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Ferrari issues 458 Italia recall over fire risk
Ferrari’s finally decided to issue a recall on the Ferrari 458 Italia after at least four fires in three months, according to a letter allegedly received by an owner. Ferrari’s apparently blaming a design flaw instead of their owners. After four separate fires broke out (in Paris, in the Swiss Alps and in California are three of them), Ferrari began investigating the possible cause. The manufacturer went into the investigation downplaying any design flaw and laying probable cause on driver error.
According to the automaker, an adhesive used to attach a heat shield under the rear fender can ignite under high temperatures, leading to a larger fire in the engine bay. We’ve seen at least four cases on the internet of flaming 458s like this one, and while we can’t say for certain, it would seem this adhesive is the likely cause.
Ferrari has designed a new heat shield that attaches with rivets, negating the need for the adhesive. Naturally, 458 owners are urged to call a dealer to schedule an appointment for the free fix.
Luckily, Ferrari has indeed found a problem and has issued a recall and has told Autocar “When the car is driven to high exhaust temperatures, in hot ambient temperatures, the adhesive used in the wheelarch assemblies can overheat and allow the rear wheel housing heat shields to move around. In extreme cases, the glue can begin to smoke and even catch fire,”. New assemblies have been designed and will of course be replaced at no charge. Ferrari is also said to be replacing any vehicles that have been damaged or lost due to the issue.
The Italian automaker promised us the Ferrari 458 Italia would be a hot new ride, but the numerous fires made us wonder about how literal the Italians were being. If you’re one of the lucky ones and owner of a 458, be sure to grab your appointment to get your fix sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, the automaker’s recall doesn’t affect the rest of the owners who have been wrecking their vehicles over the simple reason that they can’t drive worth a damn.
Ferrari 599 GTO online configurator launches
Ferrari’s new extreme V12 berlinetta, the 599 GTO, delivers a lap time of just 1 minute and 24 seconds at Fiorano, making it the fastest road-going model in our history. This limited edition special series of just 599 is the new pinnacle of Prancing Horse sportiness and has benefited to an enormous degree from technological transfers from the track. Many of the cutting-edge solutions sported by the 599 GTO are also the product of the Maranello engineers’ experience in the development of the 599XX, the prototype experimental car of which, as its legendary moniker suggests, the 599 GTO is the road-homologated version.
As you may recall, the 599 GTO features a 6.0-liter V12 engine with 661 hp (493 kW / 670 PS) and 457 lb-ft (619 Nm) of torque. There are 26 exterior color choices, three different wheels, several carbon fiber components and mundane features like privacy glass and iPod connectivity. The wide choice of colors can be paired with four different livery options: standard, racing, historical racing and bicolor.
It enables the 1495 kg (3295 lb) supercar to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.35 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 335 km/h (208 mph). We all know that new Ferrari 599 GTO will make a serious chance of winning the ’supercar of the year’ poll in about six months. As if the car is not fantastic enough, the Italian car manufacturer has created an online configurator where you can personalize your 599 GTO!
Ferrari 599 GTO Fastest Supercar
Ferrari has finally taken the wraps of its high-performance 599 GTO. The Ferrari 599 GTO is a V12 powered berlinetta oriented towards the performance interested customer. The Ferrari 599 GTO is powered by a 6.0 liter V12 engine developing 500 kW (670 hp) at 8250 rpm and 620 Nm (457 lbs/ft) of torque at 6500 rpm. The engine of the Ferrari 599 GTO sends its power to the rear wheels via a F1 style 6–speed transmission.
The Ferrari 599 GTO is fitted with a SCM2 – Magnetorheological Suspension Control suspension and carbon ceramic brakes with 398 x 38 mm (15.7 x 1.5 in) disks in the front and 360 x 32 mm (14.2 x 1.3 in) on the rear.
The Ferrari 599 GTO is equipped with the latest, second-generation carbon-ceramic brakes which are lighter and offer better performance, new aerodynamic innovations, such as the wheel doughnuts which increase aerodynamic efficiency as well as improve brake cooling, and the Supersport tyres developed by Michelin include a wider front tyre for greater roadholding. The driver-car interface is also new with the adoption of the Virtual Race Engineer (VRE) which provides the driver with instantaneous information on performance.
The Ferrari 599 GTO’s more aggressive character is also apparent in a number of styling elements that recall the 599XX and from the powerful sound of the V12.
The 599’s chassis has been thoroughly reworked for the GTO treatment, and Ferrari says the improvements completely eliminated any understeer. The 599 GTO features Ferrari’s Magnetorheological Supension Control system, as well as carbon ceramic disc brakes. The 599 GTO sports high-performance Michelin tires, size 285/30/20 up front and 315/35/20 in the rear.
Ferrari will produce just 599 examples of the 599 GTO, with a price tag expected to fit that exclusivity. Early reports have suggested the 599 GTO will retail from $426,000.
Ferrari California 2010 Sports car
The 2010 Ferrari California is a throwback to one of the all-time great Ferraris-the 250 GT California Spyder. The new California is the first retractable hardtop the company has ever offered, and the entire package offers owners all the benefits of a nimble grand tourer and a top-down cruiser.
