Geneva 2011: Ferrari FF's Show-Official Debut [Updated Gallery]

By now we've all heard and read about Ferrari's FF shooting brake GT. With the Geneva International Motor Show under way, there are now some live shots of Maranello's newest stallion. For all the official info and specs feel free to check out our previous posts; after all, you're really here for a recap of the basics and some live shots from the land of money, milk, and honey.

Much like its forbear, the 612 Scaglietti, the Ferrari FF gets a mid/front-mounted V12 and 4 seats to meet the demands of Ferrari families worldwide. The FF's engine, however, is a world first: a GDI 6.3-liter V12 (660 hp at 8,000 RPM ; 683 Nm/504 lb-ft at 6,000 RPM) unit mated to a 7-speed F1 DCT and Ferrari's 4RM all-wheel drive system.

With these numbers, Ferrari's new GT can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds on the path to 335 km/h (208 mph).

Just for kicks, Ferrari also threw in a 1,280 Watt/16-channel Dolby sound system and TVs in the headrests. Some lucky kids out there are going to be having a straight ballin' time on the way to school.

By Phil Alex

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Ferrari to Show Greener 458 Italia with HELE System in Geneva

The new Ferrari FF won't be the only model from Maranello to make its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Salon, as Carscoop has learned that the Italian supercar maker will also introduce a greener version of the 458 Italia equipped with the company’s HELE (High Emotion, Low Emission) technology, which improves CO2 emissions and reduces fuel consumption.

Even though the average Ferrari 458 Italia customer probably won’t care about their supercar's CO2 output, the new system that incorporates stop/start technology helps reduce CO2 emissions by around 11 per cent, from 307 g/km to 275 g/km. It is expected that the HELE system will be offered as an option to 458 Italia buyers.

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Ferrari CEO Made €8.7 Million in 2010 or Twice as Much as Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne

It's no secret that top car executives make big money, but the situation at the Fiat Group is particularly interesting. How else could one describe the fact that in 2010, Ferrari's chairman, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, was paid more than twice the amount of money than the CEO of the entire Fiat Group, Sergio Marchionne?

The Ferrari boss pocketed €8.7 million in 2010 (US$12 million), while Marchionne received a paycheck of €3.5 million ($4.8 million). For his role at Ferrari, di Montezemolo received €7.549 million, with the rest of the amount being awarded for his contribution as Fiat CEO between 2004 and 2010. Marchionne's compensation was €3.05 million as head of Fiat and €423,300 for his role at Fiat's Swiss branch.

Let's face it, running a business like Ferrari can't be twice as difficult as running the entire Fiat Group. But it sure pays a whole lot better. The third best paid executive in the group last year was Angelli heir and Fiat Group chairman, John Elkann, who earned €589,000, while all other board members made between €65,000 and €95,000 each.

By Dan Mihalascu

Source: AutonewsEurope

New Video of Ferrari FF Tackling the Snow, the Track and even the Desert

After yesterday's presentation in Maranello, Ferrari released some new video footage of its V12-powered FF. The Prancing Horse's first four-wheel-drive car is shown on all kinds of roads in various weather conditions, as a statement of the shooting-brake's versatility.

We see the FF devouring the Fiorano track, then going downhill really fast on what looks like a ski slope, rushing on a winding gravel road and finally crossing the desert to arrive at the Ferrari World theme park in Abu-Dhabi. The only thing that can rival the superb images are the howling sounds from the FF's V12-engine. Enjoy the video after the jump.

By Dan Mihalascu

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