Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[FerrariChat: P4/5 Competizione still aiming for Nürburgring 24]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/ferrarichat-p4-5-competizione-still-aiming-for-nurburgring-24/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/ferrarichat-p4-5-competizione-still-aiming-for-nurburgring-24/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/ferrarichat-p4-5-competizione-still-aiming-for-nurburgring-24/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Pininfarina Ferrari P4/5 Competizione - Click above for high-res image gallery

A few months ago, the internet started to rumble with rumors of a race car being built out of the incredible Pininfarina Ferrari 612 P4/5 that James Glickenhaus had commissioned at a staggering (but understandable) $4 million. A thread on Ferrari superforum FerrariChat.com put those rumors to rest -- Glickenhaus wasn't going to turn his P3/4 homage into a race car, he was going to build another car that he would take racing.

While the final product hasn't been revealed in full, the thread includes over 20 pages of Q&A between James and the rest of the F-Chat community giving several hints at what's to come. There are even several photo renderings depicting what the car might look like. What we do know is that this new P4/5 Competizione will not be Enzo/FXX/MC based -- it will be based on a Ferrari chassis and feature a Ferrari V8, with Glickenhaus saying that a V12 isn't practical because of fuel consumption.

Engineering has already begun on this dedicated racecar, which will hopefully get its maiden run at the Nürburgring 24 hour race next year. It will run in an open class that allows one-offs, as there are apparently no plans to homologate this retro-inspired racer. It's just Glick being Glick, building something for fun and bringing his teen memories of Ford vs. Ferrari back to life in endurance racing.

It could also be seen as a great opportunity for sponsors to get a ton of exposure. If the Competizione is anything like the road-going P4/5 in the publicity department, we'd say it's a safe bet you'll get a lot for your advertising dollars. We'll keep you posted as the car comes along, and we're already petitioning the higher-ups to include the Nürburgring 24 into our travel budget next year.


Gallery: Pininfarina P4/5 Competizione


[Source: FerrariChat]

FerrariChat: P4/5 Competizione still aiming for Nürburgring 24 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>enzoFerrariFerrari 612 P45ferrari enzoFerrari612P45FerrariEnzoglickenhausNurburgringnurburgring 24nurburgring 24 hoursNurburgring24Nurburgring24Hoursp45pininfarinaPininfarina P45Pininfarina P45 CompetizionePininfarinaP45PininfarinaP45CompetizioneFri, 20 Nov 2009 18:57:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Rossignolo buys De Tomaso, new models headed for Geneva in 2011]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/report-rossignolo-buys-de-tomaso-new-models-headed-for-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/report-rossignolo-buys-de-tomaso-new-models-headed-for-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/report-rossignolo-buys-de-tomaso-new-models-headed-for-geneva/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Panthera Rendering - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're working off a machine-translated web page, so bear with us, but it looks like legendary Seventies marque De Tomaso is being resurrected once again. This time by a wealthy Italian industrialist named Gian Mario Rossingnolo. Looks like Signor Rossingnolo has already purchased a Pininfarina factory in which to build the new De Tomaso, and tried (unsuccessfully) to rescue Bertone earlier this year.

The big question is what are they going to build. Well, the ambitious-sounding-to-our-ears plan is to build 8,000 aluminum-bodied cars per year. And they are to be prestige cars, to better take advantage of the De Tomaso brand. As for specifics, Rossingnolo is planning on a luxury sedan, a coupe and an SUV. The cars should make an appearance at the Geneva Motor Show the year after next. Here's hoping one named Pantera shows up with Ford's supercharged 5.4-liter V8 mounted behind the driver.


Gallery: Panthera rendering


[Source: Argentina Auto Blog]

REPORT: Rossignolo buys De Tomaso, new models headed for Geneva in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>de tomasoDe Tomaso PanteraDeTomasoDeTomasoPanteraGian Mario RossingnoloGianMarioRossingnoloPanteraPininfarinaTue, 17 Nov 2009 09:26:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Ferrari poaches new design director from Volkswagen]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/report-ferrari-poaches-new-design-director-from-volkswagen/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/report-ferrari-poaches-new-design-director-from-volkswagen/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/report-ferrari-poaches-new-design-director-from-volkswagen/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Few lines are as fluid as those between the Italian and German automobile industries. Executives seem to move back and forth between the two faster than the exotic supercars for which they're responsible, and all the more so when it comes to designers.

