Automotive heaven? Exotic cars in Italy!

[krm]

Back in November, I visited two of the world's most famous exotic car marques located in Northern Italy. The trip was very worthwhile and inspired me to share this experience with other automobile enthusiasts. Hope you all enjoy the reading as much as I enjoyed the trip, and may you find yourself there someday. - Karman S. :asian:

What is it like to be in automotive heaven? Visiting the home grounds of Ferrari and Lamborghini certainly revealed to me a vision of such a holy place. For the short couple of hours at prancing horse and raging bull territory in the small towns of Maranello and Sant’Agata, there was no escape but to be captivated by the awe of these works of art which have stirred the emotions of many automobile aficionados the world over.

The Journey Begins

My first leg of the trip took me through the industrial region of southern Modena to the little town of Maranello, home of the renowned cavallo rampante - the rampant, or more famously known prancing horse. Morning fog and rain had been lingering through the early Monday morning drive via the Autostrada A1-E35 from Firenze (Florence) to Modena South. To my surprise, I did not encounter too much of a rush hour congestion, and aside from the wet and foggy conditions, much of the traffic was moving at a rapid pace. Through the Italian valleys and rolling hills, I was able to reach the outskirts of Modena shortly pass an hour (in a rental Astra for those who are curious). Thanks to my unfamiliarity of the roads and the surprisingly lack of signs, which led to a missed turn after the Modena sud exit, I resorted to the long way around the industrial region and even troubled an Audi dealer en route to confirm directions. Just when I thought I had lost my way again, I noticed the increasing number of prancing horse emblems around…

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On a Benz truck

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On a Fiat Panda (!)

…and the number of pedestrians in red outfits along the sidewalks.

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Ferrari factory workers

Driving down the tree lined via Abetone Inferiore, it was a welcoming site seeing one of the hairpin turns of the Fiorano test track where factory racers and test drivers regularly visit to try out the latest hardware. Here is a picture of the F3-2003GA testing on the Fiorano track:

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(Press photo - Ferrari SpA.)

A right turn on the via Fornace, I was in the heart of Ferrari territory. Unsurprisingly, much of everything in this little town is in the shade of rosso red, and naturally, my heart increased pace—a quick parking job and I was off on foot proceeding towards the main gate.

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Here is the Ferrari store diagonally across the via Abetone from the main entrance.

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While walking around, a dark metallic blue 360 Modena drove by with some of the most intoxicating noises I have ever heard. A quick glance at the details such as a more aggressive looking front bumper, the carbon fiber wing mirrors, sportier cross-spoke alloys, and mesh-grilled tail helped distinguish itself as the Challenge Stradale. Unfortunately, the car passed by too unexpectedly to allow for a quick photo, but the wonderful sound coming from the spirited 40-valve V8 parting off with a melodious crescendo was something that will be a lasting memory. The screaming Ferrari engine notes coming from the Fiorano track seem to be the routine soundtrack of the morning as well – but given my time restraint I was reluctant but to proceed to the museum where some sweet eye candy awaits.

Down via Fornace towards via Dino Ferrari is the Galleria Ferrari.

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A visit to the Galleria Ferrari is a must for anyone who comes through Maranello and appreciates a thing or two about fast cars. Surely enough Ferrari is much too commercialized (unlike their arch nemesis in Sant’Agata) and charges an admission for viewing their mini museum. There is also a gift shop in the main entrance hall which sells anything related (or unrelated) to the marque such as F1 memorabilia, scale models, model brochures, notepads, pens, and even teddy bears. However, that did not detract me away from the main reason why I came to this place…

Upon entrance to the gallery, I was greeted by a pristine example of the 275GTB.

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Bella Machina!

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Here we have a detailed scale frame model of the 250 SWB in the museum gift shop

The gallery is separated into two floors, with the bottom floor themed by the rich motorsport history of the marque and the top floor focusing on their technical innovations.

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A gorgeous vintage ’64 F1 racer (158 F1) precedes the staircase to the two floors

To many, the words Ferrari and racing come hand in hand. With Ferrari’s successful history in Formula One, it was a great opportunity to browse at various examples of their race cars from the recent years. The impressive display includes the F1-89 driven by N. Mansell & G. Berger back in ‘89, along with the F399, F2000, F2001, and F2002 driven by M. Schumacher, E. Irvine (F399 only), and R. Barrichello.

