Luca di Montezemolo’s abrupt resignation as Ferrari->ke252 president (effective October 13th) caught a lot of people by surprise. It was a bombshell, to say the least, but don’t start feeling bad for Ferrari because the company, largely due to di Montezemolo, is raking in a whole lot of money these days. Even in the U.S., Ferrari’s revenues have never been healthier, especially after selling 1,062 cars in the first half of 2014. That unprecedented success also coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Italian automaker in the U.S., which we all know is a pretty big deal. It’s so big, in fact, that Ferrari’s planning to commemorate the occasion by releasing a special edition->ke2041 Ferrari exclusively for America.
Details are still sketchy at this point, but Ferrari did say that only 10 units of this yet-to-be-identified model will be released. In other words, that’s exclusive with a capital "E." Let the speculation begin on what this model’s going to be. If I’m going to guess, I think it’s going to be based on the Ferrari California T->ke3183. I have no intel whatsoever; I just have a hunch.
Aside from this limited-edition Ferrari, the company’s plans for the U.S. also include selling even more models in the second half of the year. In addition to more sales, the company is also planning to have a charity initiative and what di Montezemolo describes as “a major event in Los Angeles to bring together all our American clients and collectors."
Maybe that’s the time and place we see this limited edition, U.S.-only Ferrari. It makes sense, doesn’t it?
Click past the jump to read more about Ferrari's future special edition.
Why It Matters
It's probably Ferrari's way of showing appreciation to a market that it hasn't paid as much attention to as China and the Middle East. I, for one, am thrilled that Ferrari's doing so well these days, even if it means my dreams of owning a Prancing Horse are becoming more and more unlikely as the days pass by.
But if anything, the U.S. deserves a special-edition Ferrari, especially when you take into consideration how many of these exclusive models have been given to other markets.
So stand up and be recognized, America! Ferrari's sending some love our way.
Ferrari California T
The arrival of the Ferrari California T couldn't have come at a better time for the model. Its predecessor, the California, was derided during its entire existence, largely because it lacked the usual panache and Italian flair normally attributed to Ferraris.
It wasn't surprising at all that the California T is drastically different than its predecessor, looking more aggressive with sharper lines and dimensions that remind you how striking Ferraris are supposed to be.
The biggest and most welcome news about the California T is its turbocharged, 3.9-liter V-8 with direct injection and Ferrari’s Variable Boost Management. The engine gives the California T 560 horsepower and 557 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 196 mph.
Total fuel economy for the California T is about 15 percent better than last year’s 4.3-liter V-8. Likewise, CO2 emissions have dropped by 20 percent.