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Ferrari FXX K could get even more extreme Evoluzione version

Whenever a new Ferrari comes out – a mid-engined one especially – speculation begins to ramp up over how the boys in Maranello could make it even faster. When the 458 Italia was revealed, for example, focus immediately turned to what would become the 458 Speciale – just as the F430 begat the 430 Scuderia before it. Ditto LaFerrari, which was instantly projected to breed a new track variant, and that's exactly what we got with the debut of the FXX K in Abu Dhabi last month. And now that it's here, speculation is beginning to mount for an even more hardcore Evoluzione version. Look over the history of Ferrari's Corse Cliente version and you'll see the original Enzo-based FXX was followed by an FXX Evoluzione, and the subsequent 599XX bred a similarly enhanced 599XX Evoluzione. It would stand to reason, then, that an FXX K Evoluzione could be in the cards, but it won't come anytime soon. Speaking with Autocar, Ferrari test driver, former grand prix pilot and Le Mans winner Marc Gene said, "Right now, I think we cannot improve" on the FXX K, "but no doubt something will come up. I wouldn't be surprised if it happens, but it won't be in two years." Approximately three years separated the debut of the FXX and FXX Evo, but the 599XX was only out for a year or two before the 599XX Evoluzione came around. If and when a FXX K Evo does arrive, Gene figures it will focus more on weight reduction, efficiency and handling than on power. As it is, the FXX K already produces 1,035 horsepower, after all. Given the nature of the XX development program, however, owners of the FXX K can expect their track machine to get incrementally more advanced as the Prancing Horse marque uses the program to test new components.

Montezemolo steps down, Marchionne steps up as chairman of Ferrari

If the history of an automaker is divided up by the mandate of its leadership, then this is surely the end of an era for Ferrari. After repeatedly locking horns with Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne over a variety of issues, longtime Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo has announced his resignation.
Montezemolo has a long history with both Fiat and Ferrari. He started his career at the former before moving over to the latter in 1973 (only a few years Fiat took over half of Ferrari), starting out as Enzo Ferrari's assistant. He was appointed head of the Scuderia the following year, driving the team to success and subsequently taking over all of the Fiat group's racing activities. After the Prancing Horse marque struggled in the wake of its founder's death in 1988, Montezemolo was appointed to take it over in '91 and has been at the helm ever since.
Following Fiat chairman Gianni Agnelli's passing in 2003, both Montezemolo and Marchionne were named to the Fiat board. A year later, after the passing of Gianni's younger brother Umberto, Montezemolo was named chairman of the Fiat Group (to be succeeded six years later by Agnelli heir John Elkann) and Marchionne its chief executive.

Ferrari, Maseratis trashed in Chinese off-road adventure

Ready to cringe? A group of Chinese motorists drove the Sichuan-Tibet Highway in a fleet of Italian cars, fording streams and hopping rocky terrain as they went. Well, they attempted to drive it, anyway. Only five of the cars managed to survive the truly unnecessary ordeal. The trip was reportedly the idea of a wealthy Chinese businessman named Ni Haishan. Haishan was driving the red Ferrari F12, with his employees following in what appear to be 10 Maserati Ghibli sedans. The Maseratis were gifts to his employees, which makes the loss of six of them along the way only slightly easier to stomach. Even the cars that made it to the finish line in Lhasa, Tibet, arrived with some serious damage. The unsurprising fallout included several wheels and tires on the Ferrari, including one wheel that took the studs it was attached to with it. As you can see above, the "highway" route was not exactly suited to these particular cars. There is some precedent for a car from Maranello driving to Lhasa, however. In 2005, Ferrari sent two 612 Scagliettis on a tour of China called "Ferrari 15,000 Red Miles" with various journalists at the wheel. That journey started and ended in Shanghai and took the cars all over the vast country, including two crossings of the Gobi Desert, along the Great Wall, and on some of Marco Polo's route. Of course, it also involved a lot of planning, a huge support team, and at least a modicum of common sense. All of this was supposedly Haishan's way of showing the world that business is good for him and that customers should trust their money with him. We might conclude otherwise based on the results. If you absolutely have to run this road in something Italian and expensive, may we suggest a Maserati Levante next time? Related Video: Image Credit: news.163.com Auto News Ferrari Maserati Coupe Luxury Performance Sedan ferrari f12 berlinetta maserati ghibli