2012 Ferrari 458 Italia Convertible

2012 Ferrari 458 Italia Convertible. There's nothing quite like the sound of the 2012 Ferrari 458's V8 -- a mechanical 562-horsepower scream that's only a few inches from the driver's head. There's really only one way to make it better, and that would be to remove that pesky roof and back window unfortunately placed between your ears and its addictive wail. For 2012, that's exactly what's been done, as the convertible Spider model joins the 458 Italia coupe.

Together, the 458 Spider and Italia represent a stunning leap forward not only for Ferrari but also for supercars in general. Naturally you expect the perfect fore-and-aft balance of the handling, the precise steering and the fantastic high-tech electronics that combine to keep the car poised on the road while still making you feel fully engaged in the process. There's also the 4.5-liter V8 that can deliver the 458 from a standstill to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. The act of driving doesn't really get much better -- at least when you've got a sparsely populated back road and a friend in the local sheriff's department to watch your back.

With the Spider added to the lineup, the 458 stands above the crowd in another way. Its clever retractable hardtop roof provides a quieter, more secure cabin and a better top-up appearance than a conventional convertible, yet the aluminum pieces of the top and its operating mechanism are actually lighter than a traditional folding soft top. Although the 458 sacrifices some structural integrity in the process of losing its roof, the Spider is still remarkably rigid, and it's hard to argue with the wind in your hair and sound of the high-revving V8 in your ears.

Even though the Ferrari 458 Italia and Spider are incredible to drive, they can be a little irritating to live with. Besides the inherent problems associated with any midengine supercar (limited passenger space, cargo room and visibility), the Italia features some rather bizarre ergonomics. The turn signals are triggered by buttons on the steering wheel, for instance. Still, we've lusted after Ferraris since the days when their electrical systems rarely worked, the pedals were halfway in the passenger footwell and you needed a man named Carlo on retainer just to keep the thing running.

As such, we can't think of a true deal-breaker for the 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia and Spider beyond the obligatory high price. There are obviously other exotics plying for your ample money, but when it comes to driving thrills, only the McLaren MP4-12C comes close. It doesn't (yet) offer a convertible version, but it's certainly an incredible machine in its own F1-bred right and doesn't suffer from the 458's ergonomic shortfalls. The Audi R8 coupe and convertible and Lamborghini Gallardo are in the game as well. Yet when it comes to overall driving involvement and pleasure, the Ferrari 458 remains the car that will deliver the most chills up your spine.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2012 Ferrari 458 is a two-seat exotic sports car available in two body styles. The coupe is known as the Italia and the convertible is known as the Spider.

Standard equipment includes 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels, performance tires, carbon-ceramic brakes, adjustable driving and vehicle settings, automatic xenon headlights, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery and trim, a power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel (with buttons for the turn signals, wipers, lights, ignition, suspension and other vehicle settings), Bluetooth and a sound system with an auxiliary audio jack. The Spider includes a fully powered retractable hardtop roof.

Both body styles can be equipped with forged alloy wheels, carbon-fiber body pieces, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, adaptive headlights, cruise control, auto-dimming mirrors, power seats, carbon-fiber race seats (available in three sizes), four-point belts, a navigation system, an iPod interface, satellite radio and a premium sound system. The Italia can be furthermore equipped with run-flat tires.

The 458 is also highly customizable, with items that include three different standard seat designs (regular, Daytona-style and diamond quilt), multitone interior schemes, contrasting stitching, extended leather or faux-suede interior trim, four color choices for the instrument faces, carbon-fiber interior trim, a carbon-fiber steering wheel with built-in LED shift lights and, finally, specialty fit luggage. The Italia gets the option of contrasting roof colors.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia and Spider are powered by a 4.5-liter V8 that sends 562 hp and 398 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a seven-speed, dual-clutch automated manual transmission. Ferrari says it will go from a standstill to 60 mph in about 3.4 seconds, which makes it one of the quickest cars in the world. As if anyone cares, EPA-estimated fuel economy stands at 12 mpg city/18 mpg highway and 14 mpg combined.

