KEY POINTS:
Kiwi motor racing fans can see the new Ferrari-powered A1GP cars in the flesh for the first time this weekend at the fourth round of the World
Cup of Motorsport at Taupo.
These sleek machines will be the fastest cars to grace a New Zealand race circuit and have shown over the previous rounds to be quicker than their predecessors.
The new car, used by all the teams, had 7000km of testing before the first round in Zandvoort back in October and bar a few minor glitches has proven to be a winner.
Former Formula One driver Marc Gene is convinced the car will enhance A1GP's worldwide reputation as the formula for action and overtaking.
"It will produce exciting racing, it allows overtaking, and is an extreme drive," he said.
There's no doubting its speed. It tested at Donington and broke the outright lap record, and did the same during racing at Zandvoort,
where Earl Bamber shone in the A1GP Team NZL car gaining two podium
finishes.
The all-new car, based on Ferrari's 2004 F1 car, uses a highly modified V8 engine based on Ferrari's F430 block and produces up to 600bhp, more than 400kW. It neatly fits into a state-of-the-art ultra-light chassis that's sure to fly around the Taupo track.
"New Zealand's motor sport fans are going to be in for a real treat at the A1GP Taupo," said event chief executive Gary Dawson.
"This new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car is a major step forward from the last one. It looks and sounds superb and will continue A1GP's tradition of close racing where the best driver and country end on top.
"There is no question the event will be New Zealand's fastest-ever motor race. Who'd want to miss that?"
And in keeping with the hopes and wishes of the Green fraternity, in signing a six-year deal to supply and make all A1GP engines, Ferrari is using the technology of the 430 Spider Bio Fuel Concept and E10
biofuels.
A1 Team New Zealand seat holder Colin Giltrap said: "It's a phenomenal deal with one of history's most exalted brands."
Each car is equipped with a unique PowerBoost system, a device to provide short bursts of increased power to create additional overtaking opportunities and action throughout the race.
By changing the engine's parameters, the system can give the driver additional power over a limited time during each race to take the car above its standard 600bhp.
The PowerBoost, driver-activated by a button on the steering wheel, can now be used during qualifying.
The A1GP engine is specifically designed and manufactured by Ferrari for use in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport.
Configuration: 90 degree V8.
Displacement: 4500cc.
Weight: 160kg.
Cylinder block: Die-cast aluminium alloy.
Cylinder head: Sand-cast aluminium alloy.
Valve train: Four overhead camshafts. Four valves per cylinder.
Engine management: Bosch MED 9.6.
Injection: Gasoline direct injection.
Fuel: Shell E10 102 RON.
Max Torque: 550 Nm.
Max Power: 600 bhp/448 Kw.
Car Weight: Approx 720kg including driver, race ready (excluding fuel).
Front and rear suspension: Double wishbone with pushrod operated coil over damper units.
Gearbox: Six-speed longitudinal sequential. Gear selection via a Magneti Marelli paddle-shift system.
Chassis: Carbon fibre skins, aluminium honeycomb core. Tested to meet all applicable FIA crash safety
