Tag Archives: Ferrari

NEW CARS

Great Wall Motor Teases V8 Hybrid Supercar to Rival Ferrari and McLaren

In a move that will send shockwaves through the global performance car scene, Chinese automotive giant Great Wall Motor (GWM) has teased what appears to be its first true supercar—a bold new halo model aimed squarely at Ferrari and McLaren.

The news broke via Chinese social media platform Weibo, where GWM chairman Wei Jianjun marked the company’s 35th anniversary with a striking image: company executives gathered around the silhouette of a low-slung, mid-engined machine draped in cloth. Though no details were revealed in the post, the shape beneath the sheet left little doubt—a full-blooded supercar is on the way.

This development follows earlier confirmation from GWM’s chief technology officer, Wu Huixiao, that the company has been secretly developing a high-performance flagship for over five years. According to Wu, the car is built around a carbonfibre monocoque chassis, and in no uncertain terms, he claimed it “will be better” than its European counterparts.

If that sounds ambitious coming from the maker of budget-friendly models like the Ora 03 and Haval Jolion Pro, consider this: GWM is China’s largest privately owned carmaker, delivering over 1.2 million vehicles globally in 2024. And it’s not just quantity. In recent years, GWM has aggressively expanded its brand portfolio, including premium SUV marque Wey, rugged off-roaders from Tank, and the soon-to-arrive Poer pickup range.

The new supercar is tipped to debut under a newly minted high-end sub-brand called Confidence Auto, set to rival BYD’s Yangwang, which itself has gained notoriety with the U9—an all-electric hypercar producing 1,250bhp and capable of leaping off the ground and conquering the Nürburgring in a blistering 7 minutes 18 seconds.

Though GWM hasn’t officially disclosed performance figures or a name for its supercar, there are mounting rumors that it will feature the company’s newly unveiled 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, first shown at the 2024 Shanghai Auto Show. While specs remain under wraps, industry sources suggest outputs could exceed 600 hp and 590 lb-ft from the engine alone.

More intriguingly, this V8 (or possibly the brand’s existing V6) will be paired with electric motors in a plug-in hybrid layout—putting it in the same high-performance hybrid league as the McLaren Artura, Ferrari 296 GTB, and Lamborghini’s new Temerario. That means total power output could comfortably eclipse the 800bhp mark, setting up the GWM machine as a serious player in the global supercar race.

With no confirmed name or reveal date, all eyes now turn to the Guangzhou Auto Show in late November, one of China’s biggest automotive events and a likely stage for the car’s grand debut.

If successful, Great Wall Motor’s first foray into the supercar world won’t just be a bold flex of engineering muscle—it could mark a pivotal moment in China’s transition from volume producer to purveyor of genuinely world-class performance cars.

Source: Autocar

News

Ultra-Rare Ferrari F40 LM GTC Heads to Auction

Few names in the automotive world evoke passion quite like Ferrari. While many models from Maranello have earned legendary status, only a select few ascend into myth. The Ferrari F40 is one of them—often regarded by enthusiasts as the pinnacle of the brand’s performance legacy. But beyond the celebrated road car lies something even more extraordinary: the F40 LM.

Now, one of these ultra-rare F40 LM GTCs is set to change hands at the prestigious RM Sotheby’s auction during Monterey Car Week this August, and collectors are already lining up for a chance to own a piece of racing history.

The Unicorn Among Legends

Developed by Michelotto Automobili for the crucible of motorsport, the F40 LM (short for Le Mans) was Ferrari’s answer to both the American IMSA series and Europe’s FIA GT championship. Just 19 were ever built, each a bespoke evolution of the F40 platform, stripped, tuned, and sharpened for track domination.

The example going under the hammer is chassis number 95448—the 14th car of the limited 19—and one of the rarest of them all thanks to its even more exclusive GTC specification. This variant boasts the highest power output of any F40, pushing a ferocious 770 horsepower from its 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. With a featherweight curb weight of just 1,050 kilograms, it’s a full 317 kilograms lighter than the standard road-going F40, delivering a visceral experience that few machines—road or race—can match.