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http://www.rs6.com/pics/Articles/krm/f1_racers.jpg

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The number of Manufacture Championship trophies tells the story

Behind the mock up Formula One garage sat the fastest ever roadgoing prancing horse – the Enzo Ferrari, endowed with the latest automobile technology drawn upon Ferrari’s Formula One experience, how appropriate.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Articles/krm/enzo.jpg

Having spent a bit too much time with the Formula One race cars and the stunning Enzo, there was no chance to absorb the sheer amount of information contained on the gallery walls. Reluctantly, a quick browse at the upper floor displays and I departed for the next stop on the itinerary.

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Upstairs, a 360 Modena in its natural unpainted aluminum skin...

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...and a gorgeous Barchetta with an F50 sitting behind

(Continue to Part II below)

[krm]

Next Stop: A visit to the Raging Bull

Approximately 25 kilometers northeast of Maranello, in the small town of Sant’Agata Bolognese, is Lamborghini Autombili. Driving through the calm countryside on via Modena, the sudden sight of the great factory for the first time served up certain amazement to my eyes.

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The infusion of German money (Volkswagen Audi Group’s) is clearly at play from the extensive amount of construction going on at the factory; a wing to the left of the gallery and main offices is being finished at the time of writing. Upon entering the main entrance, I was welcomed by two representatives, along with a beautiful yellow Diablo GT, which sat in the lobby. A small gift shop is located within the main building.

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6 liters, 585 hp, and approximately 83 in the world…

Not having called earlier to book a viewing of the museum, I had to wait around for the gallery representative to return from lunch, but it was not long until I was escorted by the rep to the gallery. Unlike Ferrari, the Museo Lamborghini did not have a ticket stand or gift shop to pass through prior to the main entrance, just a sliding glass door between the marvelous collection and the outside world.

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Located next to the main building, the museum is under the same roof as the factory. It is very nicely setup with two floors offering ample space for the mouth-watering machines. Within steps of the entrance sat a pristine silver Countach 25th Anniversary. It is said that there are only three in the world that were built in Anniversario Argento (Anniversary Silver). This particular one, with chassis code #KLA12085, is the last ever Countach built in 1990 ?a very special car indeed.

http://www.kshu.com/images_1/italy/santagata_countach.JPG

Next to the Countach parked one of the most beautiful and revered machines in the world: the Miura. Reportedly the first road car with a large displacement mid-mounted engine, it was a penned by Bertone in the late ?0s. A visually spectacular automobile, imagine the feelings it evoked backed in the day when it was first introduced!

The particular model of Miura presented here was this stunning SV
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Bull meets Bull

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Other interesting Lamborghini’s on the main floor included the Islero, Espada, Jarama, Jalpa, and an LM002 in the background

The second floor of the museum displays some of the more modern machines including a set of Formula One cars. Lamborghini’s involvement in the pinnacle of motorsport first began in 1989 when they supplied engines to the Larrousse team, and even having their very own factory race team (The Modena Team) in 1991. However, due to a lackluster season and a diminished budget they shut down their operations and returned to being an exclusive engine supplier for the next few years. Their F1 tenure lasted until 1994 when they supplied engines to the McLaren F1 team.

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One can only dream if Lamborghini will ever return to the F1 arena

Some new information I learned from my visit to Museo Lamborghini is the manufacturer’s involvement in World Offshore Championship powerboat series. From what I’ve learned, they have achieved enormous success supplying 12 cylinder engines to many of the powerboats in this series. These engines are developed and built in-house at the Sant’Agata factory. The Spirit of Norway, a Lamborghini powered speedboat, celebrated world championships for both the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Congratulations to them!

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A beautifully crafted 12-cylinder powerboat engine - Spirit of Norway scale model displayed behind

Continuing on with the impressive collection of cars, a couple of special Diablo’s are displayed.

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Diablo 6.0 GT2 ?one of a handful ever made

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Diablo 6.0 GTR ?the factory’s last competition Diablo

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?2 Diablo Roadster Prototype which never made it into production

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Diablo 6.0 ?who needs posters when you can hang one of these on the wall!

Perhaps the most anticipated car coming from Sant’Agata factory is the Murcielago Barchetta Concept, the roadster version of the Murcielago which was revealed in the Detroit Auto Show earlier last year (no word yet on the official version as of time of writing). Undoubtedly, when it does come into production it will be very sought after amongst an unique company of open-top supercars such as the Pagani Roadster, Ferrari 550 Barchetta, Aston Martin DB AR1, Porsche Carrera GT, and Koenisegg CC. So which would you pick?

http://www.kshu.com/images_1/italy/santagata_murcielagoroadster.JPG
Let’s just hope they make it soon

(Continue to Part III below...)

