Avion Luxury International Airport Magazine
Ferrari. 70 years for a world-class style
Everyone remembers 12th March 1947 as the beginning of Enzo Ferrari’s adventures into the business world with Auto Avio Costruzioni Ferrari, which produced Ferrari’s first road-going model, the 125S, a race-winner on the second attempt thanks to the talent of Franco Cortese. But the story of the Scuderia Ferrari was established some two decades earlier, when the young Enzo was, for many years, at the exclusive service of Alfa Romeo, before starting business independently and writing indelible pages of history in motorsport. The most important turning point was the arrival of Formula 1 on the international scene, which saw Ferrari as a participant right from the beginning, rocketing to the top of the classification and becoming the only team to win 31 world titles, thus confirming the marque as the most successful ever (unequalled records even in other international motoring categories). Seventy years that should be celebrated with enthusiasm and attention towards preserving the sacred nature of this brand, which is always at the fore of the world scene for its excellent products and for its success in Formula 1 - this year Ferrari’s fortunes seemed to have changed after three years of Mercedes domination and ten years from their last constructors’ title. The Ferrari celebration will not last just one day, but will involve two seasons of events, which have already been organised around the world until October and are detailed in a dedicated website. Many events will be held away from home, but there will also be an opportunity to pay homage to Ferrari in their original home of Maranello, since the Ferrari Museum has recently been refurbished and renovated for the occasion. But what is most appealing this year is the quality of the products recently launched: two models that set new standards in their categories, captivating the interest of even those who never notice a car passing along the road and certainly not because of their brash design or (no longer) loud noise - the sound, although original, is much quieter than in the past - but because of
their shape and content, which make them unique and tremendously desirable, with subtle changes that, in theory, could satisfy any discerning customer. The most important new feature is seen on the least extreme model of the two, the 812 Superfast, which has an aggressive name but is extremely elegant, offering endless possibilities for personalisation. Undisputed queen of the Geneva Motor Show, this grand tourer offers 6.5 litre V12 engine and an output of 800 CV that makes it the “most powerful and high performing roadgoing Ferrari in the marque’s history”. This official definition summarises the car excellently and demonstrates the desire of the Cavallino to continue to produce 12-cylinder engines in line with its traditions: a privilege that future ecological restrictions could prevent for ever. But change is already on the horizon in Maranello: hybrid models are already in production, but in limited series and derived from F1, again in this case to demonstrate that Ferrari is second to none. The brand is raising the bar with another of the most desirable cars of 2017, the LaFerrari Aperta, a “monster” that combines an engine with electric motor to produce nearly 1000 CV. Made in a limited production of 209
examples at a price six times that of the 812 Superfast, they have already all been reserved for several fortunate customers who were invited to purchase directly from Ferrari after having their credentials assessed and demonstrating that they were passionate about the cars. As already occurred with the first LaFerrari and with other exclusive models previously priced well over the one million euro mark, Ferrari wants to protect itself against speculators and does not intend to disperse its heritage among casual users, but wants instead to reward their most loyal and faithful collectors.