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Ferrari slated to reveal revised FF on Lake Como next month

Ferrari is reportedly gearing up to present a new version of the FF. Initially introduced in 2011, Maranello's all-wheel-drive shooting brake is now the oldest model in the lineup. But it won't be for much longer. The Italian automaker reportedly sent out a notice to select customers recently, inviting them to the debut of a V12 grand tourer with 2+2 seating. While it didn't explicitly name the model, those parameters could only apply to the FF. The reveal is slated to take place on February 15 at Villa Erba, the estate neighboring Villa d'Este on Lake Como that also hosts part of the Concorso d'Eleganza each year. That event is not slated to take place until May, but Ferrari is apparently renting it out for the event. Expect the updated FF to make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show the following month. We predict revised styling to the front and rear fascias and new head- and taillights more in keeping with the company's newer models. The 6.3-liter V12 will likely carry over, but where the current model packs 651 horsepower, the revised version could step up to around 700 to bridge the gap to the more potent F12 Berlinetta with its 730 hp – or 769 in the F12 TdF. Don't expect any turbochargers – at least not on the V12 – as Ferrari doesn't plan on applying them to its 12-cylinder models. A hybrid version could be in the cards. Rumors have also suggested that a lower-priced V8 version could be offered as well, though that could end up encroaching too closely on the California's territory. One way or another, the part-time all-wheel drive system is likely to stay – as will the four-seat layout. Plus, a more tapered roofline could help the revised FF cut a more elegant silhouette. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2013 Ferrari FF: Review View 35 Photos News Source: Motor AuthorityImage Credit: Copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / AOL Geneva Motor Show Ferrari Coupe Hatchback Wagon Supercars ferrari ff

First test of Formula 1 shield cut short, Vettel reports dizziness

At this weekend's Formula One British Grand Prix, Ferrari driver and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel tested the "shield," a polycarbonate canopy intended to protect a driver in an accident. Teams have tested other protective devices like the "halo," but Vettel was the first to trial the new shield. In theory, the shield would protect from debris like a loose wheel or a bouncing spring without hampering visibility. Unfortunately, Vettel called it quits early after getting dizzy out on the track. There has been a big push in recent years to make the sport safer for drivers, especially after the death of Jules Bianchi in 2015. In 2009, Felipe Massa missed much of the season after being hit in the head by a broken suspension part. The shield is essentially a windshield or canopy, protecting the driver from anything coming into the car. The open top allows the driver to escape quickly. Vettel said the curvature of the shield distorted his vision and made him dizzy. He also complained about irregular airflow coming over the shield on the back straight, forcing his head forward. We'll have to wait to see how things develop. The FIA is determined to introduce some sort of head protection, but the current solutions are proving difficult to implement. Related Video:

Top Gear names BMW i8 Car of the Year, Corvette, Ferrari, Mercedes also win big

The lads at Top Gear have released their listing of the finest cars of the past year, handing the ultimate honor to BMW's revolutionary i8 plug-in-hybrid supercar. "The i8 is a milestone in the annals of automotive history and a glorious statement for an exciting and positive future. The i8 delivers - and then some," the British mag wrote. The i8, though, was far from the only hybridized car to take victories. James May and Richard Hammond both highlighted hybrids as their personal cars of the year, with May saluting the Ferrari LaFerrari and the Hamster, unsurprisingly, heaping praise on the Porsche 918 Spyder. Jeremy Clarkson, meanwhile, opted to shock many by selecting not only an American car as his best of 2014, but giving the honor to of all things, a Corvette. Clarkson wasn't the only person to honor the USA's iconic sports car, with the new, 650-horsepower Z06 variant being named TG's Muscle Car of the Year. Other big winners include Mercedes-Benz, which TG honored for S-Class Coupe (Luxury Car of the Year), the new AMG GT (Sports Car of the Year) and the not-for-US C-Class Estate (Family Car of the Year). The 458 Italia Speciale A snagged a second win for Ferrari. The best of the rest include the Citroen C4 Cactus, Renault Twingo, Volkswagen Golf R, Lamborghini Huracan and Audi TT. Take a look below for the celebratory press blast from BMW. The BMW i8 wins Top Gear Car of the Year The BMW i8 has been named as Top Gear magazine's global Car of the Year 2014. The plug-in hybrid performance vehicle beat off some stiff competition from a host of other premium and luxury manufacturers to win the overall award. The editorial team of Top Gear commended the BMW i8 for its breadth of abilities. Its 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine combined with an electric motor gives searing acceleration and driver enjoyment but all wrapped in a package that takes BMW's EfficientDynamics philosophy to the extreme courtesy of CO2 emissions less than 49g/km and a 135mpg combined cycle figure. Charlie Turner, Editor in Chief at Top Gear magazine, said: "The BMW is a milestone in the annals of automotive history and a glorious statement for an exciting and positive future. The i8 delivers – and then some. It's the kind of car we should celebrate, a beautiful vision of the future, delivered now.