The California definitely looks like it fits in with the rest of the current Ferrari range. But depending on who you ask, that's not necessarily a good thing. Now that we can see real-life lighting on the red-painted surface, the lines don't look quite as exaggerated as they did in the studio...but we're just not sure if we like those lines or not. The car's certainly not as subtle as a Aston Martin V8 Vantage, but you'd be hard-pressed to call it downright ugly. Perhaps just a bit over-styled. But that's just us; what do you think?
[autobild via carscoop]

"...[the driver] was heading northbound from corner six at Mosport. After this corner is a long straightaway and at some point his vehicle became airborne at an extremely high rate of speed and rolled end-over-end. The driver was transported to Bowmanville hospital where he succumbed to his injuries."

"They haven't officially announced the driver's name, but it is believed to be Dino Crescentini, owner of the vehicle. For those old enough to remember (not me, as I'm only 20), the car he was driving was a Wolf-Dallara Can Am car, formerly driven by Gilles Villeneuve.

At the time of the incident, I was in between stints at Mosport's kart track (located at the end of the straightaway, near where this happened). From our viewpoint, you could see parts of the car in air, as it was apparently barrel rolling towards the corner. The car settled just out of view, in a cloud of dust and smoke. Sad to see a great guy, a great car, a great event, and great day end like this."

Photo Credit: Joe Tobasco @ Flickr

New Ferrari California revealed: a hugely versatile, innovation-packed GT

Maranello, May 13th 2008 - The first official photographs have been published of the Ferrari California, the latest addition to the new generation of Ferraris launched in 2004 with the 612 Scaglietti and added to more recently with the 430 Scuderia.

The Ferrari California joins the Prancing Horse's 8-cylinder family which has always been defined by power and performance. It also flanks the flagship 612 Scaglietti in the prestige sporty Grand Tourer segment.

The new Ferrari California will satisfy even the most demanding of owners in term of its superb vehicle dynamics and driving pleasure. The new model will be available exclusively as a convertible with a folding hard top. Both chassis and bodywork are aluminium, in line with the rest of the current range. The California will be powered by a new V8 engine mounted for the first time in the marque's history in the mid-front position.

In line with Ferrari tradition, the new model also features several innovations. Apart from its folding hard top, these include the original 2+ concept which guarantees exceptional versatility of use in the rear of the car. The California's 4,300 cc V8 engine features direct fuel injection and a "flat" crankshaft. It generates 460 CV at 7,500 rpm with a torque curve that enhances vehicle dynamics and provides maximum driving pleasure which is typical for Ferrari.

As per the traditional Ferrari transaxle layout, the engine, which allows the Ferrari California to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 4.0 seconds, will be coupled to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission that boosts the car's performance while enhancing the driving pleasure, improves ride comfort and reduces fuel consumption and emissions (c.310 g/km CO2). The comfort is further enhanced by a new multilink rear suspension system. The Ferrari California is also equipped with the exclusive F1-Trac traction control system which made its debut on the 599 GTB Fiorano and has been further honed to suit the typical driving conditions expected for this new GT. Brembo brakes featuring carbon-ceramic material disks as standard guarantee superbly efficient braking.

In addition to sporting the marque's classic styling cues, the cabin has also been beautifully trimmed using quality materials by Ferrari's own skilled artisans. New accessories and equipment, such as the seats, steering wheel, instrument panel and infotainment system, together with optimised aerodynamics ensure that this is a highly ergonomic and enjoyable car to drive regardless of whether the top is up or down.

The Ferrari California is aimed at owners who desire a car which embodies everything the Prancing Horse represents in terms of sporty design and innovation, but also seek a car with greater versatility than ever. The car will be officially unveiled to the public at the Paris International Car Show. However, over the coming weeks, new photographs and further details about it will also be published.

