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Convertibles, Sports/GTs, Paris Motor Show, Ferrari

The gang in Maranello is continuing to dribble out more imagery of the new Ferrari California roadster, now with the car now making its first appearance with its hard top up. This blue GT can be seen in the gallery below with the top up, down and halfway in between. Thankfully, in spite of the 2+ designation (whatever that means) the car still maintains two-seater proportions, so it doesn't have a ridiculously long rear deck. There has been plenty of discussion in the comments about the virtues of the California's design details, but the overall proportions are definitely classic GT the folding hard top manages not to screw that up.

Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo recently had his first crack at driving the new car at the company's Fiorano test track and unsurprisingly came away feeling quite effusive about the newcomer. In the bosses words, "The California is, like all of our models, the epitome of cutting-edge innovation." The new hard top can apparently change state in a mere 14 seconds. Hopefully it will also prove to be more reliable than some other such examples. It's going to be a long summer of teasing from Ferrari before the California makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October. In the meantime, Ferrari's latest press release is after the jump.

[Source: Ferrari]

Concept Cars, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Etc., Supercars, Ferrari

Ferrari Concept 2008 by Sefsdesign

We realize that not everyone will agree with us on this one -- passions seem to run highest over the cars that the fewest number of people will drive -- but if the Ferrari California looked like this concept, we'd put down a deposit right now. Once someone else gave us the money to do so.

Sure, from the A-pillar forward is pure Maserati, and there's no way a front intake like that could or should make it onto a Ferrari. Still, it's a good looking front end, and we don't mind design elements going up as well as down. Besides, a couple of keystrokes can get a proper Ferrari nose in place.

But from the A-pillar to the rear... those are the kind of aggressive, subtle lines we like in our Ferraris. Which is not to say we don't like the California -- we just like this a little better... A coupe, please. That color.
[Source: Sefsdesign]

The performance of the established Novitec Bi compressor engine has been improved at the new version Evoluzione to 482 kw / 656 hp with modified turbine-blades and separated oil-circuit, modified and enlarged induction tract complete heat insulated, a new air tract at the underbody and modified ECU'S. The additional power of 20 hp arise drastically the driving performance of the 636 hp version.

In close collaboration both technology departments, Brembo developed the new Novitec brake system with 380 mm discs and 6-pistons at the front and rear axle. The outstanding deceleration values offer complete security in all situations

The driving stability, also at high speed in the curves, is improved by the Novitec suspension and stronger anti sway bars. The complete set of wheels NF2 Race in black with a car-colour matching stripe and Pirelli Pzero Rosso tyres provides the right grip to the road.

In the wind tunnel of the Research Institute for Motor Vehicles in Stuttgart, the aerodynamic functionality of the Novitec body components were checked. Thanks to these tests, not only the design of the F430 is underlined, but also the negative lift force is increased. The interior is individualised with exclusive materials and design.

Based on Ferrari F430 F1

Technical Data:
Performance KW/HP: 482 kW/656 hp / 8.200 U/min
Max. torque: 662NM / 6.100 rpm
Max. boost-pressure: 0.38 bar
0-100 km/h: 3,7 sec.
V max: 348 km/h *in combination with Novitec gear-ratio

Engine:
NOVITEC Bi – compressor with two Rotrex – compressors with separated oil-circuit, modified and enlarged induction tract complete heat-insulated, watercooled intercoolers with additional watercoolers, pumps, reinforced v-ripped belts, injectors, air tract duct in underbody as well as modified ECU’s
Power-optimized exhaust system in stainless steel with 90mm outlets, modified gear ratio

Brakes:
NOVITEC Brembo brake system with 380mm metal discs front and rear and 6-pistons brake callipers at the front and rear axle

Suspension:
KW stainless steel coil over suspension Sport (dual adjustment), Sport stabilisators, complete wheel set NF2 Race, front axle 9.0 x 19 inches with 255/30R19 Pirelli P-Zero Rosso, rear axle 12.5 x 20 inches with 345/25R20 Pirelli P-Zero Rosso

Aerodynamic:
Front bumper Supersport, rear diffuser, rear wing Supersport, skirts for side panels

Others:
Carbon covering for engine compartment, Carbon engine compartment ventilation louvers
Set of rear lights in black, side indicators in black

Interior:
Complete interior leather appointment kit Supersport in two colours Alcantara with Supersport
Performance seats, steering wheel Supersport, aluminium pedal set with driver and passenger foot rest

The Ferrari F430 already is a brilliant, eye-catching vehicle. The "look" as well as engineering technology presents many similarities to motor sports racing. In the latter instance, most vehicles here feature a catchy paint finish in "warrior look". HAMANN MOTORSPORT now offers the mid-engine Ferrari a special outstanding design that equally provides a racing car look standing out from the crowd. It’s called "Black Miracle" and will be responsible for great deal of turned heads.

outstanding "Black Miracle" look in black matt with coloured finishes for aerodynamic parts
improved performance from 50 HP
competently integrated wing doors
light weight wheels "Edition Race" in 20-inch
An individual entrance thanks to Black Miracle design

HAMANN’s "Black Miracle" designed black car body via a foil suggests the appearance of a primary base coat versus a ready-finished lacquered vehicle. It leaves an impression as if the entire car body is covered in velvet. Here as well, comes an idea directly from motor sports racing scene where motor covers are often finished in black matt to aide drivers with glare reduction. The "Black Miracle" design by HAMANN acts similar to a black hole absorbing all light. For the "light at the end of the tunnel" HAMANN provides additional parts following customer preferences in brilliant red, orange or yellow finish. The contrast between black matt and each "luminizing" addition is unquestionably mesmerizing especially for countless admirers at Ferrari meetings. Such an individualized F430 entrance has never been seen before! The highlight of the "Black Miracle" designs: when the black matt colour doesn’t seem pleasing anymore, the foil can be easily removed.