[krm]

Since the museum is under the same roof as the factory, there are windows on the second floor allowing visitors to have a peak at the Gallardo production line, which made for a quite a spectacle—it’s not everyday you see an exotic car being put together in front of your very eyes.

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Gallardo dash consoles

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Lambo V-10 engine sitting in view

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Completed silver Gallardo in the background

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The finished product ?with test driver sitting within ready for a quality control check

Upon leaving the museum, there were two Murcielago’s, one of which was in wraps, being driven from the rear of the factory. Judging by the identical outfit each driver was wearing, I assumed they were test drivers performing a quality control check on the vehicles. The car in wraps was in an unique blend of green and blue pearl paint which gives the Murcielago a distinct character. The official name of the paint is Verde Artemis (Jade Green), and this car so happens to be one of the fifty Murcielago’s built in celebration of Lambo’s fortieth anniversary this year. Besides the unique paintwork, the other aesthetic enhancements for this special model include carbon fiber panels near the air intakes, silver brake calipers, anthracite colored wheels, and special exhaust tips. It was clear the latter two features were replaced in this test car with counterparts from the ‘regular?Murc parts bin. My best guess was that with the limited production of the anniversary Murc, its parts may also have a limited production hence they would only be installed in the final stages of delivery to prevent from damage.

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40th Anniversary Edition Murcielago

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Next to its baby brother ?the Gallardo

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The other Murcielago in Grigio Avlon (dark gray metallic). In the background ?line of Audi’s evident that this is a German owned facility.

The sound of the Lambo V12 at idle is best described as a sonorous symphony of rumbling and roaring that warms one’s blood and elicits emotions. Upon the heavy right foot of the test driver driving off onto the main road, the wondrous tone turned into a vociferous and majestic noise that can easily send the weak of heart running for cover. In such a moment of aural pleasure, even the baby brother’s V10 sounded muted in comparison—placing a memorable conclusion to the magical experience.

Sad to say, the wonderful trip of Maranello and Sant’Agata had reached an end. However, it was not a conclusion to such a journey, for it had simply begun. Exotic cars have always fueled my passion and after visiting these two extraordinary manufacturers the fire burns forever stronger. Hopefully in the near future there will be an opportunity to visit a few certain other wild beasts bred in little towns known as Leipzig, Molsheim, Pfaffenhausen, and Woking in search of similar magical emotions which can only be stirred up by such heavenly creations.


-Karman S.

(Continue below to Part IV...)

[krm]

Information

Hope this article served as an inspiration to visiting Ferrari S.p.A. and Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. Below is some useful information shall you plan such a trip to Modena. There are other special manufacturers in the area, such as Pagani, De Tomaso, and Edonis, including some private collections such as the Tonino Lamborghini Museum and the Panini Collection which are certainly worth a visit. Unfortunately, I only had a couple hours to spend so I picked my favorite two. Please Note: With the exception of Galleria Ferrari, which is opened daily from 9:30a.m. - 6:00p.m., the other showrooms and galleries may not be open to the public daily, so it is best to call ahead for an appointment.

Galleria Ferrari
Via Dino Ferrai, 43
41053 Maranello (MO)
Tel.: 0039 0536 943204
E-mail: Galleria@ferrari.it
http://www.galleria.ferrari.com/

Automobili Lamborghini
Via Modena, 12
Sant’ Agata Bolognese
Tel: 0039 0516 817611
http://www.lamborghini.com
• Point of Contact:
Eleonora Negrin
Phone : 0039 051 6817716 or Fax : 0039 051 687737
E-mail : eleonora.negrin@lamborghini.com

De Tomaso
Via le Virgilio, 9
Modena
Tel: 0039 059 848102

Edonis
Viale della Resistenza
12, I-41011
Campogalliano (Modena)
Te: 0039 059 528377
E-mail: info@edonis.it
http://www.edonis.it

Panini Collection
Via Corletto, 320
Cittanova
Tel: Matteo Panini at 0039 059 510660

Pagani Automobili
Vill. ‘La Graziosa’,
Via dell’Artigianato, 5
San Cesario sul Panaro (Modena)
Tel: 0039 059 952811
E-mail: info@paganiautomobili.it
http://www.paganiautomobili.it

The Tonino Lamborghini Museum
The Centro Studi e Ricerche Ferruccio Lamborghini
V.D. Alighieri 37
Cento
Tel: Silvia Cristofori at 0039 053 2359811

:race:

:cheers:

[Chuangs4]

Thanks Krm for sharing. I'll try to visit there once in my lifetime.:thumb:

[Klint]

W-O-W !!!

