Show-stopping new production cars and concepts were not lacking in Geneva this year. There were so many, in fact, that we struggled to take it all in. Yet while Ferrari didn't have any new models to show us, somehow we couldn't help but slow down in front of its booth as we rushed from press conference to press conference. Maybe it was the classic Daytona sitting next to the 612 Scaglietti bathed in soft light, or maybe the pair of lookers standing next to them. Guess we'll never know, but you can feast your eyes on all the sexy models in the gallery below.
What Ferrari did unveil at the Swiss show, however, was a new customization program. Called One-to-One, the program takes the catalog of options under the existing Carrozzeria Scaglietti Programme a step further. A customization studio is being built at the factory in Maranello where clients can hand-pick a wide variety of options from leather swatches to brake calipers and everything in between. The program is being launched on the 612 Scaglietti, but will assuredly be broadened to the entire range in due course. For the 612, Ferrari also announced the availability of the SuperFast robotic gearbox and a new electrochromatic glass roof that can tint and lighten at the push of a button like the folding hardtop on the limited edition Superamerica. More on the latest from Maranello is available in the press release after the jump.
PRESS RELEASE
Geneva, March 4th 2008 - Ferrari is present at the 78th International Geneva Motor Show with its entire GT range, the F2007 single-seater that won last year's Formula 1 Drivers' and Constructors' World Championships, the legendary 365 GTB4 "Daytona" which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and a special area dedicated to the One-to-One Programme.
Taking pride of place at the Ferrari stand, however, is the 612 Scaglietti, the model being used to inaugurate the new One-to-One Personalisation Programme. Ferrari intends to allow every client to fully personalise this flagship model, courtesy of a wide array of new content as well as the options available through the Carrozzeria Scaglietti Programme. In fact, a special dedicated "atelier" area has been set up at the factory in which clients can put together their own bespoke 612 Scaglietti accessory by accessory, detail by detail. In exactly the same way as they would at an haute couture fashion house, owners can choose details and materials they want for their car in consultation with the Ferrari experts who will actually build it to their exact specifications and tastes.
We have recreated a compact version of the real telier (due to be officially opened in Maranello in the near future) on the stand. Further such ateliers will then be opened over the next few months in other parts of the world.
Clients will be assisted in making their selections by dedicated Programme consultants who can help them at every stage of defining their car's specification. Naturally, despite the many variations on offer, the Ferrari flagship's benchmark quality and styling characteristics will remain unchanged and no modifications will be permitted that would impinge on the signature Prancing Horse safety and reliability.
All of these unique new 612 Scagliettis will be built in a dedicated assembly area at the Maranello factory.
To underscore the sheer depth and flexibility of the personalisation options available for the 612 Scaglietti, we are exhibiting at Geneva a version which has been inspired, right down to its perforated leather Daytona seats, by the classic 365 GTB4 which will stand alongside it. The famous 365 GTB4 was, of course, affectionately dubbed the Daytona in honour of the historic one-two-three finish delivered by the Scuderia Ferrari in the eponymous 24 Hour Race in 1967. The arrival of the 365 GTB4 was a significant moment in the company's history and Ferrari will be celebrating this car's 40th anniversary in 2008 with a series of events across the globe.
The 612 Scagliettis being used to launch the One-to-One Programme incorporate a series of technical evolutions that reflect the Ferrari philosophy of constantly introducing innovations in each model. Most notably, the V12 flagship now boasts an electrochromic panoramic roof which covers the entire top of the cabin. This has the dual advantage of giving occupants the feeling of driving along in a drop-top whilst enjoying the comfort and safety of a coupé. However, this is no ordinary panoramic roof. It is made from electrochromic glass which can be changed at the touch of a button to adjust the levels of sunlight allowed into the cabin. The electrochromic glass solution was developed in close collaboration with Saint Gobain, a partner with whom Ferrari has most recently developed a similar highly innovative solution for the Superamerica.
In addition to its electrochromic roof, the 612 Scaglietti also sports the aptly named SuperFast gearbox which delivers an exceptional gear-shifting time of 100 milliseconds and a reduced inertia clutch to enhance the engine's responsiveness still further. The iconic Ferrari manettino, now featured on the entire range, has also been added to the steering wheel.
Another model being showcased at Geneva is the F430 Spider, a rear-engined 8-cylinder that combines blistering performance with open-top driving pleasure. The version on the stand is displayed in a historic colour Grigio Ferro, with a sophisticated Cioccolato interiors. The F430 Spider has proved an enormous success since its launch and in 2007 won prestige awards from international publications, such as Quattroruote, Autozeitung, Auto Illustrierte and Auto Motor und Sport.
The Company's sporting history is also represented on the stand by the 599 GTB Fiorano, the highest performance production model ever built at Maranello and seen here in a classic Rosso Corsa livery, and the 430 Scuderia, an extreme model voted "Dream Car of the Year" by the authoritative British car magazine Top Gear.
