F430 Spider F1 Rosso Fiorano With Nero Carbon Driving Zone Daytona Seats on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Sebastian Vettel rips Ferrari FXX K around Fiorano

Sebastian Vettel is without a doubt the most successful driver currently on the Formula One grid. He's won four world championships, 39 grands prix and taken pole position 45 times. That makes him the third most successful driver in F1 history, retired or active. And now that he's signed with Ferrari, he's driving for the most successful team in the series as well. That's good news for the tifosi, but it's also good news for Vettel. Because not only will he be driving one of the best cars on the grid, but he'll have access to some of the best wheels off of it, too. Case in point: This latest video released by the Maranello outfit, in which the multiple world champion takes the new FXX K out for a spin around Fiorano. The track-bound evolution of the hybrid LaFerrari hypercar, the FXX K is said to lap the circuit in 1:14, making it the fastest Prancing Horse this side of a purpose-built racer like the SF15-T he'll be piloting in the 2015 world championship. In short, it's a heck of a step up from the special-edition FX crossover Infiniti made for him when he was still at Red Bull. And while you might think it still wouldn't measure up to some of the race-winning single-seaters he's driven over the years, he does seem to enjoy the experience. At least it's got a bit more elbow room than what he's used to. Related Gallery Sebastian Vettel in Ferrari FXX K at Fiorano News Source: Ferrari Ferrari Supercars Videos F1 Sebastian Vettel fiorano ferrari fxx k

Marchionne's FCA-GM merger might come after Ferrari spinoff

Sergio Marchionne is continuing to rumble about working out a merger with General Motors, but don't expect anything big to happen before at least early next year. That's because Marchionne would likely wait for the Ferrari spin-off to be complete before beginning his next big deal, according to Automotive News. While the Ferrari IPO on the New York Stock Exchange is expected in the coming weeks, that only concerns 10 percent of the shares. The remaining 80 percent of stock is being distributed among shareholders in 2016. Piero Ferrari holds the final 10 percent with no intention to sell. This strategy allows FCA to claim 80 percent of the Prancing Horse's profits in the automaker's 2015 financial results. According to Automotive News, the tactic has other advantages, as well. FCA would be flush with cash by waiting for the spin-off to be complete, and it would keep Ferrari separate if a GM merger actually happens. Marchionne thinks Ferrari could be valued at over $11 billion in the IPO, and it could make FCA $3.3 billion richer when complete. Marchionne believes a combined FCA/GM could sell 17 million vehicles a year globally and rake in $30 billion in earnings. In the CEO's opinion, the two automakers are wasting money by developing components to do the same things on their vehicles. Although, so far the General's top execs are rebuffing all of his advances.

Ferrari's Enzo successor to cost 1M euros?

If you're planning to pick up the newest hypercar from Ferrari, you may need to do more than save your pennies. Automotive News Europe reports the Enzo successor will cost more than 1 million euros, or $1.34 million at current conversion rates. That's before taxes, too. All told, Ferrari will build just 499 examples of the tentatively named F150 according to reports. The Italian automaker has neither confirmed nor denied the price or production figures, though Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has said the machine is already sold out worldwide.
We do know the hybrid will serve up more than 900 horsepower thanks to a new naturally aspirated V12 direct-injection engine and an electric motor. The automaker says its HY-KERS hybrid system has cut fuel consumption by some 40 percent. Of course, adding an electric motor to the party has added some 330 pounds to the driveline, a fact Ferrari has offset by using carbon fiber for the machine's chassis. Word has it the F150 will have a curb weight similar to the Enzo at a shave over 3,000 pounds.