All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Ferrari Amalfi Sets New Standard for GT Driving Dynamics

Ferrari has lifted the veil on its latest creation, the Ferrari Amalfi, a stunning front-mid-engined V8 2+ coupé that steps in to succeed the elegant Roma. With a name inspired by one of Italy’s most breathtaking coastlines, the Amalfi is more than a replacement — it is a statement. A statement that redefines what modern GT motoring should be: powerful yet practical, sophisticated yet visceral.

A Design That Breathes Movement

At first glance, the Amalfi’s form captures the eye with a sleek, minimalist profile. Gone is the traditional grille, replaced by a floating body-coloured wing over a dark band that smartly integrates the lighting and sensors. This clean-sheet approach to design, executed under the direction of Ferrari Styling Centre chief Flavio Manzoni, gives the Amalfi a monolithic and sculptural appearance, with tight surfacing and sharp graphics that communicate motion, even at rest.

The rear showcases a wraparound character line, hidden taillights, and a pronounced diffuser — aerodynamically functional but visually elegant. The integrated active spoiler remains flush until needed, maintaining design purity. The launch colour, Verde Costiera, adds an oceanic depth, evoking the serene power of the Amalfi coastline.

A Cabin of Intimate Sophistication

Step inside and you’re welcomed into a dual-cockpit interior that expertly blends luxury and performance. Premium materials, contrasting stitching, carbon fibre inlays, and an anodized aluminum center tunnel offer tactile quality and visual dynamism. The layout centers around three digital displays, including a 15.6-inch driver cluster, 10.25-inch central touchscreen, and 8.8-inch passenger display, giving both occupants a full interactive experience.

Ergonomics are elevated with a new steering wheel that reintroduces physical buttons and the iconic red start button — a nod to Ferrari’s driver-first ethos. Optional comfort seats with massage and ventilation further prove that this Ferrari is meant to be lived in, not just admired.

Powertrain: A Masterclass in V8 Evolution

Under that long, sculpted bonnet lies a re-engineered version of Ferrari’s revered 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 (F154 family). With 640 cv (approx. 631 hp) and 760 Nm of torque, the Amalfi is capable of hitting 100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds, and 200 km/h in 9.0 seconds. The redline has been nudged to 7,600 rpm, and its specific output stands at a blistering 166 cv/l.

Turbo response is razor-sharp, thanks to independently controlled turbochargers and bespoke pressure sensors for each bank. The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission — first seen in the SF90 Stradale — is faster and smoother than ever, integrated seamlessly with new engine management software.

Ferrari’s engineers have also fine-tuned the soundtrack, overcoming stricter emissions regulations without losing that unmistakable V8 wail. A flat-plane crankshaft, equal-length exhaust headers, and a proportionally controlled bypass valve ensure an emotional connection from every rev.

Aerodynamics and Dynamics: Science in Motion

Aerodynamically, the Amalfi is as much about downforce as it is about elegance. Active aero plays a central role, with the rear spoiler offering three positions (LD, MD, HD) depending on driving conditions. The system generates up to 110 kg of downforce at 250 km/h, without significantly impacting drag.

Underneath, a flat floor, vortex generators, diffusers, and engine bay ducts manage air intelligently, ensuring cooling, stability, and efficiency. The result is a car that’s as happy carving up the coastline as it is stretching its legs on an autobahn.

The chassis systems are a tour de force: Ferrari’s Side Slip Control 6.1, a faster and more precise EPS-based grip estimation system, and a brake-by-wire system adapted from the 296 GTB. Braking, steering, and throttle inputs work in concert to provide confidence at all speeds, and a feeling of absolute control, whether you’re negotiating tight switchbacks or accelerating out of sweeping bends.

Technology for the Real World

Despite its track-ready DNA, the Amalfi doesn’t shy away from everyday practicality. It offers a 2+ layout with usable rear seats and expanded luggage options — making it one of the few super GTs that can comfortably handle a weekend getaway with the family.

The HMI suite supports Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto®, wireless phone charging, and even offers an optional Burmester® Premium Audio System with 14 speakers and 1,200 watts of power. In addition, a front lifter system, usable up to 35 km/h, helps the Amalfi handle city life with ease.

On the safety front, Ferrari’s most comprehensive ADAS suite is available, including lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, driver attention monitoring, and optional surround-view cameras — showing Ferrari is no longer ignoring digital-era expectations.

