1985 Ferrari 308 Gtsi Quattrovalve on 2040-cars

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What new F12 has Ferrari got in store for Frankfurt?

Ferrari is widely expected to be preparing a new version of the F12 Berlinetta to unveil at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. Assuming the anticipation doesn't prove futile, the question at this point is what that new variant will look like. At present, we're looking at two possibilities. One prospect would see the Prancing Horse marque present an updated version of the F12 to replace the existing model – much like the 488 GTB is replacing the 458 Italia, the California T replaced the previous California, or (perhaps more poignantly) the 575M supplanted the 550 Maranello. Ferrari has, after all, undertaken a pattern of updating its core models half-way through their eight-year life-cycles. The F12 was introduced in 2012, so a refresh for 2016 would be right on schedule. The other possibility, as Autocar asserts (and as we reported last month), would be to introduce a more potent model to slot in above (and alongside) the current F12. That would follow the pattern established by its predecessor, which yielded the hardcore 599 GTO to slot in above the 599 GTB Fiorano. Those latter three letters would be a more likely choice for the performance-focused F12 than the Speciale name that Autocar proposes and which was already used on the ultimate version of the naturally aspirated 458. Either way, we'll likely be looking at more power and less weight. The F12's 6.3-liter V12 currently produces 730 horsepower, and speculation has placed the new version's output anywhere between 760 and 800 hp. In any event, output will likely be enough to steal bragging rights away from the Lamborghini Aventador SV and its 740 horses. Just what form the revised engine will take remains a big question mark, but don't expect it to go turbo like the aforementioned 488 GTB and California T. Ferrari is anticipated to keep forced induction for its eight-cylinder models, and go with a hybrid boost for the twelves. The enhanced F12, then, could adopt an electrically boosted V12 like the one found in LaFerrari, or it could continue on unassisted for another four years until the model line is replaced entirely. One way or another, we're less than two months until showtime, so we'll find out soon enough.

Electro super star Deadmau5 selling kitty-themed Ferrari 458

Are you a huge fan a electronic dance music, Internet memes, and in the market for a customized Ferrari? Then today is your lucky day. EDM star Deadmau5, real name Joel Zimmerman, is selling his Ferrari 458 Spider on Craigslist. He calls it the Purrari, and it features a full-body wrap of the eight-bit Nyan Cat, pink brake calipers, prancing cat logos, a Purrari emblem 6,500 miles on the odometer. It's currently located in Toronto, Canada, with an asking price of $380,000. Any amount offered over that is being donated to the Toronto Humane Society.
In addition to the car, the buyer gets an iPod full of "nyancat songs" and a meeting with Zimmerman to say goodbye to his Purrari over a cup of coffee. If you're not in the Toronto area, he is willing to ship the feline automobile anywhere in North America. Obviously, a blue, cat-themed Ferrari isn't to everyone's taste, so Zimmerman can remove the wrap at the buyer's request... though he won't be happy about it.
If you're curious why Zimmerman would sell such a personalized item, it appears a new supercar has his eye now. On May 28, he tweeted about driving a McLaren 650S and announced the Purrari would go up for sale soon. We can only imagine what theme his next ride gets.

Lewis Hamilton wins Spanish Grand Prix, takes 17-point lead over Vettel

BARCELONA, SPAIN – Lewis Hamilton won the Spanish Grand Prix in a commanding Mercedes one-two on Sunday to stretch his Formula One lead over Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, who finished fourth, to 17 points. The victory, in a race that stayed dry despite the threat of rain, was the Briton's second of the season, 64th of his career and third at the Circuit de Catalunya. It also set a record, one that Hamilton had previously shared with seven times champion Michael Schumacher, of 41 wins from pole position. "This is more like it, let's keep this up," Hamilton told his celebrating team over the radio as he swept past the checkered flag. "Today the car and myself, I felt that synergy which I hadn't been feeling for the whole year," he added in a pre-podium interview after parking up in pit lane. "It's a good feeling." Hamilton's win followed on from the lucky victory that fell into his lap in Azerbaijan two weekends ago, but Sunday had nothing to do with chance and all to do with the champions being back to their best. He now has 95 points to Vettel's 78 after five rounds of the 21-race championship. Mercedes regained the lead in the constructors' standings and are now 27 points clear of Ferrari who had 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen retire from the race. Finland's Valtteri Bottas was second, a hefty 20.5 seconds behind, with Dutch 20-year-old Max Verstappen completing the podium for Red Bull – his first of an incident-filled season. Australian Daniel Ricciardo was fifth for Red Bull, ahead of Denmark's Kevin Magnussen for Haas and Spaniards Carlos Sainz (Renault) and Fernando Alonso (eighth for McLaren). Sainz's points lifted Renault ahead of McLaren and into fourth place by a single point. Mexican Sergio Perez was ninth for Force India and Monegasque rookie Charles Leclerc took the final point for Sauber. While Hamilton pulled away cleanly at the start, and Vettel passed Bottas into the first corner for second place, there was carnage behind as Romain Grosjean spun his Haas in a cloud of smoke. The Frenchman then collected the Renault of Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly's Toro Rosso in a major smash, fortunately without injury, that brought out the safety car for the first six laps. Stewards gave him two penalty points and imposed a three-place grid drop for the next race in Monaco.