Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Ferrari, Specialty, Racing

According to the timing sheets for the Nürburgring 24-Hour race, the now-hybridized P4/5 Competizione set a lap time of 6:51 during qualifying. That would make it faster than the "Production-Derived Sports Car" record of 6:58.16 set by the Ferrari 599XX in 2010, and the fastest Ferrari-powered vehicle to ever run the 'Ring.

In case you don't remember, the 700-horsepower 599XX was also a purpose-built, track-only racer driven by a test driver. On the other hand, we don't have specs on the P4/5 Competizione to compare, but that doesn't make the achievement itself any less impressive. The only car ahead of the P4/5 Competizione in the not-street-legal category is the Pagani Zonda R, which rocked a 6:47.50. Glickenhaus himself told Jalopnik he thought the feat was "pretty cool" and that Ferrari was welcome to challenge it.

James Glickenhaus claims fastest lap by a Ferrari ever on the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 May 2012 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Classics, Ferrari, Racing

Surely the most important of the classic Ferraris is the 250 series. Over its decade of production, the 250 series gave us some of the most recognizable models of the marque's history, including the GTO, the Testa Rossa, the Lusso and the original California Spyder.

This year Ferrari is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the series that was built around Giachino Colombo's enduring 3.0-liter V12. To mark the occasion, the Ferrari Museum in Maranello is displaying two unique and important 250s from its historical archives. One is the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta that Stirling Moss drove to victory at four races in 1961. The second is the so-called Breadvan, which was commissioned by Count Volpi di Musurata and developed by Piero Drogo and Giotto Bizzarrini. It was one of the original shooting brakes and provided the inspiration for the new FF.

The two are already on display in the museum for any visitor to see, but if your travel plans aren't sending you to Maranello anytime soon, you can still check them out in the photo gallery above and the press release below.

Continue reading Ferrari marks 60th anniversary of 250 GT

Ferrari marks 60th anniversary of 250 GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 May 2012 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, SUV, Audi, Luxury

Can't wait for Bentley to start producing the EXP 9 F? Sold on the idea but not on the execution? Armortech may be able to help you out.

They've teamed up with Atelier Valdeig to turn the Audi Q7 into something of a Bentley SUV, only without the Bentley badge. Called the Tresor (from the French word for "treasure"), the custom Q7 igets fully restyled, and boasts an interior that has been (or will be, from the look of the cabin renderings) retrofitted to Bentley-like levels of opulence.

The customizers can base their modifications on any version of the Q7, all the way up to the 493-horsepower V12 turbodiesel, and can even stretch the wheelbase or armor it - a particularly sought-after feature in markets where security is a luxury. The full press release is posted below, and you can check out the renderings in the photo gallery for a closer look.

Continue reading Armortech and Atelier Valdeig outfit the Audi Q7 to Bentley standards

Armortech and Atelier Valdeig outfit the Audi Q7 to Bentley standards originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 May 2012 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Videos, Toys/Games

The curtain is rolling back on Cars Land, which opens at Disney's California Adventure next month. Mater himself makes appearances in a network commercial and the new microsite, and on the latter he'll be happy to take you on a tour of some of the attractions at the live-action Radiator Springs, including a Racer's test drive and Luigi's Flying Tires.

You can watch the commercial below and click here to check out the microsite.

Continue reading Disney launches Cars Land microsite ahead of June 15 opening [w/video]

Disney launches Cars Land microsite ahead of June 15 opening [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 May 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Classics

Last year, the Monterey Motorsports Reunion announced that the Shelby Cobra would be the featured marque for 2012 in honor of the company's 50th anniversary. It's shaping up to be quite the celebration. Earlier this month it was announced that no fewer than 45 competition Cobras will be racing on the track come August, with owners from across the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Canada in attendance. In fact, demand to participate was so high that several entrants actually had to be turned away.

Shelby Cobras won't just be on the track, though. The event expects at least 200 Cobras, real and replica, to gather in the infield car corral. Shelby and Ford Motor Company will also bring a collection of historic Cobras to display in the paddock. In other words, if you're a Shelby Cobra fan then start making plans to attend right away.

You can read the official announcement from the Monterey Motorsports Reunion below.

Continue reading Record number of Shelby Cobras to take part in Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Record number of Shelby Cobras to take part in Monterey Motorsports Reunion originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 May 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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