Beautiful Black On Black Ferrari 550 Maranello: Precision Driving Machine! on 2040-cars

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2017 Ferrari Model Year Preview and Updates

Despite the stereotypes surrounding Ferrari and its owners, at least a few of these automotive thoroughbreds are still bought for driving. And in 2017 the driving has never been better. A V8-equipped GTC4Lusso T is a welcome addition, while the entry-level California T remains relatively accessible. FERRARI 488 GTB/GTS: Some forty years after introducing the now-iconic 308 GTB, Ferrari continues the 'Berlinetta' format with power supplied by a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8. The GTS (Spider) shares the same drivetrain and architecture, but offers a power retractable hardtop that folds in 14 seconds. Both are unchanged for the 2017 model year. CALIFORNIA T: Ferrari's most accessible GT now offers a Handling Speciale package, which makes the California's handling more 'special', with stiffer springs and magnetic dampers reprogrammed for a more athletic dynamic. This mod also ups the decibels by three. It, too, is powered by a 3.9-liter V8, albeit in a lower state of tune than the 488. F12 BERLINETTA: You may have missed the F12tdf, as fewer than 800 examples were produced. The Tour de France commemorative offered an upgraded V12 in combination with a faster acting twin-clutch gearbox. The V12 remains naturally aspirated, and delivers – in either standard or tdf versions – over 700 horsepower. GTC4LUSSO: The family-friendly Ferrari boasts generous 2+2 seating. For 2017 there's a massaged V12 and new touchscreen. With all-wheel drive this is the all-season, all-climate Ferrari. GTC4LUSSO T: Take the GTC4LUSSO, pull out the V12/AWD drivetrain and substitute the same V8 as the California T, in combination with rear-wheel drive. The combo is lighter, tighter, less expensive, and brand new for 2017.

Michael Schumacher’s championship 2002 Ferrari F2002 set for auction

RM Sotheby's November auction in Abu Dhabi might still be months away, but Formula 1 just gave racing fans a huge reason to get excited for the event now. F1 and Sotheby's announced 10 early entries for the auction, and the most special of the bunch is the 2002 Ferrari F2002, Michael Schumacher's championship-winning race car. Schumacher dominated the field throughout the 2002 F1 season by finishing first or second in every race. That season, he won in Australia, Brazil, San Marino, Spain, Austria, Canada, Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium and Japan. Schumacher didn't use this exact car, chassis No. 219, for every race, but it is the vehicle he was driving when he won at the French Grand Prix, where he secured his fifth drivers' championship title (his teammate Rubens Barrichello took second but had about half as many points as Schumacher). Ferrari, having won all but two races that season, also took the constructors' championship that year. After its time in competitive racing, 219 was used as a test car for the remainder of the 2002 season before eventually retiring the next season. Since then, it has been owned by various private collectors. The F2002 was an absolute force of a machine. It used a 299.66-cc 90-degree V10 that made 823 horsepower at 17,800 rpm that paired with a fused titanium seven-speed gearbox. The car's structure was a honeycomb and carbon-fiber composite monocoque. Steering was mechanical power-assisted rack-and-pinion. It also had carbon-ceramic composite brakes and a suspension setup with independent push-rods, twin wishbones, torsion bar springs and telescopic shock absorbers. So how valuable is a car with this much history? Well, a 2013 Gooding & Company auction at Pebble Beach offered F2002 chassis No. 220, and it sold for $2,255,000. We expect this car to easily surpass that number. However much it sells for, RM Sotheby's says "a percentage of proceeds" will go to the Keep Fighting Foundation, which is inspired by Schumacher. Mark the date on your calendar: November 30, 2019.

Museo Ferrari launches 'Michael 50' exhibit honoring Schumacher

Michael Schumacher turned 50 years old on Thursday, January 3, 2019. To celebrate the racing legend and to show appreciation for all he has done for the brand, Museo Ferrari opened an exhibition that explores his impact and accomplishments throughout his personal life and racing career. Named " Michael 50," the exhibit is now open in Maranello. This is the third showcase to open in recent months, following the announcement of "Driven by Enzo" and "Passion and Legend," which opened in September 2018 to honor the 120th anniversary of the founder of Ferrari. The Prancing Horse company calls Schumacher "The Most Successful Ferrarista in History," and the exhibition focuses on his many victories. The driver raced his way to seven world titles, 91 first-place finishes, and 155 podiums. Ferrari is displaying many of the cars Schumacher raced in, including the 1996 F310, the 1999 F399, the F1-2000, F2002, F2004, and the 2006 248 F1. In addition to race cars, the display also highlights some of the road cars that Schumacher worked on as a developer after he left Formula One. Using his knowledge and experience, he helped shape the dynamics of the 2007 430 Scuderia and the 2008 California. "Michael 50" was created with the help of the Keep Fighting Foundation, which recently launched an app that has a virtual museum and celebrates Michael and his legacy. According to a recent report, Schumacher is currently "in the very best of hands" and continues to battle back from his injuries. Ferrari did not give a specific time period for the exhibition, but mentioned it will be open for a "few months." Fans can buy tickets here.Related Video: