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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Ferrari FF: new photos, this time in the desert

Ferrari FF is currently on his first physical Geneva Motor Show. This 4 seater Ferrari Four-wheel drive and 4 (but 3-door) has already made the trip to one of his favorite markets: Abu Dhabi. It is there that the Ferrari World conditions the local youth and this is lower than the FF show for the time being static it as comfortable on the snow as the dunes of the Middle East.

Video-art: The 4x4 system FF Ferrari

Awesome. That's the adjective I can give clear that the new transmission released by the Ferrari FF. The AWD system, explained in a video after the jump, it lacks an axis of re-shipment to the front, although the gearbox is placed in position on the rear transaxle.

If you are wondering how the thing is tricky. The power for the front axle is taken directly from the crankshaft through a separate reduction gear, and a hydraulic pump that drives the mechanism tightens differential intelligent distribution. In this way the front wheels receive torque when required, coupling and uncoupling with the situation.

The idea is ingenious, but does not play well in the transfer of torque (at least in theory) as a provision full relay as the Nissan GT-R. In return, it is much lighter.

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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Live from Geneva: Ferrari FF, the star of the show 2011

Expected, the FF is the star of the show: this morning when the tarps were lifted there was a crowd very important around the Ferrari stand. The Prancing Horse which exposes three copies of the self accompanied the presentation of the music videos already dressed, air epic that showcases the Italian. It is also not the case with any color: red if it goes to rob, the white copy installed on the stand Pininfarina leaves a little perplexed. In short it will have to see this beast in its natural environment, namely on the roads, to realize truly the work of designers!

Geneva 2011: Ferrari FF's Show-Official Debut [Updated Gallery]

By now we've all heard and read about Ferrari's FF shooting brake GT. With the Geneva International Motor Show under way, there are now some live shots of Maranello's newest stallion. For all the official info and specs feel free to check out our previous posts; after all, you're really here for a recap of the basics and some live shots from the land of money, milk, and honey.

Much like its forbear, the 612 Scaglietti, the Ferrari FF gets a mid/front-mounted V12 and 4 seats to meet the demands of Ferrari families worldwide. The FF's engine, however, is a world first: a GDI 6.3-liter V12 (660 hp at 8,000 RPM ; 683 Nm/504 lb-ft at 6,000 RPM) unit mated to a 7-speed F1 DCT and Ferrari's 4RM all-wheel drive system.

With these numbers, Ferrari's new GT can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds on the path to 335 km/h (208 mph).

Just for kicks, Ferrari also threw in a 1,280 Watt/16-channel Dolby sound system and TVs in the headrests. Some lucky kids out there are going to be having a straight ballin' time on the way to school.

By Phil Alex

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