Ferrari California preview for selected clients in Shanghai

In an elegant building in Shanghai’s city centre, in the presence of Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa, Head of Ferrari APAC Marco Mattiacci, the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa as well as some importers and clients from the Asia Pacific region the Ferrari California was shown in a preview. The new Ferrari 8-cylinder Berlinetta with front-mid engine will be shown at the International Shanghai Auto Show as of tomorrow. Felipe and Kimi arrived in a black car at the event attended by numerous fans of the manufacturer from Maranello.

Fiat 500 wins “2009 World Car Design of the Year” award

At the New York International Auto Show the award’s organisers announced today that Fiat 500 has been voted “2009 World Car Design of the Year”.
A jury of 59 journalists from 25 different countries worldwide short-listed 51 candidates, from which the three finalists were chosen: the Fiat 500, the Citrôen C5 Sedan / C5 Tourer and the Jaguar XF.
Four international design experts, namely Silvia Baruffali, Editorial Director of Auto & Design magazine, Robert Cumberford, design critic and journalist for Automobile and Auto & Design magazines, Akira Fujimoto, Editor-in-Chief of Car Styling magazine and Tom Matano, Executive Director of the School of Industrial Design at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, voted the Fiat 500 absolute winner of this year’s award.

“We are proud to receive this prestigious international award, as further endorsement of Fiat’s commitment to creating attractive, innovative cars, which express the best of Italian manufacturing capability,” commented Roberto Giolito, Fiat’s Head of Design. “Italian design has often been a step ahead of future trends in the automotive world and our latest models, spearheaded by the Fiat 500, are an expression of “practical beauty”, which is what the world expects of Italian cars. We will continue to work untiringly on innovative design and endeavour to combine the best of the future with the historical, cultural and industrial identity of the Fiat brand.”

Automobili Lamborghini achieves 2008 Targets

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- Total turnover increased in challenging economic conditions to Euro 478,8 Mio. (+2,5%)
- Profits rise to Euro 60 Mio. (+27,4%)
- Sales up: 2430 units sold worldwide (+1%)
- Strong growth in Middle Eastern and major Asian markets, strongest growth in China
- Maintenance of long-term strategy and investments

In spite of world-wide financial and economic turmoil, Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. delivered another successful year in 2008. In all key business indicators such as deliveries and profits, the Italian luxury sportscar manufacturer exceeded the already remarkable previous year.

Turnover increased from Euro 467,1 Mio. to Euro 478,8 Mio in 2008 (+2,5%). Pretax profits rose from Euro 47,1 Mio. to Euro 60,0 Mio, marking an exponential increase of 27,4%. The profit margin increased from 10,1% to 12,5%. The brand with the raging bull logo improved sales from 2406 to 2430 units.

Commenting on the results, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, Stephan Winkelmann, said: “With this new record in deliveries and profits we have marked the most successful fiscal year in the history of our company. The worldwide economic climate, especially regarding luxury markets, has changed dramatically. However, Lamborghini’s stronghold in global presence and brand appeal will enable us to steer Lamborghini through challenging times.”

On the sales side, weaknesses in major traditional regions were offset by growth in other areas as well as in new and emerging markets. The US market saw a decrease of 20,3% with 741 units sold compared to the 930 sold the year before. The US share of world-wide sales decreased from 38,7% to 30,5%.

In Europe, sales remained stable. While traditional markets such as Germany and the UK showed relatively small single digit decreases, sales in the Italian brand’s homeland increased from 209 to 230 units (+10%). This sales growth pushed Italy into the position of second largest world market.

Strong growth rates were achieved in the Middle East and Far East Asian core markets. The Middle Eastern region – particularly the United Arab Emirates – achieved a sales increase of 66% from 100 to 166 units sold. In the Far East, China more than doubled its sales from 28 to 72 units sold. The Middle East and Far East regions grew their contribution to Lamborghini’s total worldwide sales from 15% to 21,8%.

The 2008 success in deliveries and profits was due to the consistent expansion of brand presence and dealerships worldwide. More than that, the marque has the most attractive model line-up ever, augmented by the launch of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Coupé. Increasing brand and product awareness as well as the innate and rising brand value are also key factors in the company’s success.

