Massa fastest driver in tests in Valencia

Valencia, 1st February 2010 – Felipe Massa was the fastest driver on the track on the first day of testing at the Cheste circuit, just outside Valencia. The Brazilian drove the fastest lap in the last minutes of the session, while he had been leading the time sheet with his lap times before. The 1.12.574 taken by Massa for his fastest lap today can’t be judged in absolute terms regarding the competitors, because this year, understanding the fuel loads in the cars, is more difficult than ever. Although it has to be said that this result is a good prelude for the F10 on the day of its debut.

"I’m happy about how it went today,” Felipe said at the end of the test session. “We worked very well and drove many kilometres without any problems. The first impression of the car is really positive: it is easier to drive compared to the F60, we can work better on the set up and last but not least there’s much more grip, which makes it much more pleasant to drive.
Naturally it’s still very early, but it’s a good start. The fastest lap? That doesn’t mean anything, but it’s always good being in the lead! I’m also satisfied with myself. It’s great being back on the track, together with all the others and to see that nothing has changed. I drove over 100 laps and I could have done another 100 from the physical and mental point of view.”

Obviously the first meeting between a driver, who has always been part of the Ferrari family and one who has taken a different road, attracted lots of interest. “I haven’t spoken to Michael yet, but we said hello when I passed him towards the end of the day. It’s very good for Formula 1 that he’s back. It’s strange seeing him with a red helmet in a grey car."

Two where today’s main technical issues: the new tyres and the cars’ behaviour with lots of petrol on board. Felipe said: "I tried the soft compound a lot today and I really liked it, but it’s really too early to draw a conclusion: we have to wait and see how it works with higher temperatures to see the wear. We also drove with different fuel loads and the car was very balanced under all conditions; that’s encouraging!"

Tomorrow there is an “encore” on the same stage.

Source: Ferrari

Special training for Felipe

Perfect weather conditions enabled Felipe Massa today to complete a special test session started in the morning behind the wheel of a F2008 provided by Maranello’s F1 Clienti department. The World Champion car from 2008 was brought to the Catalan track for a very special two-day test session with Valentino Rossi. The Brazilian driver took the opportunity to regain confidence behind the wheel on a track, which is part of the Formula 1 calendar.

Felipe concluded the training with the single-seater - fitted with demo tyres due to the current rules - after over 400 kilometres. Before a satisfied Felipe let the track he spoke to www.ferrari.com about today’s impressions: "It was a perfect way to optimise my form here in Barcelona. I’m really happy that I had this new opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 single-seater on a race track. I can’t wait to sit in the new car and get stuck in.”

Source: Ferrari

Tarmac's Top Ten 'Till 'Ten

Okay, so we're a little late on the bandwagon, but Tarmac has finally compiled it's list of the top ten cars of the last ten years. From 2000 until the end of 2009 there's been a seismic shift in the kind of cars available to the market, and about the attitudes towards the car that have influenced the characteristics people look for.

Although Tarmac is by and large influenced by smaller and more efficient cars, the list reflects a diverse selection of cars that have all made a big impact on the automotive world over the last ten years. So, in no particular order...

MINI Cooper

The BMW Mini came in for some flak when it was released, much of it from original Mini owners who disliked BMW's cavalier use of "their" brand. The press loved it however. The Cooper version was arguably the best of the bunch (and Evo magazine would agree) because it offered fun in the spirit of the original Mini in a reliable and useable package. They're finally coming down in value on the second hand market now too, so there's never been a better time to buy.

Porsche Cayman

Porsche has done the unthinkable - they've accidentally built a car that, were it not for the (deliberate) deficit in power, completely eclipses their stalwart 911 in all areas. Car journalists barely have a bad word to say about it save for a slightly high price, and it seems to successfully win handling tests the world over. And being a Porsche, it's utterly useable day to day.

smart Roadster

The "My First Porsche"? There's certainly more than a hint of Stuttgart in the sound (and location) of the engine, an 800cc triple mounted inches behind your lower back. The styling is fantastic and it pulls the usual smart trick of a great driving position and loads of space. Unless you happen to be luggage, in which case you'd better be small. Even with the suspect gearbox it's a bundle of fun and 50mpg is there for the taking.

