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1959 Ferrari 250 GT California sells for nearly $18M, exceeding expectations

RM Sotheby's just wrapped up its auction in New York, where it sold off a pair of gorgeous silver roadsters, with one of them selling for the incredible price of $17.99 million. That car was a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California that we covered previously, and Sotheby's was only expecting it to go for between $14 million and $17 million. Apparently someone felt the car's rare aluminum construction and racing history was worth the extra cash. View 11 Photos The other roadster went for considerably less money but was notable because of its previous owner, late Apple CEO Steve Jobs. The car is a 2000 BMW Z8 that the tech mogul had for around three years. The final sale price only met expectations, though, at $329,500. The original auction estimate was between $300,000 and $400,000. Related Video: Featured Gallery 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione by Scaglietti View 30 Photos Image Credit: Diana Varga courtesy of RM Sotheby's, RM Sotheby's Celebrities BMW Ferrari Auctions Convertible Racing Vehicles Performance Classics bmw z8 ferrari 250 gt california

Alfa Romeo considering Ferrari-developed engines for new product lineup

A report in Bloomberg adds more details to the plans for Alfa Romeo's fourth turnaround plan in Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne's tenure, and this time Ferrari is apparently going to be part of the show. In December Automotive News Europe reported that a new Maserati-derived rear-drive architecture would be the centerpiece at Alfa Romeo, as well as coming Chrysler and Dodge products. At the time, ANE said the platform would support a new midsize sedan and wagon perhaps to be called Giulia, a fullsize sedan and a midsize crossover, with retail appearance of the product initiative commencing perhaps as soon as next year. It would be part of Fiat's $12.3-billion spend on new models and European recovery.
The Bloomberg report says that particulars haven't been finalized, but the plan is to have six new Alfas appear over the next five years, two of which would be SUVs. The futures of the Mito and Giulietta, two of the three cars Alfa currently sells and 99 percent of sales last year, aren't assured, meaning that the lineup in six years could be seven cars (including the 4C), six of which we haven't any definitive clue of yet. The top-tier versions of those cars, according to the report - perhaps the Quadrifoglio Verde - "will be equipped with motors developed by Ferrari."
Marchionne wants to get sales up to 300,000 units per year when the lineup is complete, pairing Alfa sales with Jeep's global dealer network to open up the retail channel. That kind of volume would get Fiat's Italian plants back in business properly, even though Marchionne's stance on Italy-only Alfa production would mean the end of the anticipated roadster that was to be twinned with the coming Mazda MX-5 Miata. Alfa's direction will be laid out in Detroit in May as part of the overall strategy presentation for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV.

The Ferrari FF is now the GTC4 Lusso

As groundbreaking as it might have been when it debuted in 2011, the FF was never the best-looking Ferrari in the fleet. And at five years old, it's now the oldest as well. But Maranello is out to correct that with the new model you see here. Dubbed the GTC4 Lusso, the updated version of the FF is not only better-looking than the model it replaces, but packs some innovations under its slightly sharper coachwork as well. It debuts next month at the Geneva Motor Show. The 6.3-liter V12 carries over in naturally aspirated guise, but now produces 680 hp and 514 lb-ft. That's a marked improvement over the existing ratings of 651 horsepower and 504 pound-feet of torque. It still stops short of threatening the more focused F12 Berlinetta with its 730 hp and 509 lb-ft. The muscle still meets the road through the only all-wheel drive system that Ferrari has ever made, but now integrates four-wheel steering as well, like we saw on the F12 TdF. The 4RM-S system works in tandem with Slip Side Control 4.0, integrating the electronic differential and adaptive dampers to keep this horse prancing on no matter the conditions. No mention was made of the transmission, but we're likely dealing with the same seven-speed DCT as its predecessor. Regardless, the sum total is a 0-62 time quoted at 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 208 miles per hour. The revised mechanical bits, as you can see, are wrapped in new sheetmetal. It all looks tauter, more sculpted, and more aggressive than some of the rounded forms of the FF, and the interior has been updated as well. The key change is at the back of the greenhouse. Often derided as somewhat awkward and ungainly, the fastback roofline is lowered with the kink at the back of the side glass flipped, a spoiler added at the trailing edge of the roof, and the twin taillights replaced by four. THE FERRARI GTC4LUSSO DEBUTS AT THE GENEVA SHOW - The Ferrari GTC4Lusso debuts at the Geneva Show: class-leading performance, versatility in all driving conditions, sublime elegance. - A unique car, a whole new world Maranello, 8 February 2016 – Ferrari announces the addition to its range of the Ferrari GTC4Lusso, the new four-seater which hails a major evolution of the sporting Grand Tourer concept by integrating rear-wheel steering with four-wheel drive for the first time.