The company´s development marks one of the most respected company turn-around programmes in the automotive and luxury industries.

“In the light of world-wide economic uncertainties, this new record year above all proves the sustainability of our business strategy. We know that there are tough times ahead now, but we have increased the value and appeal of our luxury brand and we are ready to take on the challenges the future might bring us. We are confident we will come out of this challenge stronger than we went into it,” said Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann.

Outlook for 2009

Even as a low volume luxury car manufacturer, Automobili Lamborghini is not unaffected by the present economic downturn in the wake of the global financial crisis.
The goal is to lead the company through the difficult phase safely by applying the strictest discipline to managing investments and current costs, systematically adjusting production to reflect market developments.

Before approaching 2009, the company took decisive steps to be well prepared for volatility in demand.
Production flexibility is made possible by working within contractual agreements and with the full support of the trade unions. The company has also enhanced and improved its professional training and qualifying courses
The company has announced short-time work for 300 of its 1000 employees in some weeks from February to May and does not rule out making further use of this tool.

Lamborghini remains with its long-term strategy. Investment into R&D will continue. The company sticks to its commitment of announcing at least one new product each year. The latest examples of this confidence are the launch of the new Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder and the Murciélago LP 670-4 Superveloce. The new Spyder is the convertible version of the record-selling Gallardo LP 560-4 Coupé and is now being launched in all markets. The Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce, recently presented at the last Geneva motorshow, has already commanded a promising order bank and will first reach markets in the next weeks.

In the current 2009 year, Automobili Lamborghini is not in a position to make a full year forecast, but the overall target for the 2009 financial year is to attain an overall profit.

Petter Solberg tests the Abarth Grande Punto S2000

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Norwegian driver Petter Solberg has undertaken a test session at the wheel of the Abarth Grande Punto S2000 with a view to participating in some international rallies. World Rally Champion in 2004, Solberg has expressed a favourable opinion about the car and the own specifications of the Super 2000 category, which features cars fitted with a normally aspirated 2000cc engine and all-wheel transmission without electronic assistance.

Official debut of the new Maserati GranTurismo MC

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The new Maserati GranTurismo MC will be officially unveiled during the FIA GT "Media Days" at the Paul Ricard circuit. The new model is an offshoot of the Maserati GranTurismo MC Concept introduced last September in Monza and based on the Maserati GranTurismo S road version, with electro-actuated gearbox system.

On 17 and 18 March the car participated in the "Balance of performance", two days of practices organized by SRO at the Paul Ricard circuit in order to analyze and balance the performance of the models that will be racing in the GT4 European Cup.

A Maserati GranTurismo MC entered by a private team is to participate in some GT4 European Cup events during the second half of this season.

A limited series of the Maserati GranTurismo MC produced for gentlemen drivers who wish to race in the 2010 GT4 European Cup and the national series, will be on sale as of October 2009. The indicative price is 135,000 Euro + VAT. The cars will be sold directly through Maserati Corse.

In 2010 Maserati intends to once again organize a European single-make cup race. The cars participating in this Cup shall naturally present specifications that will set them apart from the GT4-version Maserati GranTurismo MCs.

Maserati chose to create a model with GT4 features because GT4 is the category with the closest links to production models. There is a niche of GranTurismo road car owners who love racing and want to be able to test their mettle on a track driving a racing version of the same model they own.

The Maserati GranTurismo MC is the result of a development work carried out during many test sessions that started in the Summer of 2008.

Various drivers have taken turns developing the Maserati GranTurismo MC Concept from which the Maserati GranTurismo MC stemmed. With their strong professional and racing background, each and every one of them contributed to the creation of the final version.

The predominant part of the fine-tuning work was conducted by Andrea Bertolini, official Maserati tester as well as incumbent FIA GT Champion at the wheel of the MC12.

Bertolini worked together with Thomas Cremonini, Maserati series production tester, and Vitaphone Racing Team teammate Michael Bartels, also 2008 FIA GT champion.

During the most recent tests, the Maserati GranTurismo MC with GT4 specs was also tested by former F.1 driver Ivan Capelli.