Jaguar XF

The car to prove that Jaguar a) still has "it" and b) still has a future. Thankfully the latter has been secured by Ratan Tata's purchase of the company, but the former is assured in the way that the XF went straight to the top of the class with great styling, supreme comfort and cutting edge technology. A welcome return to form.

Tesla Roadster

Hugely important, the Tesla. A fledgeling company (albeit one with strong financial backing) arrives in the market and immediately creates an electric car exponentially better than any other that's come before. Performance is seriously impressive and it even has a great range. The next few years will see the Model S, a pretty saloon that'll no doubt re-write the electric car rulebook once again.

Audi A2

Arriving right at the start of the millennium, the A2 was apparently ten years too early. A lighweight aluminium body, ultra-efficient engines and cutting-edge styling all went unnoticed when people saw the price, which starting at £12.5k was just too much for a B-segment car competing against Ford Fiestas. Best model was the later 90bhp 1.4 TDI that managed an average of 64mpg and 60mph in ten seconds.

Ferrari 360CS

Unlike the A2 the CS isn't the most fuel efficient car around, but it wins it's top ten slot for being the ultimate expression of one of the ultimate marques. The normal 360 was wonderful but the Challenge Stradale is like the standard model fuelled after a night of Vodka and Red Bull. Louder, meaner, more aggressive and ready to take on the world. There's never been a better car on which to paint go-faster stripes.

Lotus Elise S

Impressive though the Tesla is, the basic Elise proves that you don't need an electric drivetrain to make a sports car efficient. With 1.8 litres of Toyota power, sixty arrives in under six seconds and you're still offered an average of 37mpg when you aren't using all the revs. And being a Toyota engine, there's a strange sense of calm that models with the Rover K-Series never offered. Sublime handling? That's been there all along.

Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup

Renault have probably averaged one hot Clio each year for the past ten, but the latest is definitely the greatest. Sure, the new front end is questionable (Tarmac loves it though), but the giant killing ability certainly isn't. The 200 Cup is a true emperor in a long dynasty of Clios - 16V, Williams, 172, 172 Trophy, 182, 182 Cup, 197,197 Cup, 200...

Volkswagen Scirocco

Who'd have thought it? Trustworthy - if slightly staid - Volkwagen, bringing out one of the most attractive designs of the last decade? Yet that's what they've done with the Scirocco, and yet being based on the old faithful Golf you still get all the comfort and quality you'd expect. It's a car that makes you question the need for a 3-door Golf with style and handling like the Scirocco offers.

Here's to the next ten years...

(Images: Audi, Auto Express, Daimler-Chrysler, Ferrari, Jaguar, MINI, Porsche, Renault, Tesla, Volkswagen)

GEMBALLA MIG-U1 - The super sports car in a unique overall concept

In the last 27 years, Uwe Gemballa has achieved the best world-wide reputation for refining Porsche cars. Now, the company manager from Leonberg near Stuttgart takes on a new challenge. The automobile manufacturer turns the most potent super sports car from Maranello, the Ferrari Enzo, into the GEMBALLA MIG-U1 - an individually produced edition, limited to only 25 cars.

The core part of the overall makeover is the entirely re-engineered aerodynamics concept by GEMBALLA. Without any exception, the manufacturer produces all components in real carbon in order to combine lowest weight with highest material strength.


Active aerodynamics for the maximum driving experience

Owing to the active aerodynamics conception, the front spoiler lip generates an additional downthrust of up to 35 kilograms at the front axle, according to the individual position.

Analogically, the flap on the newly designed rear spoiler generates even up to 85 kilograms more downthrust on the rear wheels. For optimal handling results, the flap lowers, as soon as the car reaches a speed of 120 km/h. In this way, the GEMBALLA-aerodynamics concept adjusts to the outer conditions and always ensures perfect road holding characteristics. All components of the aerodynamics kit attribute to this: starting from the new front skirt with spoiler lip, over the door extensions to the diffuser and rear spoiler.

