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New Ferrari Roma – Bringing Back “The Good Life” of the 1950’s and 60’s

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Ferrari Roma is designed to be a contemporary representation of the carefree, pleasurable way of life that characterised Rome in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Ferrari Roma - la Nuova Dolce Vita
Ferrari Roma – “la Nuova Dolce Vita.” Credit: Ferrari
  • Influenced by the Ferrari’s of the 50’s & 60’s
  • Based on the same chassis and engine as the Portofino
  • There’s a new design to the key
  • Roma has hidden active aero

The Ferrari Roma, the new mid-front engined 2+ coupé (because the rear seat space is very small it’s not classed as a 2 + 2), features refined proportions and timeless design combined with unparalleled performance and handling. With its distinctive flair and style, Roma is a contemporary representation of the carefree, pleasurable way of life that characterised Italy’s capital Rome in the 1950s and ‘60s. This is also why Ferrari chose to adopt the tagline “La Nuova Dolce Vita”, the new good/sweet life.

The Ferrari Roma uses the same chassis as the coupé-convertible Portofino and also shares its 3.9-litre twin turbo V8. But its power output has been increased to 611bhp and it benefits from the new eight speed dual shift gearbox that the SF90 hybrid uses. All of this makes the Roma marginally faster than the Portofino.

The cars that inspired Roma

There is definitely a strong essence of Ferrari design language on display. The headlights and nose are very similar to the topless Ferrari Monza, which hearkens to Ferrari’s of the ’60s, and the big back end with quad tail lights and exhaust resemble other GT models like the 612 and 456.

But what were the cars of the dolce vita? Which Gran Turismo and “custom-built” cars have inspired the style and technique of Ferrari Rome?

Ferrari Roma - la Nuova Dolce Vita heritage
Ferrari Roma – la Nuova Dolce Vita style heritage. Credit: Ferrari
Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta luxury

The true ancestor of the Ferrari Roma is a coupe from 1962, but with two seats. It is the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta luxury that in the period 1962-1964 embodies the spirit of sleek lines combined with true sportiness and fine finishes. There are 351 “luxury” products in four years with Pininfarina style and Scaglietti bodywork characterized by a very long 250 GTO style bonnet and tail end.

Ferrari-250-Berlinetta
Ferrari 250 GT 2 + 2

An inspirer of the Ferrari Roma is the Ferrari 250 GT 2 + 2 (also known as 250 GTE, 250 GT / E) the first car of Maranello able to accommodate four people, a prestigious protagonist of the sweet Roman life. It was produced between 1960 and 1963 in 957 examples. The Ferrari 250 GT 2 + 2 is a coupe with a 3-liter V12 engine and 240 hp that touches the 212 km/h and has also become famous for being the first Ferrari of the Italian Police.

Ferrari 250 GT 2 + 2
The 2 + 2 grows and becomes 330 GT

The Ferrari 330 GT 2 + 2, produced from 1964 to 1967 in 1,099 units, when by now the good life had vanished, but remains famous for the front with four round headlights of the first series. The V12 engine went up to four liters and the power reached 300 HP for a maximum speed of 245 km/h.

Ferrari 330 GT

Roma’s New Key

Jack Rix, Deputy Editor of Top Gear shared photos of the Roma’s key on Twitter. They show a leather-backed metallic fob adorned only with the prancing horse logo on the front and “Roma” on the back. The locking and trunk controls are marked by embossing on the leather.

You can delete the front quater panel badges

Ferrari Roma
Trademark Ferrari front quater panel badges can be deleted as a choice on the Ferrari Roma.

Hidden Active Spoiler

The pleasure of the Ferrari Roma’s design is like a sculpture, is there to please your eye. It doesn’t rely on scoops and vents and slashes to create the drama. However, aero hasn’t been ignored entirely. The lower section of the rear screen, is actually a moveable spoiler that sits flush with the surrounding bodywork. The spoiler raises up and deploys to three different heights depending on your speed and driving mode. It will also act as an air brake when you really hit the brakes.

