Ferrari Mailing List: All-Italian car tour

[Brian E. Buxton (BrianBuxton]

   Sports Cars

All-Italian car tour
All-Italian car tour <http://cll.hemmings.com/uimage/1335832-0-0.jpg?rev=1>
The Raduno Primavera attracts a broad range of Italian cars, from Fiats 
to Ferraris.
photo courtesy Ferrari of Washington

If you're fortunate enough to own an Italian car, and you're within 
driving distance of Washington, D.C., you should make plans to get in on 
the Raduno Primavera, or Spring Gathering, that's taking place on 
Sunday, April 27. Not only will it give you an opportunity to brush a 
winter's worth of dust from that Lancia Fulvia or Ferrari 308, but 
you'll be able to rub shoulders with more than 100 fellow enthusiasts, 
enjoy some fine driving roads and take part in a wine tasting. The tour 
starts at the La Grange Winery in Haymarket, Virginia, and ends at 
Ferrari of Washington in Dulles, Virginia, the event's sponsor. "We get 
a really good mix of everything from Fiat 124s to F40s, and they all 
behave and play well together," said organizer Redding Finney of Ferrari 
of Washington. The cost is just $30 per driver, passenger and guest, and 
$5 per car; that includes a continental breakfast, buffet lunch, drinks 
and event keepsakes. There's no admission charge for children under the 
age of 13. Registration <http://www.fwash.com/tce/even-signup.htm> 
begins February 29.
- By David LaChance









   Exotic Cars

A grander GranTurismo
A grander GranTurismo <http://cll.hemmings.com/uimage/1335853-0-0.jpg?rev=1>
Maserati's GranTurismo S will boast a 440hp, 4.7-liter V-8 and a 
clutchless manual transaxle.
photo courtesy Maserati

Maserati's beautiful GranTurismo coupe is only a year old, but it's 
already receiving an injection of freshness, courtesy of a new model, 
the GranTurismo S, to be unveiled in Geneva next month. Not that the 
sports/luxury 2+2 was lacking anything, but the automaker felt the need 
to turn up the sporting content, courtesy of an upgraded 440hp version 
of the Ferrari-developed 4.7-liter V-8 engine, coupled to a clutchless 
manual electro-actuated transaxle with MC-Shift. Borrowed from the 
Quattroporte Sport GT S is a high-performance Brembo brake system that 
combines cast-iron and aluminum front discs clamped by aluminum monobloc 
six-piston calipers. Visible changes for this Pininfarina-styled coupe 
include striking charcoal-finished alloy wheels and supportive seats 
upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather and Alcantara faux suede. 
Production figures are yet to be announced.
- By Mark J. McCourt