The gala dinner was attended by Ferrari owners and collectors, joined by Ferrari Asia Pacific CEO Mr. Marco Mattiacci, contemporary artist Lu Hao, professors of China’s leading Tsinghua University Cen Zhangzhi and delegate of Politecnico di Milano University Bruno Pizzigoni. A few Ferrari objects, in particular a helmet and a model car signed by Michael Schumacher, who this morning personally unveiled the car to the international media, were also auctioned together with a racing overall worn by F1 driver, Giancarlo Fisichella. The innovative appearance of this unique model, blending classic Chinese elements with Ferrari distinctive features, immediately aroused great interest among the guests.

This follows the spirit of Ferrari founder, Enzo Ferrari, carried on by Chairman Luca di Montezemolo, in investing in young talents and research. Ferrari was involved before in goodwill activities with Chinese associations, dedicated to youth.

Galleria Ferrari inaugurates today “Non solo Rosse”, an exhibition devoted to the fascinating subject of colour in Ferrari’s history and output. The show tells the story of the evolution of the colours that have become signatures of both the Prancing Horse’s road and competition models, using some very special cars, the works of painter Enzo Naso and in-depth information. 

The very first Ferrari built in 1947, the 125 S, and the F2008 begin visitors’ journey into the world of Ferrari Red. Their route takes them from the very first Rosso Granata of the 1950s, the official colour of all Italian racing cars since the early 20th century, to the newest metallic variation sported by the  F2007, via the various other shades of red – Rosso Cherry, Cina, Cordoba, Dino and Rubino – that have made Ferrari a international icon. Also on display is an ampoule of the Rosso Corsa paint, used for the Formula 1 single-seater, which was sent, fittingly enough, to the red planet, Mars, aboard the Mars Express space probe in 2003.

As the exhibition title Non solo Rosse declares, there is more colour in the world of Ferrari than red. The exhibition continues, in fact, with a stunning collection of cars, from the unique FXX in  Blu Tour de France with Bianco Evo details, to the 1959  400 Superamerica in Argento Luna (a one-off built for Gianni Agnelli), and the brand-new  Ferrari 458 Italia in a  three-layer Giallo Modena livery. Also on display are test pieces by the Chinese artist Lu Hao, who recently created a one-off version of the 599 GTB Fiorano China Limited Edition, using a special paint to mimic the typical cracked glaze of  the peerless Song Dynasty Ge Kiln porcelains. The colours tests that led to the creation of Ferrari’s Oro paint used on a Pininfarina one-off car inspired by the Ferrari 330 LMB, which starred in Toby Dammit, one of three episodes in the Federico Fellini’s film Spirits of the Dead, and the Enzo Naso painting depicting the car used in the film are also featured. Visitors are also taken through the various interior leather and contrasting stitching colours which clients choose as part of the personalisation of their Ferraris, all the way to the newly introduced One-Off programme which really does ensure that each car is unique.   They may also use the Car Configurator to create their “own” Ferrari,  just as clients do when they visit official Ferrari dealers. 

The exhibition is completed by an in-depth investigation into the painting processes used at Maranello. This includes a model of the Paint Technologies Pavilion, the most advanced facility of its kind anywhere in Europe, and a video illustrating all of the various stages involved in the paint process. Visitors also get to see an example of a piece of paintwork in various stages ranging from cataphoresis to final finishing layer. 

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will host a number of attractions, including rides for children of all ages, providing the complete Ferrari experience: over 20 state-of-the-art attractions, each designed to bring to life a different part of the Ferrari story, including the world’s fastest rollercoaster, travelling at speeds exceeding  200  km/h  and emulating the  thrilling sensation of being in a Ferrari F1 car, or the G-force experience taking passengers on an adrenaline-pumping ride up over 62 m, through the roof and back down again.

The Park is located on Yas Island -  set to become a global tourist destination with a wide range of accommodation and entertainment facilities – on the North East side of Abu Dhabi’s mainland. Abu Dhabi, at the crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa, was chosen as the ideal location to build the Ferrari theme park, motor sports being extremely popular in the United Arab Emirates. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will offer a unique and intensely fun way, together with a wide variety of Italian delicaciesand of course unique shopping experiences.

The Park is owned by Aldar Properties PJSC, Abu Dhabi’s leading property development, management and investment company. Farah Leisure Parks Management L.L.C, a joint venture between Aldar Properties PJSC and ProFun Management Group Inc. (international leisure facilities management and operating company) will be responsible for managing and operating Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Ferrari’s key principles of excellence and performance in the context of technological innovation will underpin every aspect of the project.

Following an impressive qualifying session in the rain on Saturday, in which Vicki was the quickest Ferrari, she drove the Fox Motorsport car, run by FF Corse, to a second place in the first 25-minute race, and a third in the next,

“I have achieved a lifetime’s ambition to race a Ferrari, and to come home with a couple of trophies is beyond my craziest hopes! The car is a dream to drive, the team is so talented and I’m eternally grateful for the chance,” says the Fifth Gear presenter. “It was sweaty work, but enormous fun.”

