Luxury Auto Toys

Posts Tagged ‘Lux’

After five years in production, Ferrari are preparing to retire their F430 line, replacing it with their all-new mid-engined model – the 458 Italia. Set to be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September, the latest model to roll out of Maranello packs the same high performance into a fresh, head-turning design.

The two-seater berlinetta has benefitted from the expertise of the best and the brightest in the industry, with its Pininfarina-designed aerodynamic aluminum chassis, the latest technological innovations from the Formula One track, and input from race legend Michael Schumacher himself.

With its 4.5-liter V8 pushing out 570 bhp, the 458 Italia sprints to 60 mph (100 km/h) in under 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 202 mph (325 km/h), making it the first Ferrari V8 to break the 200 mph speed barrier. Other improvements over its predecessor include a more direct steering ratio, more advanced traction control and ABS, and reduced emissions and fuel consumption.

The economic downturn has not spared luxury car marques from the inevitability of announcing cuts to their workforce, but at least, one luxury marque is bucking the trend.

With the recent introduction of its latest model, the Rolls-Royce Ghost, the company plans to double its manufacturing workforce, mainly in the wood, leather and paint shops, and the Ghost’s own dedicated assembly line. This translates to almost 400 new jobs and bringing its Goodwood workforce to 900.

Production of the Ghost begins this autumn in an all-new expanded facility with deliveries expected in early 2010.