A truely spectacular write up, Karman. Great shots too!

Thanks ever so much for sharing your insight into the automative heart that Italy beholds.

:applause:

[pING]

:bow:

Thanx for sharing!!
I'm planning to visit that kind of places also. :D

Cheers
:cheers:

[sturs6]

<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/5/5_3_1.gif' border=0></a>
Karman thanks a bunch for the exceptional write up as well as the awesome pictures. I have always wanted to go to both factories and now afer seeing the pictures I may just have to pack my bags and head out.
I saw my first gallardo a few nights ago and I will agree the sound of that engine is exciting and it is as beautiful of a car in person as it is in photos such as yours.
Again <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_3_10.gif' border=0></a>
-Stuart

[Audihead]

Fantastic, Top Notch Pics & Write-Up! Thanx for sharing what looks to be a trip of a lifetime.:applause:

:s4addict: -Bimmerhead

[Erik]

Originally posted by krm
http://www.rs6.com/pics/Articles/krm/santagata_murcielago.jpg
The other Murcielago in Grigio Avlon (dark gray metallic). In the background – line of Audi’s evident that this is a German owned facility.

You can't miss to notice who owns Lamborghini now.
When I was there most of the Audis had German Ingolstadt plates as well.

[krm]

Thanks for the comments. Hope I will be able to write about other exotic car birthplaces in the future.

:race:

[Hawk]

I know this places very well......You have not visited the Maserati:hahahehe:

[Erik]

Originally posted by Hawk
You have not visited the Maserati:hahahehe:

I tried, but the factory was not open to the public.

And the location of the private Maserati museum neither I nor the DVD Navi could find. :(

[krm]

Originally posted by Hawk
I know this places very well......You have not visited the Maserati:hahahehe:

Didn't have time that day to visit any other musuems as I was en route to Milan.

:incar:

[nyrs6]

krm dont mind me asking? What cars do u have

[angryswede]

that's the coolest thing I've ever read.

[RS4Ever]

wow. f'ing incredible!
great great pics.
thanks man

[JavierNuvolari]

:0: Great trip!!!!!!!!!!!! Definetely a once in a lifetime experience for a car enthusiast .
Very interesting post:0: :0:

JavierNuvolari

[Benman]

Originally posted by Klint
W-O-W !!!

A truely spectacular write up, Karman. Great shots too!

Thanks ever so much for sharing your insight into the automative heart that Italy beholds.

:applause:
I can NOT believe I missed this post!:bigeyes: :blush:

krm:cheers:

Fantastic write up and pics! Dang, I could just KICK myself! Had I seen this post stinkin one and a half YEARS ago, I would have scheduled my trip a little differently.:(

Great write up, and sorry for the LAAAAAAATE response!:blush:

Ben:addict:

[krm]

Hi Ben, thanks for your comments! :asian:

Unfortunately, I had been too busy for that past two years to pursue my dream of going to the other exotic car birthplaces. Reading about your trip to Germany has got me very itching to go visit those parts as well, hopefully I can visit sometime early next summer.

:revs:

[Benman]

Originally posted by krm

Unfortunately, I had been too busy for that past two years to pursue my dream of going to the other exotic car birthplaces.
:revs:
The places you hit pretty much take care of ALL exotica. The only other really CAR place you MUST visit is The Ring. Johan (Freerider) went once, now he is hooked as well.
;) :D

Ben:addict:

[Erik]

This is worth a look as well :)

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=12&t=319305

[Benman]

Originally posted by Erik
This is worth a look as well :)

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=12&t=319305
Well, since he's already been to Ferrari and Lamborghini, I guess that just leaves Pagani.

On a side note, I thought Ferrari is supposed to say "quality"? Well look at the emblem in the pic. Notice how crooked the top F line is.:D Wow, if they can't even get their emblem lines straight, then I have zero desire to try the actual car!:hihi:

[krm]

Having read about the Zonda F lately (Evo Feb. issue), I really want to visit the Modena region again to look at that masterpiece. It also seems that the Bugatti factory in France should be a nice visit, that is if they are open to visitors. :heart:

[alex_s3]

Cool, I have been there to :) At Ferrari and lamborghini factory..
Here is someone from the Ferrari factory..

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/9663/dsc003970wz.jpg

It was only possible to test drive Ferraris at the video game.. hehe
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Wonder what the price of this bicycle is is:hahahehe:

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http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2821/dsc004056uv.jpg

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I think it had 550hp...
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The best room :D
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/5680/dsc004156nn.jpg