One off Ferrari to debut at the third Ferrari cavalcade.

One of the 90 cars taking part in the third edition of the Ferrari Cavalcade was the F12 TRS, a one-off custom design making its public debut on Sicilian soil.

Based on the F12berlinetta, the car was developed at a client’s request as an extreme, two-seater, open-top sports barchetta. One of the initial inspirations for the project was the 1957 250 Testa Rossa. In fact, the F12 TRS is Flavio Manzoni and the Ferrari Style Centre team’s modern, innovative take on that legendary car’s spirit and pays homage to it in its moniker.

Like all one-off Ferraris, the F12 TRS is the product of Ferrari’s now-classic approach of creating a truly integrated design. It thus has the same exceptional performance figures as the F12berlinetta including  0-100 km/h acceleration in 3.1 s and  0-200 km/h acceleration in 8.1 s, thanks to the massive 740 cv and maximum torque of  690 Nm at 9,000 rpm unleashed by its 6262 cm³ V12 engine.

From the leading edge of the typically sharp Ferrari nose, aggressively sculpted forms flow back over the bonnet, while a low, wraparound windscreen forms a long dark band of glass in contrast to the car’s body. The V12 engine’s signature red cylinder heads are visible through a window in the engine lid, a concept inspired as much by the front-engined Ferrari sports cars of the 1950s as our more recent mid-engined berlinettas. The aerobridge, introduced on the F12berlinetta, has been given a new treatment in this car, resulting in a sculptural design that runs back from the flanks along the entire length of the car.

The design of the rear marks an evolution of the T-shaped graphic that characterises the F12’s truncated tail and is influenced to some extent by the cabin shape with long fuselage fairings running behind the headrests into the rear spoiler. A smooth ramp runs from the central tunnel too, linking interior and exterior and creating a longitudinal aerodynamic channel to deliver an innovative Venturi effect completed by a vent under the spoiler.

The cockpit is light and pared-back to the barest driving essentials, creating a sense of powerful, uncompromising sportiness with no concessions to superfluous comfort. Even some of the controls for the likes of the air conditioning, for instance, have been cut back, while the glove compartment, central air vents, mats, audio system, window controls and odds-and-ends holders have all been removed. Most of the materials used aboard, such as black matt carbon-fibre, leather and Alcantara,  are technical, while the same multi-layer red paint developed specifically for the exterior adorns the central tunnel and the door panels.

Although inspired by the traditional Rosso Corsa, the new bodywork colour was developed using multi-layer and micalised paint technologies.

Ferrari posts significant gains at the nine month period.

• Revenues: 1.711 million euro (+6.7%)
• Trading profit:  264.2 million euro (+20.2%)
• Net profit: 178.8 million euro (+23%)
• EBITDA: 454 million euro (+15%)
• Record industrial net cash position: 1.350 million euro
• Homologated cars delivered:  5,264 in line with 2012
• A new company is being created to manage brand-related activities

The Ferrari S.p.A. Board of Directors met today under the chairmanship of Luca di Montezemolo to examine the financial results for the first nine months of 2013.

Ferrari’s strategic decision announced last May - to reduce volumes and maintain exclusivity while also increasing revenues - has already begun to yield its first results.  While deliveries to the dealership network have remained largely unchanged (5,264, three less compared to the first nine months of 2012), revenues have increased by 6.7 per cent to 1.711 million euro.

Trading profit jumped by over 20 per cent to 264.2 million euro as did net profit to 178.8 million euro (+23 per cent).

The company’s industrial net cash position has reached new historic record level and, on September 30th, stood at 1.350 million euro, despite an on-going commitment to heavy investment in product development which has resulted in the company’s most complete and innovative range ever, as demonstrated by the models launched in the first nine months of the year: LaFerrari, the first hybrid which represents the ultimate expression of technological innovation, performance and futuristic styling, and the 458 Speciale, an extreme V8-engined berlinetta with Ferrari-patented electronic dynamics controls and aerodynamics.

Ferrari’s industrial net cash flow for the period was 281 million euro.

These results are the fruit of an excellent product mix (12-cylinders accounted for 25 per cent of sales thanks to the consistent success of FF and higher F12berlinetta deliveries), an increasing contribution from all the services for customers, such as the Atelier and Tailor Made personalisation programmes, restoration of classic cars, along with continuing, significant turnover from Brand activities.

Markets

Sales continue to grow (+8 per cent) in the USA and Canada to 1627 cars, and it is foreseen that deliveries will increase moderately up until the end of 2013 to avoid excessively long waiting lists.

In Europe, the UK (+15 per cent, 580 cars delivered) is yielding very gratifying results, thanks in part to the arrival of the right-hand drive F12berlinetta. Deliveries to Germany were down by 3 per cent (520 cars) in line with the plan announced earlier this year. Italy remains a marginal market due to restrictive fiscal policies, and now accounts for less than 3 per cent of total sales with just 145 cars delivered to dealerships.

