Superamerica super impresses Aussies
Ferrari entered a new era Down Under at Sydney. With arguably its biggest display ever, there was something for every one - right down to cuddly toys!A see of red confronted showgoers at what must surely be Ferrari's biggest ever show stand Down Under. In the hands of new distributor, Ateco affiliate European Automotive Imports, the prancing horse brand boasted a presence that kept some volume-selling marques honest.
Taking pride of place, the new flip-top Ferrari Superamerica V12 made its Australian debut. But it's wasn't the sole performer on the stand, a brace of F430s, Coupe and Spyder, and a devilishly black 612 Scaglietti kept the fans mouths watering.
Ferrari claims the Superamerica is the first production car to adopt a rotating roof solution to open air motoring. The Fioravanti-patented rotating roof, dubbed Revocromico to highlight its unique rearward rotating movement and electrochromic glass technology features a carbon-fibre frame and can be opened or closed in less than 10 seconds. When opened the roof folds back and rests flush with the boot lid, while the rear window doubles as a wind deflector.
The glass is manufactured in collaboration with European composite specialist, Saint Gobain. It contains electrochemical cells which give a range of five different tint levels. At the very lightest setting, the amount of light coming into the cockpit is the same as a conventional glass sunroof, while at the darkest setting only 1 per cent of light filters through.
The F430 Spyder was in Sydney too, offering another dose of open-top performance - albeit with eight cylinders instead of 12.
The F430 Spider joins the F430 as the latest addition to the new generation of Ferrari V8-engined sports cars. The Spider boasts all of the F430's race-focussed chassis technology and e;lectronic smarts. Its all-aluminium bodywork has been strengthened and the electric hood is fully automatic and fold away under its own flush-fitting tonneau cover.
Ferrari's merchandise presentation was barely smaller than those local kings of branding Holden and HSV. Whether you wanted to take home a pocket-size F430 or dress like Schumi, you need not have gone home disappointed.
Just across the way, Ferrari's sibling brand Maserati wasn't resting on its laurels either. V8s a plenty and the stunning Quattroporte kept the Maser fans just as entertained.
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