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Touring's rebodied Ferrari F12 Berlinetta Lusso leaks ahead of Geneva debut

The F12 Berlinetta is, in this writer's estimation, one of the best-looking Ferraris and among the most striking automobiles on the road. But its aggressive lines, even the most die-hard fan would have to admit, may not be to everyone's taste. Like that of the customer who likely commissioned Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera to rebody this particular example. Called the Berlinetta Lusso, this coachbuilt F12 recalls a time when the 250 GT – ostensibly the F12's progenitor – was offered in performance-focused SWB guise and as the more elegant Lusso model. It bears certain obvious links to the stock version – particularly the headlights and front air vents – but takes a decidedly more graceful approach that starts to remind us more of a two-seat version of the 612 Scaglietti, especially in that shade of blue and with those wheels. As these images just surfaced, we'll have to hold on for its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show this week to delve into the full details. But chances are that Touring didn't find it necessary to tinker much with the F12's 6.3-liter V12 and its 730 horsepower, much as it has apparently left the interior largely in tact.

Ferrari third-quarter profit doubles on one-off tax break

MILAN — Ferrari says its net earnings doubled in the third quarter thanks mostly to one-off tax benefit. The sports car maker said Monday that net earnings were 287 million euros ($327 million) compared with 141 million euros a year earlier. The company said earnings grew 5 percent when excluding the so-called patent box tax break, agreed on with Italian authorities, covering use of copyrights, patents, trademarks, design and know-how. Deliveries were up 11 percent to 2,262 vehicles driven by sales of the 812 Superfast and the Ferrari Portofino, with revenues flat at 838 million euros. Europe and Middle East sales were up by double digits to 1,005. The Americas grew by 5 percent and greater China by 7 percent. Ferrari forecast full-year sales at over 9,000 cars with profits of 1.1 billion euros.Related Video:

Best Convertibles for 2022

The past decade has not been kind to the drop-top enthusiast. No matter which dealer you walk into, convertible models have been biting the dust left and right. Nissan Z? Audi TT? Buick Cascada? Volkswagen Eos? All gone. Remember the humble Chrysler Sebring/200? Well, you do now. Fortunately, though, the news isn't all bad. There are still plenty of options out there for those who absolutely must have a convertible. Whether you need something to haul behind your retirement cruiser, a performance car that can go toe-to-toe with the best in the world or just something that allows you to sling the roof back after a long day of on-location business meetings before catching the flight back to your everyday hustle and bustle, there's at least one cabriolet out there to suit your needs. Here are our picks and starting prices for the top convertibles in several categories for 2022.  For the frugal open-top lover: 2022 Mini Convertible ($34,650) Let's face it; gas ain't cheap. But open-top motoring doesn't need to be a wallet killer. The Mini is cheap (at least by 2022 standards) and an absolute joy to drive, so there's really no downside here ... except for the roof. Get it?    For the hardtop lover: 2022 Mazda MX-5 RF ($37,260) / 2022 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible ($69,695) The number of hardtop convertibles has seriously dwindled due to weight concerns and the fact that fabric roofs have gotten so quiet, but there are still some options for those who prefer a more coupe-like look with the roof up. Our picks here are the delightfully Targa-like MX-5 Miata RF and literally any Corvette Stingray — even the hardtop has a removable roof!    For long road trips: 2022 Ford Mustang Convertible ($34,100) The first image that comes to mind for many who are told to visualize an American convertible is the classic Ford Mustang. It's not the only drop-top pony car out there, but thanks to the Camaro's tiny trunk, it's much harder to see the USA in a Chevrolet when a drop-top enters the equation. The Mustang has much more cargo space and a much larger opening, which is likely the difference between keeping your bags under lock and key or leaving them exposed in the back seat.    For towing behind an RV: 2022 Jeep Wrangler ($31,590) While many small runabouts make sense for towing behind a motor home (or nestled up inside a fancier one), the Wrangler has a serious advantage when it comes to RVing: it can easily be flat-towed.