THE latest supercar from Ferrari has been unveiled to the UK public in a typically subdued fashion.

The mid-engine V8 488 GTB managed to steal the limelight from a host of celebrities at the launch, held at a red-themed Old Sorting Office, Holborn.

Guests at the event included Donna Air, Mary Charteris and Jade Parfitt, as well as stars of Made in Chelsea, singer-songwriter John Newman and many others.

Guests were seated in a track style grandstand and were treated to a performance that included 3D laser mapping and exclusive video footage of the highly anticipated new model. This was followed by a unique performance by percussionists; staged in a custom built scaffold, the artists utilised oil drums as instruments amidst an innovative and dramatic laser-light display.  

Once this was complete, it was time for the main event of the evening and once again, no one could compete with the four-wheeled superstar.

Francesco Balli, Regional Manager, Ferrari North Europe, said: “It has been a fantastic opportunity to share this evening with so many passionate Ferrari clients at one of London’s coolest venues, with the new 488 GTB which promises to deliver new levels of excitement and driving involvement.”

The launch comes 40 years on from the unveiling of Ferrari’s first ever mid-rear-engine V8 model, the 308 GTB, and to accompany the launch, Ferrari held a parade of some of its finest V8 products down the years.

The latest to hold the standard, the 488 GTB is said to offer track-level performance that can be enjoyed by even the most sedate of drivers. Its response times, nimbleness and on-the-limit driving are said to all but guarantee a unique sense of exhilaration and driving pleasure.

The new model exploits to the full the know-how gleaned by Ferrari technicians over the last decade through the XX programme, which makes extreme track-only cars available to gentleman test-drivers.

Ferrari says: “The data yielded has made a significant contribution to the refinement of the electronic and vehicle control systems so that drivers can make the most of the incredible performance of this new car.”

The Ferrari 488 GTB’s new 3902cc V8 turbo is said to be at the top of its class for power output, torque and response times, making it the new benchmark for this kind of architecture. The engine unleashes 670 bhp at 8,000 rpm along with 760 Nm of maximum torque in seventh gear and a response time to the accelerator of just 0.8 seconds at 2,000 rpm. Ferrari says these figures are sufficient to allow the car to accelerate from 0-200 km/h in an astonishing 8.3 seconds and, when combined with the radical innovations introduced on all aspects of the car’s performance, lap the Fiorano track in just 1 min 23secs.

Jaguar buffs set for vintage racing treat

VINTAGE Jaguar buffs are set to be treated to the inaugural race of the Jaguar Heritage Challenge 2015, which takes place this bank holiday weekend at the Donington Historic Festival.

The first race of the Jaguar Heritage Challenge – run with the Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC) – will feature a full field of 34 Jaguars including a 1957 MK I saloon driven by 1988 Le Mans winner, Andy Wallace.

The series is open to all Jaguars manufactured before 1966 including the XK-series, C- and D-types, MK I and MK II saloons and E-type. It complements the growing portfolio of Jaguar Heritage activities, which also includes the recently launched Jaguar Heritage Driving Experiences and factory sourced Heritage Parts and restoration – all under the expert direction of Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Operations division.

John Edwards, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations said: “We are extremely excited to welcome the drivers and fans of classic Jaguars to the very first race of the Heritage Challenge.

“Jaguar already has a long established tradition in appearing at the world’s foremost classic car celebrations including the Mille Miglia and Goodwood Revival and the Heritage Challenge is another exciting way in which the brand is celebrating its rich racing legacy.”

Graham White, CEO of the HSCC, said: “There is a tremendous affinity amongst the British public for classic Jaguars and the Jaguar Heritage Challenge is a fantastic addition to our 2015 racing calendar.”

The single-marque series will feature at five of the leading historic festivals both in the UK and at the Nurburgring in Germany over the summer and the competitive series will see drivers competing in five different classes.

The top three most consistent drivers over the course of the season will be presented with a Bremont watch and Globetrotter luggage.

The dates for the Jaguar Heritage Race Series are:

May 2–4: Donington Historic Festival
May 16–17: Silverstone International (GP Circuit)
July 11– 12: Brands Hatch Super Prix (GP Circuit)
August 7– 9: Nürburgring Oldtimer Grand Prix
August 29– 31: Oulton Park Gold Cup

Vehicle thefts fall drastically as cars become harder to steal

THE number of vehicles stolen in England and Wales has fallen by 70% in the past decade, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
 
Latest figures show 69,547 vehicles were stolen last year, compared to 231,323 in 2004. Vehicle theft fell by 1.2%, or 842 incidents, compared with 2013 and the crime is now at its lowest point since 1968. With more than 36 million vehicles on the road, the latest figures show that just 0.2% of all vehicles were stolen in 2014.

The continued reduction in vehicle theft follows major efforts by the main manufacturers to make their vehicles ever more secure. The industry invests billions of pounds each year to ensure it remains at the cutting edge of technology and stays ahead of criminals.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said the introduction of advanced security systems as standard equipment was also helping to make vehicles harder to steal.

To reduce theft rates further, the automotive industry is now urging authorities to collect more detailed data about how vehicles are being stolen. The SMMT said there was currently little nationwide understanding of trends in types of vehicle theft because only a small number of police forces collected and analysed this data. It said this could lead to skewed public perceptions about the regularity of certain types of vehicle theft across the country.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Thanks to significant investments by car manufacturers in the latest security systems, vehicle thefts across England and Wales are at the lowest levels for decades. We are, however, calling for better tracking of how different vehicles are stolen so that we have an accurate understanding of how criminals are operating and can develop future technology to eradicate vehicle crime.”