Her team-mate, Jeff Leadley, who is no stranger to the podium, clinched a race win and a second place to make it a four-trophy haul for the Silverstone-based FF Corse team.

Vicki has been racing since she was 12 years old in karts. She has raced cars from the age of 17, but has never competed in a whole championship.  Her most successful one-off race was a win in the Maserati Trofeo in 2004.

Vicki was filming her exploits in the 495bhp 4.3-litre mid-engined supercar for Fifth Gear Web TV and for her Absolute Radio podcast, and will be writing about them for the Ferrari magazine, Auto Italia, and Country & Town House magazine.

The figures confirm the trend that emerged for the earlier part of the year with slight decreases on 2008, the most economically successful year in the Prancing Horse’s entire history. Specifically, the third quarter of 2009 ended with revenues of 396 million euro (450 in the same period last year) and 1,454 cars delivered to clients (-4.3%). Ferrari increased its market share in all of the countries in which it is present. This represents growth in a reference market which has instead seen a drop of about 40%.

Overall, revenues for the first nine months of 2009 totalled 1,287 million euro compared to 1,419 million in the same period in 2008, while 4,680 cars were delivered to end clients (-6.9%), resulting in a trading profit of 176 million euro compared to 243 million last year.

Two new members were also appointed to the Board of Directors – Alessandro Gianni Baldi, representing the Fiat Group, a Ferrari shareholder, and Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, representing Mubadala, as its CEO, and who also holds high profile positions with several other companies of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The new members replace Jean Todt, who resigned last March, and Ferruccio Luppi who left the Board at the end of September. 

A number of overseas markets are proving especially positive, particularly the Middle East and in the Asia Pacific area, including China which, despite the introduction of a heavy tax on luxury goods, is showing a positive sales trend.

In Beijing Ferrari will celebrate five years of activity in China with a special event on November 3rd. On that date, in fact, a unique example of the 599 GTB Fiorano – the livery of which was designed by the Chinese artist Lu Hao to mimic the distinctive cracked glaze of ancient Chinese porcelain – will be auctioned. The proceeds from the auction will be used to finance study grants for young Chinese automotive engineering students who will be given the opportunity to complete internships at Maranello and study at the Milan Politecnico.

The purchase of the business, which will trade under the new title of Graypaul Birmingham, was completed at the end of February 2009.

This purchase expands the Sytner Group involvement with Ferrari and Maserati to four locations in the UK – Nottingham, Egham, Edinburgh and now Birmingham – a testament to the strength and prestige of the Ferrari and Maserati brands and their long term partnership with the Sytner Group, choosing to extend their relationship with the two Italian brands by adding another Ferrari and Maserati dealership to their existing businesses.

Sytner Group Franchise Director Mario Vignali will be based at the Birmingham dealership to dedicate his several years’ experience in the business to this new venture.

Graypaul Birmingham will continue to operate from its current facilities in Bromsgrove which offer both Sales and Aftersales functions, before relocating to a purpose built 30-car showroom in Solihull during the first quarter of 2010.

Ferrari F430 F1 Coupe full road test report

Ferrari F430 lease prices
Ferrari F430 new and nearly new car prices

The 430’s current basic list price is £135,685 otr, although it wouldn’t be hard to find a previously cherished, low mileage example for substantially less. The combined mpg figure is 18.6 (manual or F1) with CO2 emissions at a lofty 345g/km (manual or F1). Unsurprisingly, insurance is group 20, but on the likely assumption that 430 owners can afford such things then such trivial expenditure shouldn’t affect an otherwise sublime ownership experience. The 430 is not exactly relaxing on a long distance trip, but for a high-speed blast it’s unbeatable.

RoadTestReports.co.uk provides road tests reports written by members of the Guild of Motoring Writers. These reports are complemented by car reviews submitted by the members of the public who drive the vehicles day in day out.

Avis Prestige Car Rental has some new motoring thoroughbreds in its stable of luxury car marques for hire.  Joining an already impressive array of supercars from Avis are the Ferrari F430 Spider, Bentley Continental GT, Lamborghini Gallardo and the new Jaguar XF.

Inspired by these recent additions, the supercar enthusiasts at Avis selected their top five models on the Prestige fleet before putting them to the customers’ vote.  Bloggers at www.wetryharder.co.uk were asked to pick their ultimate favourite from this all-star line-up:

•  Ferrari F430 Spider (34%)
• Aston Martin DB9  (25%)
• Lamborghini Gallardo (21%)
•  Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster (15%)
•  Porsche 997 Carrera (5%)

The results showed the Ferrari F430 Spider to be the most popular choice with just over one third of the votes.

Robert White, Marketing Intelligence Manager at Avis, commented on the results: “Our blog poll demonstrates that our new additions will be popular with customers who are passionate about driving and want to get behind the wheel of some of the most exhilarating cars in the UK, even if it’s just for a few days.”

