Champion Michael Schumacher.

"The Ferrari Enzo is a historic car for Ferrari for many and various reasons. Therefore we had to chose a name with a strong symbolic significance and that was the name of the Company founder," said Montezemolo. "With an F1 gearbox, a 5998 cc V12 engine, carbon and composite materials, the Ferrari Enzo, of which 399 will be built, is the perfect synthesis of four consecutive Formula 1 Championships in the last four years. This is because it is the race track itself which has been the source of the highest level of technology characterising a unique car which is absolutely innovative and represents the quintessence of Ferrari past and present and looks to the Ferrari of the future."

Calling upon this wealth of knowledge, the aim was to develop a car as an integrated system aimed at achieving extreme performance. A system where even driver performance limits could be improved through a Formula 1 man/machine interface. The new Ferrari Enzo required a special and in-depth technical collaboration with Brembo, Bridgestone, Magneti Marelli and OMR.

Brembo has been constantly developing its braking systems for Ferrari for many years. Brembo production and design capacities are demonstrated by the Brembo CCM discs made of composite ceramic material used on the new Ferrari Enzo. They are exceptionally light (providing a 30% saving in weight over similar cast iron units), they provide excellent braking efficiency in all conditions and practically never wear.

The Bridgestone Corporation is a valued Ferrari supplier, providing sporting and technical know-how for its F1 tyres. For the new Ferrari Enzo, Bridgestone has specifically developed the Potenza RE050 Scuderia. A high performance tyre able to reach speeds of over 350 km/h (218 mph), whilst maintaining road-holding limits and previously unknown driving precision.

Magneti Marelli is the leader in the production of automated manual transmission systems. A successful Formula 1 collaboration has been augmented with a partnership, established in the mid nineties to develop the electro-hydraulic gear change on the Ferrari F355 Berlinetta F1. The F1 gear change concept today extends to all new Ferrari and Maserati cars. The development of the F1 gear change for the Ferrari Enzo represented a most fascinating challenge, due to its closeness to the perennial challenge faced by the F1 single seater.

OMR (Officine Meccaniche Rezzatesi), has developed an exclusive pedal platform for the Ferrari Enzo. It features aluminium accelerator and brake pedals and has been designed to be adjustable in sixteen different positions to achieve the best driving performance and ergonomics.