A Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano versus a Porsche Carrera GT. A production gran tourismo versus a limited production exotic. Doesn’t seem like a fair fight to us. An Enzo/Carrera GT challenge seems to be a better match.

While Ferrari designed the 599 GTB Fiorano to be “practical” — as least practical for a $250K Ferrari, the Carrera GT is definitely more typical of an exotic. So which one is faster?

Video after the jump.

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We haven’t seen Ferrari’s forthcoming Challenge Stradale in a while, but the lightweight F430 has been caught on camera again. These shots were taken near the sports carmaker’s home in Maranello.

The F430 Challenge Stradale will be powered by an uprated version of the F430’s 4.3L V8. Power is expected to be in the 520+ hp range. The extra power comes from a reprogramed ECU and modified exhaust.

The Challenge Stradale will be differentiated from standard F430’s with a modified front fascia with larger air intakes, restyled rear fascia with the exhaust moved higher up, unique light-weight magnesium wheels, and plenty of carbon fiber. The F430 CS will also receive larger brake discs and calipers.

The Challenge Stradale is expected to be ready towards the end of this year

## Source: Autoblog.it ##

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The Ferrari Enzo has been named the world’s most iconic supercar Motoring Research’s Zurich Iconic Car Index. The instantly legendary Ferrari was named after the automaker’s founder, and topped a list of the 100 most iconic contemporary cars you can buy — assuming you have the money. The Zurich Iconic Car Index, created by Motoring Research — founded by former Top Gear presenter, Peter Burgess, uses a sophisticated formula weighting factors including price, performance, engine power and marque. The cars had to cost over £50,000 just to be considered.

The Enzo was initially announced at the 2002 Paris Motor Show with a planned production run of 349 units. Ferrari sold all 349 cars way before production began, and, after numerous requests, Ferrari decided to build 50 more Enzos. Ferrari eventually built a 400th Enzo, which was auctioned for $1.1 million, with the proceeds donated to the Pope for humanitarian relief.

Second on the list was the Porsche Carrera GT, with another Ferrari — the 599 GTB — holding down third spot. Ferrari was the only automaker with more than one car in the top ten.

Full list after the jump.

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In another segment from U.K.’s Fifth Gear, Jason Plato helps lottery winner Robert Palmer pick out the perfect supercar. Palmer narrows the choices down to the Ferrari F430 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

Which one will Palmer choose? Check out the video after the jump.

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In another segment from U.K.’s Fifth Gear, Tiff Needell reviews Ferrari’s new 599 GTB Fiorano. Needell takes the car to the track that gives the 599 its name, Ferrari’s Fiorano test track. Needell has to wait until no other than Ferrari F1 driver Michael Schumacher is done testing.

Check out the video review after the jump.

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At Ferrari’s press conference at the Los Angeles Auto Show, company executives put to rest rumors of a successor for the Dino that would be positioned below the $170,000+ F430. Amedeo Felisa, General Manager of Ferrari S.p.A., directly addressed rumors about a new Dino.

Felisa said the automaker has no plans to develop a cheap Ferrari — not that we would consider a $120,000 Dino cheap. His statement made it clear the company has absolutley no plans for high-volume or modestly-priced cars, and would continue to design and build top level, high performance sports cars.

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Another prototype of Ferrari’s F430 Challenge Stradale has been spotted during testing at Germany’s Nurburgring. This F430 Challenge Stradale appears to be a little closer to production ready than the last F430 CS prototype. The F430 CS is expected to be powered by a uprated version of the 4.3L V8, with about 520-hp on tap. The additional 30 horsepower will have to move a car that is likely to be about 220 lbs. lighter than a stock F430. Expect to see plenty of carbon fiber, including the door panels and rear fascia, and magnesium alloy wheels.

The Ferrari F430 Challenge Stradale could be ready for sale by early next year.

## Source: Autoblog.it ##

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Spy photographer Hans Lehmann snapped a few images of Ferrari’s 612 Scaglietti featuring the automaker’s “Insertable 4X4” system. The “Insertable 4X4″ system is riding under a slightly facelifted 612, with more aggressive air intakes. Note the test equipment on the front wheels, which is there to measure front wheel slip for calibration of the 4X4’s the computer.

Ferrari new system is rear-wheel biased, with the power being directed to the fronts only if rear wheel slip is detected, AND if the AWD is switched on. Ferrari’s “Insertable 4X4″ system is more like a traction control system than true all-wheel drive, but where traction control cuts power to the wheels, Ferrari system delivers power to another set of wheels. Ferrari’s system will also reduce drivetrain losses because it will only engage in certain conditions, unlike a true all-wheel drive system like that used by Lamborghini. The new technology should ensure that new Ferraris will maintain their superb handling characteristics in all weather conditions.

