on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Fangio's Ferrari sells for $28 million in New York [w/videos]

See this Ferrari? It just set the record as the most valuable automobile sold at auction this year. It's a 1956 Ferrari 290 MM driven by the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio, and it sold last weekend in New York for an astonishing $28.05 million. The speedster was built for Fangio to drive in the 1956 Mille Miglia – the last time the Argentinian would enter the race, which was shut down as a competitive event the following year. But before chassis number 0626 was retired, it was driven by such legends as Phil Hill, Alfonso de Portago, and Wolfgang von Trips. Ferrari only made four examples, and between its provenance and its pristine condition – it never crashed – this 290 managed to exceed its pre-sale estimate. In the process, 0626 powered its way into the record books as the most expensive car sold at auction in 2015, the most valuable that RM has ever handled, and the highest price ever paid for a vehicle in New York City. In fact the only cars ever sold at auction for more than this one were another Ferrari (the 250 GTO that Bonhams sold last year for $35 million) and another of Fangio's racers (the Mercedes W196 also sold by Bonhams for $29.6 million in 2013). Though Fangio's Ferrari was far and away the top lot of the day, it wasn't the only multi-million-dollar automobile sold as part of RM Sotheby's Driven by Disruption auction. A 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato set a new record for British automobiles at $14.3 million. A Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet sold for $5.7 million, a Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow went for $3.7 million, and another Ferrari 250 Europa sold for $3.3 million – as did Floyd Mayweather's Enzo. A '72 Lamborghini Miura SV fetched $2.4 million, and Janis Joplin's Porsche 356 set a new record for its type and well exceeded expectations at $1.7 million. All told, the event generated a massive $73.5 million in sales, of which the Fangio Ferrari alone accounted for over a third. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Ferrari Roma: More details and new photos from every angle

We got a preview of the new Ferrari Roma yesterday afternoon, but now the official reveal is over and all the details are out. The British outlet Autocar was at the event in Italy, where it managed to learn a bit more about the coupe. We also have additional photos from the event itself where you can get a better look at the gorgeous car in a few different colors. It doesn’t disappoint. The 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 is a massaged version of the power unit in the Portofino. This engine makes 592 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque in the convertible, but it makes 611 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque in the Roma. The 0-to-62 mph time improves by 0.1 second compared to the convertible, coming in at 3.4 seconds this time. Top speed is approximately 199 mph. The Roma shares a wheelbase length of 105.1 inches with the Portofino and California T before it, but the Roma is slightly longer in overall length. Ferrari says the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission in the Roma weighs about 13 pounds less than the seven-speed gearbox in the Portofino. ItÂ’s also said to offer quicker shifts, smoother operation around town and helps to reduce fuel consumption. A redesigned exhaust system incorporates the necessary particulate filters, but Ferrari opened up the rest of the exhaust to retain its beautiful exhaust note. Engineers did this by removing the silencers and adding bypass valves, according to Car and Driver. The Roma is also equipped with FerrariÂ’s Side Slip Control technology, steering wheel-mounted manettino mode selector and the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer first seen on the 488 Pista. ItÂ’s not visible in the reveal photos, but thereÂ’s an active rear wing that deploys at high speeds for added downforce — there are three levels of deployment with each providing different amounts of downforce. Wide, staggered tires also help with grip. The Roma has 285/35 ZR20s in the back and 245/35 ZR20s in the front. As we noted in our previous post, the interior is revolutionary. ThereÂ’s a 16-inch digital cluster and an 8.4-inch vertical central infotainment touchscreen display. The cabin is separated with a tall central tunnel, and even the passenger has a touchscreen directly in front of them. Good luck reaching it when the driver lays into the throttle. Ferrari also says the steering wheel is a completely new design, but it continues to house every possible control right on the wheel itself. Since the Roma is a GT, Ferrari is giving folks some trunk space.

Lewis Hamilton wins record sixth British Grand Prix

SILVERSTONE, England — Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton won a record sixth British Grand Prix on Sunday after jumping ahead of Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas by taking advantage of the safety car being deployed. In front of his home fans, Hamilton made the decisive move to the front in the 20th of the 52 laps by pitting to get new tires. With the safety car still out after Antonio Giovinazzi spun off in his Alfa Romeo, Hamilton rejoined ahead of pole-sitter Bottas. "The safety car came out and it was perfect timing," Hamilton said. Hamilton had initially attacked Bottas on the fourth lap, overtaking but failing to keep position. "It was maybe not my luckiest day," Bottas said after falling 39 points behind Hamilton in the championship standings. "But that's life." After finally moving into the lead, Hamilton avoided pitting again so stayed on hard tires while Bottas was on fresher soft ones but the world champion still set a lap record on the final lap. By beating Bottas by almost 25 seconds, Hamilton extended his championship lead over the Finn to 39 points and moved ahead of Jim Clark and Alain Prost to take the record for British GP victories. "I love you Silverstone," Hamilton said over the team radio in the week when the track's future for the race was secured until at least 2024. It was an 80th career win for Hamilton, of which seven have come in the 10 races this season. "Today was one of the best days I can remember having," Hamilton said. "I have done so many races you would think I would get used to it or the feeling would numb down but it feels as amazing as the first win (at Silverstone in 2008)." Charles Leclerc of Ferrari completed the podium after a crash in the fight for third saw Sebastian Vettel crash into the back of Max Verstappen on lap 38. "It was my mistake," Vettel said. "He passed me and he ran a bit wide which gave me the chance to come back. "I looked for a second he was going for the right and there would be a gap on the left ... but it didn't open and by that time it was already too late." Too late for Vettel to avoid crashing his Ferrari into the back of Verstappen, damaging the floor and diffuser of the Red Bull. "He apologized," Verstappen said. Vettel finished 15th and now trails Hamilton by 100 points in fourth place. Motorsports Ferrari Mercedes-Benz Racing Vehicles F1 Lewis Hamilton british grand prix