VIDEO: Ferrari California gets Squashed by Tour Bus

Blame their celebrity-like status, but when a new supercar gets involved in an accident, it’s bound to attract some media attention. This here incident involves a brand new (or fairly new) Ferrari California and a tour bus that crossed paths at the intersection of Camden and Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills. We don’t know the details surrounding the mishap but the result is that the Ferrari got squashed into a curb by the tour bus. If you happen to know anything about the crash leave us a comment after the jump. Hop through the break to watch the video.

Source: SoCalspeedzone & Concoursblog via Motorauthority

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VIDEO: Ferrari Drops FF Press Cars at Ski Resort with a Chinook Helicopter

Over the next few weeks, some 200 handpicked journalists from all over the world will have the opportunity to try out Ferrari’s latest creation, the new FF sports car. Usually, a Ferrari presentation of this kind would take place at a race circuit, but not this time as Maranello chose the Plan De Corones ski resort in Italy to tout its new four-seater model’s all-wheel drive capabilities.

Being that the ski resort can only be reached by ski-lifts, Ferrari commissioned the help of the Italian air force to transport the two press cars at the top of Plan De Corones at 2,350 metres. A CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter from Viterbo’s 1st Regiment Antares and three Agusta 205 helicopters from the 4th Regiment Altair from the Italian air force in Bolzano, assisted Ferrari in moving the cars to the Dolomites. You can watch the air-lift in the video after the break.

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Mansory Siracusa

Most attempts to modify a supercar are going to be controversial, as are the efforts of German tuner Mansory. Combine the two then, and it’s very likely that the outcome is going to divide opinion.



For the Siracusa - based on the Ferrari 458 Italia - Mansory has adopted its usual procedure: replace as much bodywork as possible with carbon fibre, fiddle with the aerodynamics, boost power, re-trim the interior and then apply a ‘unique’ colour scheme.

Some visual elements don’t work particularly well, for example the revised headlights and the various carbon fibre addenda stuck onto the side skirts and front apron. But the claimed results are more down-force, better cooling and a car that’s 70 kg (154 lbs) lighter.



Combined with a modest 2% increase in power to 581 bhp (434 kW / 590 PS) - thanks to a tweaked engine management system, replacement air filter and a sports exhaust - the Siracusa will accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.2 seconds, before going on to a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h).



Impressive performance, although it should be remembered that the standard 458 Italia does the same sprint in 3.4 seconds and maxes out at 202 mph (325 km/h). So it begs the question: what’s the point for such insignificant gains?



Of course, it might be that the Mansory has a notably improved mid-range, while the lowered suspension and more effective spoilers unite to considerably enhance handling. The only way to tell would be to pitch the Siracusa against a stock 458 Italia on a track.



Related post:

MP4-12C versus 458 Italia

Ferrari FF gets a ride in a Chinook helicopter【Video】

The new V12 Ferrari for the first time on the road, After the great feedback generated by the FF at the Geneva car show.

With its latest supercar, Ferrari has introduced a controversial ‘shooting brake’ hatchback bodystyle, a fully redesigned 651 horsepower and 504 pound-feet of torque 6.3-liter V-12 with direct injection technology and seven-speed ‘F1’ dual clutch transmission, and of course an advanced four-wheel drive system, a first for Ferrari.  

With just a few days to go until the press is given access to the shooting brake concept, two of the four-wheel drive models have been air lifted to the top of Plan De Corones in the Dolomites. At 2,350 meters (7,710 feet) above sea level, a special ice and snow track has been constructed where journalists will test the cars under slippery conditions.




Press Release

The FF at the top of Plan de Corones at 2,350 metres

Maranello, 10 March 2011 - Only a couple of days to go for the start of the FF tests by the press, where journalists from all over the world will drive the new V12 Ferrari for the first time on the roads of the Alto-Adige region: two Ferrari four-seaters with four-wheel drive have been taken to the top of Plan De Corones in the Dolomites at 2,350 metres, where a special ice and snow track has been prepared for the cars, located at the start of the vast ski area, where the journalists will test the cars under fierce conditions.

The cars have been taken to this area, which can only be reached by the ski-lifts, with a CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter from Viterbo's 1st Regiment Antares and the help of three Agusta 205 helicopters from the 4th Regiment Altair from the Italian air force in Bolzano. The cars were loaded into the transport helicopters and flown around the Dolomites, before they were carefully unloaded. In this much-anticipated event, with headquarters in Brunico, almost 200 journalists from the world's most important publications will participate over the next four weeks. After the great feedback generated by the FF at the Geneva car show now this revolutionary 12-cylinder from Ferrari is finally debuting on the road.

It Came from eBay Hell: Toyota Celica-Based Ferrari F430 Replica

There are probably more Pontiac Fiero-based imitations in the world than real Ferraris. Today, though, we have something a little different. No, it is not a Pontiac Fiero-based Lamborghini Miura (we have already had one of them), it is a Toyota Celica that has been transformed into a passable F430 replica.

Did I say passable? Well, only just. From the front, it looks okay, with the hood, headlights and A-pillar being sufficiently F430-like. As you move back, however, it all starts to unwind. The awkward side window treatment, slab-sided rear flanks and the shape of the rear windscreen just seem wrong. Though you can’t expect much from trying to transform a front-engined, front wheel drive Japanese coupe in a mid engine, rear wheel drive Italian exotic.