Ferrari Roma Active Aero Spoiler
Ferrari Roma Active Aero Spoiler. Credit: Ferrari

Dual Cockpit Concept

The new formal approach to the interior led to the creation of two driver and passenger safety cells, an evolution of the Dual Cockpit concept. Unlike Ferrari sports cars, typically built around the figure of the driver, the cockpit of the Ferrari Roma has an almost symmetrical structure. This makes for a more organic distribution of space and functions, so that the passenger feels extremely involved in the driving.

Ferrari Roma Dual Cockpit Interior
Ferrari Roma Dual Cockpit Interior. Credit: Ferrari
Ferrari Roma Dual Cockpit Interior
The passenger gets an information screen. Credit: Ferrari

Roma’s Power

The Ferrari Roma represents the pinnacle of performance in this category, thanks to its turbo-charged V8 from the family of engines that has won the overall International Engine of the Year award four years running. In this version, the engine reaches 620 cv at 7500 rpm and is coupled with the new 8-speed DCT gearbox that was introduced on the SF90 Stradale.

Ferrari Roma V8 Engine
Ferrari Roma V8 Engine. Credit: Ferrari

Chassis

The Ferrari Roma chassis benefits from the modular technology developed by Ferrari for its new generation models. Both bodyshell and chassis have been redesigned to incorporate the latest weight reduction and advanced production technologies. In fact, 70% of its components are entirely new. The mid-front-engined 2+ Ferrari Roma has the best weight/power ratio in its segment (2.37 kg/cv) which enhances handling dynamics and responsiveness.

Front view of the Ferrari Roma
A very good looking Ferrari.

Luxury Cars

Lamborghini Reveals Countach LPI 800-4 Revival

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Lamborghini is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Countach with a special edition LPI 800-4 model debuting at this year’s Monterey Car Week.
Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Aerial
The new Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4. Credit: Lamborghini

In celebration of the Countach’s 50th anniversary, Lamborghini has unveiled a special limited edition Countach LPI 800-4 as a futuristic tribute to the poster car of the 1980s.

While sharing the same name and drawing on the visual legacy of its predecessor, the new Countach LPI 800-4 is powered by Lamborghini’s aspirated V12 engine combined with new hybrid supercapacitor technology initially developed for the Sian.

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Side 1
Powered by Lamborghini’s V12 engine with hybrid supercapacitor. Credit: Lamborghini

Delivering 802hp maximum combined power (rounded to 800 for the sake of its model name), the LPI 800-4 can reach 0-62mph acceleration in just 2.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 220mph.

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Front Side
The Lamborghini Countach has a top speed of 220mph. Credit: Lamborghini

“The Countach LPI 800-4 is a visionary car of the moment, just as its forerunner was,” says Automobili Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “One of the most important automotive icons, the Countach not only embodies the design and engineering tenet of Lamborghini but represents our philosophy of reinventing boundaries, achieving the unexpected and extraordinary and, most importantly, being the ‘stuff of dreams.

“The Countach LPI 800-4 pays homage to this Lamborghini legacy, but it is not retrospective: it imagines how the iconic Countach of the 70s and 80s might have evolved into an elite super sports model of this decade. It upholds the Lamborghini tradition of looking forward, of exploring new design and technology avenues while celebrating the DNA of our brand. It is a Lamborghini that innately expresses the marque’s enduring and emotive power: always inspirational and thrilling to see, hear and most of all drive.”

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Front
Inspired by the Quattrovalvole edition with low rectangular headlights. Credit: Lamborghini

Inspired by the Countach’s distinctive silhouette, sharp angles, and wedge shape, the Countach LPI 800-4’s exterior inspiration was taken specifically from the Quattrovalvole edition in the bold lines of the front bonnet with long, low rectangular grille and headlights, as well as in the wheel arches with their hexagonal theme.

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Rear Side
Futuristic hexagonal rear lights like those of the Sián. Credit: Lamborghini

Unfortunately for fans of the Wolf of Wall Street Countach, there’s no fixed rear wing on the latest model. However, there are still air scoops integrated fluidly into the car’s shoulders and the distinctive Countach slatted “gills” and famous scissor doors.

The rear of the Countach LPI 800-4 still features a distinctive inverted wedge shape, with the rear bumper featuring a lower, sleeker line and the hexagonal rear light design similar to that of the Sián.