Frank Stephenson moved to Ferrari and on to the Fiat group after 11 years at BMW. Italian designer Walter de Silva cut his proverbial teeth at Fiat and Alfa Romeo before moving to Audi, where he also oversaw Lamborghini's design department - and he has since been promoted to head of design for the entire Volkswagen group. German-born, Italian-schooled Wolfgang Egger has similarly bounced back and forth between Alfa Romeo, VW and Lancia before succeeding de Silva as head of Audi and Lamborghini design. The list goes on and on, and if the latest reports from Italy are to be believed, you can now add to them one Flavio Manzoni.

As director of creative design in Wolfsburg, Manzoni was known as de Silva's right-hand man. But now he's said to be moving back to Italy to head up Ferrari's design department. If these reports are accurate, Manzoni will be replacing current Ferrari design director Donato Coco (who in turn replaced the aforementioned Stephenson), report directly to managing director Amedeo Felisa and work to establish a Ferrari style center to bring more of the design work, currently handled by Pininfarina, in-house.

[Source: Quattroroute via eurocarblog]

REPORT: Ferrari poaches new design director from Volkswagen originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>centro stile ferrariCentroStileFerraridesigndesignerferrariferrari style centerFerrariStyleCenterflavio manzoniFlavioManzonimanzonipininfarinastylevolkswagenWed, 30 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ferrari P4/5 Competizione version in the works?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/ferrari-p4-5-competizione-version-in-the-works/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/ferrari-p4-5-competizione-version-in-the-works/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/ferrari-p4-5-competizione-version-in-the-works/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Ferrari P4/5 Competizione - Click above for an image gallery

Remember Jim Glickenhaus' Ferrari P4/5? Unveiled at Pebble Beach back in 2006, the re-bodied Enzo was designed by Pininfarina to mimic the classic lines of the legendary 1967 Ferrari P4 racecar. With just a single example built, the P4/5 is truly a one-off design. Or so we thought. According to Glickenhaus' statements on the FerrariChat.com forum, he is undergoing preparations to construct a race version that would make its competition debut at the 2010 Nürburgring 24 hour race from May 13-16. Currently the plan is merely just that - a plan - and Glickenhaus admits that much has to be done before his vision becomes a reality. "There are a LOT of stars that would have to align for this to happen but it's not impossible," he stated.

The P4/5 Competizione, as it is being called, would be based on an entirely new car and would not be a conversion of the P4/5 road car. Glickenhaus hasn't given specifics about exactly which car would be used as the platform, but he did hint that it will "have a Ferrari chassis/vin#/engine and gearbox." The renderings you see here are merely Photoshopped versions of the road car, but an updated sketch and additional specifications should be coming in the next few weeks.

According to Glickenhaus, the leading factor preventing the proposal from coming to fruition is finding a major sponsor. Our guess is that time might become an issue as well, as eight months is a relatively short time to develop, build, and test a competitive racecar. Still, we wish Glickenhaus the best of luck, and hope to see another one of his dream cars on track in the near future.


Gallery: Ferrari P4/5 Competizione Renderings


Gallery: Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina




[Source: FerrariChat]

Ferrari P4/5 Competizione version in the works? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FerrariFerrari P45Ferrari P45 by PininfarinaFerrari P45 CompetizioneFerrariP45FerrariP45ByPininfarinaFerrariP45CompetizionePininfarinaPininfarina P45Pininfarina P45 CompetizionePininfarinaP45PininfarinaP45CompetizioneMon, 28 Sep 2009 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Pininfarina family to sell majority stake in business, possibly to Tata]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/07/report-pininfarina-family-to-sell-majority-stake-the-business/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/07/report-pininfarina-family-to-sell-majority-stake-the-business/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/07/report-pininfarina-family-to-sell-majority-stake-the-business/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

James Glickenhaus' Pininfarina-designed Ferrari P4/P5 - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Due principally to debt, the family owners of Pininfarina S.p.A. have contracted with Italy's Banca Leonardo to help them sell 50.7 percent of their stake in the design/contract manufacturing business. Said a source, "It is a commitment [the Pininfarina family] made with the banks. The family has no intention of leaving completely." Sure, but who will buy controlling interest of such a storied company? Have you met our Indian friend Tata?

