The first of its kind Ferrari theme park is getting geared up in Abu Dhabi for its opening in 2010. The roof of the theme park is claimed to be inspired by the classic double curve side profile of the Ferrari GT body but it could easily be mistaken for an Alien mother ship. It is painted in scarlet Ferrari red with the biggest Ferrari logo ever created with a dimension of 65m x 48.5m.

It is located at about 10minutes from the Abu Dhabi International Airport. With an enclosed area of 100,000 m2 it is the world’s largest indoor park. The theme park corners around the Abu Dhabi F1 GP race track, which can be over viewed from the park’s ultra exclusive gallery.

The attractions include 20 start-of-the-art rides. A roller coaster which plunges down from a height of 62 meters at a Ferrarish speed of 200mph, a G-force ride, driving school for junior drivers with expert training and racing simulators used by Ferrari’s F1 drivers plus hotels , gift shops and Pasta, it will make the Tifosi go more bonkers than a Ferrari F1 win!

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Abu Dhabi Ferrari Theme Park: Key Facts

General

• World’s first Ferrari theme park
• World’s largest indoor park
• Opening in 2010
• Owned by Aldar Properties PJSC
• Managed by Farah Leisure Parks Management L.L.C, a joint venture between Aldar Properties PJSC and ProFun Management Group Inc.
• Located on Yas Island on the North East side of Abu Dhabi’s mainland
• Yas Island is a 10-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport, 30 minutes from the city of Abu Dhabi, and 50 minutes from Dubai
• Adjacent to the Yas Marina Circuit, hosting the inaugural 2009 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Building

• Designed by globally renown architectural firm Benoy
• Building height is 45m (147.6 ft), with a roof edge circumference of 2,200 m (7217.8 ft)
• Enclosed space (area accessible to the general public) is 100,000 m2 (1,076,391 sq ft)
• Over 35,000 tonnes of steel have been used to reinforce the structure
• Landscaped area around the main building is 450,000 m2 (4,843,759 sq ft)

Roof

• Design inspired by the classic double curve side profile of the Ferrari GT body
• Made from metal and glass designed to reduce glare and heat
• Total surface area is 200,000 m2 (2,152,782 sq ft)
• The Ferrari logo is 65m x 48.5m, the largest Ferrari logo ever created
• Highest point is 48m, with a total of 6,900 meters of roof guttering

Rides

• Designed by one of the world’s most prominent design firms Jack Rouse Associates
• Over 20 state-of-the-art rides and attractions.
• Featured attractions include:
• The world’s fastest roller coaster emulating the feeling of being in an F1 car
• G-force experience taking passengers on an adrenaline-pumping ride up over 62m, through the roof and back down again
• State-of-the-art racing simulators using a similar system as those used by the Ferrari racing team
• Flume ride journey through the heart of a Ferrari 599 engine
• Driving and Racing school for junior drivers, with expert training
• Aerial voyage over Italy following a Ferrari

Food & Beverage

• A broad range of dining, quick service and beverage locations offering Italian inspired delicacies as well as a variety of international dishes.
• Highlights include:
• Two restaurants inspired by the real Maranello food experience
• A true Italian ambiance of a traditional delicatessen, including:
• Customized fresh pasta and pizza made-to-order
• An array of international dishes to satisfy all tastes

Shopping

• Visitors can expect a retail experience that celebrates Ferrari’s rich heritage in a way never seen before.
• Highlights include:
• 825 m2 store celebrating Ferrari’s rich history with vintage and contemporary racing memorabilia
• Souvenir photo opportunities for capturing the thrill of the moment
• “Interactive Corners” where children can customize their own park souvenirs
• 1300 m2 flagship store offering Ferrari and special Ferrari World Abu Dhabi items

click here for the BMW episode

National Geographic TV channel is broadcasting this show named “Ultimate Factories” which is a documentary that covers the inside working of various factories. But what interests us about this show is the automobile factories it features. The program has seen factories like Ferrari, BMW, Harley-Davidson, Corvette, Lamborghini and Caterpillar.

We here at Indian auto talk will provide live streaming links of the complete episodes which you might find interesting. This time around it’s two episodes one covers the Ferrari factory with the making of the 599 GTB Fiorano and the second one covers the BMW factory with the making of the Z4.

with this we are starting a new category on Indian Auto Talk called “Factory tour” under which we will be bring you the coverage of various car and bike factory videos. next time it will be the Lamborghine factory, stay tunned to watch how they fix the scissor door of the Lamborghini Murciélago.

Ferrari as we all know is an Iconic brand as far as any Industry is concerned. The Company dates back to the 1950s when Enzo Ferrari started making race cars which raced in Formula1. Enzo decided to make road cars just to fund his F1 team. Now that decision as turned
out into the most recognized car icon in the world.

Not in the distant past, the only Ferrari I knew were the F40, 50, Enzo, f430 and the Testarossa. I for one always wanted to gain knowledge of old Ferraris. Questions like what was the F430’s predecessor, who replaced the Testarossa kept popping into my head. So I decided to make up a list of the Ferrari’s road going cars right from the 250gts till the latest 458 Italia.