[automobil.se]

[Ferrari GT Countdown]

• 1967 Fiat 1100 R


• 1967 Fiat 125


• 1967 Fiat 125 Special Berlina


• 1967 Fiat 1500 Cabriolet


• 1967 Fiat Dino Coupé 2.0


• 1967 Fiat Dino Spider 2.0

Why would Ferrari produce 4,000 lower-powered stallions? Other than reaping the financial benefits of selling that many cars and expanding the brand, Ferrari needs to drop emissions 40% by 2012. Here's hoping that works out guys. [CarAdvice.com.au]

...that Mattel, according to GrandPrixLegends, has announced a 1/18 scale model of the new Ferrari Dino for 2008 and will be priced at just GBP 59 (Euro 78, USD 121). Guess the cat's out of that bag, eh?

"I was in Maranello last week and caught this mule pulling out of the R&D center of Ferrari. Not sure if it is old news as a 2010 Dino or some shooting brake concept that would get everyone at Jalopnik all hot and bothered but I thought I would pass it along. It sounded like a V8 to me as it pulled away."

Photos courtesy of AJP photography.

"Here is the first proof that Ferrari is working on a new Dino. These exclusive pictures are showing a mule of the new car. Based on a 599 body, it doesn't yet give away so much - but at least a little of what will become the new Dino.

What identifies the test car as a mule for the Dino is the engine sound, or should we say the lack of it. It clearly doesn't sound as sharp as a F430 for example.

The Classic Dino was built between 1968 and 1976, and its name honours the founder Enzo Ferrari´s son, Alfredino "Dino" Ferrari, who died in 1956 at the age of 24 from a muscular dystrophy. While that vintage Dino had a V6 behind the driver, the new one will be powered by a V8 with 400 bhp. Ferrari will most likely start with a Coupe, but expect a Spider later on. There is a high possibility that Pininfarina will do the design work with input from former Ferrari design boss Frank Stephenson, who now heads Fiat´s Centro Stile operation.

The new Dino will be starting at approximately 100-110.000 Euros. Insiders are saying that it's possible to sell up to 4000 Dinos annually once the car gets the green light for production. Such a figure would instantly double Ferrari´s yearly production and give the make a whole new group of customers. Talk is also about the new Dino to be built at the Maserati factory in the city of Modena. This city is very important to the history of Ferrari, as it is the town where its founder Enzo Ferrari was born. Even if Ferrari is still denying the project, we expect to see it on the roads in 2009."

CEIIA

Why? Partially because I'm a rank contrarian and love the underdog. I will go at you all day as to why Jawbreaker was better than Led Zeppelin. Mainly making the argument that hobbits are ridiculously silly unless Peter Jackson is involved, but being busted up over a girl or singing Sonoma-Coast-evocative songs with lashing, slashing guitars and punk rock's version of Bonham on the drums is just, well, better. Sometimes you just don't need "The Immigrant Song." Which is, oddly enough why I'd rather have an E-Type Lightweight Coupe. I've been in the presence of a 250 GTO. It's an unintentionally imposing car. If somebody offered me one for free, I'd take it without hesitation and then drive to my sellout job in it every day. The 250, essentially, comes off as a disposable car. Not all Ferraris do.

Take, for example, the 500 Superfast. It has a stately grandeur. Or the 308 GT4, which might be the perfect Bertone wedge that isn't a Countach. Or of course, my all-time favorite Ferrari, the 308 GTB.

It seems a cop-out to have what's probably the cheapest Fezza on the market besides the awkward 400i or hideous Mondial rank as one's favorite example of the marque. It reeks of casual Magnum P.I. enthusiasm. The car that'll score you big-haired, spandex-clad, mindless poontang. But truth be told, I like my birds with bigger brains and less spandex. And aside from the hardcore tifosi, I have likely been around more Ferraris than you, unless you're an inveterate showgoer.

The GTB isn't a classical Ferrari. It's not a front-engined V-12 car. Nor is it much of a Dino (although I'd argue that the GTB/GTS were more true to the Dino's heritage than the angular, four-place, angular GT4.