That's right, rumors are swirling that Indian giant Tata, new owner of both Jaguar and Land Rover, is reportedly in the hunt to purchase the Pininfarina family's shares. However, the reports are painting the pending deal as a partnership rather than a takeover and Tata already has dealings with Fiat, so they're familiar with the Italian way of doing things. For its part, Pininfarina is working on an electric car (hey, why not?) with French entrepreneur Vincent Bollore. They also have contracts with both Ford and Volvo to build cabriolets of the Focus Coupe-Cabriolet and the C70, respectively. We'll see how this all plays out, especially now that Fiat owns Bertone.


Gallery: Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina


[Source: Automotive News - sub req]

REPORT: Pininfarina family to sell majority stake in business, possibly to Tata originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>C70Ferrari P4P5FerrariP4p5FiatFocus Coupe-CabrioletFocusCoupe-cabrioletFordFord Focus Coupe-CabrioletFordFocusCoupe-cabrioletJames GlickenhausJamesGlickenhausPininfarinaTataVolvoVolvo C70VolvoC70Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Meadow Brook Concours 2009: 1967 Ferrari Dino 206 Competizione by Pininfarina]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/meadowbrook-concours-2009-1967-ferrari-dino-206-competizione-by/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/meadowbrook-concours-2009-1967-ferrari-dino-206-competizione-by/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/meadowbrook-concours-2009-1967-ferrari-dino-206-competizione-by/#commentsFiled under: , ,


1967 Ferrari Dino 206 Competizione by Pininfarina - click above for high-res image gallery

The name James Glickenhaus should be familiar to Autoblog readers. He is, of course, the gentlemen who commissioned the marvelous Enzo-derived Ferrari P4/5 several years ago. He's also the kind of wealthy car collector who most, if not all members, of Autoblog would choose to be in that alternate universe where we are all wealthy car collectors. That is to say, Glickenhaus doesn't just squirrel away his incredibly rare cars in a climate-controlled warehouse; he takes 'em out an drives 'em as God (and the Italians) intended.

One of Glickenhaus's more recent acquisitions is the 1967 Ferrari Dino 206 Competizione by Pininfarina. The diminutive gull-wing concept was built by Ferrari and its styling partner Pininfarina in 1967 as a design study and an experiment in aerodynamics. It was never intended for production, but lessons learned from it were eventually applied to other cars. The Dino 206 Competizione lived in the Pininfarina museum for more than three decades until 2007 when, after several years of pestering, the design house finally agreed to sell it to Glickenhaus. It won best in class here at Meadow Brook against some strong competition, including Glickenhaus's own 1967 Ferrari 330 P3/4 Spyder and a wonderful Austin Healey 3000. And yes, Glickenhaus told us he drives this one-of-a-kind machine regularly.

Gallery: Meadowbrook Concours 2009: 1967 Ferrari Dino 206 Competizione by Pininfarina


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Max Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Meadow Brook Concours 2009: 1967 Ferrari Dino 206 Competizione by Pininfarina originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ferrari 206 dinoferrari 206 dino competizioneferrari 206 dino compteitizioneFerrari206DinoFerrari206DinoCompetizioneFerrari206DinoCompteitizionejames glickenhausJamesGlickenhausjim glickenhausJimGlickenhausmeadbrook concoursMeadbrookConcoursmeadowbrookmeadowbrook 2009meadowbrook concours deleganceMeadowbrook2009meadowbrookconcoursMeadowbrookConcoursDelegancemeadowbrookhallpininfarinaSun, 02 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pininfarina 'Golden Ferrari' one-off revealed?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/27/pininfarina-golden-ferrari-one-off-revealed/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/27/pininfarina-golden-ferrari-one-off-revealed/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/27/pininfarina-golden-ferrari-one-off-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Golden Ferrari one-off by Pininfarina - Click above for an image gallery

Toby Dammit, a character in the Fellini film Histoires Extraordinaires, roared about Rome in a gold Ferrari back in 1968. Marketed in the United States under the name 'Spirits of the Dead,' one of the most memorable things about the movie was that gilded Ferrari. While vintage horror films are pure camp now, classic Ferraris tend to age far more gracefully.

