2023 Ferrari 296 Gts on 2040-cars

Auto blog

F1 teams to test titanium skid plates to reignite spark in series

The 2014 Formula One season opened with one overwhelming complaint - the cars didn't sound right. It sapped the excitement, despite the fact that this season has seen a number of truly thrilling races (Bahrain, Spain and Montreal all come to mind). Attempts have been made to restore some of the audible thrill of the cars, although efforts have remained unsuccessful.
If F1 can't fix the sound of the cars, then other methods need to be considered to restore its self-perceived lack of excitement. One of those involves fitting titanium skid plates to the cars in a bid to reintroduce the sparks that were so prevalent in the sport's past.
Mercedes-AMG and Ferrari conducted initial experiments with the new skid plates during early practice sessions for the 2014 Austrian Grand Prix. Kimi Raikkonen and Nico Rosberg had the plates fitted to different locations of their cars, in a bid to see which created the most dramatic sparks. Considering the photos the tests, though, neither Mercedes' nor Ferrari's setup really seemed successful, which is why you're seeing Johnny Herbert and his 1989 Benneton B188 up top.

Ferrari California T showcases classic style in Shanghai

Ferrari may not have anything new to showcase this year (or at least nothing we haven't seen before) at the largest auto show in one of its largest markets, but it did roll into Shanghai with a rather stunning take on the California T. This drop-top Prancing Horse has been customized through the company's Tailor Made personalization program, taking its cues from the 1950s and early '60s. The bodywork has been done up in Grigio Ingrid – the same color Roberto Rossellini chose for Ingrid Bergman's 1954 Ferrari 375 MM. The interior, meanwhile, features a rather stunning swath of reddish-brown leather with waxed edges inspired by Jackie Kennedy, offset by black Alcantara, a matte grey metallic dashboard and virgin wool carpeting. The details cast what otherwise might not be Maranello's most beautiful model in a rather gorgeous light, and just goes to show the extent of the customization options available to the company's discerning clientele. Related Video: Tailor Made Elegance At Auto Shanghai a Ferrari California T inspired by two classic style icons Maranello, 20 April 2015 – Today, at Auto Shanghai (April 22-29, 2015)Ferrariunveiled a particularly stunning bespoke California T. This California T was created especially for the Chinese auto show to illustrate how Ferrari's "Tailor Made" program allows a client to commission a car according to his or her wishes. Since the 1950s, the Ferrari California series has embodied elegance, sportiness and versatility. In keeping with this spirit, Ferrari's design team chose to style this California T with timelesssophistication. For inspiration, the designers looked to two great icons of style, the actress Ingrid Bergman, known for her natural beauty and effortless chic, and the Kennedy familyas personified by the graceful Jacqueline Kennedy. Finished indemure "Grigio Ingrid" a color named for the unforgettable Ingrid Bergman who chose this very shade of grey for the Ferrari 375 MM Roberto Rossellini gave her in 1954, this California T has a touch of understatement.The interiors on the other hand are rich in materials and detail, taking their cues from the worlds of interior and furniture design as well as luxury goods.In particular the seats, in reddish brown, velvety"count prestige" leather, are a variation on theKennedee chair by Jean Marie Massaud, a design that in turn was influenced by the style of America's "former first family" the Kennedys.

Best speculative Ferrari Enzo successor rendering yet

While so many supposed Ferrari fanatics are just sitting on their collective hands and waiting for the Italian supercar maker to finally reveal its F150 (or whatever it'll be called) Enzo follow-up, designer Josiah LaColla has gotten busy with his Wacom tablet and set to work. The results, though quite possibly no closer to the actual F150 as any of the other renderings we've seen thus far, are lovely to behold.
Well, actually, "lovely" probably isn't the perfect descriptor - anything less than a little bit brutal wouldn't be a proper successor to the Enzo, nor would it fit the parameters laid out by the test mules we've seen so far. Accurate within the best of LaColla's ability to guess and imagine is probably a better way of looking at these designs, which show a car that has enough venting to keep the bowls of Hell cool (should Hell ever hit the autostrada at 150+ miles per hour).
We've recapitulated the designer's own words in press release form, below, so as to give you a good idea of his intentions with the design. Read, view and tell us what you think the renderings, in comments.