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Marchionne: FCA, but not Ferrari, interested in Formula E

It seems like automakers have been clamoring to get on board with Formula E lately. In just the last few weeks a number of manufacturers have either become more directly involved, or otherwise announced entry into the series in coming years. That includes Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, with the latter two abandoning other series to join the electric one. Now, FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne says his company might join Formula E as well, according to Motorsport. Previously, Marchionne had toyed with the idea of bringing Ferrari into the Formula E field, but now says that would be unlikely. Instead, he thinks an FCA brand would be a better fit, perhaps Alfa Romeo or Maserati. At the moment, Maserati seems like the best fit, as Marchionne just announced that the brand would electrify its entire lineup after 2019, with each car it sells having either a hybrid or electric powertrain. Fans would probably be excited to see Maserati return to racing, and Formula E would be a good test laboratory for the development of electric propulsion technology. Still, another brand could represent FCA in Formula E, and apply the knowledge learned there to its vehicles, as Marchionne says half of the FCA fleet will be electrified by the end of the company's five-year plan ending in 2022. Marchionne said that while Ferrari won't be directly involved, he doesn't know which FCA brand – Alfa Romeo, Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat, or Maserati – would enter. As interesting as an electric Dodge race car would be, it seems unlikely, especially because of, well, Maserati. We're hoping it's Jeep, though. Related Video: News Source: MotorsportImage Credit: ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images Green Alfa Romeo Ferrari Maserati Green Culture Electric Racing Vehicles Sergio Marchionne FCA Formula E

Ferrari SP3JC one-off channels vintage roadsters with a color-wheel twist

Not long after we posted on rumors of a Ferrari 812 Spider, we get this, the Ferrari SP3JC. This is no 812 Superfast, though, it's a one-off commission based on running gear from the limited edition F12 TDF. John Collins, owner of classic Ferrari dealer Talacrest in the UK, provided the dream, the funds, and therefore the "JC" in the open-top's name. We'll assume this being Ferrari's third Special Project this year contributed the rest of the alphanumeric. Collins said the project took 3.5 years from dream to completion, and Ferrari said the design process consumed two of them. While there have been at least six special editions and commissions based off the F12, this is the first one-off to use the F12 TDF. The Italians say the SP3JC is "designed to pay homage to company's classic 1950s and 1960s roadsters." A much wider power bulge in the hood falls all the way into the grille of the redrawn front fascia. New vents appear at the corners of the bumper. Above, instead of the F12 TDF's small hood vents, two large, transparent panels provide views of the 6.3-liter V12. At the side, instead of the modern rising fender line from front wheel to cowl, the fender descends on its way rearward akin to Ferraris of old. The redrawn panels move the donor car's vent to above the rocker panel, and erases the three vents over the rear wheels. In back, 812 Superfast taillights preside over a layered fascia with three full-width vents and a jutting diffuser. The 812 Superfast also donated its wheels. Roll hoops stand guard behind the seats. According to a poster on Ferrari Chat, the SP3JC doesn't come with a roof. About that paint scheme: There were plenty of vibrantly hued classic Ferraris, but we don't know of any that put so many hues on one body. Ferrari says the mashup here was inspired by Collins' "passion for Pop Art." Bianco Italia mixes with Azzuro Met and Giallo Modena, right down to the yellow pinstripes on the wheels and the matching blue and white leather inside. Personally, we'd rather jump off with the F12 TRS when imagining what an 812 Superfast Spider could look like, but this is probably a better place to start. View 43 Photos Related Video:

Haas F1 secures engine deal with Ferrari

Plans are coming together for Gene Haas to launch his US-based Formula One team in 2016. The tooling magnate and NASCAR team owner has renamed his grand prix racing outfit from Haas Formula to Haas F1, he's setting up shop in North Carolina with a satellite location to be announced somewhere in Europe, and now he's penned an engine supply deal with Ferrari.
The deal doesn't come as such a surprise after Haas signed on as a sponsor with the Maranello squad a couple of months ago, but confirms the reinforcement of the partnership between the two teams. "The multi-year agreement," according to Ferrari in the statement below, "is for the supply of the entire power unit starting from 2016," including the engine, hybrid assist and presumably the gearbox as well. But that's not the extent of the deal.
Billed as a "technical collaboration agreement," the deal opens the door for Haas and Ferrari to cooperate even more closely than the latter does with existing powertrain customers Sauber and Marussia. "We believe this new partnership has the potential to evolve beyond the technical role of supplying our power unit and all related technical services," said Scuderia Ferrari team principal Marco Mattiacci.