Sure the 308 had problems. Excess gasoline in the cats leading to catastrophic fires was/is the most notorious. But I like the 308 in the way that I like London Calling, 24 Hour Revenge Therapy or New Day Rising. It's that perfect transitional moment. The 206/246 was the original try and is magnificent and valiant and groundbreaking. The GT4 was the awkward but lovable second album. The GTB/GTS was the masterpiece, and the 360, well that was the record with the number one hit song — see Combat Rock. The analogy runs out of steam with Cut the Crap and the 430, but hey, "Dirty Punk" was still a pretty good track.

Years ago, I worked for a guy briefly. He had a lot of books about how to enjoy being rich on his wall. He subscribed to The Robb Report. He lived in Blackhawk. His real-estate-agent wife drove a loaded Suburban because she felt it would be safest for their two unruly, spoiled brats. I wish his name was Donny, because I would've loved to have screamed at him, "You're out of your element!" He had a V-12 SL as a daily driver and an older Ferrari (which I never saw) as a weekend car. He invited his ne'er-do-well brother around to do stuff around the office. His brother loved Ferraris. The Monterey Weekend was an ultimate vacation for this guy. He loved working on them; he loved driving them. In a sense, the guy was absolutely a Jalopnik hero; a purist with an appreciation for greatness and an eye for the diamond in the rough. He hated the newer, luxe-oriented cars. And he drove a first-gen MR2, because he felt that it was the closest a broke-dick artist-type could get to driving a Ferrari.

That's how much of a watershed the Dino/308 actually is. It subverted the way people thought the Ferrari experience. And the 308 GTB/GTS cemented in people's minds that a V-6/V-8 could be a goddamn Ferrari. Tom Selleck may have sold a bunch of those cars, but the 308 was magic all on its own. Most people who call it garbage have never been in one. The 250? It was meant to be disposable. To win races? Sure. To crash? Fine. It doesn't have the raw guts of a Cobra, even though the Daytona may have been hastily cobbled. But the 250 lacks the soul of a lot of Ferraris. And I realize that's a completely counterintuitive argument to make, because it was a finely-sorted, lost-tech car. It had freaking wire wheels! It may have actually been the ultimate example of its breed. But like the F50 and Enzo, and unlike the F40 and 288 GTO, it lacks soul. In a sense, the 250 GTO is somewhat German. The 308, however, is as Italian as osso bucco. And that's what makes it a perfect Ferrari.

Plus, they're still cheap.

"Fast as a Shark" is a weekly electronic broadside aimed at what has been historically right and terribly wrong with the autmotive industry and culture. If Udo Dirkschneider ever drove a 308, it probably featured a turret bristling with Flak 88s.

[Jalopnik's Question of the Day drives a Lambo. Have a question you need answered? Email suggestions to tips@jalopnik.com with the subject line "QOTD"]

The rumors they've heard whispered over the back fence indicate they'll be outsourcing production of the teeny-tiny car to Maserati. We guess that explains why the shot they've captured of what they believe to be the Dino undergoing testing on the dyno is camouflaged with the shell of a Maserati Gran Turismo. In addition:

"the new small Ferrari is expected to share much in common with the car from Modena including a new folding metal roof. The engine, however, will share its design with the 4.7L V8 that will power the Alfa Romeo 8C according to the guys at Autoblog.it, but power will be boosted to differentiate the two cars."

