Italian Supercars in 2008

    This year is almost over and it's a good time to start looking at what models we will be seeing in 2008.

Ferrari F430 Scuderia

    Ferrari has unveiled F430 Scuderia at the Frankfurt Motor Show and the rumor has it that new F430 Challenge Stradale will be joining other F430 models early next year.

Lamborghini Reventon

    From Lamborghini we have updated Gallardo and Murciélago LP640, and much more interesting models: Gallardo Superleggera and Reventón.

Maserati GranTurismo

    2007 is a very interesting year for Maserati, because Maserati made profit for the first time in the last 17 years. For the 2008 we can safely say that will be even more interesting because of the new model GranTurismo.

Pagani Zonda R

    For the year of 2008 Pagani is introducing Zonda R Clubsport.

    With all those models coming, the year of 2008 will be very interesting for all the lovers of Italian super and sport cars.

Poll: Ferrari vs Lamborghini

I've created a separate blog just for this poll and completely forgot to promote it here so I'm correcting this error now. So far there are 38 votes total:

  • Ferrari .......... 21 (55%)

  • Lamborghini ...... 17 (44%)


I noticed it too. There is a one percent missing in action :) There are 27 days left so don't be lazy, go and
Vote here!


Off topic: I'm in the process of redesigning this blog and if you have any suggestions now is time to speak ;)

Ferrari won a Formula One Constructors’ Chamipionship

Ferrari is a Formula One constructors' champion after McLaren decided not to appeal against the FIA's verdict. Too bad, Ron Dennis proved me wrong :)

On the other hand rumor has it that Fernando Alonso, reigning world champion, will leave Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and join Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro for the next season.

Alonso is at two points from Hamilton, the championship lead. Hamilton has a fantastic season, he is a rookie and he leads Formula One championship.

Off topic: I'm looking for a new template for this blog.

Pay tribute to Colin McRae

On September 15th, the Scottish rally driver, Colin McRae, his young son Johnny, and two more passengers were killed in a helicopter accident. This tragedy shocked the automotive world. Fans all over the world are paying tribute to Colin McRae. Here is a nice video by Antti:



I invite you to leave condolences for Colin's family.

McCrash RIP

Ferrari Enzo Wreck

Ferrari Enzo crash


"Mysterious Dietrich" or how Trevor Michael Karney, 27, just got himself a nice 30 day jail sentence and three years probation. He was involved with the February 21, 2006, crash, when he'd claimed that he was a driver of a Mercedes-Benz who saw how Dietrich had left a Bo Stefan Eriksson's Ferrari Enzo.

Just a quick reminder of their original story. Eriksson and "Dietrich" were in Ferrari Enzo. Dietrich was a driver and after he'd crashed Enzo he fled into the hills. Karney arrived just in time to see Dietrich running.

The result: Eriksson who's been accused of stealing a car, got 3 years jail sentence, Karney got 30 day jail term and three years probation, and the Enzo got this look:

Ferrari Enzo wrecked


Ferrari Enzo wreck


Police officer looking for Dietrich. LOL

Pierre Scerri's Ferrari 312 PB

Or how seeing a Ferrari at young age can make you do strange things. This is the story about Pierre Scerri and his remarkable devotion. Here's Jeremy Clarkson interviewing him, it's an old video, probably from 1992 when he finished his Ferrari:



And here is a short excerpt from the article at The Internet Craftsmanship Museum:

"Back in the 1970's, Pierre Scerri was a big racing fan. He loved the look and the sound of the Ferrari race cars that graced the European sports car races he attended. As a young telecommunications engineer he wanted very much to own such a car, but realized there was no way he could ever afford to buy one. If he wanted to have a car like that, he would have to build one himself. He started with drawings of each part of the car—a project that took three years in itself working just from photographs of the real car. He then started on construction of the car. The 12-year construction odyssey took Pierre on a journey though virtually every process needed to build the full size car. He learned to mold his own rubber tires, cast his own glass headlights, make his own battery, weld the tube frame, build the shock absorbers and such delicate tasks as making a miniature tachometer and other working gauges. The drawing and machining skills were learned from reading books, as he had not been given any training in these subjects when in school.

Of course, there was the running 100 cc, fuel injected, dry sump, flat 12-cylinder engine; the heart of the car that had to be built too. The engine alone took three years, and just tuning the exhaust to get the proper "Ferrari music" took almost six months (and three different sets of exhaust pipes) before Pierre was satisfied. To learn pattern and mold making to do the castings, he attended a foundry school in Marsaille. Bodywork, upholstery, electrical system—all had to be fabricated from scratch. The only part that required some collaboration because of its exotic metallurgy and tight machining specifications was the gearbox. For this Peirre was able to work with Colleti, the famous builder of the full-size Ferrari racing gearboxes who lent their expertise in making the actual gears used inside the cast case. The 5-speed box also has a working reverse gear. In total, Pierre estimates a total of over 20,000 hours was devoted to completing the car, which was finished in 1992."
continue reading

Well, if that isn't a dedication, then I don't know what is.

