Archive for category Ferrari
Ferrari 599 GTO: The Fastest Ever
Posted by in Ferrari on June 29, 2011
The Ferrari 599 GTO boasts a sophisticated technological set-up that delivers unprecedented performance and overtakes, in terms of lap times, the Ferrari Enzo itself. Just as the GTO from the 60s, the newest GTO is astonishing due to its superiority on the road and at the track. Its 6.0 liter, V12 engine produces 670 hp at 8500 rpm and sets the timer to blow past the 0-62 mph in a grin-inducing 3.4 seconds. Only 599 GTO will be produced, each wearing a numbered plate reading “one of 599″. There are custom colors and two-tone paint finishes exclusively for the 599 GTO. Carbon fiber is in evidence throughout, including in the cockpit where it is used to reduce weight and as a design element thanks to its non-reflective matt finish conveying a racing touch. The last F1 transmission allows to switch gears in a lightning-quick 60 milliseconds and gear ratios are 6-percent shorter than the GTB’s.
Ferrari dedication to GTO models is legendary, with two previous highly celebrated models: the 250 GTO and 288 GTO. In the Sixties the 250 GTO embodied the company’s philosophy of using its Formula One racing experience to develop its road cars. The 250 GTO won no fewer than three consecutive GT Titles in the World Sportscar Championship, and today it is one of the most sought-after collectors’ cars on the market. The GTO were made between 1984 and 1986 and most people refer to it as 288 GTO for its 2.8-litre, eight-cylinder engine. The GTO’s successor was the famed F40, which was the fastest street-legal production car from 1987 to 1989.
The 599 GTB’s performance is clearly tangible in the Ferrari 599 GTO. But the real incubator in the 599 GTO is the 599XX, a 700 hp track-only car. The 599 GTO’s niche is between these two cars: more menacing and less refined than a GTB, less raucous than an XX. To improve the performance of the GTO version, engineers shaved 100 Kg off the weight of the 599 GTB Fiorano F1 version. They achieved the result by reducing the aluminum skin’s thickness by 0.1mm and with a more extensive use of carbon fiber as well as lightweight composite materials. First seen on the 599XX, the second-gen carbon-ceramic discs (CCM2) are now mated to pads of the same material for increased consistency, improved stopping power and lighter weight. Read the rest of this entry »
Interior of Ferrari 308
Posted by in Ferrari on June 29, 2011
Ferrari 308 is a series of two seats, exotic sports cars for road use. Since its start in 1975 with Ferrari 308 GTB these cars have defined the image of Ferrari in the minds of general public as well as enthusiasts.
Although Ferrari 308 is primarily sports oriented and a luxury car as such, it does not mean that the luxury and comfort aspects of the car are neglected. The interior of Ferrari 308 makes it completely clear.
Ferrari 308 established new standards by the design of its interior. Before 308, no two seated performance oriented car had as comfortable and roomy interior as this one. Very few of them had adjustable seats.
There have been several changes in the interior design of Ferrari 308 series cars over the years but all of these follow the finest traditions of Italian design and provide a sense of luxury and comfort. In its original version 308 had adjustable, leather covered thin shell seats that were very comfortable and supportive. The height of central console was parallel to the seat and it did not extend up to the front bulkhead. The binnacle in front of the steering wheel was dominated by speed and tachometer and also supported gauges for fuel, oil pressure, engine oil temperature etc. Additional gauges were on the lower right of the main binnacle. The console also contains a chromed gear stick and various other controls.
With time 308′s interior changed along with other things like engine, suspension etc. These changes included a flat black binnacle facia, instead of the brushed aluminum. Oil and temperature gauges are moved to the central console that contained the gear shifter stick. The stitching pattern of the leather seats were changed as well.
There were additional changes in the interior of later models such as 308QV. These included an improved tighter stitching of seat cover, a tidier central console and a modernized mono steering wheel with thicker and reshaped spoke and rim. The map pockets in each door were made a little larger as well. Read the rest of this entry »