The SA APERTA - Ferrari

 The SA APERTA - The most exclusive Ferrari ever takes centre stage at Paris.

Ferrari is delighted to announce the presentation of the SA APERTA at the Paris International Motor Show 2010. This is a special series model of which a strictly limited number of just 80 will be built. All have already been sold. Ferrari chose to build 80 SA Apertas in celebration of Pininfarina's 80th anniversary. The SA nomenclature also pays homage to both Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina whose company and work have been linked to the most successful road-going cars ever built at Maranello. 

The SA APERTA is a true roadster which allows its occupants to enjoy the superlative emotions afforded by our signature front-engined V12 architecture in a completely open-top setting. In fact, it has just a light soft top designed to be resorted to only if the weather gets particularly bad. A low-slung windscreen and the fact that it crouches lower to the ground than our other models lend the SA APERTA an exceptionally aerodynamic sleekness. Its profile arches back from the A-post to two aerodynamic fins beautifully integrating the two roll-bars which themselves cleverly mimic the outline of the seats.

The chassis has been redesigned to deliver a standard of stiffness comparable to that of a closed berlinetta and there is a negligible weight difference also, thanks to work done on the chassis structure.

Thanks to the 670 CV engine beneath its bonnet, the SA APERTA beautifully embodies the sporty spirit of the 599, incorporating Ferrari's most advanced technology to deliver absolutely benchmark performance and superb driving pleasure. Its interior too is stylishly sporty with particularly sophisticated materials, trim and colours used throughout. The virtually endless combinations available guarantee that each and every SA APERTA is absolutely unique.

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Ferrari Enzo

Check out these high-resolution wallpapers of Ferrari Enzo. Click on the images to open the wallpaper in a new window, The Enzo Ferrari is a 12-cylinder Ferrari supercar named after the company’s founder, Enzo Ferrari. It is currently the most powerful naturally aspirated production car in the world. It was built in 2003 using Formula One technology, such as a carbon-fibre body, F1-style sequential shift transmission, and carbon-ceramic brake discs. Also used are technologies not allowed in F1 such as active aerodynamics. After a downforce of 775 kg (1709 lb) is reached at 300 km/h (186 mph) the rear wing is actuated by computer to maintain that downforce.

The Enzo’s V12 engine is the first of a new generation for Ferrari. It is based on the architecture of the V8 found in sister-company Maserati’s Quattroporte, using the same basic architecture and 104 mm (4.1 in) bore spacing. This design will replace the former architectures seen in V12 and V8 engines used in most other contemporary Ferraris. The 2005 F430 is the second Ferrari to get a version of this new powerplant. In 2004, Sports Car International named the Enzo Ferrari number three on their list of Top Sports Cars of the 2000s.

Motor Trend Classic named the Enzo as number four in their list of the ten “Greatest Ferraris of all time”.

The Enzo Ferrari is sometimes referred to colloquially (some say incorrectly) as the Ferrari Enzo and Ferrari F60; this gives the false impression that it was named for Ferrari’s 60th anniversary, which is 2007 rather than 2003 when the Enzo was launched (the official internal nomenclature is actually F131). The Ferrari Enzo Ferrari is commonly referred to as just the “Enzo” with no marque or other words attached.

The car is named after the company’s founder, Enzo Ferrari, who died in 1988.
The Enzo was initially announced at the 2002 Paris Motor Show with a limited production run of 349 units and priced at US$643,330. The company sent invitations to existing customers, specifically, those who had previously bought the Ferrari F40 and Ferrari F50. All 349 cars were sold in this way before production began. Later, after numerous requests, Ferrari decided to build 50 more Enzos, bringing the total to 399.

The 400th Enzo Ferrari was auctioned by Sotheby’s Maranello Auction on June 28, 2005 to benefit survivors of the 2004 Tsunami for €950,000 (US$1,274,229), almost twice its list price. This sum was presented to Pope Benedict XVI, while former Ferrari Formula One driver Michael Schumacher gave the pope a steering wheel to commemorate the donation. This wheel included a plaque which read, “The Formula 1 World Champion’s steering wheel to His Holiness Benedict XVI, Christianity’s driver.”

The Enzo Ferrari typically trades above $1,000,000 (£500,000) at auction.

