Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano by Anderson Germany

Many often ponder if an exotic Italian supercar like the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano really needs to be customized. Well, while it’s a legit question, it really comes down to personal preferences. Fortunately, for those that want to go down that road, there are plenty of tuners willing to modify the 599 according to each customer's tastes and needs.

Anderson Germany is one of those tuners and it has presented a second take on the Ferrari 599. While similar to its previous tune shown in March, Anderson's newest black-widow style Ferrari has some differences, mainly inside where the entire interior has been trimmed in a combination of quilted red leather and black carbon leather with red stitching.

In addition, the gearshift, door handles, door sills and center console have been manufactured entirely from carbon fiber – allegedly to reduce the car's weight.

On the outside, the Dusseldorf-based tuner finished the 599 in a black color with contrasting red stripes running over the top of the car. The Ferrari model also gets an aero kit made out of carbon-fiber along with red brake calipers, while it rides on a new set of 21-inch glossy black wheels with a red rim.

The final touch is under the hood where Anderson Germany modified the V12's ECU software and added a custom-made sports exhaust system the bring output to 674-horses allowing the 599 to complete the standard 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint in a little over 3 seconds.

Buy Five Ferraris, Join the Exclusive Prancing Horse Club

It seems like some Ferrari owners are more equal than the others. At least that’s what the company’s chairman, Luca di Montezemolo, implied when he told Autonews Europe about Ferrari's plans to create a collectors’ club with the purpose of giving loyal customers some extra privileges.

Di Montezemolo conceived this idea after the roadster version of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, the SA Aperta, which had a limited production run of only 80 cars, caused friction between Ferrari and some of its customers.

"I don't want our faithful collectors to miss the opportunity to buy one of our special series”, said di Montezemolo, who apparently thinks that loyal customers should have first rights to any special model Ferrari rolls out.

Although it isn’t official yet, it’s speculated that one or two cars are not enough; to make the cut you have to own at least five Ferraris. According to the company, there are nearly 300 collectors around the globe who own five or more Ferrari models.

We guess Jay Kay and Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason will probably be among the first to be invited.

Ferrari California with 606-Hp by DMC

One of Germany's lesser-known tuning houses, DMC, has presented a new take on the Ferrari California hardtop roadster. Named the California 3S, the tune includes both cosmetic and performance upgrades and will receive its premiere at the Top Marques show in Macau from November 24 to 27.

The customization package brings a new carbon fiber aero kit that comprises of a front splitter and rear diffuser while the same material has also been used on the license plate surround. The car rides on a new set of rims (21-inches up front, 22-inches at the back) sourced from Miami-based wheel maker ADV1.

There's a lot going on under the hood as DMC added a turbo-charging system along with enlarged injection nozzles, a new tailor made crankshaft and a sportier exhaust system that help lift output from 460PS (338kW) to 606PS (446kW).

DMC says that after the power boost, the California 3S completes the 0 to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 325km/h (202mph).

Ferrari 250 GT Coupe -Literally- Sweeps People off

If you still don't to believe that the 1957 Ferrari Berlinetta 250 GT Coupe's presence is powerful enough to knock people off their feet, then apparently you missed out on this year's North America Mille Miglia Tribute.

Watching the first video, you may think that the driver of the classic Ferrari hit someone, but a quick look at a second clip filmed from a different angle reveals the culprit: the driver of the 250 GT came in a bit too fast and hastily hit the brakes causing the plastic flooring to move and knock down the people.

Click past the break to watch both videos.

Manual-Gearbox Supercars are Going the Way of the Dodo

Manual-Gearbox Supercars are Going the Way of the Dodo

Monday, November 14, 2011 |

Aside from the Prancing Horse emblem, the clearly defined open-gate gearbox with the chromed lever sprouting from within was Ferrari’s second best distinguishable characteristic.

With the introduction of the 2012 MY California, this tradition comes to an end, at least in the UK. From now on, Ferrari is offering its British customers only one choice in the transmission department: that of an automatic.

Ferrari’s decision is understandable. In the entire UK, there is only one California with a manual transmission; everyone else (260 in 2010) opted for the twin-clutch auto.

This is becoming a commonplace practice around the world, not just in Britain: for example, after five years in production, how many 599s do you think were sold with a classic manual gearbox?

The answer is zero; zip; nada; not a single car! Each and every one of Ferrari’s V12-engined supercar were ordered with the semi-automatic gearbox worldwide.

People who grew up with posters of 250 GTOs, F40s and 355s in their bedrooms may lament the loss of the classic manual gearbox. However, this is progress and for better or for worse, some things eventually become extinct.

Ferrari isn’t the only supercar maker selling almost exclusively automatic transmission-equipped cars. Porsche’s PDK has been a huge hit since 2008 when it was introduced in the revamped 997. The manual gearbox has been rendered obsolete in this class for four basic reasons.

First, it is much easier to use, requiring no special driving skills in executing the perfect gear change. Second, no human, no matter how fast reflexes he or she possesses, can match the speed of a dual-clutch gear change. Third, it allows manufacturers to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 figures by adding seven or even more speeds.