The noted HAMANN aerodynamic kit for the Ferrari F430 in dazzling colours grasps many elements directly out of motor sports. Front impressions of the F430 "Black Miracle" through HAMANN’s front spoiler provide a distinct racing sports face and minimize front axle buoyancy. The wide rocker panel wings give a lowering impression. Further reminiscence of sports racing awakens at the rear end through the HAMANN diffuser and a powerful rear wing which provides more downthrust on the rear axle. HAMANN air dams for the downforce generating Venturi Tunnel boosts the effect.

Additionally included in the "Black Miracle" design are finished aerodynamic parts in red, orange or yellow as well as coloured side mirrors and brake callipers, tinted rear lights, a coloured engine cover framing, dark tinted windows (including front window), bi-coloured leather furnishings (any choice of colour combinations), HAMANN logos within the head rests as well as the wheels finished in the colour of the aerodynamic components and with completely covered black matt rim flange.

The finest detail through wing doors

The absolute show stopper effect with the eye-catching "Black Miracle" colour in combination to the car body is achieved with the addition of HAMANN constructed wing doors. This process is completed without compromise as HAMANN offers a completely full car body integration through guaranteed technology minus that look of actually being built-in. In other words, this vehicle looks as if it just rolled directly off the assembly line.

Performance jump

Through new motronic programming including a new rear silencer plus a sporty high-performance header and sport steel catalyst, the F430 in HAMANN "Black Miracle" style has a performance increase of 36kW /50 HP which is naturally a plus for vehicle performance.

Even more driving pleasure is promised with a specially designed set of suspension springs. Through the HAMANN springs, not only does the F430 lurk lower to the ground, it also moves noticeably with more agility.

The F430 "Black Miracle" comes equipped from HAMANN with a 3-pieced, forged light weight wheel "Edition Race" in 20-inch. Available for the front axle in size 8,5 x 20 (tires 235/30-20) and for the rear axle in size 12,75 x 20 (tires 325/25-20).

One example of the ultra lightweight wheels with dimensions of 12,75 x 20 have an astounding weight of only 15,45 kg! As previously indicated, within the "Black Miracle" package HAMANN finishes a wheel spider in the colour of the aerodynamic components and rim flange matching to the car body in black matt.

HAMANN Ferrari 612 Scaglietti:

Therefore a modification of the body stood at the top of the HAMANN engineers' to-do list. But the refiners from Laupheim didn't neglect sound and handling either.

-Extensive aerodynamic kit with diffuser
-Sporty end mufflers for an even stronger sound
-Agile road-handling through sport suspension
-Split-rim light-alloy wheels "Edition Race" in 20 and 21 inch

Form and function assume a strong symbiosis through the HAMANN aerodynamic components. The sports car designed by Pininfarina acquired a front spoiler from the noble tuner from Laupheim to provide optimal downforce on the front axle, which also improved the optics of the largest Ferrari even further. The pair of side sills for the flank of the 612 impart an impression of lowered suspension. The rear spoiler helps to ensure optimal downforce on the rear axle, while clearly bringing a more sporting look to the rear view without disturbing the basic design. HAMANN achieves an even bigger modification to the rear view through a new rear end component with integrated diffuser, which also ensures more downforce.

As customary with HAMANN, the aerodynamic components are available in fiberglass and carbon-Kevlar.

HAMANN addresses the subject of wheels with its self-developed design "Edition Race". The appearance of the three-part, ultra-light, forged rim with cross-spoke design and black rim-star is characterized by the nine main spokes, which each branch out to form two more. Besides the exciting design, the titanium screwing is particularly pleasing to the eye. The cherry on the cake of the noble optics is the highly polished rim flange. Naturally HAMANN also offers the wheel as a complete wheel set.

Typical wheel and tire combinations:
front 9.0 J x 20" / rear 12.5 J x 20" - 245/35 ZR 20 / 335/30 ZR20
front 9.0 J x 21" / rear 12.0 J x 21" - 245/30 ZR 21 / 345/25 ZR21

With the aid of a chassis spring assembly, HAMANN lowers the center of gravity even further which even in a vehicle of this caliber still brings noticeable improvement to the handling.

Incontestably the sound of a Ferrari 12-cylinder is something completely special. The sport mufflers are made from in V2A stainless steel and are offered by HAMANN for left and right, each of which has double exhaust pipes (O 90mm). When ordering the sport mufflers, the 540 HP symphony sounds twice as potent as before. This also means that the twelve cylinders can breathe out more easily.

Naturally HAMANN also dedicates itself to the interior. Traveling should be made as pleasant as possible for the passengers. For example, an exclusive foot mat set in black in the Ferrari's cockpit makes it appear more homey. Of course HAMANN can also modify any 612 Scaglietti to the individual tastes of the customer, e.g. with lavish leather fittings in different colors or extensive multimedia configurations involving a DVD player, TV or PlayStation.