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Side
The famous scissor doors still remain. Credit: Lamborghini

Lamborghini has revealed only 112 models of the new Countach LPI 800-4 will be produced (a number chosen in honor of the internal project name “LP 112” used for the original Countach development) with allocations already fulfilled prior to the public launch.

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Front Side
Only 112 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4’s will be produced. Credit: Lamborghini

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Luxury Cars

Porsche & Manthey Racing Collab on Limited Edition 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25

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Porsche Motorsport celebrates 25 years partnership with Manthey-Racing and reveals the limited edition 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25.
The new Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25. Credit: Porsche
The new Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25. Credit: Porsche

Porsche Motorsport is celebrating 25 years of collaboration with Manthey-Racing GmbH and has unveiled the limited edition 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 to commemorate.

Founded by racing driver Olaf Manthey in 1996, Manthey-Racing GmbH is responsible for running the Porsche 911 RSR of the factory squad in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and has made a name for itself in both the motor racing world and as a GT road car specialist.

Celebrating 25 years partnership with Manthey Racing. Credit: Porsche
Celebrating 25 years partnership with Manthey Racing. Credit: Porsche

The basic concept and technical ideas for the new special edition was provided by Manthey and based on the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport with Porsche providing the final design. 

Developed specifically for track days and circuit racing, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 is powered by a 3.8-liter flat-six twin-turbo engine and produces 515 HP directed to the rear wheels through Porsche’s seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (PDK). 

Green and yellow design accents inspired by "Grello". Credit: Porsche
Green and yellow design accents inspired by “Grello”. Credit: Porsche

Taking inspiration from Manthey’s 911 GT3 R, known as the “Grello” because of its distinctive green and yellow livery, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 sports a similar green and yellow color scheme to highlight functional areas of the vehicle and adopts many vehicle components and elements from future Porsche racing cars. 

Limited to 30 vehicles worldwide. Credit: Porsche
Limited to 30 vehicles worldwide. Credit: Porsche

“The design of the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 expresses the long-standing collaboration between Porsche Motorsport and Manthey,” emphasizes Grant Larson from Style Porsche. “It amalgamates the respective strengths of each partner into one racing car, and at the same time bridges the gap between the 991 and 992 model generations of the 911.”

The Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 is limited to 30 vehicles in total (only six are allocated for North America) with deliveries expected to begin in early 2022.

To order, customers will need to email 911GT2RSClubsport25@porsche.de directly and have a spare $620,00 on hand. 

2021 Porsche 991 GT2 RS Aerial

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Pagani to Reveal Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta at Monterey Car Week 2021

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The new Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta is set to make its debut at this year’s Monterey Car Week and celebrates ten years of the Huayra supercar.
Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta Front Side View
The new Pagani BC Huayra Pacchetto Tempesta. Credit: Pagani Automobili

This year at Monterey Car Week, Pagani celebrates ten years of the Huayra with the world premiere of the new Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta.

Based on the Huayra BC, the new Pacchetto Tempesta package means the Huayra BC’s high-performance platform can be equipped with a range of “state-of-the-art technical and artisan solutions” to maximize the car’s racing abilities and achieve an 8% power increase to deliver 827 hp and 1,100 Nm torque.

Pagani has only teased several introductory images of the green carbon fiber bodied beauty ahead of the premiere, and although full details are yet to be shared, Pagani has noted that the Pacchetto Tempesta features a new front splitter, dedicated air intake, rear wing with an integrated central fin, and six-pipe exhaust system to maximize aerodynamic efficiency.

Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta Rear Aerial
New rear wing design with an integrated central fin. Credit: Pagani Automobili

A tweaked suspension system and the addition of an all-new “Soft Driving mode” also ensure drivers are afforded maximum comfort in the aggressive Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta.

The Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta will make its debut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering event on Friday 13th August at Monterey Car Week 2021 and will be seen alongside the Huayra R project and an up-close-and-personal look at the all-new Pagani V12-R engine, six-speed sequential gearbox.

While no prices have been revealed yet, the Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta will no double start above the $2.25 million price tag of the Huayra BC.

Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta Rear
New six-exhaust design (four central and two below). Credit: Pagani Automobili

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