One-off concepts tend not to grab my attention. This time, however, I’ll make an exception. Meet the Ferrari F-340 Competizione, which will be built by Gullwing America. This car, based on the 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico Berlinetta, will only be built for one lucky owner. The original was much more common, with a whopping three examples ever built.

Not quite just a copy, this F-340 Competizione will be powered by a modern 470 HP 5.4 liter V12, and will be based on a 456 Ferrari platform.

Gallery

Source.

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Ferraris cost a fortune, and that’s no secret. But even would-be buyers are often scared off by the legendarily high maintenance costs of these fine Italian automobiles. To help motivate sales, Ferrari is now offering free maintenance every 12,500 miles for the first seven years of ownership on the 2012 California, 458 Italia, and FF.

Piling on incentives is usually what an automaker does to spur sales when they’re down, but that’s not the case here. Ferrari just posted record earnings for the previous six months, on sales of 939 cars. Sure, that doesn’t sound like a lot.. but we’re talking about quarter-million dollar plus vehicles here.

So if you’ve been sitting on that three hundred grand, nervous about dropping $1,000 at a high priest / mechanic for an oil change, fret not. Head on down to your local Ferrari dealer and pick out your new ride.

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FF stands for Ferrari Four, which has two meanings. First up is the number of seats – you can fit your whole family inside the 2012 FF. Second, and a pretty big deal, is for the number of drive wheels. That’s right, this is the first ever all wheel drive Ferrari. It’s just a concept for now, though it’s likely to see production in some form.

Speaking of form, here’s hoping they change it. I don’t think I’ve ever called a Ferrari ugly before. Exotic, extreme, unconventional.. sure. Ugly? This is a first. The 2012 Ferrari FF is ugly. It’s got a sort of funky hatchback thing going on… and it doesn’t work. Sure, the 651 HP V12 would help you forget about the homely profile. True. But why buy an ugly Ferrari when all the rest are stunning?

2012 Ferrari FF Gallery

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According to Amedeo Felisa, the brand of the Prancing Pony will never make a four door Ferrari.  According to Autocar, Mr. Felisa said this:

As Enzo Ferrari would say, we will never do four doors. And we will keep this tradition.  Frankly speaking no-one is asking for a four-door Ferrari. If you want a four door Ferrari we have a Maserati.

Both Aston Martin and Porsche have recently introduced four door models, despite protests from purists.  Porsche had already pissed off a bunch of purists with the Cayenne SUV anyway, so not much more damage could be done by the Panamera.  Aston Martin will be selling the Rapide sedan starting this year.

Surely Ferrari could make some extra coin by offering a four door pony.  Wealthy buyers would line up to buy it, just like they do with every Ferrari model in recent memory.  Fortunately Ferrari’s chief recognizes the importance of keeping the Ferrari brand crystal clear.

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If you’re looking for the fastest street-legal prancing pony ever made, the Ferrari 599 GTO is the one. Faster than the 599 GTB Fioriano. Faster than the F40. Faster than the F50. Faster, even, than the Enzo Ferrari.

Did you read that?

The 599 GTO is faster than the Enzo.

If that doesn’t express the gravity of this car, I don’t think anything will.

I’m going to pick my chin off the desk, wipe off the drool, at least long enough for the specs:

Ferrari 599 GTO Specs

• 670 HP 6.0 liter V12 engine
• 457 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 RPM
• Redline at 9,000 RPM
• Six speed sequential gearbox
• RWD
• 0-62 MPH in 3.35 seconds
• Top speed over 208 MPH
• Curb weight: 3,295 lbs

So Ferrari took the already magificent 599 GTB, dropped about 185 lbs, added 58 horsepower, and in the process added all sorts of fancy 599XX go-fast bits. In the process, fuel economy managed to increase slightly, though I’m not sure owners would even notice.

Gallery:

Check out this video of the 599 GTO below. Note: It’s in Italian, but you do get to hear the sweet sounds of this car in action. It’s worth it for that alone.