The more track-oriented side of Ferrari's dual soul is represented most ably on the stand by the F2007, the single-seater that won the World Championship last year, bringing to 15 the overall number of Formula 1 Drivers' and Constructors' titles won by Maranello so far.
612 SCAGLIETTI
The 612 Scaglietti is the result of an avant-garde design that continues the great Ferrari 2+2 tradition in fabulous style. Designed by Pininfarina, the 612 Scaglietti is named in honour of Sergio Scaglietti, the legendary Modenese stylist and coachbuilder responsible for bodying some of the most beautiful Ferraris of the 1950s and 60s. The 612 Scaglietti epitomises Ferrari's talent for innovation and design. This thrillingly nimble, beautifully balanced sporty front-engined rear-wheel drive berlinetta offers a cabin capable of accommodating four occupants in unprecedented onboard comfort, thanks to a host of accessories and a fantastic specification. The 612 Scaglietti is a sumptuous, roomy two-door four-seater that's a pleasure to be aboard regardless of the driving conditions.
The chassis and bodywork. These are made entirely from light, tough aluminium which translates into enhanced performance, braking and road-holding all in one.
Engine The V12 engine has a dry sump lubrication system featuring both delivery and scavenge pumps, twin overhead cams, 48 valves, maximum power of 540 hp at 7250 rpm, maximum torque of 60 kgm at 5250 rpm. The car has a maximum speed of 320 kph, and 0 to 100 kph acceleration of 4.0 secs.
Gearbox, 6-speed, F1-type featuring new SuperFast technology that cuts gear-shifting times to 100 milliseconds. Courtesy of either the steering wheel-mounted manettino and specific button, the gearbox can easily switch from very high performance situations to city or touring driving.
Clutch: Twin-plate to reduce weight and rotating masses as well as thermal and mechanical inertia.
Brakes. Carbon-ceramic material (CCM) Brembo brakes with vented discs that are fade and vibration-resistant even in extreme and intensive situations. The fact that the brakes are so light also reduces the unsprung masses. Large-diameter discs: 380x36mm with 6-pot callipers front and 360x34 and 4-pot callipers rear.
MAGIC INDIA DISCOVERY
The Magic India Discovery Tour started from Mumbai on February 25th and will see two 612 Scagliettis cover a route stretching more than 13,000 kilometres. More than 50 journalists from all over the world will take turns behind the wheels of the cars which return to the Mumbai on May 8th.
The two 612 Scagliettis (one red, the other white, both sporting a specially designed livery) will feature a few absolutely minimal modifications to allow them to negotiate the more difficult sections of the tour. The modifications involve the fitting of an underbody protector made from 4 mm duraluminium rather than plastic and a slightly higher suspension setting to deal with the tougher road surfaces. Otherwise, however, they will be entirely straightforward production cars.
The Magic India Discovery tour is divided into 12 stages and runs over 74 days. The start from Mumbai's Gateway of India was watched by Fiat Group Vice-President John Elkan and Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group. The two Scagliettis will head south along the coast to the city of Trivandrum near the very southern tip of the Indian peninsula, turning up towards Bangalore and Kolkata (Calcutta). The final part of the voyage takes the cars up along the river Ganges and north to the Pakistani border. It then heads back down towards New Delhi and on through fascinating Rajasthan before returning to Mumbai.
The Magic India Discovery tour will enjoy the invaluable support of the Tata Group, Tata Motors, Tata Consultancy Services, Taj Hotels, Shell, Fiat India Pvt Ltd., Alcoa, Pirelli, Saima Avandero and OMR.
Assistance and spare parts will be provided by eight support vehicles: five Tata cars, two Fiats and one specially fitted-out Iveco truck.
In addition to the journalists driving the two 612 Scagliettis and the photographers, camera operators, the tour will also be accompanied by a technical assistance and logistics team for its entire duration.
The 612 Scaglietti is Ferrari's top of the range model and in line with its elegant, exclusive image, we will also be providing our guests on the tour with sophisticated colonial style clothing. In addition to this, legendary Milanese hatmaker Borsalino has created a contemporary take on the classic colonial Pith helmet as the weather will be particularly hot and sunny.
The www.ferrariworld.com and www.media.ferrari.com websites will feature constantly updated news and high resolution images throughout the tour also.
FERRARI BUSINESS
2007 BALANCE SHEET: A RECORD YEAR
In the year of Ferrari's 60 year anniversary, beautifully topped off by our seventh Constructors' World title in nine years in Formula 1 and our sixth Drivers' title in the last eight years of the World Championship, all of the main economic indicators were up to excellent levels.
Ferrari's revenues (turnover) increased from the 1,447 million euro recorded in 2006 to 1,668 million euro in 2007, a jump of 15.3%.
A total of 6,465 road cars (i.e. track cars excluded) were delivered to end clients, an increase of 14% on 2006. The emerging markets showed the strongest growth. Sales to the Asia-Pacific region rose by 47.2% on last year's figure while the Middle East was up by 32.3%. The trend was positive too, however, in more traditional markets such as the United States (+7.7%), the United Kingdom (+8.2%) and Germany (+5.9%).