In the off chance you do care, or are simply interested in sampling every dollop of technology Ferrari has to offer, the optional HELE system adds a number of technologies designed to reduce fuel consumption and increase performance. These include an engine stop/start system, a different air-conditioning compressor, changes to the electrical system, and adaptive transmission programming and throttle response.

Safety

The 2012 Ferrari 458 comes with antilock carbon-ceramic brakes, traction and stability control and side airbags. A rearview camera and parking sensors are available.

Interior Design and Special Features

To free up space for the enlarged transmission paddle shifters, Ferrari did away with traditional steering wheel column stalks. While it's one thing to change the light and wiper controls to buttons on the steering wheel, it's quite another to reinvent the turn signal stalk as buttons on each spoke of the steering wheel. It's unintuitive, just a bit silly and likely destined to eventually become only a footnote in history.

There are also other ergonomic faux pas. The stereo, navigation and other infotainment systems are controlled via buttons on knobs that flank both sides of the steering column. This makes it a wee bit difficult for the passenger to control anything, but the bigger deal is that the display shares real estate with the gauge cluster. Want to see your speed and the navigation system? No can do. You can either know where you're going or how fast you're getting there, but not both at the same time.

On the upside, the cabin is still slathered in beautifully soft leather, while the refinement and build quality are better than that of any previous Ferrari. Even the driving position is more comfortable than ever. So even if it can be a little frustrating to use, the 458's cabin at least offers the luxury one now expects from this rarefied segment of sports cars. The Spider also stands out with the first retractable hardtop applied to a midengine supercar. Not only does it maintain the look of the Italia coupe, but it also provides improved security and road noise isolation than the soft top of the previous-generation Ferrari F430 Spider. Top operation is also fairly quick, taking just 14 seconds to open or close.

Driving Impressions

The 458's V8 is a legend in the making, with brutal acceleration bettered by only a scant few cars on the road. The powertrain has been blessed with a mechanical whine that is at first gruff and then intoxicatingly vibrant as the engine revs fly toward 9,000 rpm. The only way it could sound sweeter would be to remove the roof, and that's been done for 2012 thanks to the Spider. We'll always lament the absence of a traditional manual transmission, but the dual-clutch automated manual whips through its seven gears with a quickness and smoothness that perhaps only Porsche can match.

Of course, a Ferrari is also meant to be characterized by its poised handling. In this respect, the Italia shines even brighter. The steering effort is weightier than other Ferraris and the action is remarkably quick, and the response to even small inputs creates a sense of hyper control. The chassis is beautifully tuned, showcasing incredible talents around corners in a way that makes it easy to exploit those talents. There is an abundance of high-tech wizardry going on to keep you safe and the car perfectly composed, but the 2012 Ferrari 458 never feels as if it is relying upon digital 1s and 0s rather than old-fashioned analog engineering. 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia Convertible

Source : http://www.edmunds.com/ferrari/458-italia/2012/?sub=convertible

2011 Ferrari 599 Coupe

2011 Ferrari 599 Coupe. The 2011 Ferrari 599 seats only two people, achieves only 11 mpg in the city, has a dinky trunk and is stuck with woefully behind­-the-times in-car electronics. Plus -- brace yourself for this one -- there's not even a cupholder. And with that we conclude the practicality-minded portion of our consumer advice program. If you care about any of the above, the Ferrari 599 clearly isn't the best way to spend your $300,000.

If, however, the above reads like a series of "blahs" upon "yada yadas," then you'll be interested to know that the 599 remains the pinnacle of the Ferrari lineup. It starts with the engine. Be it in GTB Fiorano guise or the new-for-2011 GTO, the 599's 6.0-liter V12 still blares its way to an 8,400 rpm redline with an intoxicating scream that must be heard in all its glory to be fully appreciated. The acceleration that accompanies that scream punches you into your seat with a fitting amount of brutality.