Taking a cue from avowed Ferrari fan James Glickenhaus, it's rumored that Wal-Mart's CEO Rob Walton has commissioned his own bespoke-bodied Ferrari. Aping the classic shape of the 330 LMB that participated in gruesome filmic follies, the old-school-styled Ferrari is reportedly based on a 599 and styled by Pininfarina. It isn't clear if the images above are of a styling mockup or the final vehicle (those headlamps don't exactly look functional and we can't see the interior - let alone the mechanicals), but in any case, one can't help but wonder if Walton secured the same type of price concessions for the coachbuilt automobile as the retailer is known for beating its suppliers up for.


Gallery: Golden Ferrari


[Source: Autoblog.nl (via WorldCarFans)]

Pininfarina 'Golden Ferrari' one-off revealed? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 May 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>custom ferrariCustomFerrarifellini ferrarifellini ferrari toby dammitFelliniFerrariFelliniFerrariTobyDammitgolden ferrariGoldenFerrarijames glickenhaus custom ferrariJamesGlickenhausCustomFerrarione off ferrariOneOffFerraripininfarinapininfarina custompininfarina ferraripininfarina one offPininfarinaCustomPininfarinaFerrariPininfarinaOneOffvintage ferrariVintageFerrariWed, 27 May 2009 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Pininfarina contracted to overhaul Eurostar chunnel train]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/14/pininfarina-contracted-to-overhaull-eurostar-chunnel-train/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/14/pininfarina-contracted-to-overhaull-eurostar-chunnel-train/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/14/pininfarina-contracted-to-overhaull-eurostar-chunnel-train/#commentsFiled under: ,



Unless you've got access to a continent-gobbling exotic GT and an immunity to speeding tickets, everyone who's ever traveled Europe knows that the preferred way of getting around the Old World is via train. (Heck, even us car-crazed nuts here at Autoblog take the train for European auto shows.) But for one high-speed train service, the experience is about to get a little bit more... automotive.

Pininfarina, the same Italian design house responsible for dozens of Ferraris and countless other automotive designs throughout the decades, has been awarded the contract to refurbish the train cars for the Eurostar line. Running between Britain, France and Belgium through the English channel, the Eurostar train travels at speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph), making it from London to Paris in two hours and fifteen minutes. However, the high-class, high-speed trains haven't been redone since going into operation some 15 years ago. While Ferrari's Luca di Montezemolo gets behind the project to build a high-speed train system in Italy, the first of Pininfarina's refurbished Eurostar trains is expected to hit the rails in 2012.

[Source: Autocar]

Pininfarina contracted to overhaul Eurostar chunnel train originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>channel tunnelChannelTunnelchunneleurostarhigh-speed trainHigh-speedTrainpininfarinapininfarina eurostarPininfarinaEurostarrailtrainTue, 14 Apr 2009 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Got a spare €4.5M? One-off Rolls-Royce Hyperion by Pininfarina up for sale ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/06/got-a-spare-4-5m-one-off-rolls-royce-hyperion-by-pininfarina-u/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/06/got-a-spare-4-5m-one-off-rolls-royce-hyperion-by-pininfarina-u/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/06/got-a-spare-4-5m-one-off-rolls-royce-hyperion-by-pininfarina-u/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


2008 Rolls-Royce Hyperion by Pininfarina - Click above for a hi-res gallery

In an ideal world, who wouldn't want to have a distinguished coachbuilder like Pininfarina create their own unique Rolls-Royce cabrio? Unfortunately, an ideal world this is not, and most of us don't have those kinds of resources at our disposal. "Most of us" apparently now includes the customer that commissioned the one-off Rolls-Royce Hyperion in the first place.