Our trading profit of 266 million euro represents a massive 45.4% increase on last year's figure and brings our ROS (Return on Sales) up to 16% compared to 12.6% in 2006.
FERRARI FINANCIAL SERVICES
Founded in late 2006, Ferrari Financial Services is made up of three legal companies. Ferrari Financial Services SpA is the Italian mother company and directly manages the Italian market. It also controls Ferrari Financial Services AG (which operates on the German, French, Austrian, Belgian and Swiss markets) and Ferrari Financial Services Inc. which, through our dealership network, covers the whole of the USA.
In 2007, Ferrari Financial Services achieved 27% market penetration on the seven markets on which it operates. In other words, around one third of the cars manufactured and sold by Maranello were purchased using its financing contracts.
The average length of these finance contracts is 40 months and the amounts involved range from 100,000 euros to up to four million dollars, the price fetched by California Spider sold recently on the American market. The Ferrari Financial Services portfolio also includes two Ferrari Enzos (average value: 700,000 euros) and no less than seven former F1 single-seaters (average value: 1.5 million euro).
FFS offers a choice of four different financial packages to suit the various categories of car covered: GT from current range, competition cars, classic and pre-owned cars, Formula 1 and limited series).
Each package includes a range of options from financing for more traditional services (insurance or scheduled services) to ultra-exclusive driving courses certified by the current Scuderia Ferrari drivers.
FERRARI CLASSICHE
Introduced in July 2006, the Ferrari Classiche division provides restoration and maintenance services, technical assistance and authenticity certificates to classic Ferrari owners. To date, Ferrari Classiche has received over 800 requests for certificates of authenticity and issued over 600. The certification is carried out using the data contained in the Company's technical and historic archive which includes information on all of the GT, competition and sports prototypes cars built at Maranello since the Prancing Horse's foundation.
2008 looks set to be another excellent year for Ferrari collectors too, with a series of special events that includes celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the legendary 365 GTB4 "Daytona" during the Mugello Historic Festival (April 5th and 6th). Then on May 18th, the Fiorano Circuit will host the second edition of the "Leggenda e Passione" auction organised by RM Auctions in collaboration with Sotheby's.
2008 SPORTING ACTIVITIES
2007 saw Ferrari sign a technological collaboration agreement with the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport to supply engines for the series' single-seaters. Ferrari will also act as a consultant on the design of the chassis of the cars competing until 2014. The collaboration begins from the 2008/2009 Championship.
FERRARI CORSE CLIENTI
Client racers have played a major role in Ferrari's sporting activities since the foundation of the Marque. This led to the Ferrari Challenge being set up in 1993 followed in 2001 by a dedicated Corse Clienti division. Corse Clienti currently organises the international Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli and Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge, provides support to Ferrari clients taking part in the GT championships and manages the F1 Clienti department, the exclusive FXX Programme and the Pilota Ferrari driving courses.
PILOTA FERRARI DRIVING COURSES
The Ferrari driving course programme began in 1993 with just one type of course (Basic) but in the years that followed it developed to meet client demand into three levels of increasing complexity: Advanced, Evolution and Challenge.
Between 1993 and the present, in fact, over 4,000 clients from all parts of the globe have attended our courses.
Over 700 individuals signed up for them in 2007 alone, in fact. More than 400 of these attended the courses held at Fiorano: 17% from Italy, 55% from other European markets, 13% from America, and 15% from Australia and Asia.
The Chinese courses attracted over 80 participants to three different circuits in Shanghai, Beijing and Zhuhai.
The Ferrari North America Driving School sessions brought upwards of 200 drivers to the Mont-Tremblant Circuit in Quebec, Canada.
The Pilota Ferrari on Ice course was launched this year also and will help clients hone their skills at controlling their car in adverse conditions.
A special course developed in collaboration with Michael Schumacher is also offered to clients that have purchased a 430 Scuderia through Ferrari Financial Services.
FERRARI STORES
The Ferrari Store opening programme continues apace across the world too. Stores were officially inaugurated in Beijing, Los Angeles, Shenyang, Barcelona, Al Kobar, Abu Dhabi and Macao in 2007. 2008 will see us enhance our presence in the North American market with new Stores in Honolulu, San Francisco and Miami in the first half of the year. The Singapore Store opened in January 2008 and another is planned for Moscow this year too.
FERRARI IN SWITZERLAND
With 270 road cars delivered there in 2007 (in line with the 2006 figure of 269), Switzerland is Ferrari's seventh largest market after the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and France. It is also our largest market overall in terms of cars sold per capita of population. Ferrari maintains a strong presence in the country through Ferrari Suisse which is based at Nyon near Geneva. The latter has been directly controlled by the Prancing Horse since 1993 and is currently headed by a Giulio Zauner. Ferrari Suisse operates through a network of 10 dealerships which also guarantee a technical assistance service.
Many of our Swiss clients are involved in the GT championships, the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli and Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge, as well as in collecting historic and Formula 1 cars from various eras. Ferrari Classiche has, in particular, had numerous certification requests from Swiss owners.
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