Spy Games 2

    Ferrari can be satisfied with Thursday's FIA's ruling that fined McLaren a $100 million and stripped them of their 2007 constructors' championship points. McLaren drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, were not fined. Still, I don’t think this is over yet.

Anyhow, here is Ron Dennis's statement:



PRESS INFORMATION - STATEMENT FROM RON DENNIS
 

Paris, France, Thursday 13th September 2007


"The most important thing is that we will be going motor racing this weekend, the rest of the season and every season. This means that our drivers can continue to compete for the World Championship. However having been at the hearing today I do not accept that we deserved to be penalised in this way."

"Today’s evidence given to the FIA by our drivers, engineers and staff clearly demonstrated that we did not use any leaked information to gain a competitive advantage."

"Much has been made in the press and at the hearing today of emails and text messages to and from our drivers. The World Motorsport Council received statements from Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Pedro de la Rosa stating categorically that no Ferrari information had been used by McLaren and that they had not passed any confidential data to the team."

"The entire engineering team in excess of 140 people provided statements to the FIA affirming that they had never received or used the Ferrari information."

"We have never denied that the information from Ferrari was in the personal possession of one of our employees at his home. The issue is: was this information used by McLaren? This is not the case and has not been proven today."

"We are also continually asked if McLaren didn’t use the information, what was the reason for Stepney and Coughlan collecting all this data about Ferrari? We can only speculate as neither Coughlan nor Stepney gave evidence at today’s hearing, but we do know that they were both seeking employment with other teams, as already confirmed by both Honda and Toyota."

"There will be no issue for the 2008 season as we have not at any stage used any intellectual property of any other team."

"We have got the best drivers and the best car and we intend to win the World Championship."

- ENDS -


Related posts: Spy Games and The Formula One Espionage Scandal

Pagani Zonda vs. Lamborghini Murcielago

We all know how fast Murcielago is, but what about Zonda? To help you appreciate this beautiful car I found you a nice video of Jeremy Clarkson, of Top Gear fame, driving a Zonda:



Pagani Automobili S.p.A. doesn't have Ferrari's history or Lamborghini's fame, but this independent supercar manufacturer sure knows how to make a car.

Lamborghini Murcielago Twin Turbo

This is no car, this is a jet. With the wings attached I bet you it would fly. Lamborghini Murcielago Twin Turbo, built by Doug Levin Motorsports, makes 800 HP at the motor. And what a noise this Lambo makes! See for yourselves in this video:



BTW, this is the first Lamborghini Murcielago Twin Turbo ever built.

Pagani Zonda R

Ferrari FXX just got a serious competition. New Pagani Zonda with its 750 hp engine built by the Mercedes AMG aims for the title of the best Italian supercar.





Here’s the press release from Pagani Automobili S.p.A.

Press Release

Zonda R


While we certainly cannot say the Zonda F lacks performance figures, driving around the Nürburgring in 7:32 and achieving lateral G forces of almost 1.5 G, it is however a road car, easy to drive, intuitive and setting the benchmark for comfort, safety and lightweight. Paired with a quality finish and the attention to detail this made the Zonda F one of the most desirable supercars resulting in the 25 Coupé models being sold out in record time.

This did not seem to fulfil the requirements of our most demanding customers, who adore the weekend drive on a racetrack.
The spark has been set by an Italo-American customer, enthusiast and already proud owner of 3 Zondas. He describes the project this way: “The thought has been on my mind for quite some time, but I am not interested in racing”.
The Zonda R is born with full liberty. The target: the ultimate performance at the racetrack without any implications of rules, except for safety, where no compromise is allowed.

In September 2006 the first drawings were ready, but it was crucial to have the support of Mercedes-AMG for a high revving engine with a power output of 750hp, dry sump, light and with a low centre of gravity. The basis was the self supporting engine of the mighty CLK GTR, which has dominated the GT championships.
Eve at constant racing pace the engine would have to cover over 5.000 km before servicing. The challenge has been accepted without hesitation.

The Zonda R is a car designed from scratch, with only 10% of the Zonda F components to be carried over. The suspension forged in Avional, a new Pagani six speed transversal sequential gearbox, carbon fibre monocoque, aeronautical four pump fuel tank are only part of the equation.

