A RARE Ferrari has set a world record for the most expensive car sold at auction, with an anonymous buyer ignoring the global recession by paying €9.02 million ($A16.2 million) for a 1957 250 Testa Rossa.

This beats the previous world record – set at the same event at Ferrari’s Maranello factory a year ago – of €7.04m ($A12.4m) for a 1961 California paid by celebrity DJ Chris Evans.

The new auction record was posted on Sunday at the third annual factory-sanctioned Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event held by RM Auctions, which would not reveal the identity of the winning phone bidder.

http://www.theautoabc.com/ provides the latest Ferrari reviews and pictures.

Ferrari has plans to open the “world’s largest indoor theme park, sitting under a roof designed in the style of a classic double-curve body shell of a Ferrari,” in 2010.

Links to information are here, to video are here and photos are here.

Details are pretty scant. Here’s the key description: “With over 20 rides and attractions, including the world’s fastest rollercoaster, Ferrari World is more than a theme park – it is the total Ferrari experience.”

Some additional information is available here, as well, although it amounts to about the same information repackaged.

Why bring it up? Well, the timing now may be a little less perfect than when Ferrari started building the park. But maybe by the time it really opens (I’m guessing 2010 is a pipe dream), the economy will be back in full swing.

What do people think? Does it seem a smart piece of marketing and branding or might it go the way of Euro Disney? Is it just plain stupid or do you have a new “Must See” item on your travel list?

www.theautoabc.com provides the latest Ferrari reviews and pictures.

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia

www.theautoabc.com provides the latest Ferrari reviews and pictures.

Ferrari has created a new ‘technological laboratory’ for a select group of 599 enthusiasts, called the 599XX.

The 599XX incorporates the most advanced technologies resulting from Ferrari’s road-going and F1 research. Many of the technological solutions it carries are being used for the first time and have been developed exclusively for this special car.

A limited number of places and cars will be available, with the vehicles only used at private track sessions, worldwide.

www.theautoabc.com provides the latest Ferrari reviews and pictures.

After rumors about a Lamborghini SUV, is now time to talk about a future Ferrari SUV. And even if Ferrari is about supercars, it seems that company has finally decided that they need a SUV in their line-up. Maybe the conclusion came after Lamborghini decided to built one, or maybe after seeing the success of the Porsche Cayenne, but, in any case the SUV is on its way and will be launched sometime in 2010.

www.theautoabc.com provides the latest Ferrari reviews and pictures.

The Geneva Motor Show isn’t all about hybrids, EVs and hopeful thinking. There are some hardcore sports cars there as well. Ferrari, as always, brought out some serous iron. Or in this case, some serious alloy, carbon composites and technical know-how.

Witness the 700-horsepower 599XX. It’s about as serious as a sports car gets, but sadly, we’ll never see it on the roads. The 599XX is designed exclusively for the track.

The 599XX is based on the magnificent 599 GTB Fiorano but is a different beast altogether. It’s slathered with all the latest high tech goodies from Ferrari’s racing department and is not aimed merely at the rich. The 599XX, like the FXX before it, is to be sold, in Ferrari’s words, to “a select group of clients,” which is to say people are are both rich and want to go wheel-to-wheel during exclusive Ferrari track days. When those few fortunate souls aren’t actually behind the wheels of their 599XXs, Ferrari will graciously store them.

www.theautoabc.com provides the latest Ferrari reviews and pictures.