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Red Star Race way in Delmas, played host to the Prancing Horse as Scuderia South Africa- the official Ferrari dealer hosted its first Passione Ferrari track event of 2016 for selected media guests and Ferrari clientele last weekend.
The exclusive event, which saw well-heeled car enthusiasts enjoying fine Italian hospitality at Red Star raceway, allowed guests to indulge in an utterly memorable day on the track and enjoy the pleasure of driving a Ferrari in a way that is not possible on the road.
Not only did Ferrari have its latest Ferrari California T and 488 GTB vehicles available to test drive on the track- but official Ferrari driving instructors, known as Corso Pilota were also flown out from Italy to assist, advise and instruct on the day.
The updated California T features a revised body design to match its new engine’s boosted performance, with the holistic sports driving experience maintained at the exceptionally high level one expects from a Ferrari, whilst the Ferrari 488 GTB not only delivers unparalleled performance, it also makes that extreme power exploitable and controllable to an unprecedented level even by less expert drivers. An exceptional engine and sophisticated aerodynamics combined with refined vehicle dynamic controls radically improve the already razor-sharp responsiveness of Ferrari’s road cars to near-track level
Both models available at Scuderia South Africa, the Ferrari California T and 488 GTB boast striking standards of innovation, performance and proprietary solutions while delivering a holistic sports driving experience maintained at the exceptionally high level one expects from a Ferrari.
Ferrari California T
The California T exhibits outstanding standards of innovation while retaining signature features such as the successful 2+2 concept, a refined cabin and, of course, the retractable hard top (RHT) which transforms it from a chic coupé into a sleekly sophisticated spider in a mere 14 seconds.
The model brims with a host of new solutions, not least of which is its 8-cylinder turbocharged engine. Maranello’s engineers have created an entirely new power unit which delivers absolutely superb levels of performance, blistering pick-up and the most exhilarating soundtrack any turbo has ever yielded.
The direct-injection, 3 855 cc turbocharged 8-cylinder is mounted very low in the chassis in a mid-front position and delivers 412 kW at 7 500 rpm, which translates into a specific power output of 107 kW/ litre – the highest in its segment – along with maximum torque of 755 Nm. Figures which give the California T extraordinary acceleration over the 0 to 100 km/h sprint, which it covers in just 3.6 seconds.
The California T’s architecture, controls and new 8-cylinder engine ensure consistently intense driving pleasure in challenging driving conditions as well as making the car fun to drive even in more relaxed situations, very much in the Grand Tourer tradition
Ferrari 488 GTB
The new V8 sported by the Ferrari 488 GTB is the Maranello engineers’ latest response to the challenge to constantly set new benchmarks of excellence.
Regardless of the model or its mission, the heart of every Ferrari is its engine which must, of course, deliver the classic Ferrari power unit qualities: blistering performance combined with high revs, razor-sharp responsiveness, powerful acceleration at all speeds and an exhilarating soundtrack.
The Ferrari 488 GTB’s all-new 3902 cc V8 turbo is at the top of its class in terms of power output, torque and response times. It delivers 670 cv at 8,000 rpm and a response time to the accelerator of just 0.8 seconds (at 2,000 rpm in third gear), making it the new benchmark for this kind of architecture, thanks in part to innovative work carried out on the turbine to reduce friction and inertia. Consequently, the Ferrari 488 GTB sprints from 0-100 km/h in 3 seconds flat and from 0-200 km/h in just 8.3.Ferrari’s engineers dedicated great attention and resources to perfecting the car’s sound too, creating a new soundtrack that is full, clear, progressive and totally distinctive, as expected from any Prancing Horse engine.
The Ferrari 488 GTB’s exceptional sportiness and performance are underscored by particularly aggressive styling. The design is aerodynamically highly efficient yet retains the classically clean, pure lines typical of Ferrari’s legendary styling.
7 Years Maintenance
Ferrari’s unparalleled quality standards and increasing focus on client service underpin the extended seven-year maintenance programme offered with the California T and Ferrari 488 GTB. Available across the entire range, it covers all regular maintenance for the first seven years of the car’s life. The service is available through Scuderia South Africa- the official Ferrari dealership.
This scheduled maintenance programme for Ferraris is an exclusive service that allows clients the certainty that their car is being kept at peak performance and safety over the years.
The Genuine Maintenance programme further extends the range of after-sales services offered by Ferrari to satisfy clients wishing to preserve the performance and excellence that are the signatures of all cars built in Maranello which itself has long been synonymous with leading-edge technology and sportiness.