The custom Roller was commissioned by an unnamed client, and was unveiled at last year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Less than a year later, the Hyperion is now up for sale for a cool €4.5 million (about $6 million in American funds). The one-off creation is based on the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe - already one of the most exclusive set of wheels on the road - and was treated to unique Pininfarina bodywork, doing away with the rear seats and moving the windshield back by 400 mm (15 inches) in the process. The staggering purchase price includes the custom dash-docking wristwatch created by Girard-Perregaux to accompany the unique vehicle, in case you've got the cash and needed extra motivation. Follow the link for more information on the sale, and check out the images in the galleries below for more hi-res photos. Thanks to Ecnelis and Colin for the tippage!

UPDATE: We've just spoken with Fredrik Karlberg, the Operations Manager for JamesList, who wanted to clarify the listing for the Hyperion concept that appeared on JamesList. According to Karlberg, the lister is not selling the actual show car that made its debut in Pebble Beach last year. Instead, it's a series of body panels that will adapt a R-R DropHead coupe to look like the sinewy concept.

Gallery: Pininfarina Rolls-Royce Hyperion


Gallery: Pininfarina Hyperion Live Unveiling


[Source: JamesList]

Got a spare €4.5M? One-off Rolls-Royce Hyperion by Pininfarina up for sale originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hyperionjames listJamesListpebble beachPebbleBeachpininfarinapininfarina hyperionPininfarinaHyperionrolls-roycerolls-royce dhcrolls-royce drophead couperolls-royce hyperionrolls-royce hyperion pininfarinarolls-royce pininfarinaRolls-royceDhcRolls-royceDropheadCoupeRolls-royceHyperionRolls-royceHyperionPininfarinaRolls-roycePininfarinaMon, 06 Apr 2009 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Beat some ugly Italian designs with an ugly stick]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/beat-some-ugly-italian-designs-with-an-ugly-stick/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/beat-some-ugly-italian-designs-with-an-ugly-stick/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/beat-some-ugly-italian-designs-with-an-ugly-stick/#commentsFiled under: ,



Got some time to burn? Of course you do! iMotor Mag has created a game to punish the wayward children of esteemed Italian design houses. Where designers such as Pininfarina and Bertone have penned gems like the Ferrari F599 and the Lamborghini Miura, they have also thrust the Peugeot 1007 and Skoda Favorit on unwary car shoppers (hey, even designers have to eat...).

iMotor (the same blokes who gave us the Bail Out Chrysler game) gives you the chance to beat them, and a couple of Bertone designs to boot. You may not agree with all of them (Subaru SVX?) but the better you wield the ugly stick, the more unfortunate designs you get to eradicate from the (virtual) world. However, as with many ugly-yet-enduring designs, the cars put up a good fight, so good luck getting to Level Two.

[Source: iMotor Mag]

Beat some ugly Italian designs with an ugly stick originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bertoneCitroenDaewoodesignersgameguigiaroHyundaiimotorPeugeotpininfarinasubaru SVXSubaruSvxuglyFri, 27 Mar 2009 14:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Pininfarina to cease contract manufacturing, transfer ownership to banks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/pininfarina-to-cease-contract-manufacturing-transfer-ownership/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/pininfarina-to-cease-contract-manufacturing-transfer-ownership/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/pininfarina-to-cease-contract-manufacturing-transfer-ownership/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to view the Pininfarina Sintesi in our high-resolution image gallery

It's been a rough few years for Italy's coachbuilders, and times aren't getting any easier. Bertone almost went under before a rescue plan was approved by the courts at the eleventh hour, and now Pininfarina is poised to follow them down the same path. Drowning in nearly €600 million in debt, Pininfarina is set to shut down its contract manufacturing operations and concentrate on its own electric vehicle initiative while the family loses control of its company to the banks.