A Storied Provenance

Originally delivered new to Walter Hagmann of St. Moritz, Switzerland, a noted Ferrari collector, chassis 95448 has seen a fascinating journey. After changing hands a few times—including a return to Hagmann’s ownership—it eventually found its way to private owners across Italy, France, Spain, the Czech Republic, and later the United States, Germany, and Austria. Along the way, it participated in various historic racing events, living up to its motorsport pedigree.

In 2014, the car was sent back to Michelotto for a mechanical refresh, receiving engine and gearbox servicing along with a full respray in its iconic Rosso Corsa red. Ahead of the auction, it has undergone further preparation to ensure it’s in optimal condition, including new belts, spark plugs, fuel filters, and a fresh set of Michelin Pilot Sport GT Slick S7M tires.

A Million-Dollar Myth

Expected to fetch between $8.5 million and $9.5 million, this F40 LM GTC is more than just a collector’s trophy—it’s a symbol of Ferrari’s unrelenting pursuit of performance and motorsport glory. For the few who can afford it, owning this machine is akin to holding a piece of Ferrari’s soul.

The auction is scheduled for August 16th, where the spotlight will shine brightly on Monterey—and on one of the most formidable Ferraris ever built.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

Auctions

2008 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is up for auction

Ferrari’s legacy of building front-engine V12 grand tourers reached new heights in the late 2000s with the introduction of the 599 GTB Fiorano, a machine that fused raw performance with long-distance comfort. Now, an exceptional 2008 example has surfaced for sale with no reserve, offering collectors a chance to own one of Maranello’s finest modern-era GTs in a striking configuration and with remarkably low mileage.

Originally delivered to the Canadian market, this Rosso Corsa 599 GTB shows just 12,000 miles and boasts a registration history in Alberta and British Columbia. It now resides in the U.S. with a clean Washington title and Carfax, adding further appeal for North American enthusiasts.

Sculpted by Pininfarina, Engineered by Passion

The 599 GTB was penned under the direction of Jason Castriota at Pininfarina, showcasing a design that cleverly blended muscular aggression with aerodynamic elegance. Key styling elements include the flying buttress C-pillars, Scuderia Ferrari fender shields, and quad exhaust tips, all accentuating the car’s wide stance and GT intent.

This example wears paint protection film on the front end, preserving the vibrant Rosso Corsa finish, while bi-xenon headlights and 20-inch Challenge wheels complete the aggressive visual package. The wheels are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires fitted in June 2025, along with new TPMS sensors and a brake fluid flush, ensuring the car is ready to perform as its creators intended.

Daytona Luxury Meets Carbon-Fiber Precision

Inside, Ferrari’s signature mix of performance and opulence is on full display. Carbon-fiber Daytona-style seats are finished in brown leather with red accents, echoing the exterior’s boldness. The cabin also features carbon-fiber trim, drilled aluminum pedals, and a power-adjustable steering column. In true grand tourer fashion, the 599 includes dual-zone automatic climate control, a CD stereo with remote changer, and a recently serviced A/C system, with the compressor, receiver, and drier replaced in June 2025.

Instrumentation is both analog and digital, with a 10k-rpm tachometer, digital driver display, and a newly installed 220-mph speedometer—a nod to this model’s cross-border journey and its prodigious performance credentials.

V12 Heart, F1 Soul

At the core of the 599 GTB lies the legendary 6.0-liter F140 V12, derived from the Enzo and tuned to produce 611 horsepower and 448 lb-ft of torque. This powerhouse sends its output to the rear wheels through a six-speed F1 SuperFast automated transaxle, allowing lightning-fast gear changes via steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The selling dealer notes the car is equipped with an FVD Brombacher exhaust, lending a sharper, more aggressive tone to the already symphonic V12 soundtrack. Recent servicing includes an oil change in June 2025, with documentation and inspection reports available in the listing.

This 2008 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is a stunning representation of the brand’s V12 GT heritage—an aluminum-bodied, naturally aspirated masterpiece from an era increasingly revered by collectors. With just 12k miles, tasteful factory options, and recent servicing, this Canadian-market example is ready for its next chapter.

Now offered at no reserve, this 599 Fiorano is more than just a collectible—it’s an opportunity to own one of Ferrari’s most compelling and charismatic road cars of the 21st century.

Source: Bring a Trailer

Gallery:

2008 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is up for auction