Tyres and Maintenance: Confidence, Always

Standard tyres are Bridgestone Potenza Sport or Pirelli P ZERO, carefully chosen to strike the right balance between performance, comfort, and visual proportion, wrapped around 20” wheels with a familiar profile borrowed from the Roma.

Ferrari’s 7-Year Genuine Maintenance Programme ensures the Amalfi stays in peak condition, giving owners access to factory-level care at official service centers — a strong statement of both quality and commitment.

Source: Ferrari

Gallery:

Ferrari Amalfi Sets New Standard for GT Driving Dynamics
News

Porsche 911 GT3 Lëtzebuerg Legacy

A blend of national pride, artistic expression, and Porsche engineering prowess has culminated in a singular automotive masterpiece: the Porsche Lëtzebuerg Legacy 911 GT3 with Touring Package. Commissioned to mark 75 years of Porsche Luxembourg, one of the brand’s earliest international importers, this bespoke vehicle was unveiled at an exclusive customer event on June 28.

Crafted through Porsche’s Sonderwunsch (special request) program and in collaboration with Luxembourg artist Jacques Schneider, the project honors the enduring relationship between the German marque and the Grand Duchy. The result is far more than a car—it’s a cultural statement on wheels.

The Art of Personalization

From its hand-painted Fire Red lion graphic overlaying Ice Gray Metallic bodywork to the meticulously embroidered Luxembourg national anthem on the headliner, nearly every element of this GT3 tells a story.

“This project pushed the boundaries of what we do,” said Alexander Fabig, Vice President Individualization and Classic at Porsche. “Our experts created never-before-seen design features that honor Luxembourg’s heritage while staying true to the understated elegance Porsche is known for.”

The lion motif, a proud emblem of Luxembourg, appears both on the car’s exterior—across the hood, doors, and even the fuel filler cap—and subtly throughout the cabin. Discreetly printed leather panels, aluminum seat backs with white “Vive” lettering, and illuminated ‘Porsche Lëtzebuerg’ door sills in Schneider’s own handwriting elevate the interior to the level of high art.

Under the Skin: A Pure GT3 Experience

The car is based on the 911 GT3 with Touring Package, a driver-focused variant that forgoes the fixed rear wing in favor of a more refined silhouette and a retractable rear spoiler with Gurney flap. Beneath its striking skin lies a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six, delivering 510 hp (375 kW) and 450 Nm of torque. True to GT3 form, the powertrain promises spine-tingling performance and razor-sharp responsiveness.

Despite the extensive customization, the model retains all of the GT3’s track-honed DNA—only now, it’s wrapped in an extraordinary artistic vision.

An Homage in Every Detail

More than 700 hours of work went into the vehicle’s exterior paint job alone, making it the most labor-intensive finish ever created under the Sonderwunsch banner. The red lion—a recurring symbol in Schneider’s artwork—was applied by hand in over 20 separate steps.

Other details speak directly to Luxembourgish identity. The words “Vive Vive Vive”, short for Vive Luxembourg, are laser-etched into the GT3’s 20- and 21-inch alloy wheels, subtly contrasting against the Graphite Gray surface. The same phrase appears in bold lettering on the car’s underbody—visible only on display, making it a hidden message of national pride.

The interior continues the tribute: Schneider’s own handwriting was digitized to embroider an excerpt from the national anthem, paired with the outline of the Grand Duchy itself. The headliner, finished in Racetex, represents the first time such personalization has been attempted in a Porsche production car.

Past, Present, and Future of Porsche in Luxembourg

Operated by the Losch Group, Porsche Luxembourg has been an official importer since 1950, with roots going back even further to 1948, when Martin Losch began building the automotive legacy. Over decades, the company has evolved into one of Luxembourg’s leading mobility providers, with 13 retail operations and a comprehensive approach to modern transportation.

“This car is more than a collector’s piece,” said Tom Weber, Brand Manager of Porsche Luxembourg. “It’s a symbol of trust, innovation, and shared values between Porsche and the people of Luxembourg. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve created together.”

An Icon Reimagined

As a product of both German engineering precision and Luxembourgish cultural richness, the Porsche Lëtzebuerg Legacy 911 GT3 exemplifies how tradition and innovation can coexist. It speaks to collectors, enthusiasts, and patriots alike—a truly one-of-a-kind creation that bridges performance and identity.