Although contract manufacturing once constituted the lion's share of business for outfits like Pininfarina, those times are long gone. Pininfarina still makes the Focus Coupe-Cabriolet for Ford and the Brera and Spider for Alfa Romeo, but at levels hovering around a quarter of anticipated output. Instead, the design house will refocus on its joint production of the Bzero electric vehicle with Bollore, targeted to hit the market in 2010-11. Meanwhile, the grandchildren of Battista "Pinin" Farina - recently lead by Andrea Pininfarina (until his death in a tragic accident in August) and now led by his brother Paolo - will transfer 50.4 percent ownership to its creditors in exchange for a €180 million reduction of its debt, to be followed by a further reduction of €70 million in exchange for rights to the name. The family, meanwhile, will retain only 4.5 percent stake in the namesake company, with the remaining shares publicly traded (including some held by Enzo's son Piero Ferrari and some by Tata). The banks, however, will seek no management changes or board seats in exchange for the controlling interest.

Gallery: Pininfarina B0


[Source: Automotive News Europe - Sub. Req.]

Pininfarina to cease contract manufacturing, transfer ownership to banks originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bertonebzerocoachbuildingcontract buildingContractBuildingdesign houseDesignHousepinin farinapininfarinapininfarina bankruptcyPininfarinaBankruptcyFri, 02 Jan 2009 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Bertone hires former Pininfarina designer Jason Castriota]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/04/bertone-hires-former-pininfarina-designer-jason-castriota/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/04/bertone-hires-former-pininfarina-designer-jason-castriota/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/04/bertone-hires-former-pininfarina-designer-jason-castriota/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's no news that business has been tough for Italy's most vaunted design studios and coachbuilders. But that hasn't stopped Bertone from hiring Jason Castriota as its new design director. Castriota has spent the past several years at arch-rival Pininfarina, where he worked on such projects as the Maserati Birdcage concept and GranTurismo, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, custom P4/5 and the Rolls-Royce Hyperion one-off, before leaving with the aim of starting his own studio. But as the Italian-American stylist says himself, Bertone "made me an offer I couldn't refuse".

Castriota, 34, will head a young design team at the resurgent Bertone, starting immediately. He'll have his work cut out for him bringing the stoic design house back to its feet following its brush with bankruptcy, and we'll be looking forward to seeing what he has in store for us.

[Source: CarDesignNews]

Bertone hires former Pininfarina designer Jason Castriota originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bertonecastriotacastriota bertonecastriota pininfarinaCastriotaBertoneCastriotaPininfarinajason castriotaJasonCastriotapininfarinastile bertoneStileBertoneThu, 04 Dec 2008 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Inaugural Enderle Concours features Pininfarina designer, classics]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/31/inaugural-enderle-concours-features-pininfarina-designer-classi/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/31/inaugural-enderle-concours-features-pininfarina-designer-classi/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/31/inaugural-enderle-concours-features-pininfarina-designer-classi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery courtesy our friends at Speed and Motion

Long known amongst car people around southern California for its fine dining, upscale boutiques and most importantly its twice-monthly collector car breakfast cruises, the Enderle Center in Tustin, California decided to do something a little different to celebrate its 30th Anniversary: host a Classic European Concours. For this inaugural event they even flew in Pininfarina designer Maurizio Corbi who answered questions and sketched dream cars for the crowd. When someone groaned after hearing Corbi was partly responsible for the new Ferrari California's form, he quickly pointed out he did the front, which brought relieved laughter. Local collector Dick Marconi brought several cars from his nearby Marconi Automotive Museum, which supports the Marconi Foundation for Kids. Several of Dick's artworks were also displayed in the center's Chemers Gallery, but the cars were really all the art we needed to see.

Classics from the '30s, '40s, '50s, and '60s, along with sportscars from the '70s, '80s, and '90s were arranged by country of origin and parked through the central parking lot alongside a pedestrian-friendly red carpet. Ferraris were featured and there was an incredible assortment on hand, everything from Cher's Daytona Spyder to an extremely rare 195S, one of two in existence. The F50 wasn't too bad either. Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and even Pegaso were also well-represented. It was a great first effort and a fun show, small and manageable with some breathtaking classics, all with great stories behind them.

