CARS WORLD

2009 Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta - 599 GTB Fiorano-Based:

The P540 Superfast Aperta is a special one-off model designed by Pininfarina and built by Ferrari in Maranello. Based on the 599 GTB Fiorano, the P540 is the second such vehicle to come out of Ferrari's Special Projects program. Mr. Walson was involved in every stage of development, which took 14 months from inception to completion, which utilizes carbon fiber extensively to keep the car lightweight.

-Chris Lydiksen

Press Release:

Revealed: the new Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta one-off

The first shake-down has been held at Fiorano of a very special one-off, the P540 Superfast Aperta, built for an American client. The car, the second in a new Special Projects programme created by Ferrari to meet requests from the most discerning clients and collectors to create truly unique models, is based on the 599 GTB Fiorano and was inspired by a Carrozzeria Fantuzzi-designed Ferrari built specifically for the 1968 Fellini film, Toby Dammit, itself inspired by one of the tales of Edgar Allan Poe.

The P540 Superfast Aperta’s proud new owner, Edward Walson, son of John Walson, the inventor of cable TV, approached Ferrari in 2008 to produce a modern reinterpretation of the gold-coloured car in the film. “I had always dreamed of designing sports cars,” Walson explains, “and when I saw this film the decision came of its own accord: one day I would have ‘my’ Ferrari.”

In accordance with the Special Project’s approach to producing such individual one-offs, the P540 Superfast Aperta respects all existing international safety and homologation requirements and is thus road legal. The car was designed by Pininfarina and built in Maranello, and the client was directly involved in each stage of its development. As the 599 GTB Fiorano donor car is a coup鬠considerable effort went into strengthening the chassis by using finite element analysis in development and the increase in weight was kept down to just 20 kg by employing carbon-fibre extensively. From the initial sketches to the final, road-legal car took just 14 months.

As the client took delivery of the car at Fiorano his excitement was understandable: “This is the most special Christmas present of my life.”

Technical specifications
Length 4731 mm
Width 1954 mm
Height 1300 mm
Wheelbase 2750 mm
Front track 1690 mm
Rear track 1620 mm

Engine
65° V12
Displacement 5999 cc
Maximum power 456 kW (620 CV) at 7600 rpm
Maximum torque 608 Nm (62 kgm) at 5600 rpm

Transmission
F1 6-speed gearbox

Tyres
Front 245/35 20”
Rear 305/35 20”

Fuel consumption
Combined cycle 17.9 l/100 km

CO2 emissions
Combined cycle 415 g/km.

Mini Coupe Concept Car:

On its 50th birthday, MINI is celebrating it with a gift to all MINI enthusiasts: the MINI Coupe Concept. The Coupe Concept is touted as the expression of MINI design and will be unveiled for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show (17–27 September 2009).

This sporting two-seater is designed to accommodate even the most powerful engine currently available in the MINI – and with the 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged power unit carried over from the MINI John Cooper Works, the MINI Coupé Concept offers truly outstanding performance. Maximum output is 155 kW/211 hp, peak torque 260 Newton-metres/192 lb-ft increasing through the Overboost function for a short while to an even more substantial 280 Newton-metres/206 lb-ft.
The new concept car carries over the unmistakable front end look from the four-seater MINI. Smoothly balanced contours on the engine lid characterised by wide and sweeping radii, the large headlights, the homogenous shape of the radiator grille and the wide lower air intake give each model that unique look, openness and charm so typical of the brand. Through the greater rake of the windscreen on the MINI Coupé Concept, the car looks even more striking and dynamic, the low and streamlined body proving clearly that the MINI Coupé Concept is a particularly outstanding performer.

The MINI Coupe Concept is rather functional too despite being a two-seater. The rear end of the MINI Coupé Concept comes with a large and wide-opening tailgate. Hinged above the roof spoiler, the entire tailgate including the rear window swings up gracefully, offering convenient access to the generous luggage space. Deliberately foregoing the rear seat bench, this unique two-seater offers lots of additional space for taking along all kinds of luggage. Luggage capacity is 250 litres or 8.8 cu ft.

The MINI Coupe Concept certainly looks cool and here's hoping that it will not remain just a concept. For now, we'll just have to wait until the Frankfurt Motor Show to get the full review of the MINI Coupe Concept.