With this latest Sonderwunsch project, Porsche doesn’t just celebrate an anniversary—it redefines what it means to personalize an icon.

Source: Porsche

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Porsche Lëtzebuerg Legacy 911 GT3
Motorsport

Maserati MCXtrema Honors Racing Heritage at the 24 Hours of Spa

The Trident has returned in full force. Maserati, the iconic Italian marque with racing in its blood, made a commanding presence at the legendary CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, marking a symbolic moment in its countdown to a century of motorsport history. With deep ties to Spa-Francorchamps and a legacy built on passion, performance, and prestige, Maserati’s appearance this year was far more than ceremonial—it was a triumphant statement.

A Celebration of Legends Past

At the heart of the week’s festivities stood the MCXtrema, Maserati’s wild, track-only creation, wearing a bespoke livery that echoed the past while charging into the future. Serving as the official Leading Car for the 2025 edition of the race, the MCXtrema paid tribute to a golden moment: the 20th anniversary of the MC12’s unforgettable 2005 victory at Spa, achieved in unpredictable weather by the legendary Vitaphone Racing Team trio—Michael Bartels, Timo Scheider, and Eric van de Poele.

That win, followed by further triumphs in 2006 and 2008, cemented the MC12’s place in motorsport history and elevated Maserati to near-mythic status in GT racing. Today, the MCXtrema honors that heritage—not merely through its aggressive silhouette and raw power, but through a symbolic blue and black livery adorned with a bold Trident, the names of Maserati’s icons, and the circuits where the brand left its mark.

Leading the traditional parade of GT cars through the city of Spa, the MCXtrema, driven by none other than multiple world champion Andrea Bertolini, was more than just a showpiece—it was a roaring reminder of Maserati’s enduring presence and relevance in top-tier motorsport.

Back on Track in the GT2 Arena

While the MCXtrema ruled the streets, Maserati’s GT2 program returned to the grid for Round 3 of the GT2 European Series by Pirelli. The #7 DINAMIC Motorsport GT2, piloted by Roberto Pampanini and Mauro Calamia (Pro-Am class), and the #1 LP Racing GT2 with Philippe Prette (Am class), showcased the marque’s competitive ambitions in modern GT racing.

Their participation signifies more than just points on a leaderboard—it reflects Maserati’s strategic and spirited return to racing, with eyes set on victories that will carry the brand into its centennial year in 2026.

A Complete Support Role – Maserati Takes Over Spa

Beyond the grid, Maserati provided a full fleet of support vehicles for the 24-hour spectacle. From Safety Cars to Medical Cars, the Italian brand’s modern range was everywhere. The line-up featured the MCXtrema, the GT2 Stradale, and the MC20, along with two versions of the Grecale SUV—one packing the fire-breathing 530-hp Nettuno V6 in the Trofeo trim, the other showcasing Maserati’s all-electric future with the Grecale Folgore.

This collaboration with SRO Motorsports Group represents more than logistics—it’s a fusion of motorsport tradition and the technological evolution of one of Italy’s most storied manufacturers.

A Road to 100 Years of Racing Excellence

Speaking from the paddock, Maria Conti, Head of Maserati Corse, reflected on the brand’s dual mission. “Celebrating the MC12’s historic victory with the MCXtrema is not only about honoring the past,” she said. “It’s also about embracing our next chapter. With every lap, every car, and every celebration, we’re writing the story that leads to our 100th year in motorsport.”

That story began nearly a century ago in 1926, when the Maserati Tipo 26 claimed class victory at the Targa Florio with Alfieri Maserati at the wheel. Today, the Trident’s journey continues—electrified, globalized, and forever driven by passion.

A Future Anchored in Heritage

As the engines cooled and the champagne flowed at Spa, one truth stood clear: Maserati’s past may be glorious, but its future is electric—figuratively and literally. The brand’s modern range, from the GranTurismo Folgore to the GT2 Stradale, reflects a new vision rooted in old values: performance, elegance, and Italian soul.

As the 2026 centenary approaches, and with Spa once again echoing the sound of Maserati engines, the legend rolls on.

Source: Maserati

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Maserati MCXtrema Honors Racing Heritage at the 24 Hours of Spa