|
Class clone: Ford engineers take a blast from the past, infuse it with Ferrari DNA and create the ultimate supercar - Process - Ford GT
As the story goes, Henry Ford II became upset with Enzo Ferrari when he refused to sell his company to Ford. He sent out an edict to his engineering staff that they would build a race car capable of beating Ferrari at his own game, the 24 Hours of LeMans, the most prestigious race in Europe. They succeeded, finishing 1, 2 and 3 in 1966 and going on to win for four consecutive years. It's hard to ignore the historical significance of Ford's new GT supemar. Not just because designer Camilo Pardo has created a near spitting image of the historic racer, but because the first running prototype is sitting within spitting distance of a bright red Ferrari 360 Modena -- the benchmark for the Ford GT, and the car these engineers set out to better. [ more ] Ferrari, Maser engines built in new plant - Fiat S.p.A.'s new plant in Maranello, Italy
Engine production for Fiat SpA's Ferrari and Maserati brands is to be consolidated into one new plant, currently under construction at the Prancing Horse's headquarters in Maranello, Italy. [ more ] Magneti Marelli redefines rear suspension design: multi-link independent rear suspensions have numerous advantages, but cost isn't one of them. A flexible new design out of Italy, however, promises all of the benefits and none of the compromises at a lower cost
Italy's Magneti Marelli (Mila, Italy; www.magnetimarelli.com) is best known for its electronics--the company is both a supplier to and sponsor of Ferrari's F1 team--and the fact that Enrico Fermi was its first director of Science and Research in 1919. It's less well known that its Cofap Automotive Suspension (CAS) unit designs, develops, manufactures, and supplies shock absorbers and complete automotive suspension systems globally. Or that CAS's new rear suspension design claims the ride and handling of an expensive multi-link design at a cost closer to that of a twist beam. [ more ] Awesome in Aluminum
Although aluminum per se is not ordinarily considered an "advanced material," there can be little question that the Ferrari F430 is among the world's most advanced motor vehicles, so given that, and given the extensive use of aluminum on the F430--following the firm's success with the all-aluminum 360 Modena--in some ways aluminum can qualify as an advanced material. [ more ] Materials; Ferrari Finds Future in Aluminum
TURIN - The technology leap represented by Ferrari's new 360 Modena isn't restricted only to Maranello's latest wonder car. Push hard and you'll get Luca di Montezemolo, Ferrari Automobili SpA's suave president, to admit that aluminum is the future for Ferrari's other production road cars. The successors to the two front-engine V-12 models - the 456M GT and 550 Maranello - are currently under development. You can bet they will adopt the same aluminum alloy space-frame construction and body as the new 360 Modena. [ more ] Lightweight Showcase - Porsche AG's 911 is the industry's single most recognizable sports-car nameplate. Yet when it comes to sheer desirability, Porsche always seems to finish second to its Italian rival Ferrari SpA
Porsche AG's 911 is the industry's single most recognizable sports-car nameplate. Yet when it comes to sheer desirability, Porsche always seems to finish second to its Italian rival Ferrari SpA. [ more ] |