Spy Shots: Ferrari test-mule on a dyno [Motor Authority]

Remaking the Dino [Car Body Design]

Related:
Ferrari Duplicity: Dino Si, Dino No; LA Auto Show: Ferrari Not Building Dino; Ferrari's Dino Back on the Table for Real?; Over the Back Fence: Is Porsche Planning a New 928? Ferrari a New Dino? [internal]

* 20+ pre-1973 V12s, including two 250 GT SWB, a 250 GTO and a 275 GTB/C, as well as several Daytonas, 250 GT Lussos and even a 330 GT
* 20+ examples of Ferrari's iconic F40s, F50s and Enzos
* 10+ examples of the beautiful Dino
* 40+ examples of each of Ferrari's mid-engined 355, 360 Modena and F430
* 20+ modern V12s, including several 550 Maranello, 575M and 599 GTB Fioranos, accompanied by several 456 GT and 612 Scaglietti models
* Several other examples of Ferrari's incredibly diverse heritage, including Testarossas, Boxers, Mondials, 308s, 328s, 348s and more

Ferrari Racing Days [Silverstone.co.uk]

OVER 300 FERRARI CARS TO TAKE PART IN ATTEMPT TO SET NEW GUINNESS WORLD RECORD AT FERRARI RACING DAYS, SILVERSTONE

8-9-10 JUNE

Ticket Hotline: 08704 588 320

More than 300 Ferrari cars are anticipated to attend Ferrari's attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the "Largest Parade of Ferrari Cars" at Silverstone on Saturday 9 June.

Some of the cars entered include:

* 20+ pre-1973 V12s, including two 250 GT SWB, a 250 GTO and a 275 GTB/C, as well as several Daytonas, 250 GT Lussos and even a 330 GT
* 20+ examples of Ferrari's iconic F40s, F50s and Enzos
* 10+ examples of the beautiful Dino
* 40+ examples of each of Ferrari's mid-engined 355, 360 Modena and F430
* 20+ modern V12s, including several 550 Maranello, 575M and 599 GTB Fioranos, accompanied by several 456 GT and 612 Scaglietti models
* Several other examples of Ferrari's incredibly diverse heritage, including Testarossas, Boxers, Mondials, 308s, 328s, 348s and more
* Bruno Senna, nephew of three times World Champion Ayrton Senna, and already a winner in his own right in GP2, will be driving one of the lead Ferrari cars in the Guinness World Record attempt

In addition to the Guinness World Record attempt, the Ferrari Racing Days event will feature the UK round of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli with over 60 equally matched Ferrari F430 Challenge cars jostling for position on one of the fastest F1 Grand Prix circuits, and the ultra-exclusive FXX which will be making its only official UK appearance. It will be an action-packed weekend of Ferrari festivities which will appeal to Ferrari clients and the ever-faithful Tifosi.

Bruno Senna to race in a Ferrari at Silverstone

Bruno Senna, aged 23 from Sao Paolo in Brazil, will also star as a guest driver with the Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB. His uncle, three-times F1 world champion Ayrton Senna, once said, "if you think I'm good, just wait until you see my nephew" and so far in GP2 Bruno has lived up to the billing, with victory in only his second race at Barcelona. From the very beginning of his motor racing career, Bruno has shown a strong and ambitious personality and he doesn't fear the comparison with his late uncle, saying, "If I am worse, the same or better than my uncle, only time will tell."

Massimo Fedeli, Managing Director of Ferrari GB Ltd , said, "We are very proud to welcome Bruno Senna to the Ferrari Challenge for our home round at Silverstone. The team are incredibly excited about Bruno's potential as he has already demonstrated his race-winning credentials after only a very short time in motor racing. Ferrari Racing Days is also the focus of Ferrari's 60th Anniversary celebrations in the UK, and we are sure the fans will appreciate the opportunity to see a Senna in a Ferrari for the first time."

Bruno will be driving a Ferrari F430 Challenge which carries a special livery with echoes of the Brazilian flag. He will be competing alongside the teams' other star drivers, including Nathan Kinch and Jamie Constable who race under the Team Vertu Racing banner and welcome the opportunity to race alongside a certain star of the future and World Champion in the making.

Ferrari GB's Motorsport Director, Enrico Bertaggia, enthused about Bruno's potential: "Bruno is one of those drivers who has the eyes of a champion - he races to win. His determination and ability behind the wheel means he will be a serious contender for a podium at Silverstone."