The air duct system of the GEMBALLA MIG-U1 does not only help bringing the power of the twelve-cylinder car onto the road. At the same time, the engineers from Leonberg (Baden-Württemberg) develop an extensive ventilation- and cooling concept. Here, both the front and the back wheel-houses are supplied with cooling air and this guarantees an optimal use of the high performance braking system. The outlets behind the wheels ensure that the heated air does not pile up. Moreover, the air inlets behind the doors and on the roof supply fresh air into engine compartment behind the passenger cabin. The newly designed air exhaust ducts end in and on top of the rear skirt. Their dimensions also allow the supply of an additional radiator.


The GEMBALLA car body components therefore guarantee the functionality of the new super sports car and provide the car with a unique look at the same time. Following the design of Formula-1 racing cars, the GEMBALLA MIG-U1 has an extended front and an edged rear spoiler. Formerly rounded edges were replaced in order to provide the car with an aggressive look with greedy air inlets and outlets.

Even the rear lights do not remain openly on the back, but are cased and equipped with air ducts. The MIG-U1 grows broader by 80 millimetres at the front- and 100 millimetres at the back axle.

For everyday use, the optional electro-hydraulic height-adjustment (HLS) is extremely innovative and enormously helpful. By pushing a button in the passenger compartment, it is possible to lift the body by 45 millimetres at the front- and rear axle and therefore allows driving over obstacles such as underground car park entrances and traffic ramps. Also by pushing a button or by reaching 80 km/h, the MIG-U1 lowers itself to its original level. Additionally, the multiple adjustable sports suspension which is equipped with ball bearing bushes significantly improves the handling and driving comfort of the MIG-U1.


The forged wheels GEMBALLA GTR RACING forged by our development partner "Advanced Structural Alloys" contribute both to the appearance and the performance of the car. The wheels which are made from a massive light alloy block combined highest stability with an extremely light weight. The elaborate forging process reduces the unsprung masses of one wheel set by 16 kilograms. Therefore, the wheels respond in an even more agile way and precisely follow every steering command even under highest strains. At the front, the 10x19 inch rims hold high-performance wheels in the dimension 265/35, while the back axle transfers the power of the engine through 13x20 inch rims with 335/30 wheels.

The twelve cylinder engine of the GEMBALLA MIG-U1 works with an optimised motor management and an especially adjusted exhaust system. This combination allows a performance output of 700 hp (515 kW). The four-pipe system with pneumatic flap control is added to the sports catalyser. The end-pipes are equipped with the typical GEMBALLA heat shield and share the exit into the rear skirt with the exhaust ducts of the rear wheel houses.


High-End for the interior
In the interior, GEMBALLA devises a control centre which perfectly combines functionality and comfort. The especially for the GEMBALLA MIG-U1 designed seats, the custom-made centre console and the sports steering wheel with its leather-ultra suede combination guarantee full control over the car. At the same time, the interior of this super sports car reflects pure luxury.

All interior components are lined with leather and ultra suede. The integrated high-end multimedia system offers a seven-inch touch screen, navigation, DVD changer and an iPod connection. The 950-Watt amplifier operates the high frequency ranges in the cockpit front, the 165 millimetre large membrane on the door linings and the subwoofer between the seats.

GEMBALLA-logos on the seats, the floor mats and the safety belts perfect the refinement.
With the GEMBALLA MIG-U1, the automobile manufacturer once again proves that its know-how is not only limited to Porsche cars. On the basis of the already exhilarating Ferrari Enzo, the engineers developed a unique car. But even the limited edition with only 25 cars is not exclusive enough for GEMBALLA. Therefore, every single GEMBALLA MIG-U1 is individually adjusted. This ensures that there will not be any identical cars. Therefore, the specialist with its reputation for unique high-end refinement once again meets the requirements for highest individuality.

For more information about the about the extensive GEMBALLA refining programme, please visit the web site www.gemballa.com
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Vandenbrink unveiled new design sketches - Ferrari 599 GTO Ecurie GTX

The new Ecurie GTX is a true racer with its slick tyres, a big wing on the back producing loads of down force and the enormeous diffuser at the front and the back. We haven’t received any information at this stage regarding this model, no official specifications nor any information on the availability.


The designers at Dutch firm Vandenbrink Design have released new drawings showing their latest proposal: the Vandenbrink Design Ferrari 599 GTO Ecurie GTX. The car builds on the Vandenbrink GTO, a lightweight model limited to just five production units.
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