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Ferrari introduces trick new augmented reality showroom

Augmented reality is darn cool, giving us a new and highly informative way to look at everyday scenes. We've seen a number of automakers play around with it, from Mini's AR goggles to Land Rover's information-intensive windshield. But while those are merely concepts, Ferrari is bringing augmented reality to the showroom. Literally. The company commissioned an app that uses 3D tracking technology to display a seven-step walkaround program that overlays information on one of the company's products. Want to see different wheel designs? How the air flows over the car's body? Or easily transmit your idea of the perfect Ferrari to friends and family? The app can do it all. It's a seriously impressive piece of technology, and one we could see moving well beyond the Ferrari showroom. Check out the iPad app in the video and let us know what you think of Ferrari's latest sales tool.

Skip Barber's favorite car is a Ferrari 275 GTB

"My name is Skip Barber," says the voice at the end of this Petrolicious video, "and I'm fortunate to drive a variety of cars. My favorite car is a Ferrari 275 GTB." If you've ever heard that name before, you'll know it carries a lot of weight, and if you've ever seen a 275 GTB up close – or driven one – you know what he's talking about. Barber is a multiple Sports Car Club of America national champion and one of only a handful of American drivers to have competed in Formula One. But he's arguably better known as the founder of his namesake racing and driving schools, which operate at dozens of locations across the country. He's usually linked most prominently to the iconic Lime Rock race course. Barber rescued the Connecticut circuit when its previous owners pulled out, putting the investment together with some alumni from his school. These days Skip is the sole remaining proprietor, but as you can see from the way he talks about it, he's justifiably proud with what he's done with the place. It's one of the few automotive race tracks in the country recognized on the US National Register of Historic Places, and still hosts top-level racing – including the United SportsCar Championship that will return for the Northeast Grand Prix this summer. Between the racing career he's had, the schools he's started, and the track he's preserved, it's safe to say that Barber has left an indelible impact on the motor racing scene in America. And at 79 years old, he's showing no signs of slowing down. Related Video:

Ferrari, Fiat, McLaren, Nissan join coronavirus ventilator efforts

Siare Engineering, Italy's largest manufacturer of hospital ventilators, has turned to Italian automakers Ferrari and Fiat to investigate the possibility that the automakers might help produce more of the live-saving machines that are urgently needed to fight the coronavirus pandemic. The Italian government has asked Siare to increase ventilator production from 160 per month to 500 as the country's death toll has surpassed 3,400 and is climbing rapidly.  "We're talking to Fiat Chrysler, Ferrari and Marelli to try to understand if they can lend us a hand in this process for the electronics part," Gianluca Preziosa, Siare's chief executive said in an interview quoted by Reuters, adding that the car companies' expertise in electronics and pneumatics could make them ideal partners. Preziosa said that another advantage of partnering with carmakers was their purchasing power, making them more likely to obtain parts that his small firm was struggling to secure amid coronavirus-related disruption to global supply chains. A spokesman for Exor, parent of both FCA and Ferrari, said that meetings with Siare had taken place on Thursday to study the feasibility of the idea and that a decision was expected in the coming hours. Two main options were being considered: either to help Siare engineer a capacity increase at its plant, with the support of technicians provided by FCA and Ferrari, or outsource production of ventilator parts to the carmakers' facilities. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that Ferrari would be ready to start manufacturing ventilator parts in its famous Maranello headquarters, which lies close to the Siare factory, but that the luxury carmaker had yet to make a final decision. Automakers worldwide are being drafted for ventilator duty. In addition to Ford and GM making plans with the U.S. government; British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reaching out to Ford, Honda and Rolls-Royce; and an Elon Musk tweeted offer to build ventilators "if there is a shortage," other automakers and aerospace companies are joining in. In Europe, three groups have formed. Meggitt, which builds components including oxygen systems for civil aerospace and military fighter programs, is leading one consortium alongside engineers GKN, Thales and Renishaw. The other two teams are being led by carmakers McLaren, which is looking at how to design a simple version of a ventilator, and Nissan, which is working with others to support existing ventilator producers.