With the creation of the Maserati GranTurismo MC, the tradition of the Trident logo car manufacturer who remains loyal to its origins - those of a company founded in 1914 to tune and subsequently build racecars - lives on.

The Maserati list of wins is abundant and it includes a two consecutive wins at the famous Indianapolis 500 in 1939 and in 1940, with Wilbur Shaw at the wheel of the 8CTF "Boyle Special". This year is the 70th anniversary of that first success.

Juan Manuel Fangio won two F1 world titles in 1954 and in 1957 at the wheel of a Maserati 250F.
In the 1950s and 1960s cars with the Trident logo won a good many Endurance races, while the last victory in a Formula 1 GP was clinched by Pedro Rodriguez on a Cooper-Maserati in 1967.

In 2004 Maserati Corse started racing again internationally in the FIA GT Championship featuring the MC12; it achieved three victories at the prestigious Spa 24 Hours (2005, 2006, and 2008 Vitaphone Racing Team) and no less than ten absolute titles:

- Three FIA GT Drivers Championships in 2006 (Michael Bartels/Andrea Bertolini), in 2007 (Thomas Biagi) and in 2008 (Michael Bartels/Andrea Bertolini)
- Four FIA GT Teams Championships in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 (Vitaphone Racing Team)
- Two FIA GT Manufacturers Cups in 2005 and 2007
- One Citation Cup for gentlemen drivers in 2007 (Ben Aucott).

Race have always been the most demanding test-bench for all cars. Traditionally, reliability and performance are checked on track. It is in races that new technologies and materials are tested. And it is on the circuit that Maserati has decided to raise the much praised-sporty verve of its Maserati GranTurismo S to even higher levels to create the Maserati GranTurismo MC.

Ferrari Classiche celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the 250 GT Berlinetta passo corto

Ferrari Classiche has brought no less than four stunning cars to the 21st Techno-Classica to showcase its activities. Exemplifying the specialist department’s skills are two versions of the 250 GT Berlinetta passo corto, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of this legendary model’s unveiling at the 1959 Paris Show, a Pinin Farina-bodied 250 GT and a Superamerica.

Starting in 1959, a total of 166 250 GT Berlinettas were built, of which 92 were road-going, steel-bodied cars and 74 aluminium ‘Competizione’ versions.
The first of the two models on display on the Ferrari stand is a steel-bodied car and has been issued with a Certificate of Authenticity for complying exactly with the original characteristics of the model.

The second car is a ‘Competizione’ version and a superb example of the fine restoration work carried out by Ferrari Classiche. The project involved meticulous research before work started on restoring the car from the chassis up.

The Pinin Farina-bodied 250 GT displayed on the Ferrari stand was shown here in Essen two years ago before undergoing the Ferrari Classiche Authenticity Certification process. It competed in its heyday and is now seen after restoration of both its front bodywork and chassis. In the course of Ferrari’s research into the car, in fact, it became clear that the front chassis did not comply with the original designs as it had been repaired following an accident. Similarly the car’s nose section was also found to be of a slightly different shape than the original. Using original photographs, Ferrari Classiche was, however, able to restore the car to its original pristine state and to redo the paintwork in its original white colour.

The fourth model on display at the stand is actually a modern Ferrari. However, it still boasts certain unique characteristics that mean it falls under the competency of Ferrari Classiche. The stunning 2005 Superamerica features the innovative Revocromico™ roof and was built on the 575M Maranello platform. It is a limited edition model of which just 559 were ever built. As is the case with other special models, such as the Enzo Ferrari and the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina, Ferrari Classiche can issue a Certificate of Authenticity for the Superamerica. Furthermore the car is also covered by the new Ferrari Approved Programme developed to guarantee purchasers of pre-owned Prancing Horse models complete peace of mind, courtesy of a 190-point pre-sale vehicle check and a 12-month roadside assistance package.

The Maserati GranTurismo MC Concept at the "Balance of Performance"

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The Maserati GranTurismo MC Concept made his debut at the Paul Ricard circuit, in France, during the two days of tests organized by the SRO, to analyze and balance the performance of the cars allowed to participate to the GT4 European Cup.