Ferrari's 60th Anniversary

Ferrari Racing Days at Silverstone is the UK focus of Ferrari's 60th Anniversary and, quite appropriately, will also feature the Ferrari Shell Historic Championship in which classic road and race Ferraris compete in three different categories to relive the golden era of motorsport. Ferrari's customer motorsport division, Corse Clienti, are also supporting several Ferrari clients who will be demonstrating a range of famous and historic F1 cars from the company's illustrious racing past.

The Ferrari Racing Days will also be the focus of the 40th Anniversary of the Ferrari Owners Club in the UK, with an incredible display of at least 40 examples of the iconic F40 supercar which remains one of Ferrari's most memorable performance cars. With Ferrari owners from all over the UK invited to participate in the Ferrari Racing Days and the Ferrari Owners Club's 40th Anniversary, it is expected that Silverstone will see the largest gathering of Ferraris in one place in 2007.

There will be VIP parking available for Ferrari owners who purchase tickets through their local Official Ferrari Dealer. For details of your nearest Official Ferrari Dealer, please visit www.ferrari.co.uk

Commemorative programmes will be available for purchase throughout the weekend.

Ferrari Owners Club's 40th Anniversary

The Ferrari Racing Days will also be the focus of the 40th Anniversary of the Ferrari Owners Club in the UK, with an incredible display of 40 examples of the iconic F40 supercar which remains one of Ferrari's most memorable performance cars. With Ferrari owners from all over the UK invited to participate in the Ferrari Racing Days and the Ferrari Owners Club's 40th Anniversary, it is expected that Silverstone will see the largest gathering of Ferraris in one place in 2007.

Royal Navy "Black Cat Helicopter Display Team"

The Royal Navy "Black Cat" Helicopter Display Team, the Royal Navy's elite display team will be thrilling crowds with an incredible aerobatic display with two Lynx Helicopters from 702 Naval Air Squadron. The team's title "The Black Cats" comes from a combination of the Lynx wildcat featured on the 702 Squadron badge. The carefully choreographed, all new display for the 2007 season fully utilises the precision and aerobatic capabilities of the Lynx and the display features high-speed crosses, close formation work and opposing manoeuvres.

Summary of Motor Sport Activity for Ferrari Racing Days at Silverstone:

Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli

The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli is a race series dedicated exclusively to the Ferrari F430 Challenge which Ferrari clients can enter in a series of races at some of the most demanding and prestigious race circuits in Europe. In 2007, the F430 Challenge car is entering its second season of competition with an endurance race format that promises to offer dramatic action as the 60+ equally-matched 490hp V8 Ferraris jostle for position at every corner.

The F430 Challenge is a race-prepared version of the F430 road car - both feature Ferrari's acclaimed F1 "paddle-shift" gearbox and carbon-ceramic brakes, but the race car also features a full GT-spec roll-cage, Lexan windscreen and air jacks and centre-locking wheels for quicker wheel changes. The F430 Challenge race car also runs on 19" tyres which were specially developed by Pirelli for this championship. The F430 Challenge reaffirms the very close link between Ferrari's competition and road car departments.

FXX

For the fortunate few, Ferrari invited 29 of their most loyal and passionate clients to purchase an FXX and join the company as a "Client Test Driver". With only 29 FXX manufactured (plus one for Michael Schumacher), the FXX development programme is one of the most exclusive technological test-beds available to clients. Their use is exclusively restricted to race circuits around the world - the car is not homologated for road or race use. The FXX forms a critical part of Ferrari's commitment to research and development, with many of the innovations developed as part of the FXX programme being evaluated for potential use on future Ferrari road cars.

