Ferrari cars

Ferrari Posts Record Sales Year in 2012

A day after being named the world’s most powerful brand, Italian automaker, Ferrari, announced even more good news that will make its customers - and stockholders - proud.

In 2012, the Prancing Horse posted the best ever trading period in company history, an across the board improvement that bested their 2008 numbers, and did so despite worse economic conditions. All in all, Ferrari delivered 7,318 cars to its dealership network for the year, a 4.5-percent improvement from their 2011 numbers.

North America accounted for the biggest percentage of that number with 2,058 delivered cars, the first time Ferrari has breached the 2,000-car mark in the U.S. and Canada. Meanwhile, the Chinese market, which includes Taiwan and Hong Kong, saw the second largest number of delivered Ferraris in 2012 with 784 cars followed closely by Germany with 750, Great Britain with 673, and the Middle East and Africa with 556.

As a result of all the delivered Ferraris, revenues also rose by eight percent to 2.433 billion Euro with net profits hitting €244 million ($326 million), a 17.8-percent jump from their numbers a year ago, and overall trading profit up to €350 million ($468 million), an improvement of 12.1 percent.

“We are all enormously proud of ending the year with these kinds of results despite the unfavorable economic backdrop in many European nations, and the distinctly hostile one in Italy,” declared Chairman Luca di Montezemolo. “The credit for this goes to the men and women in Ferrari, the strength of the brand, a very complete and highly innovative range, and our gradual expansion into automotive markets worldwide.”

With such a robust showing in 2012, who knows what the 2013 has to offer for the Italian automaker. One thing we’ve come to know, though, is that if people have any money and they can afford to spend on an exotic, there’s a good chance that they’ll do so on a Prancing Horse.

Brand Finance Study Names Ferrari as World’s Most Powerful Brand

Ferrari may not be the most valuable brand in the world - that distinction belongs to Apple - but it sure is the most powerful brand in the world.

That much was alluded to by a recent study conducted by British research firm Brand Finance who determined that the Prancing Horse holds the keys to the car as far as the being the most powerful brand in the world.

Sure, its brand value is only at $3.6 billion, a far cry from the brand values of Apple ($87.3 billion), Samsung ($58.8 billion), and Google ($52.1 billion). In terms of revenue, a key factor in determining brand value, there’s no way Ferrari has the legs to compete with these tech giants.

But according to Brand Finance, once you factor in other important financial metrics (net margins, average revenue per customer, marketing and advertising spend) with qualitative metrics (brand affection, loyalty, emotional attachment), then nobody can unseat Ferrari on the top of the list.

With Ferrari so used to getting compared to other automakers in the industry, being considered the most powerful brand relative to every company in the world is an achievement that’s pretty remarkable. Especially when you’re staring down a top five list that includes Coca-Cola, Google, PwC, and Hermes.

Understandably so, Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo was thrilled about the results of the study. "It is always a pleasure to top any list and still more so when the competition includes some of the world’s most famous companies," he said.

"This achievement proves that even in very tough economic times, Italy can still offer the world businesses of excellence. Behind this acknowledgement are exceptional products made by equally exceptional men and women. They made it possible and for that I thank them."

2013 Ferrari California by Tunerworks Performance

With all that’s happening in the wonderful world of Maranello these days, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of Ferrari’s new fleet of supercars.

But don’t overlook the baby of the family, the Ferrari California, because it’s still got some mighty-strong appeal to a lot of aftermarket companies, including Tunerworks Performance.

The word “sublime” is rarely used in the automotive world to describe a car’s visceral appeal, but that word appears appropriate when it comes to the work Tunerworks Performance put in to the California. It’s a comprehensive list really that really adds more pop to the look of the supercar while also giving it a more pronounced handling experience that customers will undoubtedly enjoy.

The most discernible difference Tunerworks gave to the California is the installation of a new carbon-fiber aero kit courtesy of Novitec. The hood has a more dramatic swoop and a larger hood scoop, providing a streamlined look that complements its stature as a Prancing Horse. Smoked OEM markers add a touch of exclusivity to the car, while the handling and performance improvements are taken care of by a host of other upgrades, including a new valved exhaust system, a new lowering suspension setup, and a new set of carbon-fiber and matte-black Novitec three-piece wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires.

Under its hood, the California retains its 4.3-liter V8 engine that produces over 480 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 373 pounds-feet of torque, which is good enough to allow the car to hit 62 mph in less than four seconds with a top speed of about 193 mph.

The lack of any engine upgrades notwithstanding, Tunerworks Performance did a great job giving the California the kind of improved look that can give its new big brothers a run for their money.

Video: A Tribute to the Ferrari Testarossa

For any Ferrari enthusiast out there, the most amazing car ever launched by the company is no doubt the Testarossa - a car that stole the heart of many of us especially when it appeared in the "Miami Vice" movie.

Petrolicious has prepared an awesome tribute video to the Testarossa that proves the supercar deserves even more respect than you probably have imagined. Yes, we do know many of you consider the Lamborghini Countach to be a better “supercar,” but we are pretty sure you are going to change your mind after watching this video – or maybe at least accept the Testarossa a worthy adversary.

The car featured in this video belongs to vintage car collector, Joe Ventura, a man lucky enough to live daily with this beautiful redhead next to him.

This also makes us wonder is Ferrari would ever consider bringing the Testarossa back. What a joyous day that would be.