Things only get worse inside; the interior is essentially stock seventh-gen Celica with stick on parts that are supposed to give the impression of a Ferrari interior. Suffice to say, it does not work. The seller is asking US$45,000 for a car that nominally pulls around $7,500 on the used market, a frankly ridiculous price. You can check out our gallery (if you dare) and leave your bit in the comments section below.

By Tristan Hankins

Link: eBay

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World Car Awards top three

Following the announcement of the World Car Awards finalists at the beginning of February, the jurors have voted once again to decide the top three candidates in each category.



There’s now a short wait until the New York International Auto Show, which begins on 22 April, to find out the winners.



The three models up for each award - in alphabetical order - are:



2011 World Car of the Year



· Audi A8

· BMW 5 Series

· Nissan Leaf

BMW 5 Series Saloon

The outsider here is probably the Audi, but whether enough jurors have been swayed by the Leaf remains to be seen. Many might have been reluctant to give their votes to the Nissan because, despite its green credentials, it nevertheless represents first generation electric car technology which comes with associated issues of purchase price, recharging time and range.



2011 World Performance Car



· Ferrari 458 Italia

· Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

· Porsche 911 Turbo

Ferrari 458 Italia

It’s difficult to foresee the Ferrari not winning this category.



2011 World Car Design of the Year



· Alfa Romeo Giulietta

· Aston Martin Rapide

· Ferrari 458 Italia

Aston Martin Rapide

Perhaps the surprise here is that the Citroën DS3, which was in the top ten shortlist, hasn’t make it through to the top three. Naturally this is a very subjective category but, from an aesthetic perspective, surely the Aston Martin just about beats the other contenders?



2011 World Green Car



· BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition

· Chevrolet Volt

· Nissan Leaf

Chevrolet Volt

This award is hard to predict, because the three finalists represent three very different technologies: internal combustion, range extender and pure electric. However, because the Volt combines the benefits of battery power with a total absence of range anxiety, it deserves to clinch the title.



Related post:

World Car Awards finalists

Mansory's Ferrari 458 Italia

Mansory's products are always eye-catching (if not necessarily attractive), whether they be a clear coat carbon Aston Martin named Cyrus or that silly pink Bentley. Beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder. That being said, allow me to introduce you to the Siracusa. Rant and rave in the comments below.

Underneath all the new and revised carbon fiber body panels (now with more louvers!) is a Ferrari 458 Italia. Named after a Sicilian raceway, the Siracusa has received a respiratory performance boost to 590 horsepower / 434 kW and 560 Nm / 413 lb-ft representing gains of + 20 hp and + 20 Nm / 15 lb-ft over the standard model.
Thanks to the bump in power and drop in weight, Mansory claims the car will hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.2 seconds and attain a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph).
The Siracusa rides on 20- and 21-inch wheels (f/r) sheathed in Michelins, while inside is the same old tuner car song: carbon fiber, leather, and ultra-suede. Also, a new suspension setup lowers the car 20 mm. Next!
 

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VIDEO: Chris Bangle Speaks Out on Supercars, Mistresses, Wives and...You Know

Former BMW Group Design boss Chris Bangle was on a roll at the Geneva Motor Show. Following his encounter with Saab's new chief designer, Jason Castriota, Bangle also had a quick video chat with Car Design News Editor Eric Gallina about his views on supercars.

"Well, I'm kind of old school on supercars, you know," said Bangle. “If they're not something that, just, you know, knocks your balls off, you know, they're nice cars, and go fast too, you know. The world needs another, oh that's good!" Want more Bangle? Hit the jump to watch the clip.

Source: Cardesignnews / Youtube

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Ferrari Video Explains how the FF's 4WD System Works

The Ferrari FF has attracted a lot of attention at this year's Geneva Motor Show, mostly for its shooting-brake shape and top-of-the-range status. But for tech lovers, what really stands out about this car is the four-wheel-drive system under its skin, a first for a series production Ferrari model. Understanding how the system works beats everything else for engineering geeks, so Ferrari has offered us a detailed video on the 4WD system.

As the company previously stated, the 4RM configuration weighs 50 percent less than conventional four-wheel-drive systems and doesn't affect the ideal weight distribution (53/47 rear/front). When grip is high, torque is sent to the rear wheels only, as with any other Ferrari.

But when slippery conditions arise, the system automatically sends torque to the front wheels via a front-mounted transfer case called “Power Transfer Unit” (PTU). This takes power directly from the crankshaft (and not the rear-mounted gearbox) sending it to the front wheels through two clutches that also ensure the torque vectoring function. Sounds complicated? The video below explains it better.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Ferrari FF and Lamborghini Aventador Both Sold Out for their First Year of Production

They are two of the most hotly anticipated and talked about cars at this week's 2011 Geneva International Motor Show. We're talking of course about the Ferrari's first ever four-wheel drive model, the FF, and Lamborghini's replacement for the Murcielago, the Aventador LP700-4.

Though catering to different tastes and needs, these two supercars have something in common, and we're not referring to their Italian roots nor their twelve-cylinder powerplants, but to the fact that both are sold out for their first year of production even before they arrive in showrooms across the world.

"We have already sold all 800 Ferrari FFs planned to be produced in 2011," Ferrari CEO Luca Cordero di Montezemolo said at the Geneva Motor Show. The four-seater, golf bag-loving FF comes with a 660-horsepower strong 6.3-liter V12 engine and carries a base sticker of €260,000 or about US$360,000 at today's exchange rates.

The VW Group's flagship Lamborghini model is powered by a 6.5-liter V12 engine pushing out 700HP and is priced at $370,000 or €267,200.

Source: Reuters & Businessweek

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