ESPERIENZA FERRARI
Trying out some of the latest and most ferocious Ferrari models – the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer is celebrating its 70th birthday this year - on an exhilarating and glamorous journey across Bali turned out to be the experience of a lifetime fo
IT’S SAFE TO SAY that we’ve all dreamed of trying out some of the world’s fastest and most expensive dream cars at least once in our lives. So when Ferrari Jakarta invited me to sample “Esperienza Ferrari”, a unique luxury driving event package organised exclusively for Ferrari owners, how could I say no? One of the most esteemed supercars of all time, the Italian sports car is the epitome of style and pleasure, as I discovered during a couple of memorable days in Bali.
On the morning of Wednesday, August 16, I buckled up my seatbelt as I anticipated the thrill of driving in the fast lane with Ferrari. It wouldn’t take me very long to realise that these cars are built for the most extreme driving experiences. Many times during our seven-hour driving session on the roads of the Island of Gods I felt the hair on the back of my neck standing up.
To tackle the 250-km driving route, three of Ferrari’s latest and greatest cars were available: the 488 GTB, 488 Spider and GTC4Lusso. The 488 GTB and 488 Spider are sports cars with advanced technology, both in terms of engine and sophisticated designs, featuring a 3,920 cc twin turbo-charged V8 engine. The GTC4Lusso has a new control system, incorporating a four-wheel drive system and a fourwheel steering system.
Upon arrival, the other drivers and I were invited to enjoy cocktails at Potato Head Beach Club in Seminyak, where we enjoyed a magnificent sunset and indulged in an authentic Indonesian dinner at Kaum restaurant. The next day, we awoke early to drive the 488 GTB to Pura Besakih in Karangasem. Located on the slopes of Mount Agung, the temple is the largest and holiest temple of Hindu religion in Bali. After that, we went to Lake Batur, the largest lake in Bali.
Throughout the drive, we enjoyed breathtaking views of nature, lakes and mountains. And also, to experience the extreme power of the 488 GTB, which is delivered by the new 3902 cc turbo engine and is
coupled with a seven-gear F1 dualclutch gearbox. The super car gave an exuberant performance along the meandering route of Karangasem, complete with the deep signature sound of its engine.
The route continued through Ubud and its stunning scenery of rice terraces. For this leg of the journey, we tried out the newest car from Ferrari, the GTC4Lusso. The highlands of Ubud was an ideal route to revel in the plush seats and try the impressive speed of the latest car. A four-seater model, it has a 12-cylinder engine that delivers a smooth and comfortable ride. The car’s dynamic control system is specifically calibrated to boost responsiveness to commands. We arrived at the Sawah Terrace at Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve to have lunch with a panoramic view of the majestic Ayung River.
The journey continued with a long drive to the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park in Ungasan, famous for its on-going construction of a gigantic statue of Vishnu riding on the back of a garuda. We got to drive the open-top 488 Spider during the trip. The car is powered by a 3.9-litre twinturbocharged V8 engine that makes 670 horsepower and 560 pound feet of torque. It did all the starting and stopping with precise handling, and also proved smooth and steady on the steep road along the high cliffs.
The adventure came to an end in the perfect setting of dinner at the Kayuputi restaurant at The St. Regis Bali Resort. We were treated to an amazing five-course meal, set against a backdrop of the Indian Ocean. After having breakfast at the Courtyard by Marriott Seminyak Resort the following morning, we departed - armed with many a tale to tell about our unique and memorable Ferrari driving experience.
www.ferrari.com