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We haven’t seen the famed GTO name on a Ferrari in quite some time – but we’re about to see it once more.  The 599 GTO that you see pictured here is up against some pretty famous company, but I think it’s up to the challenge.

Remember, this car is rumored to have a 700 HP 6.0 liter V12 under the hood.  Seven hundred ponies.  Seven hundred.   Redline will come at a screaming 9,000 RPM.

Gorgeous looks, check. Ridiculous power, check.  Outlandish price, check.  Oh, I didn’t mention the price?  How about a base price of $319,495 euros.  Just in case you don’t speak European, that’s roughly $426,000 , depending on the day.  And remember, that’s the base price. Nothing Italian goes out the door without some very, very expensive options.

Ferrari 599 GTO Pics

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The Ferrari 250 GTO is one of the most coveted automobiles in the entire world.  Just 36 250 GTO’s were made, between 1962 and 1963.  Thirty six.  That’s it.  Somehow, every one of these examples survives today, at least according to legend.  If you’ve been wanting to add one to your collection, you may finally be in luck – one is coming up for sale in the near future.  A Mr Yoshiho Matsuda has decided to part with his 250 GTO after a mere 14 years of owning it.

Your guess is as good as mine on how much it will sell for, but you can count on the tens of millions price range.  It’s possible that it will even set a record for the most expensive car.  If you have deep (really, really deep) pockets, this could be your only chance to snag a 250 GTO.

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Ferrari’s long-anticipated replacement for the incredible F430 has been announced. Meet the Ferrari 458 Italia. Motivated by a magical Italian 4.5 liter V8, the 458 Italia makes a remarkable 562 HP and 398 lb-ft of torque. This mid-mounted feat of engineering is hooked up to a 7 speed dual clutch transmission, and power goes to the rear wheels only, of course. Looking for 0-62 MPH time? How about 3.4 seconds. Top speed is 207 MPH, if you’re ready to spend the night in jail for your efforts. Oh, and remember, this is the base model Ferrari.

If the Enzo Ferrari and the F430 got together and had a baby, I’m pretty sure it would look like the 458 Italia. Sure, it has alien eyes. But since this is a Ferrari, they don’t look particularly out of place. There are some weird curves and angles. But again, it’s a Ferrari. It’s exotic. Unique. Different. Just how it should be.

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Those nasty rumors about a possible Ferrari four dour coupe, or even a sedan, have been put to rest.  That is, if you are to believe Ferrari’s president.  Today he announced that the rumors were unfounded, and Ferrari has no plans to build a four door vehicle of any kind.  In fact, he made it clear that Ferrari would not build such a car as long as he is in charge – a strong statement. 

While I like the idea of powerful four door vehicles, this is a great announcement by Ferrari.  A Ferrari should be gorgeous, exotic, fast, loud, expensive to maintain, and have no more than two doors.  Period.  No deviation from this formula should ever happen.  I’m glad to see at least one automaker staying true to what makes their brand unique.

Source.

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One of my all-time favorite Ferraris, the 599, has decided to take it off for the camera.  By that, I mean it’s going topless – as in a convertible version.  The name is still up in the air, but chances are pretty good it will be called the Ferrari 599 GTS Barchetta.  Also up in the air are the engine specs, but I can’t see any reason why Ferrari would change the phenomenal engine from the GTB Fioriano.  So expect a monstrous 620 HP 6.0 liter V12 work of Italian art under the hood. 

The spy shots do show a roof in place, as you can clearly see.  But it also doesn’t look quite right – like it was an afterthought rather than a fixed roof.  The fine folks at Auto Express put together a sweet rendering so we can see what the final product should look like:

How would you like to drive around town in one of those?  Well, if you’ve got the bankroll to do it, you might want to call your local Ferrari dealer to get a list started.  How much will it cost?  As the saying goes, if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.  So, it’s fair to say there won’t be a 599 GTS in my driveway.  Damn.

Check out the rest of the pics here.

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