Ferrari Shell Historic Challenge

With an unrivalled heritage of important and iconic competition cars, the Ferrari Shell Historic Challenge is the perfect arena for historic Ferraris from every decade to be enjoyed in their natural environment - on the race track. The series is a stunning showcase for the proud history of competition Ferraris spanning 60 years, with unique cars such as a 1950 Ferrari 166 Inter Vignale, a 1960 Ferrari 250 SWB California Spider, a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Competizione, and a 1980 Ferrari 512 BB Le Mans racing on track now just like they did when they first left Maranello.

F1 Clienti

The pace of development in the world of F1 motor racing is relentless, and, for many teams, cars from previous seasons are often relegated to spend their retirement in a museum collecting dust - but not so with Ferrari. After two years since they saw active competition, a select number of Ferrari F1 cars are offered for sale to Ferrari clients who wish to live out every boy's fantasy of being a Formula One driver.

These cars are professionally supported and lovingly maintained by the same Ferrari personnel who were part of the team during the car's racing career. The F1 Clienti stable includes cars from several decades of Ferrari's unparalleled F1 racing success, with examples of Ferrari's F1 cars previously driven by seven-times World Champion Michael Schumacher, and Niki Lauda's 1975 Ferrari 312T still providing a spectacle for Ferrari fans to enjoy many years after the car's official retirement from competition.

For further information about Ferrari Corse Clienti activities visit: www.ferraricorseclienti.com

Pirelli Ferrari Formula Classic

The Ferrari Owners Club's Pirelli Ferrari Formula Classic series is open to production Ferraris built prior to 1990. The championship is split into three classes:

Group 1 - V12

Group 2 - V8

Group 3 - V8 and Flat-12 Ferraris that have been lightly modified within the limits defined by the regulations.

For further information about the Pirelli Ferrari Formula Classic visit: www.ferrariownersclub.co.uk

Holy wow. Extra wow. Wow with T ng t Sriacha sauce! Wow with an added dose of Old Man Chinetti. In 1974, this 308 GT4 was a factory entry from Modena at Le Mans in the Group 5 class. The next year, Luigi Chinetti brought it back, but yanked the whole North American Racing Team from the competition due to a political disagreement with ACO officials. Some folks look at the GT4 in the same way they view the Porsche 914. Not us. Not quite the sex machine the O.G. Dino was, and not the swooping pants-dropper the Pininfarina-penned GTB and GTS were, it nevertheless rocks the angular '70s-Bertone styling well, and in race trim, it simply looks as if it has come to beat you. Hard. Plus, unlike the GTS and GTB, the gas gauge read "Benzina." Too bad it placed 38th during its only outing in the Sarthe due to engine failure. – Davey G. Johnson

308 GT4 Le Mans

Related:
It's Schadenfriday! The Trouble With Vintage Racing [Internal]

Ferrari's Dino Reborn [AutoExpress]

Related:
LA Auto Show: Ferrari Not Building Dino [internal]

This just in from the Ferrari press conference. Ferrari is not, they repeat not building a Dino for public consumption, leaving the F430 as what's still the lowest rung on a line whose barrier to entry is getting higher with every passing year. But may we direct you to this fine children's costume, which could conceivably provide hours of amusement for both child and adult? Only $29.99! – Davey G. Johnson

Toddler Costume: Flintstones: Dino [Anytime Costumes]

Related:
Ferrari's Dino Back on the Table For Real? [Internal]

Automotive news is talking about the new entry-level Ferrari project as if it's a done deal. According to the paper, Ferrari's got a V8-powered, Porsche 911-challenging hardtop convertible (with 2+2 seating) in the works. It'll hit Europe in 2008 and the US the subsequent year. And that's not the only new model in the pipeline, AN says. Another, presumably more expensive 2+2 coupe is under consideration for early next decade, right after a late-decade redesign of the F430. By then, we'd imagine Alfa Romeo will have begun its return to American, Maserati will have launched its next-gen coupes, and all will be right with the Italo-American automotive universe. We'll see.

Related:
Over the Back Fence: Is Porsche Planning a New 928? Ferrari a New Dino? [internal]