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Why newly independent Ferrari may be forced into fuel-efficient cars

The repercussions from Ferrari's pending transition into an independent automaker won't be understood for some time, but one of the biggest consequences could be that the iconic Italian marque will be forced into building more fuel-efficient vehicles.
As Wired points out, while Ferrari built fewer than 7,000 cars in 2013, its status as a public company could trigger pressure from shareholders to build more six-figure supercars and grand tourers. In turn, doing so could lead the company afoul of US Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, which dictate that any company that sells over 10,000 vehicles needs to maintain a certain fuel economy average across its fleet or risk fines.
With arguably its most popular model, the 458 Italia, hitting just 17 miles per gallon on the highway and its most efficient model, the turbocharged California T, stuck at 18 mpg, Ferrari isn't in a great place to hit the government's mandates (which are somewhat convoluted as Wired explains). The gist of the situation is that Ferrari will either need to continue limiting the number of vehicles it sells each year - a move that's certain to upset shareholders and irk its boss, Sergio Marchionne - or radically improve the fuel economy of its cars at the risk of performance. Rock, meet hard place.

Winningest Ferrari ever feted by Petrolicious

When Petrolicious showed its video starring the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO, we weren't sure it could be topped. Now, barely two weeks later, it has. Somehow, the video crew of one of our favorite YouTube series has gotten its mitts on one of the rarest, winningest, and most unique Ferraris to ever rove the planet.
This is a 1957 Ferrari 625/250 TRC, a customized stunner originally owned by Ferrari importer John Von Neumann that won a number of races across the country during its heyday. There's a lot more to this car than its wins at the Grand Prix of Mexico, Laguna Seca, Riverside and Pomona (and others), though.
See, this car was originally bought by Von Neumann alongside a second 625/250 TRC. Both cars were already rarities, sporting a 2.5-liter four-cylinder race engine sourced from Ferrari's Le Mans efforts. Von Neumann took things a step further, acquiring a 3.0-liter V12, which was then shoehorned into the sleek TRC's body. Yes, wee little Ferrari with a big ol' engine. It's a hot rod, and is one of the best looking, best sounding cars we've ever seen.

1962 Ferrari 250 GTO with $45M estimate most expensive car offered at auction

Not long after a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO was sold for a staggering $70 million, another is coming up for sale. At RM Sotheby's Monterey sale in late August, a 1962 250 GTO carries a pre-auction estimate of more than $45 million. Reportedly all original 250 GTOs built between 1962 and 1964 have survived, and they are all worth serious money. This 250 GTO, chassis number 3413GT, started its life as a works car tested by American racer Phil Hill at the 1962 Targa Florio road race. The third one built in a 36-unit production run, the car won numerous races in the hands of its first private owner, Edoardo Lualdi-Gabardi, who won the Italian National GT championship with it. Later on, Gianni Bulgari of Bulgari jewelry fame continued to race the car, and miraculously it was never crashed, nor did it have to discontinue a race. Despite that, 3413GT received a new, Series II specification body by Carrozzeria Scaglietti in 1964. The Ferrari was last sold in 2000 for an already respectable $7 million, and it wasn't stowed away for two decades: it's been seen at countless classic events and vintage races. RM Sotheby's says the car has been maintained in "highly original" condition, and it will be interesting to see how it performs at the auction, compared to a previous 250 GTO auction record of $38 million in 2014. At the very least, 3413GT's estimate makes it the most valuable car ever put up for auction. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO auction Image Credit: RM Sotheby's Ferrari Auctions Car Buying Racing Vehicles Performance Classics RM Sotheby's ferrari 250 gto 1962 ferrari 250 gto ferrari auction