Around corners, the 599's superb handling belies its near-2-ton curb weight. Credit for this impressive talent goes to the sophisticated suspension with its Magna Ride active dampers that firm up in milliseconds in response to aggressive cornering, yet ease off for relaxed interstate cruising. It's this dual-natured performance that's a bit surprising, as Ferraris have seldom been considered comfortable enough for a good road trip (that's what an Aston Martin or Bentley is for).

If we were to nitpick, the GTB's steering could be sharper, especially at higher speeds. That's taken care of, however, in the 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO. Not only is the steering quicker and more communicative, but also the general handling balance has been improved and the entire car sharpened to be a more hard-core driving machine thanks to increased horsepower and reduced weight. Plus, since it, too, has Magna Ride dampers, the GTO maintains a reasonably civilized ride. Sure, it costs $90,000 more than the GTB Fiorano, but we suspect that will matter little to the prospective buyer.

Of course, there are other grand ways to spend one's portfolio. The Ferrari 458 Italia is utterly brilliant even if it doesn't come with the cachet of being Ferrari's most expensive, V12-powered GT halo car. Should you actually care about those practical gripes we mentioned above, Ferrari's new FF takes care of some of them -- just don't hold your breath about fuel economy.

Beyond those supercars wearing the prancing horse emblem, the Lamborghini Aventador brings an entirely different degree of drama -- both in terms of visuals and driving experience. The Aston Martin DBS and Lexus LFA are similar to the 599 in a number of (admittedly divergent) ways, but go about their business in manners more indicative of their native lands. For that quintessentially Italian passion, however, no GT car can top the 2011 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano and 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Ferrari 599 is a two-seat coupe available in two trim levels: GTB Fiorano and the higher-performance GTO. Standard equipment on the GTB includes 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels shod in performance tires, xenon headlights, an adaptive suspension system, carbon-ceramic brakes, rear parking sensors, automatic dual-zone climate control, power seats, leather upholstery and interior trim, a power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a navigation system and an eight-speaker Becker sound system with a CD player.

The optional HGTE package (Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione) specifies stiffer springs and a stiffer rear antiroll bar along with revised damper calibration, a lower ride height, a unique high-performance tire compound, quicker shifts from the single-clutch automated manual transmission, more immediate throttle response and a throatier exhaust note. HGTE also adds unique exterior and interior styling cues.

The GTO gains more power, enhanced suspension and steering, 20-inch wheels all around, a different transmission calibration, different exterior details, a carbon-fiber racing wheel with integrated LED shift lights (optional on GTB) and manually adjustable carbon-fiber racing seats. It lacks the standard rear parking sensors and navigation system, but both are optional. The standard full leather interior is swapped out for a lighter-weight combination of leather, faux suede and tech fabric.

Options on both models include different wheel designs, a space-saver spare tire, run-flat tires, front and rear parking sensors, tinted rear windows, fully powered Recaro sport seats, an iPod interface, a six-CD changer and a premium audio system. There is also a wealth of customization options, including innumerable exterior paint and interior leather color choices, extended interior leather trim, different leather seat finishes (GTB only), cross-stitching and two carbon-fiber interior trim packages. The GTO gets two-tone exterior paint schemes, additional sport seat choices and optional interior surfaces in multiple color choices of faux suede and/or leather.

Powertrains and Performance

Both 2011 Ferrari 599 models are rear-wheel drive and powered by a 6.0-liter V12. The GTB Fiorano version produces 612 horsepower and 448 pound-feet of torque. A traditional six-speed manual transmission is standard and a single-clutch six-speed automated manual transmission is an optional. Ferrari says the GTB Fiorano will go from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.7 seconds. Fuel economy (as if you could possibly care) is 11 mpg city/15 mpg highway and 12 mpg combined.

The 599 GTO produces 671 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. The automated manual is standard, but upgraded for improved performance. Ferrari says it'll hit 62 mph in 3.4 seconds.