Video: Ferrari Enzo Turned Into a Rally Car

We support the rationale that a Enzo shouldn’t just be left out to collect dust in a garage because its owner decided that it’s too expensive to be taken out on the road.

We’re all for giving the Enzo some serious burn, but not on this level.

Whoever owns this particular Enzo either has a lot of money on his hands for repairs, hence the "TAXTHRICH" vanity plate, or he’s just certifiably nuts.

Granted, he agrees with us and has no problem giving the Enzo some runs on the road, but to turn it into a rally car and drift the heck out of it in gravel and muddy waters?

Now that’s just taking it too far. Imagine having to see some chipped paint on your multi-million-dollar supercar because some rocks and gravel got a little too close to it? That’s gonna cost a lot in repairs, buddy.

Then again, it’s his car and he’s free to do whatever he wants to do with it. And we thank him (or her) for the fine video of this thrashing.

2013 Ferrari 458 Italia by Vorsteiner

Vorsteiner is on their first upgrade for the Ferrari 458 Italia, but this latest one looks amazing. This time the tuner wanted to remain true to the heritage of this Ferrari beauty, but in the same time wanted to develop a program that will improve the vehicle’s performance and aesthetics.

For this latest program, Vorsteiner decided to include a new set of Vorsteiner VS-110 forged monoblock forged aluminum wheels in a one-piece design. The wheels are sized 20-by-8.5 inches up front and 20-by-11 inches at the rear and are painted in a gun metal finish with Ferrari center caps. What we like even more about this package is that stunning yellow paint that makes the 458 Italia looking even more stunning.

The tuner made no updates under the hood, but who needs them, right? With its 570-horsepower 4.5-liter V-8 engine, the 458 Italia can really easy go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and goes up a top speed of 202 mph.

Unfortunately the tuner did not reveal the prices for these upgrades, but we will have the details pretty soon.

Ferrari Takes to Instagram to Tease the Ferrari F70

Remember when Ferrari threw a fit back in December when a teaser of the Ferrari F70 was leaked during an event in China? It took them over two months, but now it appears that the Italian automaker is embracing the leaked teaser, releasing a clearer version of it on their official Instagram account. The photo was accompanied by a message from Ferrari that pretty much confirms what we’ve all known for quite some time now: it’s coming to the Geneva Motor Show.

"Geneva Motor Show I am coming to take your hearts away," the text said, before adding that the "Most Powerful HyperFerrari on its way to take your breath away, a hypercar which can eclipse any competition. Formula1 technology direct inherited into this masterpiece, a car which can turn into a corner as quick as a Formula1 car, a car packed with downforce as a real Formula1 car."

If there ever was any clearer indication of Ferrari’s intention with the F70, the hashtag they ended their message with pretty much makes it clear: #destroythecompetition.

At least they’re not shy about it.

Valentine’s Day Gift Idea: Scuderia Ferrari 2013 Sunglasses

February 14th is just around the corner and you all know what that day means. If you haven’t prepared a gift just yet, Ferrari has prepared something for you: a new pair of sunglasses inspired by their Scuderia team.

The new 2013 Scuderia sunglasses features a frame made in TR90 Grilamid - an ultra-light memoflex material specially developed for the aeronautic industry. Additionally, each model will be offered with a copper-colored metal nose bridge, Thermolast rubber applications and with two pairs of interchangeable Zeiss polycarbonate lenses: one colored in Orange and the other with a Red Multilayer lens. Each unit will be offered with a genuine regenerated red leather case.

Still, if you want to surprise your loved one with these amazing sunglasses, you have to prepare a pretty big budget as they are priced at €198 (around $270 at the current exchange rates). Deliveries will be made from the end of February.

Video: Ferrari F70 Supercar Sounds Amazing

Ferrari will unveil the new F70 — aka the Enzo successor — next month at the Geneva Motor Show. However, this is still one month away and we are doing all we can to dig up as much information about it as we can up until that point.

Today, one of our favorite Youtube users, Marchettino, caught an F70 prototype out for a testing session and, for the first time, we can hear the 6.3-liter V-12 engine’s amazing soundtrack. The car made plenty of full-throttle accelerations at Fiorano racetrack with a Ferrari Enzo next to it. Unfortunately, it slowed for every turn, so we didn’t get to see how well it handles – we assume there is a structural reason for the mule’s snail-speed cornering.

To no one’s surprise, the sound that the exhaust system emits is similar to the F12berlinetta, as the two supercars share the same engine, but the F70 has a distinctively higher exhaust note, giving it a more racecar-like sound.

Watch the video and let us know what you think about the amazing sound of the F70’s sound.

Hennessey Preparing to Update the Ferrari 458 Spider

Usually, Hennessey shows interests in American sports cars, but now the tuner is preparing to update the look and the output level of the Ferrari 458 Italia Spider. All the tuner currently announced for the Italian roadster is an HPE800 tuning kit that we know will deliver up to 800 horsepower, but you shouldn’t be very surprised to see an HPE1000 package – a 1,000-horsepower variant – announced for the 458 Spider.

A similar kit was announced for the McLaren MP4-12C and it included an upgraded intercooler system, air-intake system, and ball-bearing turbochargers, as well as ECU updates and, of course, a new Hennessey titanium exhaust system. So, we can expect a similar offering for the 458 Italia.

Of course, a series of exterior updates will also be offered, and they include a new hood with larger intercoolers, new front and rear bumpers and a new set of wheels. For the interior, we will see numerous carbon-fiber, Alcantara and leather updates.

Full details will be unveiled in the near future, so stay tuned!