When our camera started acting up we spotted our pals from Speed and Motion, who graciously agreed to let us use their images for our gallery. Click and enjoy, and be sure to check out the Speed and Motion site for a greater selection of photos and videos from this show, as well as dozens of HD clips from other local events.

Gallery: Inaugural Enderle Concours

FerrarisPorschesJaguarsDaytona ordered for CherPininfarina designer Maurizio Corbi

Photos copyright (C)2008 Speed and Motion

Inaugural Enderle Concours features Pininfarina designer, classics originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery of the Pininfarina B0

Pininfarina is the Italian design studio perhaps best known for penning almost every production Ferrari over the last half century. The firm, however, does much more than just design exotic sports cars. It has created bodies for more mainstream cars like Peugeots, Alfa Romeos and even Daewoos. The company's latest creation is a compact four-seat hatchback propelled by electrons. Pininfarina has formed a joint venture with French battery maker Bolloré to build this electric car.

The B0 uses a hybrid energy storage solution consisting of a 30 kWh lithium-polymer battery and a bank of super-capacitors. While the capacitors have very limited storage capacity, they can absorb and release energy much faster than a battery. That way more regenerative braking can be used and a bigger performance boost is available. Pininfarina hopes to start limited production late in 2009, ramping up volumes as batteries become more available and presumably affordable. The battery pack itself is claimed to have a lifespan of 125,000 miles. A single charge is expected to deliver 153 miles of driving with a maximum speed of 80 mph. Helping to extend the range a bit are solar cells in the roof and on the nose in the area that looks like a grille.

Gallery: Pininfarina B0


[Source: Pininfarina]

Paris 2008: Pininfarina goes from Ferrari to batteries with B0 Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for hi-res gallery of the Pininfarina Sintesi

Italian carrozzeria Pininfarina and French battery manufacturer Bollore have been hard at work developing a new plug-in electric car to bring to market, and reports now indicate that their joint venture will be unveiled next week at the Paris motor show.

Rather than designing the vehicle - which could borrow some themes from the Sintesi concept unveiled this past March at the Geneva Motor Show - for an established automaker, as Pininfarina has done for decades, the new electric car will be sold under their own name. The source of power in the new green creation will be a bank of lithium metal polymer batteries, and is the result of a 150 million euro joint venture between the two firms. It is expected to become available in Europe, Japan and even here in the good old US of A by late 2010, starting with an initial run of 2000 vehicles. In 2011, that number is targeted to increase to 8000 units, 11,000 in 2012 and 15,000 in subsequent years. Those are some ambitious but reasonably staggered targets for the upstart initiative, and we'll be on hand next week to bring you the latest from its unveiling.

[Source: Automotive News Europe - subs. req'd]

Pininfarina and Bollore to unveil electric car to Paris originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If someone has enough cash on hand to commission an entirely rebodied Rolls-Royce from one of Italy's most famous coachbuilders, you can bet he's not going to be wearing an off-the-rack watch, either. That's why Girard-Perregaux crafted the special timepiece you see here.

As we reported with the initial news of the Pininfarina Hyperion, this one-of-a-kind tourbillon is specially designed to be removed from its ivory leather wristband and mounted into the dashboard of the unique Rolls-Royce. Its meticulously-hand-crafted 30-jewel movement has 72 components but weighs less than a third of a gram, encased in 18-karat white gold with a face colored the same light blue as the Hyperion it was made to accompany. Like the one-off Hyperion is based on the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe, the watch is based on the Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Tourbillon. But again, like the car, there was only one built.

Gallery: Pininfarina Rolls-Royce Hyperion


[Source: Girard-Perregaux via TimeZone]

Pininfarina Hyperion dash-mounted watch from Girard-Perregaux originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Pininfarina RR Hyperion

Spend enough time roaming the streets of Rome and you're likely to encounter a fair share of people who fancy themselves more Catholic than the Pope. No wonder, then, that the Italians have now tried to out-Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce, presenting a one-off drop-top Drophead that endeavors to embody an even greater presence than the Phantom cabrio itself.