Sales were excellent in the Middle East (+40 per cent, 382 cars) and Japan  (+17 per cent, 250), while Greater China (People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan) is very much a two-sided coin.  Deliveries to end clients are on the up but deliveries to the network are falling: in fact, the latter have been reduced by 139 to 427 cars. This decision was influenced by two factors: the need to main the brand’s exclusivity on traditional markets, such as Hong Kong, and to take a more cautious position on the People’s Republic of China where rises in taxes on luxury goods may be in the offing.

“I am very satisfied with the results for the first nine months of 2013,” declared Luca di Montezemolo. “They are the fruit of our constant focus on exclusivity, which guarantees significant returns for our shareholders as well as growing numbers of services for clients. The revenues from personalisation programmes and Ferrari Classiche’s activities ably demonstrate this fact and the latter will receive an additional boost when a dedicated centre for collectors opens in the US. We have also maintained our high level of investment in product development and employment: in fact, this year we have already taken on 200 new staff.”

Brand

The Board of Directors also sanctioned an important decision with regard to our Brand-related activities (licensing, franchising retail, e-commerce) which, because of their specific nature, require a different management approach to car manufacturing. As a result, a New Co, 100 per cent controlled by Ferrari, will be set up to deal with all of these activities and guarantee improved, more dedicated operations management.

In the meantime, our Brand activities as a whole continue to deliver positive results. Retail revenues have increased by 17 per cent while licencing is up 3 per cent, thanks to important new partnerships with Electronic Arts and Codemasters, who now flank the well-established licence-holder Microsoft, strengthening the company’s presence in the Electronics & Multimedia sector

Lastly, e-commerce revenues rose by 18 per cent as the Prancing Horse continues to expand its presence on social networks with almost 13 million “likes” for Ferrari’s official pages.

Lamborghini readies Ferrari F12 rival as reported by Autocar

Our friends over at AUTOCAR magazine have posted this online today, feel free to click on any AUTOCAR name to go to the post.

Lamborghini looks set to steal the Geneva motor show headlines with a front-engined V12 GT that’s designed to rival the Ferrari F12.

Company chairman Stephan Winkelmann has told Autocar that Lamborghini will reveal “something truly extraordinary that’s based on the V12" at Geneva next month. The concept will form part of the company’s ongoing 50th anniversary celebrations.

According to Winkelmann, the car will have two doors, two seats and a V12 engine — but its underpinnings will not be based on those of the Aventador. This means that it will be a front/mid-engined car, just like the Ferrari F12, but featuring Lamborghini’s staple of four-wheel drive and forged carbon construction.

Autocar understands that the new Lambo will be a concept for future consideration, not a model that is confirmed for production.

Winkelmann has admitted that his main focus right now is persuading the board of the Volkswagen Group, which owns Lamborghini, to green-light the Urus SUV. “Everyone at Lamborghini wants this car to happen,” he told Autocar. “But now the decision is largely out of our hands.

“We would need to sell between 3000 and 4000 examples a year for the Urus to justify its financial investment, and I'm confident that we could do that. It’s a decision they [the VW board] will, I hope, make very soon.”

If given the go-ahead by VW, the Urus will sell for “approximately the same amount as a Gallardo” so expect £140k-£160k.

Although Winkelmann told Autocar that naturally aspirated engines remain key to Lamborghini when it comes to sports and supersports cars (like the Aventador and next-generation Gallardo, due in 2014), the situation would be different with an SUV. “In a car like that, a hybrid turbo would make more sense,” he said. 

It remains to be seen if the Volkswagen Group will allow Lamborghini to bolster its 50th anniversary celebrations at Geneva by announcing that a new third model will indeed be added to the range.

 Steve Sutcliffe 

Ferrari wins award from GQ mens lifestyle magazine

Ferrari has been honoured once again to receive a coveted award from GQ Magazine, one of the world’s most influential men’s lifestyle magazines, this time for the F12berlinetta which has been crowned “Supercar of the Year”. This is the second time that Ferrari has won this prestigious award, with the 458 Italia taking the same title in 2010.

Commenting on the latest addition to the Ferrari range, GQ Magazine said: “The F12 is a classic Ferrari GT, but it’s also the fastest, most powerful Ferrari production car ever. If its body looks too complex to be straightforwardly sinfully sexy, then bear in mind that all those scoops and ducts hustle air and bully physics more effectively than anything this side of an F1 car. And it’s a V12.”

The F12berlinetta strikes a perfect balance between maximum aerodynamic efficiency and the elegant proportions typical of Ferrari’s most powerful front-engined V12 cars. Since its launch, the car has been the object of universal acclaim from the press and public alike, with the GQ Magazine award following several other recent awards from BBC Top Gear Magazine’s “Supercar of the Year”, Auto Bild’s “Design Award”, The Sunday Times Driving’s “Best Supercar and Luxury Car” award and the Golden Steering Wheel award from Auto Bild andBild Am Sonntag, the first time a Ferrari has ever taken this leading German industry prize. The Ferrari F12berlinetta’s 6.3-litre V12 engine was also the winner of EVO magazine’s “Engine of the Year” award in November.