Currently Ferrari is classified into 3-series:
• The Ferrari F family which started with the 250GTO and reached till the F60 Enzo
• The Ferrari sports couple Family which started with the Dino and with its latest offering 458 Italia
• The Ferrari GT family which started with the 250 GT and has come till the 599 GTB Fiorano

I have attached a presentation with this post which consists of pictures of Ferrari cars in the sequence of their launch. After you go through this, you will be able to identify most of the Prancing horses.

With the spot lights on, the star shines more. See for yourself in the Image Gallery

It’s officially official now that Fisichella will be racing for Ferrari for the rest of the season starting with the Italian GP. Team Force India released Fisichella from it’s contract and now he is on his way to Maranello. It is will be quite interesting to watch what Fisichella will do with a Ferrari in his hand.

The saga was ended a few hours back, when Mallya announced “Giancarlo and his management team approached me yesterday with the proposal from Ferrari, for any Italian driver, a Ferrari race seat is a long-held dream and for Giancarlo it was no exception. No one should stand in the way of this”

Mr. Mallya added that “Furthermore the agreement will secure Giancarlo’s long-term future with Ferrari and it would be incorrect to jeopardize this, particularly when Giancarlo has made such a vital contribution to Force India.”

When Fisichella spoke about the transfer he said “I am very grateful to Vijay Mallya for allowing me this opportunity to drive for the Scuderia Ferrari,” he also added “It is true that it has always been an ambition to do this, and for Vijay [Mallya] to have allowed it to become a reality is very generous. I hope in my turn I have helped Force India grow up and be on the right path to achieve their own ambitions. They are now a very competitive team and I wish them all the very best.”

Ferrari will confirm Fisichella’s signing in an hour.

Ferrari might have resigned itself to the 2010 season, abandoning all development of the 2009 car. But as the season careens towards Monza, Ferrari’s home race, the focus again shifts to the men in scarlet. The Kimi victory at spa further brought into focus the pathetic state of the other guy driving the red car…er…ah! Luca Badoer. His last place finish has almost ensured that his F1 days are over and it’s back to the Maranello test track for him. Now, speculation is rife that Ferrari could be moving in on the man of the moment, Giancardo Fisichella to replace the hapless Badoer. In fact, even before Fisichella grabbed the spotlight at spa, Ferrari were looking towards the Italian. Now, the speculation has gathered further momentum.

Ferrari’s three time world champion Niki Lauda urged Ferrari to replace Luca with Fisi for the forth coming Italian GP. Mr. Lauda said to a Swiss magazine that “Ferrari must absolutely get Fisichella into the cockpit at Monza,”

If at all the move is made Fisichella will get a 5 race deal and a testing contract for next year. Since his contract with Force India ends this season, one might expect Fisichella to make the move. Fisichella told a news conference “It’s always a dream for all the drivers in Formula One and even the other categories to drive for Ferrari, especially for an Italian driver like me. And so far it is still a dream,” after clinching pole in Belgium.

Adding fuel to the flame Force India commercial director Ian Phillips told British radio on Monday morning “Nobody’s asked us yet but I think it’s pretty likely that somebody will make a phone call to (team boss) Vijay Mallya over the next 24 hours or so asking if we would release him to Ferrari,”

Force India is in debt to Ferrari from the engine deal it had last year and this transfer might help cover the debt or it might involve a minimal transfer fee.”I don’t think they (Force India) have really got any options (except to release Fisichella),” Phillips added.

However, the picture is not all rosy for Fisichella. Threatening clouds in the form of the returning Filippe Massa are on his horizon. The latest medical reports are in and the results are better than expected. This might hasten his return much sooner than the expected Brazilian Grand Prix. Any news item on Force India is not complete without some comments from the flamboyant Mr. Mallya. He has denied any imminent Fisichella-to-Ferrari move, and slammed Phillips for suggesting such speculations.

“Ian Philips’ comments do not reflect the views of the (team) since he is not the designated spokesperson (…) nor is he authorized to speak to the media. His comments should therefore be ignored,” Mallya said in his statement.

The Fisi-Ferrari saga rolls on…how do you think all this will end?
Let us know in the comments section.

And we agree with Enzo. Just looking at the 458 Italia we know it’s going to b a great car. It looks like it has the aerodynamic properties of a bullet. It looks so hot that it makes a naga chili look like sugar donut. It even has the elegant beauty of a 8C And from what Ferrari are saying it’s going to be a giant leap in technology.

It has a 4.5 liter V8 engine develops 570hp and 540 nm of torque. It is quite economical with a mileage of 7.1 kmpl, this is something totally new with Ferrari. So is this going to be a Dino for the crisis age? Not even a chance. The 458 will hit 100kmph in 3.4 seconds and hit a top speed of 202mph or 325kmph.

The new Italia will rev till 9000 rpm. The weight is kept low to 3000 pounds with aluminum structure like its predecessor, the F430. It gets its seven-speed dual clutch gearbox, just like the one in the California. It is still uncertain if the 458 will get KERS. But no worries it will all be clear this September when the 458 will be displayed for public at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

For now this is what Ferrari has to say about its new offering:

ITALIA – Ferrari’s innovative new V8

*** Combined cycle (ECE+EUDC)