The 2010 Ferrari California Production is a high performance two door sports car with a retractable hard top. Ferrari California even more powerful and even sportier. The new supercharged engine represents an increase in power output for the 4.3-liter V8 with direct fuel injection that delivers high performance, exceptional handling and a better mileage.
In addition to sporting the marque’s classic styling cues, the cabin has also been beautifully trimmed using quality materials by Ferrari’s own skilled artisans. New accessories and equipment, such as the seats, steering wheel, instrument panel and infotainment system, together with optimised aerodynamics ensure that this is a highly ergonomic and enjoyable car to drive regardless of whether the top is up or down.
The aerodynamic kit includes: a new front spoiler, new rocker panels with integrated airfoils and black side markers, a rear diffuser and rear spoiler lip and of course a set of three-piece Novitec Rosso NF3 wheels. The exteriors feature the aluminum retractable hard top, bi-xenon headlights, LED rear lights and mirrors.
The NOVITEC ROSSO specialists fit the eight-cylinder four-valve engine of the California with a mechanical charger driven by the crankshaft via a cogged belt. Boost pressure is limited to 0.4 bars.
The system also includes a water-to-air intercooler, a custom intake manifold and larger injectors.
The interiors are mostly finished in leather and it features the leather seats, sporty steering wheel, TFT Multidisplay, Ipod connector, hard disc, USB connection, 6.5 inches touch screen, Bluetooth and a large luggage space.
The California’s steering wheel is in keeping with the rest of the Ferrari lineup, making use of a wheel-mounted control called the manettino, which allows the driver to adjust the attitude of the various mechanical systems of the car, including engine mapping, traction control and suspension.
Standard safety goodies include control for stability and traction with F1 Trac-a system derived from the F1 racing program which uses predictive software to give a delicate and refined control over drive-wheel spin.
EDO Farrari Enzo 2009
The Ferrari Enzo with its 660 horsepower is arguably one of the most exclusive cars in the world, both in terms of its driving dynamics and purchase price. Those looking for something considerably faster and more exclusive choose the edo Ferrari Enzo XX Evolution.
A bump in displacement from 6.0 to 6.3 liters, new camshafts, new titanium valve spring retainers and connecting rods, modified cylinder heads, new high performance exhaust headers, high flow catalytic converters, mufflers and air filters: that’s the scope of edo competition’s engine modifications. The standard hydraulic tappets are replaced with newly developed solid tappets, enabling the 12 cylinder engine to rev to an incredible 9,600 rpm. This is unmatched by any other 12 cylinder engine at this time! Additionally the intake system of the V12 was modified, a new high performance clutch – available with „strada” or „pista” friction pads – and a more powerful oil pump were installed. The power output is increased by 180 to 840 horsepower. Without mufflers more than 860 horsepower is possible. The maximum torque of 780 Nm (575 ft-lb) is available at 5,800 rpm.
The edo/KW race suspension from the FIA GT series was retuned for the EDO Ferrari Enzo XX Evolution. The edo-installed tire pressure monitoring system displays the pressures for each of the four wheels. Providing ample grip for the edo Enzo XX Evolution are 19 inch front wheels and 20 inch rear wheels with 335 mm wide tires.
The aerodynamics package is absolutely unique. It includes a complete exhaust system with tips machined from billet aluminum, now relocated to the top of the body. The tips are plasma-coated using a special process. The newly developed rear skirt featuring winglets and a rear wing profile, adjustable in 3 steps, improves the ground effect and can be tuned to the tastes of the driver. The new retractable rear wing is upgraded with a taller flap resulting in increased downforce and stability, especially at high speeds. New LED tail lights round off the rear view of the car.
Features
· Power increased to about 700 hp thanks to new exhaust headers like on the Ferrari FXX,
high-flow catalytic converter, performance muffler, modified intake with ram-air system,
high-flow air filters and ECU recalibration
· Stainless steel muffler with adjustable remote-controlled butterfly-valve, new exhaust tips
Exhaust sound level adjustable at the push of a button
· Wheels can be custom-painted on request
· Tire pressure monitoring system displaying air pressure and tire temperature for each wheel
Sport suspension for the road with adjustable compression and rebound damping like on the FIA GT MC12. Nose lift functionality is retained.
· Special lightweight wheels with Michelin tires
Front: 10 x 19 with 265/35 ZR 19
Rear: 13 x 20 with 335/30 ZR 20
· New high-performance clutch. Extremely lightweight. Two different friction compounds selectable (strada/pista)
With a program called XX, EDO Competition specialists have modified the Ferrari Enzo. The EDO Ferrari Enzo XX comes with a modified V12 cylinder 6.3 liter engine that features new steel cylinders and pistons, camshafts, Titan valve springs, Titan connecting rods and new oil cooling piston pipes. The EDO Ferrari Enzo XX develops 800 hp/(588 kW) at 8.500 rpm and 780 Nm of torque at 5.800 rpm. Due to the modifications, the car now has a top speed of than 380 km/h and is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, to 200 km/h in 9 seconds and to 300 km/h in just 19 seconds.
