1997 Ferrari 456 2 Dr on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Ferrari 488 GTO would be fastest V8 car ever from Maranello

It should surprise absolutely no one to learn that Ferrari may be cooking up an even hotter variant of the 488 GTB. If a report from Autocar is true, the new car will resurrect the hallowed GTO moniker and pack more than 700 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged mid-mounted V8. It would be the successor to the wild and wonderful Ferrari 458 Speciale, the swan song for the naturally aspirated V8 in Maranello. This will be the fourth time Ferrari has used the name GTO. The first was in the 1960s on the 250 GTO and then again in the 1980s on the 288 GTO. Most recently, a more track-oriented variant of the 599 GTB was released as the 599 GTO. Each of these cars eschewed most pretense of comfort and civility in the pursuit of power and performance. While they didn't carry the GTO moniker, the 430 Scuderia and the 458 Speciale were designed with a similar philosophy. Since the standard 488 GTB already makes 661 horsepower, it doesn't seem like a stretch to up the boost and strengthen the internals to move the needle past 700. Ferrari can't let the new 710-horsepower McLaren 720S have all of the fun. The 488 GTO should use lighter components and lose some interior trim and sound deadening to drop weight. Autocar believes the new model will dip below 3,000 pounds, absolutely svelte for a car this size. The car should have better aero, a revised suspension, and higher performance wheels and tires. For non-Ferrari comparison, think Porsche 911 GT3. We've seen some s py shots of a new Ferrari recently, but at the time we thought this might be the rumored Dino. It's unclear if that's still the case, but either way, look for something big from Ferrari sometime later this year. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Ferrari officially teases successor to Enzo throne

You're looking at our best view yet of the upcoming successor to the Ferrari Enzo. Rumors kicking around the web insist the new reigning monarch of the Italian kingdom will carry the "F150" name when it bows, otherwise known as the Special Limited Series. Word has it Ferrari has focused all of its experience in Formula One to create the new model. According to the manufacturer's official online magazine, the new ultracar will boast a carbon fiber monocoque chassis built in "an almost handmade style" using four types of the composite. We aren't sure exactly what that means, but the design should keep weight to a minimum.
Power should come courtesy of an 800 horsepower V12 engine married to a HY-KERS system good for an additional 100 hp. Early estimates say the creation will tip the scales at under 3,000 pounds, which means the vehicle will be a performance marvel. Sounds like a party.

Ecclestone against F1 cockpit protection

Bernie Ecclestone has made it clear that he is not a fan of the Red Bull Aeroscreen, which was tried by Daniel Ricciardo on Friday, in Sochi. The FIA will continue to study both the Red Bull device and Ferrari's Halo, and will make a decision by July 1 about which will be added to the 2017 rules. "We're going to get a lot of pitstops now when they have to stop to clean the screen and things," he said when asked by Motorsport.com about the Aeroscreen. "That will be good." Asked if he liked the look of it or preferred the Halo, he said: "Not particularly. I don't like any of them," adding that the sport should do "nothing" with regard to cockpit protection. "I just think to try to simulate something when you've got a stationary object, and you're firing a tyre at it, when in the race when the wheel has come off normally both cars would be moving. "So how can you simulate it by having a car stationary? And how would you ever know what's going to happen with a wheel anyway? "If it hits the thing it would probably bounce off anyway. So I don't know," Ecclestone added. Quizzed on Lewis Hamilton's suggestion that danger was part of the appeal of the sport he said: "In his case I don't know whether the money made any difference as well. "We can make it more dangerous if he wants." Related Video: This story, by Adam Cooper, originally appeared on Motorsport.com, the world's leader in auto racing news, photos, and video. Image Credit: Dan Istitene/Getty Motorsports Ferrari Safety Racing Vehicles F1 bernie ecclestone halo