Ferrari on 2040-cars

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2014 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

Most cardiologists and physiologists maintain that a human's maximum heart rate is calculated with a mathematical formula: subtract a person's age from 220. But some leading doctors are now questioning the established academics, which trace their origins back to 1970, claiming that a simple formula isn't accurate for people of all ages, in particular those who are older. Rather than endorse the time accepted calculation, this progressive group argues that maximum heart rate equals 208 minus 0.7 times age.
While medical science continues its debate, I recently discovered a more elementary approach that disregards age and physical condition, and it requires no math.
To reveal a human's true maximum heart rate, I propose strapping test subjects into the driver's seat of a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta and then firing up its ferocious V12.

Ferrari builds one-off hybrid F12 TRS roadster

When Ferrari makes an open-top version of one of its V12 super-GTs, it typically comes in particularly low production numbers. Maranello only made 448 examples of the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina, 559 of the 575 Superamerica and 599 units of the 599 SA Aperta. What we have here, however, is not just the first F12 roadster we've seen yet, but also the most exclusive.
Called the F12 TRS, it's obviously based on the F12 Berlinetta, but with some key modifications. Not the least of which is the open-top body-style (which may or may not have a folding roof mechanism of some kind), coupled with some unique bodywork like a cowled rear deck and reshaped hood. But the TRS (which we can only assume is some tribute to the 250 Testa Rossa) is also said to pack an F1-derived KERS hybrid assist, presumably similar to the one in the LaFerrari - or more poignantly, in the 599 HY-KERS concept - to give the 6.3-liter V12 even more juice than the prodigious 730 horsepower it produces in stock Berlinetta form.
The vehicle, apparently spotted in the garage at the company's Fiorano test track, appears to be a one-off built by Ferrari's Special Projects division for one discerning and evidently very wealthy customer who is said to have paid $4.2 million for the privilege.

LaFerrari testing with turbo V6 F1 engine?

If Ford went and tested a NASCAR engine in a production Ford Fusion, it'd just be silly. Ferrari testing its new 1.6-liter, turbocharged V6 Formula One engine in a LaFerrari hypercar is not silly - it's excellent.
Now, we can't be certain if the video shown above is actually Ferrari's new F1 powerplant. Based on the big roof-mounted intake, the weird sounds coming from the camo'd LaFerrari and the teasers we've been hearing from other F1 engine providers, the race engine is a tantalizing idea.
The other possibility, perpetuated by our friends over at Road & Track, is that Ferrari is using the LaFerrari to test a next-generation powerplant. That looks good on paper, but this car strikes as being far too loud for any road legal engine. What do you think? What's Ferrari up to at Fiorano? Scroll down for the video and then let us know in Comments.