Three prototype “mules” were built, M1, M2, and M3. Each was bodied to look like a 348, even though the mules were built in 2000. The third mule was offered for auction alongside the 400th Enzo in June, 2005, bringing €195,500 (US$236,300).

The Enzo is a mid-engined car with a 43.9/56.1 front/rear weight distribution. The engine is Ferrari’s F140 65° V12 with 4 valves per cylinder, dual overhead cams and variable valve timing. Bosch Motronic ME7 fuel injection is used and the engine is naturally aspirated. It displaces 5998 cc (366 in³) and produces 485 kW (651 hp/660 PS) at 7800 rpm and 657 N·m (485 ft·lbf) at 5500 rpm. The redline is 8200 rpm.

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Ferrari 575M Superamerica

Limited Edition 575M Superamerica

The Pininfarina-designed Ferrari Superamerica combines Ferrari 12-cylinder berlinetta power with a highly original, innovative take on the convertible concept. The Superamerica is the first production car to employ an innovative rotating roof movement in combination with electrochromic technology developed exclusively for glass surfaces of these dimensions with Saint Gobain.

The Fioravanti-patented electric rotating roof movement allows the Superamerica driver to drop the top in 10 seconds flat, making it the world’s fastest convertible berlinetta (200 mph top speed).

Derived from the 575M Maranello, the Superamerica is available with either an F1-style or manual gearbox. Its big 12-cylinder engine has been boosted to deliver 540 bhp too. The new car can also be fitted with the GTC Handling package which offers Ferrari’s very latest high-tech features including carbon ceramic brakes.The Superamerica’s unusual electric roof has been dubbed Revocromico to highlight the unique combination of its rearward rotation movement and electrochromic technology. It has a carbon-fibre structure and the boot capacity remains unchanged whether the roof is open or closed too. The glass rear window also acts as a highly effective wind deflector when the roof is open.

The use of electrochromic glass means that the driver can completely control the level of light entering the cockpit. There are five tint levels available and the glass can go from dark to light in under a minute, at the touch of a button.

What at first might seem to be the gimmicky gilding of an aged lily turns out to be just the right flourish for a car that has aged like a good malt whisky. The point may be infinitely arguable, but we’d assert that the 575 Maranello is the most enjoyable current Ferrari, more relaxed than the F430 yet more svelte than the 612 Scaglietti. The Superamerica’s flashy top, as well as its other, lesser modifications, makes it even more of a pleasure-mobile than the standard 575.

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Ferrari 360 GT

The Ferrari 360 is a mid-engine two-seat sports car produced between 1999 and 2005. The 360 replaced the Ferrari F355 and was itself replaced by the fairly similar Ferrari F430. For the 360, Ferrari partnered with Alcoa to produce an entirely new all-aluminum space-frame chassis that was 40% stiffer than the 355, yet 28% lighter despite a 10% increase in overall dimensions. Along with the new frame was a new Pininfarina body styling that broke ranks with the last decade’s sharp angles and flip-up headlights, replacing them with a rounded appearance that harkened to the 1960s. The new V8 engine, common to all versions, was only slightly larger and more powerful than the 355′s at 3.6 litres and 300 kW (400 bhp) of power, but the lighter frame and added stiffness improved performance; the 0 to 100 km/h acceleration performance improved from 4.6 to 4.4 seconds (not as trivial as it might seem), and in the Challenge versions it was as low as 4.0 s. An engine replacement resulted in the current V8 road model, the F430 (internally referred to as the evoluzione or evo) which came out in 2004.
Seven versions of the basic 360 were produced, three road models, three race versions & a one-off wedding present to Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo:

Ferrari 360 production road cars:
1. Ferrari 360 Modena, a fixed roof two-door luxury sports coupe, available with a 6-speed manual or F1 electrohydraulic shift;
2. Ferrari 360 Spider, a convertible variant of the Modena;
3. Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale, an F1 electrohydraulic shift 360 Challenge inspired variant of a 360 Modena.

Ferrari 360 factory race cars
4. Ferrari 360 Challenge, a 360 F1 electrohydraulic shift stripped out circuit racing variant of the 360 Modena .
5. Ferrari 360 GT, a GT racing variant of the 360 challenge race cars, more extreme than a Challenge.
6. Ferrari 360 GT-C, based on the 360 GT with 360 CS parts to compete in the N-GT class.
Ferrari 360 one-off special
4. Ferrari 360 Barchetta, a one-off wedding present from Ferrari to Ferrari’s president.

* 1 Road models
o 1.1 Specifications
+ 1.1.1 Engine
o 1.2 Modena
+ 1.2.1 Performance
o 1.3 Spider
+ 1.3.1 Dimensions
o 1.4 Challenge Stradale
+ 1.4.1 Dimensions
+ 1.4.2 Performance
* 2 Race models
o 2.1 Challenge
* 3 Criticism
o 3.1 Handling
* 4 References
* 5 External links

Road models

The first model of the 360 to ship was the 360 Modena, named after the town of Modena, the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari. Its six-speed gearbox is available as a manual or F1 electrohydraulic shift. The car went into production in 1999 and remained in production until 2005 when it was replaced by the F430. The Modena was followed by the 360 Spider, Ferrari’s 20th road-going convertible. Other than weight, the Spider’s specifications match those of the Modena almost exactly.

The 360 Challenge Stradale (or 360 CS) was a later addition to the road line. It was essentially a lightened version of the Modena, dropping 110 kilograms. Changes included larger 19″ BBS wheels, the use of carbon fiber for the frames of the seats and mirrors, titanium springs which were also 20% stiffer, and carbon ceramic brake disks. A variety of option allowed for further weight reductions, including replacing the leather interior with fabric, removal of the power windows and mirrors, and leaving off the stereo. Lexan side windows were available in Europe only. It was officially introduced in March of 2003 at the Geneva International Motor Show and went into production shortly thereafter. The 360 CS can be compared to Porsche’s GT3 RS model in design approach and many magazines have placed them head to head in road tests. Jeremy Clarkson compared the two and chose the 360 CS to be his favorite.

All models featured the same layout:

* No. of cylinders: 90° V8 F131
* Bore & stroke: 85 by 79 mm (3.34 by 3.11 in)
* Total displacement: 3586 cm³ (218.8 in³)
* Redline: 8500 rpm

For Modena and Spider:

* Maximum power: 298 kW (395 bhp) @ 8500 rpm
* Maximum torque: 373 N·m (275 lbf·ft) @ 4750 rpm

For Challenge Stradale:

* Maximum power: 317 kW (425 bhp) @ 8500 rpm
* Maximum torque: 373 N·m (275 lbf·ft) @ 4750 rpm

Modena
Interior of the Modena with the Rossa Corsa paint and tan leather. This example is equipped with the F1 gearbox, controlled by the “paddles” on the steering column
Interior of the Modena with the Rossa Corsa paint and tan leather. This example is equipped with the F1 gearbox, controlled by the “paddles” on the steering column
Profile of Ferrari 360 Modena.
Profile of Ferrari 360 Modena.

Performance

* 0-62 mph: 4.5 s
* Top speed : 300 km/h (186 mph)
* downforce: 180 kgf (1.77 kN) @ 300 km/h (without rear wing)
* lift/drag: -0.73:1
* EPA Fuel Economy: 10 mpg U.S. city/16 mpg U.S. highway (24 L/100 km and 14 L/100 km)

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Ferrari Scaglietti 612

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (skal-yeti) is a Gran Turismo car produced by Ferrari since 2004. It is a large two door fastback coupe with a 2+2 seating arrangement. The 612 Scaglietti was designed to replace the smaller Ferrari 456M. Its larger size makes it a true 4 seater with adequate space in the rear seats for adults.

It is produced at Ferrari’s Carrozzeria Scaglietti plant, the former home of the car’s namesake coachbuilder in Modena, Italy. The design, especially the large side scallops and the headlights, pays homage to the custom 1954 Ferrari 375 MM that director Roberto Rossellini had commissioned for his wife, Ingrid Bergman.

The styling of the 612 Scaglietti has proven to be controversial at best. Despite its classic roots, with the overall form of the car being very similar to the 250 GTO’s, it is considered by some to be rather ungainly, a criticism that is most often directed toward the small rounded headlights and the middle of the car’s front being shorter than the sides. Some also find the length of the hood (which is partially disguised by the side scallops) to be disproportionate to the rest of the body. Others find it merely unassuming: Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson opined that car isn’t really noticeable compared to other Ferraris.

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