The Pininfarina Hyperion was unveiled just this past weekend at Pebble Beach, and our man Drew was on hand to bring you the best shots of the one-off coachbuilt special from the show stand as it was unveiled and from the fairway where it was displayed in all its glory. But just in case you didn't get enough, Pininfarina has released ten more high-res shots of its one-off Roller for your viewing pleasure. Click on the top gallery to view the new factory shots, and on the two galleries after the jump to see the Hyperion in Monterey.

Gallery: Pininfarina Rolls-Royce Hyperion


[Source: Pininfarina]

Continue reading Pics Aplenty: Pininfarina Rolls-Royce Hyperion

Pics Aplenty: Pininfarina Rolls-Royce Hyperion originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Update: Additional live shots of the Hyperion added from the Concept Lawn at Pebble


Click above for high-res gallery of the Pininfarina Hyperion

The one-off Pininfarina Hyperion made its debut tonight at the Gooding & Company auction tent, and we were on hand to see the cover come off this highly anticipated coach-built convertible. Their was a somewhat somber mood among the Pininfarina team, who dedicated the car to the car to the late Andrea Pininfarina, but their spirits were lifted as the Hyperion received an excellent reaction from the crowd as it was unveiled. The car looks truly stunning in person, and we prefer the styling of the Hyperion over the standard Drophead Coupe. The hood is incredibly long, due in part to the extra 400mm created by moving the windscreen back, and we especially loved the unique headlights. We will have additional photos for you on Sunday when the car is displayed during the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Until then, enjoy the gallery below of the unveiling.

Gallery: Pininfarina Hyperion Live Unveiling

Gallery: Pininfarina Hyperion live shots

Photos Copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

Monterey 2008: Pininfarina Hyperion unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HyperionMontereyMonterey 2008Monterey2008Pebble BeachPebbleBeachPininfarinaPininfarina HyperionPininfarinaHyperionRolls-RoyceSat, 16 Aug 2008 00:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Paolo Pininfarina announced to succeed his late brother]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/12/paolo-pininfarina-announced-to-succeed-his-late-brother/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/12/paolo-pininfarina-announced-to-succeed-his-late-brother/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/12/paolo-pininfarina-announced-to-succeed-his-late-brother/#commentsFiled under: ,



These are precarious times for European design studios and coachbuilders, with some of the biggest names in the business facing potential closure. Not even Pininfarina is immune, and the storied Italian studio cannot afford to miss a beat. That's why, only days since the tragic death of its CEO Andrea Pininfarina, the company has already announced his successor.

Rather than hiring from outside, control of the carrozzeria will pass to Paolo Pininfarina, brother of the late Andrea, son of Sergio and grandson of founder Batista "Pinin" Farina. He is shown here attending the funeral for his brother that took place just yesterday. As we reported earlier today, the company is scheduled to unveil its first new vehicle since the tragedy next week at Pebble Beach: the Rolls-Royce Hyperion .

[Source: Automotive News Europe - subs. req'd, Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty]

Paolo Pininfarina announced to succeed his late brother originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click to view more of the Pininfarina Hyperion

As we count down to this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, one of the most highly anticipated concept cars scheduled to make its debut there has popped up a bit early. Based on the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe, the Pininfarina Hyperion has been commissioned by one lucky and presumably very wealthy customer. The unique creation does away with the rear seats and moves the front ones, along with the swept windscreen, back by 400 mm. If you can believe it, a gun rack has been fitted in front of the cabin (yeah, we're serious), while famed watchmaker Girard Perregaux has crafted a special tourbillon timepiece for the Hyperion that can be removed from its wrist-strap and mounted in the dashboard. Meanwhile, word has it that Rolls-Royce could be collaborating with Zagato or Bertone on another special model as well.

This, of course, is the first new vehicle from the Italian design firm to be unveiled since the untimely death of Andrea Pininfarina. Stay tuned for live shots of the Hyperion after its unveiling in five days. In the meantime, click on the thumbnails below to view new images of the concept, along with the original teaser sketch.

Gallery: Pininfarina Rolls-Royce Hyperion


[Source: Pebble Beach via Virtual Car]

Pebble Beach '08 Preview: Rolls-Royce Hyperion by Pininfarina originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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