British car magazine Auto Express, has crowned the Ferrari 458 Italia their 2011 Performance Car of the Year (PCOTY). The magazine chose the Italian supercar from a list of 20 contenders, including other big names like the Audi V10 Spyder, Porsche GT3 RS, BMW M3 Competition and Mercedes SLS AMG. The Honda CR-Z, Renault Twingo Cup 133 and Skoda Fabia RS were the more down-to-earth cars of the group. Watch the video summary after the break to see what makes the F458 this year's performance car in AE's opinion.
A new set of photos showing a... red-hot Ferrari 458 Italia going up in flames is making the internet rounds today. Even though some websites are reporting that the incident happened in Sao Paulo, Brazil, two months after Ferrari issued the infamous recall on the 458 Italia (see here), we don't have sufficient information to be sure about the date, let alone if this particular example had gone through the mandatory repairs. So until we find out more details, follow the jump to take yet another glance of what a 458 Italia on fire looks like.
Where are my friends with their Ferrari 430 Scuderias and Monza track days? The best I can hope for is a ride around the McDonald's parking lot in a rust-coloured Datsun 280ZX with a faulty clutch. No wonder I'm so cynical.
So the story goes that YouTube member "Marchettino" flew shotgun in his mate's Ferrari 430 Scuderia at some sort of invitation only track day for Ferraristas. Speaking of which, there's a nice selection of Maranello muscle there. I think I saw (and correct me if I'm wrong) two 430s (white and red), a red 360, a black 458 Italia, a red 599 and a silver 575 M. Man, my Jealous-O-Meter is at like 11 right now.
So his friend hits 270km/h (170mph) in 6th gear...big deal. That doesn't make me green with envy. I'm a grown man; I have no interest -cough-cough- in this girly, track day malarkey.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to buy some bright red Michael Schumacher F1 gloves and a bottle of Ferrari Light Essence. Ciao...
The first ever theme park dedicated to Ferrari and the largest of its kind, opened its doors to the international press on Wednesday. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi's much-anticipated public opening was also scheduled for the same day, however it was postponed due to the death of 92-year-old Sheik Saqr bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, the ruler of emirate Ras Al Khaimah.
Ferrari World's officials are said to have been expecting up to 10,000 people on the first day of its opening. Today, it was announced that the 40-acre theme park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, will open to the public on November 4.
"Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is pleased to announce it will open its doors to the general public on 4th November 2010 at 12 noon. Tickets can be purchased from the ticketing counters at the Park on the day," the company said in a statement. "We look forward to welcoming guests to experience the world's first Ferrari theme park for this soft opening."
Chairman of Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo:
"First of all I would like, on behalf of both myself and everyone at Ferrari, to express our sincere condolences to the government and the population of the United Arab Emirates for their tragic loss. Then I would like to thank the nation and all those who made it possible to make this dream - a unique theme park dedicated to theworld of Ferrari - a reality. Congratulations to everyone involved.
The park just 4 years ago was a project, an idea, maybe even a too ambitious idea, is now a fantastic reality. Everyone at Ferrari is grateful to the people who have worked without rest for the last two years to make it happen.
Abu Dhabi is a great city that constantly looks to the future, and we are very proud of our partners who share with Ferrari the same passion, the same vision, the same will to go beyond.
This park combines innovative technology and tradition, it is dedicated not only to Ferrari fans and car enthusiastic, but to the whole family; there are attractions for kids, men and women. It has also the real touch of Ferrari: how things really are for us, with our exclusive GT road cars and racing cars, but also our history and our cultural background. Something else that was crucial for us was for the Park to be a symbol, built actively on the heritage that Italy represents for the world. We are pleased to see that all this has become reality, and that the excitement - like the roller coaster that makes you feel like a Formula One driver - goes hand-in-hand with messages that perfectly combine having a good time with the reality represented by the passion for Ferrari.
We also like to think that this Ferrari Theme park can be a small contribution to reinforcing the bridge between our two cultures.
And finally I would like to express my personal thanks to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; for their guidance and support. Warm thanks are also due to Khaldoon Al Mubarak, and to Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, for their invaluable support."
In 1971, one of the greatest one-on-one boxing matches took place in New York's Madison Square Garden: the bout between Mohammed Ali and Joe Frazier. So big was this event, advertisers dubbed it, 'The Fight of the Century'. Now, two different contenders take to the ring (uh...tarmac). The reigning champion: the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE. The challenger: the Lexus LFA. Video after the jump.
One is a purebred, Italian racehorse with decades of motor racing heritage under its belt. The other is the new kid on the block: the young hood with its 'doof doof' music and unshakable will to win.
So maybe I went a bit too far with the boxing analogy...
The real scoop here is U.S. magazine Car and Driver putting the V12-powered 599 GTB HGTE and V10-powered LFA through their paces on the narrow, sodden backroads of Wales. Technical editor Michael Austin is behind the wheel of the Ferrari while executive editor Mark Gillies is in the Lexus. Their goal: to find out which of these two, similarly priced front engined, rear-wheel-drive GTs is the best?
