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EDITORIAL |
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"Fastest–ever road–going Ferrari... who'd have thought well over 700bhp in a road car... does the world really need it... moving the goal–posts... stunning game–changer... etc. etc."
To this you can certainly add: "Can't wait to drive it!" and, picking up on another story in this week's newsletter: "Of course, all you really need is the new BMW M550d xDrive..."
Yes, we now have images and the basic specification of the Ferrari 'F12berlinetta'. And to those who say "Well, with over 700bhp it should be jolly fast," I would state that, when behind the wheel of different supercars, the steps from 450bhp to 550bhp, 600bhp and onwards are discernible – but not truly life–changing.
The neck–snapping bite of a 570bhp 458 is more visceral than the silky urge of a 651bhp FF, for example.
Weight (most importantly, lack of), chassis balance and torque produce the low lap–times to match the on–paper specification. The new F12berlinetta has all of these, while the BMW super–diesel's 546lb ft of torque endows it with effortless everyday performance. At about a third of the price.
But, once you mention 'everyday', 'price' and 'all you need', you are most definitely not in the market for a Ferrari.
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THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER
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2012 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW
The New F12berlinetta: the fastest Ferrari ever built
As the wraps come off "the fastest Ferrari ever built", the first thing to hit us is that the new high-performance 12–cylinder is not called the F620 GT after all... it's the F12berlinetta, boasting an exceptional new engine and a 'proper' mid–front–engined format.
read more...
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2012 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW
The Premières in Detail
From 8-18 March 2012, the industry will present its new models, production–based concepts, recent design trends and futuristic visions for the world to see. Once again, Classic Driver compiles a guide to this year's premières.
read more...
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2012 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW
Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept
If the idea of a 4x4 roadster feels slightly strange, don't forget two granddaddies that begat the entire off–roader genre: the immortal Willys Jeep and the original post–War Land Rover.
read more...
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2012 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW
Jaguar XF Sportbrake
Jaguar has released the first images of its new XF Sportbrake — "the most versatile Jaguar ever created" — due to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show next week.
read more...
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2012 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW
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2012 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW
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NEWS
Lyonheart K: Long live the E–type!
To this day, the aesthetic forms of the Jaguar E–type are mourned by classic car enthusiasts. Lyonheart Cars from Coventry shares this passion, and has announced a modern reinterpretation of the iconic sports car, based on the current Jaguar XKR.
read more...
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AUCTIONS
Gooding & Co., The Amelia Island Auction, 9 March
David Gooding and his team have assembled a simply stunning catalogue of predominantly European sports cars for their forthcoming Amelia Island sale.
read more...
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DRIVING REPORT
BMW M550d xDrive
This would have been considered impossible a few years ago, writes John Simister. An output of 127bhp per litre is a respectable figure by the standards of petrol engines, but when a turbodiesel reaches these levels you know something special is going on. Please meet, then, the BMW M550d, whose 3.0–litre, straight–six turbodiesel generates an astonishing 381bhp and, even madder, 546lb ft of torque. read more...
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MOTORCYCLES
Custom Bikes & Café Racers
With the market for custom bikes and café racers booming at the moment, Classic Driver has collected its best articles together.
read more...
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Cafe Racers in the Classic Driver Marketplace |
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More 'bikes |
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CLASSIC LIFE |
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40 years of watches by Porsche Design
To celebrate Porsche Design's 40th anniversary, horological expert Gisbert L. Brunner looks back on a history of memorable watches that were 'different', but always contemporary: the famous, mostly black chronographs from the pen of F.A. Porsche himself.
read more...
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Rappers' 'Mad Max' Maybach to be Auctioned for Charity
A Maybach 57 that was given a Mad Max–style makeover for a music video is to be sold by esteemed auction house Phillips de Pury next week, with the proceeds going towards a children's charity.
read more...
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'Mythos Ferrari': A fantastic photo exhibition
The Ferrari exhibition currently underway at the Pantheon Museum in Basle not only showcases some exquisite cars, but also a host of Ferrari images created by Günther Raupp – the artist behind the pictures in the official Ferrari calendar.
read more...
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SHOWROOM |
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How about a... Ferrari 456
If you find the likely £200k+ price of the latest F12berlinetta a little out of your range, why not consider an older Ferrari V12? Stephan Arensmeier considers the merits of the 1990s 456 GT.
read more...
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Ferrari 456s in the Classic Driver Marketplace |
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More cars |
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SERVICE
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Copyright:
All articles in ClassicInside and in the Classic Driver Magazine
are subject to Classic Driver copyrights.
Responsible for content:
Steve Wakefield
(Director)
If you want to unsubscribe from our Newsletter, please click here.
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Classic Driver UK
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e-mail contact@classicdriver.com
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LIMITED EDITION POSTERS
BY PULLMAN EDITIONS
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Stelvio Automobili ApS
Price 238.000 EUR |
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Movendi - The spirit of classic cars GmbH & Co. KG
Price 79.500 EUR |
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Porsche Centre Cardiff
Price 87.899 GBP |
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Auto Storica
Price 82.500 EUR |
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Bratke Exclusive Cars Motorsport GmbH & Co. KG
Price 79.990 EUR
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Osenat Auction Fontainebleau - 18/03/2012
Estimate 50.000 - 60.000 EUR
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HK-ENGINEERING GmbH
Price 165.000 EUR
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Mertel Italo Cars GmbH
Price 99.499 EUR
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FREISINGER Motorsport
Price P.O.R. (EUR)
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Marchetti Guido S.r.l.
Price 115.000 EUR
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Mille Miglia Motors e.K.
Price 65.800 EUR
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Hyman Ltd. Classic Cars
Price 39.500 USD
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SPS Automotive Performance (H.K.) Ltd.
Price 680.000 EUR
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Chequered Flag International
Price 44.900 EUR
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Scott Grundfor Co.
Price P.O.R. (USD)
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Byron International
Price 134.950 GBP
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Brinkert
Price 45.000 EUR
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Mécaniques Modernes & Classiques
Price P.O.R. (EUR)
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Coys Auction - 'Spring Classics' 6 March
Estimate 'Refer Dept' (GBP)
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P & A Wood
Price 165.000 GBP
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