Maserati confirms that one car entered by a private team to be designated, will race in selected rounds in the second part of the season. The GranTurismo MC Concept is based on the GranTurismo S road model.

The GT4 European Cup is a category linked with the FIA GT International Championship, but reserved only for gentlemen drivers at the steering wheel of GT models strictly derived from the road version.

Alfa Romeo 159 1750

At the recent Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo unveiled numerous major developments heralding the re-launch of the brand on the global stage. Protagonist of the event was the new Alfa Romeo 159 (saloon and Sportwagon versions). The new 159 is designed to express a sporting yet seductive personality and boasts road holding and performance that set new standards for this class of car. Two new engines in particular (a 200 HP, 1750 cc turbocharged petrol engine and a 170 HP 2.0 JTDM diesel) place the Alfa Romeo 159 firmly in market segment D, in the power range that accounts for over half of Alfa Romeo sales.

Under their fascinating and highly personal exterior, all Alfa Romeos offer a choice of superb engines, all packed with the latest technology and bursting with performance. Alfa Romeo engines are the perfect embodiment of the sporting soul that has always set the marque apart from the competition. The Alfa Romeo 159 is certainly no exception. Starting from April 2009, the new 159 will be available with a brand new engine: a 1750 cc turbocharged petrol engine that conforms to Euro 5 standards and develops 200 HP between 4,750 and 5,500 rpm with 320 Nm of torque at only 1,400 rpm.

The new 1750 cc turbo petrol engine (manufactured by FPT - Fiat Powertrain Technologies) comes combined with a six speed manual gearbox and boasts advanced ignition control solutions including direct fuel injection, two continuously variable valve timing units, a turbocharger and a revolutionary scavenging control system. The resulting performance is comparable to – or better than – that of many 3 litre engines while still delivering fuel consumption typical of a compact four cylinder unit.

The force behind the development of any Alfa Romeo engine is the company’s determination to use technology to enhance driving pleasure. This certainly applies to the development of the new, Euro 5, “1750 Turbo Benzina 200 CV” unit destined immediately for the Alfa Romeo 159 and later on for the Alfa Romeo Brera, Spider and 159 Sportwagon.

This engine takes the Alfa Romeo 159, with its refined Italian styling and typical sporting elegance to an impressive top speed of 235 kph and accelerates it from 0 to 100 kph in just 7.7 seconds. The 200 HP Alfa Romeo 159 1750 TBi is therefore a true representative of Alfa’s exclusive motoring lifestyle. Far from being a mere ‘means of transport’, the new 159 is a real driver’s car. It delivers genuine sports performance and muscular acceleration thanks to generous torque and smooth response even at low revs and the extended power band of a modern, advanced petrol engine that minimises the need for you to ‘work’ the gearbox. The engine sound too is inspiring without ever becoming tiresome.

Fiat peaks three million vehicles produced in Turkey

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A FIAT Qubo, the unique vehicle generated by the FIAT-PSA joint venture, was item number 3,000,000 to come out of production at the Tofas plant in Bursa (Turkey). This is a historic moment, highlighting the successful partnership between the FIAT Group and KOC Holding, signed 41 years ago.

The Tofas plant boasts annual production capacity of 400,000 units and over 7,000 employees, so it is one of FIAT’s most important strategic production centres worldwide. This is where FIAT Linea, Qubo, Albea, Palio Sole and Doblò are manufactured, alongside the FIAT Professional commercial Fiorino and Doblò Cargo vehicles.

Ali Pandir, CEO of Tofas, declares: “This achievement is attributable to the steady strength of founders, KOC Holding and FIAT. Moreover, Tofas intends to reinforce the important industrial position it has earned in FIAT. We are intensely proud at the plant that our production line has rolled out three million vehicles. We’re also extremely satisfied with our workers, as we couldn’t have done it without them”.

Lastly, it is worth noting that the FIAT Qubo played a crucial role in increasing Tofas’s performance, both on the domestic market in Turkey and in European exports. So huge success for the product that came from a simple yet revolutionary concept. The Qubo actually goes one step beyond the MPV models and presents the “free space vehicle”, able to meet the most varied mobility demands thanks to a bold personality and unique, versatile functions for its class.