The wheelbase has grown by 47mm, the overall length by 394 mm and the track is increased by 50mm. The bodywork and aerodynamics have been studied to offer maximum downforce. Even though built for the track, the project would not have received kick off, if the quality and finish of the car and its details was not up to the level of the Pagani road cars.

One of the first cars to be delivered however will be kept in a living room, designed by Pagani and built with the same materials as the Zonda F, beautifully textured carbon fibre, avional, titanium, inconel and other state of the art materials. Additionally it will feature a bespoke HiFi System that will allow the customer to listen to the sound of this car at Le Mans and the Nürburgring.

The Pagani customers who have ordered the Zonda R will be relieved of almost 1.2 million + taxes.



Technical Specifications

Zonda R


This Zonda is purpose made for track use, without restrictions of any competition rules or homologation, with the only exclusion of the passengers’ integrity, where no compromise is tolerated according to our philosophy and state-of-the-art safety measures are featured.

A new heart

The engine is built by the racing specialists at Mercedes AMG, where the championship winning DTM cars are born, as well as the CLK GTR, probably the most devastating and effective weapon ever to compete in the GT series. From it’s engine the Zonda R borrows the basic architecture including an ingenious dry sump allowing a low centre of gravity. This self-supporting engine with 750 hp at 8000 rpm and 710 Nm of torque carries a lightweight carbon fibre highperformance intake system, a racing multiple disc sintered clutch and Formula 1 style exhaust system, hydroformed in Inconel 625 and ceramic coated for optimal heat dissipation. The power unit combined with a 6 speed transversal manual sequential synchronised gearbox is designed to satisfy the most ambitious drivers.

The chassis

The central carbon chassis will incorporate a roll cage and a rubber racing fuel tank with 4 fuel pumps and quick refuel filler like on GT race cars. The wheelbase has been increased by 47mm to offer the best stability. The front and rear subframes are brand-new, built to accommodate a new suspension geometry, produced in avional. The magnesium forged rims with central wheel nut and a quick pneumatic lifting system allows fast and effortless changes of the slick tyres.

Bodywork and aerodynamics

The new bodywork has been honed to offer elevated downforce even in low speed corners. The longer front bonnet with flaps, closed underbody and the rear overhang with the adjustable rear wing and race derived diffusor translate into shattering aerodynamic efficiency and will let you experience cornering speeds beyond imagination. The car displays and logs information about the amount of dowforce that the car is generating at each moment. Combined with the adjustable wings you can easily find the best setup for each track.

Workstation

The interior is designed to accommodate the driver and passenger in bespoke seats, built to offer the best support, when the G-forces from the vehicle dynamics come into question. The Digitek instrumentation provides the essential information and a sophisticated telemetry allows through a variety of sensors to monitor every single component of the car.



technical data

Type V12 - M120
V - angle 60°
Displacement 5987 ccm
Stroke 80,20 mm
Bore 89,00 mm
Valves per cilinder 4
Horse Power 750
Power output 551 KW at 7.500 1/min
Torque output 710 Nm
Aspiration Single throttle bodies, mechanically operated
Lubrification Dry sump with separate oil tank
Firing order 1-12-5-8-3-10-6-7-2-11-4-9



Impressive, really impressive.

New Ferrari Dino, Again?

Ferrari Dino rumors resurface again. Dino or not there is an agreement that new low-cost Ferrari will arrive for the 2009 model year. Here's report from topspeed.com:

"The car that Ferrari denies it will build will debut in 2009. The long rumored V-8 Ferrari “Dino” will be a front-engine coupe. Between 3,500 and 5,000 will be produced annually, with prices in the range of $160,000 to $180,000. Horsepower is expected to be slightly under 500, with 480 hp quoted by some. Whether there will be a cabriolet version is not known, but could be expected at some point after introduction of the coupe."

Here's a picture of "new Dino":




Not bad. Not bad at all.

New Ferrari Dino?

The reports of new Ferrari Dino are not stopping. Although Luca di Montezemolo was pretty clear about it:

"Used cars are our entry cars. We are not going to do any Dino. No way. Or a small or cheap Ferrari...what do you mean small? Less technology, less innovation...no, no, no. I don't know why that story came out, I deny it."

Here are the pictures of "new Ferrari Dino" (599 GTB anyone?) :





via autoblog.com

So, is there a new Ferrari Dino or the 599 GTB is getting a facelift?

Ferrari Enzo vs Lamborghini Gallardo vs Ford GT vs Ascari

What happens when the four great supercars race each other? Well, you got it right; Ferrari wins :) Here is the short and sweet video:



To save you some time here is the final result:

1st Enzo Ferrari
2nd Ford GT
3rd Ascari
4th Lamborghini Gallardo

We all know about Ferrari, Lamborghini, and even Ford GT, but that Ascari is really fast.
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