Avis Prestige offers luxury car rental from a fleet of carefully selected brands chosen for their reputation and status including Ferrari, Bentley, Porsche, Aston Martin, Maserati, Lamborghini, Jaguar, BMW and Mercedes — perfect as a gift, or to get you to a business meeting or special occasion in true style!

And it’s more affordable than you might think, with up to 30 per cent off tariff prices this month!  Hire a Mini Cooper from just £46 a day, or an Aston Martin from £280 a day*. To book your dream car, visit www.avis.co.uk/prestige  or call 020 7591 0444.

Avis Prestige has locations in Central London, London Heathrow Airport and Central Manchester. It also delivers to Manchester International Airport, London Gatwick Airport, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and Leeds Bradford International Airport, or to customers’ homes or businesses in the UK.

To view the Avis supercar poll and other ‘choice of car’ posts, visit the We Try Harder Blog: http://wetryharder.co.uk/?cat=5

*Prices based on a seven day rental in October, correct at time of publishing. Conditions apply.

599 GTB Fiorano clients will now be able to visit the dedicated Atelier in Maranello to create their own truly bespoke car. Not only will they have a vast range of special content to choose from but they will also be assisted by specially trained Ferrari consultants. As at Geneva, we’ve recreated the Atelier for our stand at the Paris Show too. This is an area to which clients can come to work out every last detail of their 599 GTB Fiorano on the basis of their own needs and tastes. Needless to say, dedicated Ferrari staff will be on hand to work with them at each step of the way. Naturally, all of the various personalisation options on offer will ensure that the intrinsic character of the car is unchanged and will not in any way impinge upon the car’s active or passive safety systems.

One of the main areas of interest to 599 owners interested in the One To One Programme will be exterior colours. The 599 exhibited on the second floor of the stand is a good example of what can be done, in fact, as it features a beautifully elegant, sporty out-of-range metallic blue exterior livery. New wheel rim colours are also now available too. The 599 GTB Fiorano’s interior can now also be personalised in Terra Bruciata and Maculato Opaco. Leather finishes such as ‘maculatura’ (a light ‘leopard skin’ speckling), ‘goffratura’ (a rough embossed-type finish) and ‘sporcatura’ (fine, dark speckling for a distressed look) are available now too. With regard to onboard equipment and finish, they can order Alcantara carpets and boot trim (the boot can also be trimmed entirely in leather, if preferred).

Since it opened in Maranello four months ago, the Atelier has been involved in the styling of no less than 20 bespoke 612 Scagliettis. Historic and out-of-range colours, such as Grigio Ferro Met and Rosso Monza, have proved particularly popular. The new interior shades have been much sought after too, specifically the speckled matt finishes. Almost all of the clients that have chosen this finish have also requested cream stitching for the Prancing Horse on the headrest too.

The survey reminds us how colour can be an important consideration for leasing companies and car salesmen. There are many reasons why people choose a certain colour for their vehicle. While it may not be the first consideration to most people, the right colour can make a huge difference.

Firstly ContractHireAndLeasing.com recommends you consider the make of car you are looking for. Certain vehicles look right in a particular colour. White may be popular for vans but not for sports cars. Sports cars are often in bright colours whilst executive cars are usually more conservative. Certain cars become associated with a colour, for example Ferrari and the colour red. Manufacturers try hard to make their cars stand out but ultimately buyers tend to stick to the same few colours. That is why there are often many different shades of the same few colours available; to provide buyers with something different but not too garish.

However if supply of the most popular colours outstrips demand; unusual colours could have the edge as buyer’s taste change.

Colour can also affect how likely you are to be involved in an accident. A study published by the British Medical Journal in 2003 uncovered silver as the best colour for avoiding a crash resulting in serious injury whilst green, brown and black increased the risk.

Car buyers and leasing companies need to consider the longevity of their paint work too; metallic paint is by far the most popular type of paint and has been for a long time. It is often more resistant to chipping and scratching than solid colours, and resale prices reflect the buyer preference for metallics. However, bear in mind that paler metallic colours can fade faster than strong ones. White vehicles may show up dirt, but finish on dark solid colours can be softer and so more prone to damage.

Finally consider trim, and make sure you are happy that it looks right with the body colour of your choice. You may be able to secure faster delivery if you compromise on the particular colour and trim you want. Darker body colour cars often look smart with a light coloured trim, but this may not be the right choice if you have small children to carry around.

Dave Timmis M.D of Really Good Domains, who own and operate ContractHireAndLeasing.com said:

“It is important people make a sensible colour & specification choice when ordering their car. Choosing the wrong colour could make a significant difference to the residual value & indeed how long it actually takes to sell a used vehicle. Certain colours will always be popular & move more quickly in the used car market”

For the full results visit www.ContractHireAndLeasing.com/car-leasing-news