## Source: Winding Road ##

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Despite near constant denials about Ferrari’s plans for a successor to the Dino, according to spy photographer Hans Lehmann, this is a mule for the new entry-level Ferrari. While the F430 body panels hide what is underneath, Lehmann says the engine note is more subdued than the F430. The new model is expected to be powered by a 400-hp V8, instead of a V6 like the original Dino.

There have also been plenty of sightings of the entry-level Ferrari’s expected competitors going in and out of the factory, including the BMW M6 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage. The new model is likely to be priced around 100-110k euros, compared to the F430’s 160k euro price.

Despite Ferrari’s denials, expect to see it on the roads in 2009, but don’t expect it to be called the Dino. The new model will likely have a more typical Ferrari alphanumeric designation.

## Source: Winding Road ##

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Ferrari is readying its newest response to Porsche’s RS-models, the F430 Challenge Stradale. While Porsche only puts its RS-models on a diet to improve performance, Ferrari will also give the F430 Challenge Stradale a bump in the horsepower department.

The F430 Challenge Stradale is expected to bump power up to 520 bhp from the standard F430’s 490 bhp. Add a reduction in weight of around 220 lbs., and you have recipe for a nice performance improvement. Based on the microphone by the exhaust pipes, we assume that Ferrari’s goal is to make the F430 CS as loud as they legally can.

The Ferrari F430 Challenge Stradale is expected to be available early next year.

## Source: World Car Fans ##

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Despite denials from Ferrari officials about its existence, plans for an “entry-level” Ferrari appear to be well on their way, according to AutoWeek. The “Dino” is being co-developed with Maserati, and source even say that crude prototypes exist.

The “entry-level” Ferrari is expected to ride on a front-engine platform developed by Maserati, but the Ferrari will have a body built with carbon fiber and aluminum to keep weight down. The Dino will likely be offered as a coupe only to keep weight down. Unlike the original Dino, the coming Dino will likely skip V6 power, and will be powered by a 4.0L variant of Maserati’s V8 developing about 400-hp.

The Dino will target the 911, according to AutoWeek. With a car clothed in carbon fiber and aluminum, we assume Ferrari will be targeting higher-end 911 variants. Ferrari plans to build 4,000 units annually and sales are likely to begin no earlier than 2009.

## Source: AutoWeek ##

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Ferrari has developed an four-wheel drive system, which the automaker is calling “insertable 4×4″, to maximize the performance capability of its futire sports cars under any conditions, according Italiaspeed reports. The Ferrari four-wheel drive system will only be activated if the computer senses a loss of traction, a slide or excessive wheel-spin.

Unlike the full-time all-wheel drive systems used by Lamborghini and Audi, the Ferrari system would typically operate with all power going to the rear wheels only, engaging the front wheels only when needed. A computer-controlled clutch determines when to activate the front wheels. The Ferrari four-wheel drive system was designed to remove the traditional disadvantages of a permanent all-wheel drive, primarily the loss of engine torque.

Ferrari has designed its four-wheel drive system to work with both its mid-engine and front-engine cars, according to the report.

## Source: Italiaspeed ##

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Last week, Fiat said that it has exercised an option to buy back nearly 29 percent of Ferrari. Fiat sold the stake to Italian banks in 2002 when it was facing a cash crisis. Now that its financial situation is better shape, the automaker bought back the stake as part its strategy to focus on its core operations.

Following the deal, Fiat now owns 85 percent of Ferrari, with 5 percent owned by a Dubai operation that plans to build a Ferrari theme park in its home country.

## Source: Reuters ##

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As had been rumored, Spyker-MF1 Racing has signed a deal to run Ferrari V8 engines in 2007. The Spyker team with be the third team to use Ferrari engines along with the factory squad and one of Red Bull’s two teams. Despite the contract being for 2007 only, there are believed to be options to extend it.

“We are in F1 to be competitive,” said Spyker’s F1 director Michiel Mol.

A delighted Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars and the Spyker F1 team, said, “to reach agreement with the number one name in the Formula 1 world for over 50 years is a milestone in the history of our company. I am convinced that the co-operation of Spyker-MF1 Team with Ferrari and its dedicated staff will bear fruit for the 2007 season.”

With this news, it is likely that 2007 will be first time in many years that there will be no Cosworth-powered cars on the grid.

## Source: ITV ##

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AutoWeek is speculating that Maranello is working on a new “entry-level” Ferrari. According to the magazine, Ferrari is working on a V8-powered, 2+2, hardtop convertible that will be launched in Europe in 2008 and the U.S. in 2009.

And AutoWeek says that the entry-level model won’t be the only new model coming out of Maranello’s stables. Ferrari is thought to be considering another V8-powered 2+2 coupe  for early next decade, which would follow the redesign of the F430 in 2009. We expect this new 2+2 coupe to be more expensive than the entry-level model. Ferrari’s last 2+2 V8 was the Mondial, which ended production in 1999. No news whether it will ride on a new platform or if it will effectively be a 2+2 version of the next F430.

## Source: AutoWeek ##

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