At a time when everyone is talking about reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, sports car manufacturers seem to have never been so aggressive. The proof is in the new Ferrari 488 GTB, which at first glance might appear to be a simple update of the 458 Italia. However, from the specification sheet, you can clearly sense a desire on the part of the Italians to remain at the top of the category at all costs. With the adoption of a new 3.9 twin-turbo V8 in place of the naturally-aspirated 4.5 V8, the saloon gains 100 bhp in one fell swoop, going from 570 to 670 bhp. The performance figures claimed were at a level not so long ago reserved for the sharpest supercars, with a 0 to 100 kph time of 3 seconds and a 0 to 200 kph time of 8.3 seconds. This new Ferrari could even have dominated the category, had it not been for rival McLaren’s presentation of the ultimate evolution of its 12C, the even more powerful 675 LT (675 bhp and 7.9 s for 0 to 200). Nevertheless, we can imagine that the firm with the cavallino will not hesitate to bring out a more extreme 488 Speciale in a year or two’s time… As for charisma, it is difficult to separate the champions from Modena and Woking, since they both rival each other in terms of suggested sportiness. In this respect, the 488 GTB boasts new fascias and modified air intakes compared to its predecessor, making it even more aggressive from certain angles.

The unveiling of a new Ferrari is always a sacred event. Especially when it’s the replacement for the Enzo, a supercar that is a direct descendant of the 288 GTO, F40 and F50! A sacred monster was revealed at Geneva, a car that will be talked about for decades to come. Exclusivity is guaranteed, as only 499 examples will be produced… but that’s a good hundred more than the McLaren P1, its only rival! What’s left is an ultra-arrogant name: LaFerrari… no more, no less! The big news is the appearance of a hybrid powertrain. But aficionados can rest assured that the naturally-aspirated V12 engine is still in place. With a displacement of 6.2 litres, it delivers 800 bhp! An electric motor supports it, and together they deliver 963 bhp and 900 Nm of torque!

There’s little chance of seeing the Ferrari F60 America on our roads. Firstly, because there will only be 10 of them. Secondly, because it is reserved for the American market. This special model, built on the basis of the F12 Berlinetta, has been given the livery of the North American Racing Team. It thus celebrates the 60th anniversary of the prancing horse brand on American soil. In fact, the F60 America was designed with the American public in mind: V12 and open-top. In fact, with its targa configuration, it doesn’t really have a roof. A lightweight panel can cover the two passengers. But then, it’s best not to exceed 120 km/h! Yet under the bonnet is a 740bhp V12.

As a tribute to their victory in the Tour de France in 1964, the Francorchamps Motors Brussels garage ordered a unique F12 from the parent company. In 1964, the Lucien Bianchi-Georges Berger team won the Tour de France in a grey 250 GTO. The same colour is used on this unique F12, enhanced by a yellow stripe (the national colour) across the bonnet. While the interior is covered in ‘Soul Leather’ that is as perfect as it is rare and… expensive, the importer specifies that it can be replaced by a blue fabric reminiscent of the bucket seats on Bianchi’s 250 GTO. Other exotic materials are used for the interior, such as ‘SuperFabric’, an ultra-resistant and abrasive fabric that has already proved its worth in the military sector. And Mycro Prestige SP 07 FR, used on the sides and high roof, is a high-tech material made specifically for Ferrari that is particularly light.

Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari is celebrating the opening of a dedicated customisation centre in Asia to launch two special editions based on the F12 Berlinetta and the FF, named ‘Polo’ and ‘Dressage’ respectively. The customisation centre is based in Shanghai, China. Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari is celebrating the opening of a customisation centre in Asia to launch two special editions based on the F12 Berlinetta and the FF, called ‘Polo’ and ‘Dressage’ respectively. The customisation centre is based in Shanghai, China. The Ferrari FF Dressage is black, in a colour called ‘Black Piano Nero’. The interior is finished in special brown leather. Year of the Horse” logos adorn the centre console and steering wheel. The backrests of the seats are treated to enhance comfort.

Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari is celebrating the opening of a dedicated customisation centre in Asia to launch two special editions based on the F12 Berlinetta and the FF, named ‘Polo’ and ‘Dressage’ respectively. The customisation centre is based in Shanghai, China. The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta Polo is white, in a colour called ‘Bianco Italia Opaco’. Two navy blue stripes run across the bonnet. This ambience is transposed to the cabin. Only the effect is reversed: the seats are blue, while the trim, stitching and piping are white.

While the arrival of a new Ferrari is always an event, that of the F12 marks the history of the Scuderia: never before has such a powerful road car been launched by the Italian marque. Unlike the recent ‘all-wheel drive’ FF, the new transalpine diva makes do with rear-wheel drive. This doesn’t prevent it from being very ‘easy’ to drive in the city. But once the environment becomes more propitious, and the twelve cylinders start to give ‘voice’, the beauty begins to reveal its character and to take its owner by storm. Cornering speeds continue to increase with every kilometre driven, as does the volume of the exhaust note, the melody of which ruffles the hair from idle speed to the approach of the breaker, set at 8,700 rpm.

Nobody is indifferent to the sight of a Ferrari. So when the manufacturer announces a new model, there’s always excitement. And when the latest model promises to be a four-seater with four-wheel drive and the look of a hunting wagon, it’s apocalypse among the tifosis. In March 2011, at the Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari unveiled its latest flagship to the general public, the FF, an acronym for Ferrari Four. While this isn’t the first time that a Ferrari has allowed four people on board, it is the first time that all-wheel drive has been available on a production Ferrari.

Ferrari’s 550 Maranello and 575 M were given a confidential convertible at the end of their careers, and now it’s the turn of the 599. The advent of this open version (‘aperta’) is also an opportunity for Ferrari to celebrate the eightieth anniversary of Pininfarina, by evoking the father (Sergio) and son (Andrea) through the use of their first names. Under the bonnet, this beautiful car houses the same 6.0 V12 producing 670 bhp as the 599 GTO, making it the most powerful convertible on the planet. Beware of showers, however: like a Dodge Viper RT/10 or a Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster, the SA Aperta only offers a canvas roof that can be deployed manually as a last resort (and probably only at low speeds). As a purist, the SA Aperta follows in the footsteps of the 550 Barchetta, which is similarly equipped, rather than those of the 575 Superamerica, which offered a pivoting glass roof.

When Ferrari unveils its most powerful road-going model ever, the world stops spinning. If, on top of that, the car is given the three magic letters GTO, you’re on the verge of mass hysteria. Its new engine is derived from the V12 of the 599XX, as are its sporty exhaust lines. The cherry on the crankshaft is its vastly optimised F1 gearbox. The fundamental question remains: is this a real GTO? Gran Turismo Omologata. Three Italian words with a universal meaning. At first glance, the 599 GTO is immediately recognisable from the GTB thanks to its new 20-inch wheels with titanium centre nuts, front and rear. They alone claim a weight saving of 22 kg! The new bonnet has also been lightened, and features two large cooling scoops for the engine. Other distinctive features include the central honeycomb grille on the front bumper, the side cooling vents for the brakes, the revised front spoiler, the lightened rear trunk, the new air extractor and the carbon mirrors. If you’re looking for the name 599 on the bodywork, stop looking, you won’t find anything. Ferrari has told you: this is a GTO, not a 599…