Safety

Carbon-ceramic antilock disc brakes, stability control and traction control are standard. Notably, side and side curtain airbags are not available.

Interior Design and Special Features

Unlike supercars of old, the 2011 Ferrari 599 offers much more than a cramped cockpit with minimal accoutrements. The well-shaped seats are finished in premium hides, or in the case of the GTO, a rich combination of leather, faux suede and a specially designed tech fabric. Aluminum and available carbon-fiber accents enrich the ambience further, while buyers can customize their 599 with two-tone color choices, contrasting stitching and different seat designs.

The car's many interactive systems (such as stability control, suspension settings and F1 gearbox response) can be adjusted via a knob on the steering wheel called the manettino -- Italian for "little manager." If you're looking for the latest infotainment electronics features, however, the 599 is behind the times. The navigation system offers a tiny, antiquated screen and there's no HD or satellite radio available. Still, do you really need 180 commercial-free channels when you have 612 raging horses screaming just a few feet in front of you?

Driving Impressions

In addition to predictably brutal acceleration, the 2011 Ferrari 599 provides a soundtrack to savor. The unmistakable shriek of the V12 under hard acceleration changes to a guttural hum at part throttle and nearly disappears at high cruising speeds, where wind noise is practically the only indication of pace. The F1 gearbox provides instantaneous gearchanges that no human could hope to match with the standard six-speed manual (GTB only), but its single-clutch design prevents it from being as tractable in low-speed traffic as the dual-clutch unit found in the Ferrari 458 Italia. A lack of a hill holder feature could also make the clutch awfully smelly and smoky when repeatedly starting from a stop on a hill. (We wouldn't recommend driving around San Francisco.)

In tight corners, the Ferrari 599 GTB remains composed and poised, without a hint of body roll or squealing tires. The adaptive suspension damping works miracles on nearly any surface, swallowing bumps without drama while keeping the car planted in all situations. It's hard to imagine improvement here, but the Ferrari 599 GTO is indeed an even more incredible driver's car. The steering is quicker and provides more immediate feedback, the transmission is even more reactive and the car is even more balanced and less likely to understeer than the GTB. This is a car that excels on a racetrack, yet thanks to those adaptive dampers, its on-road ride is surprisingly comfortable. If there is to be a major detractor, it would be the 599's size. This is a larger car than the brilliant Ferrari 458 Italia, and it feels it.  2011 Ferrari 599 Coupe

Source : http://www.edmunds.com/ferrari/599/2011/?sub=coupe

2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Convertible

2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Convertible. The 2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage gets a few updates this year. The base model is now equipped with the seven-speed automated manual transmission, quicker steering, bigger brakes and wider tires from the Vantage S. A new optional navigation system also arrives for 2012, replacing the Vantage's previous, much-maligned navigation system. The Vantage also receives slightly updated exterior styling.

2012 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Coupe

2012 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Coupe. Don't show up the star. It's a good rule of thumb in show business and common sense in the sports car world. After all, wouldn't it be foolish for a brand to outdo its most expensive, famous and fanciest performance car with one that's cheaper? You'd think, but that's exactly what the 2012 Aston Martin V12 Vantage does.

2012 Aston Martin Rapide Sedan

2012 Aston Martin Rapide Sedan. Manufacturing of the 2012 Aston Martin Rapide is moving from Austria to England. As for the car, it receives a new, easier-to-operate navigation system this year.

2012 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe

2012 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe. The Aston Martin DB9 is no longer available with a manual transmission. The previously antiquated navigation system has been replaced by an improved Garmin-powered unit. Finally, there are two new special editions for 2012 known as the Luxury and the Sport.

2012 Aston Martin DB9 Convertible

2012 Aston Martin DB9 Convertible. The Aston Martin DB9 is no longer available with a manual transmission. The previously antiquated navigation system has been replaced by an improved Garmin-powered unit. Finally, there are two new special editions for 2012 known as the Luxury and the Sport.