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News4 January 2022 by Andreas 1331 Viewed

GFG Style 2030: from Riyadh to Geneva

Turin, December 02 2019 – At the Riyadh MotorShow 2020, GFG Style is unveiling the teaser preview of its new Electric Hyper SUV dedicated to Saudi Arabia, which will be officially presented next March at the Geneva International Motor Show 2020.

The showcar is called the “2030“ and it was unveiled in Riyadh on November 21st in the presence of the highest authorities. The name “2030” evokes the great ‘vision2030’ project involving the Arab state. Saudi Arabia’s economy is infact moving towards a radical transformation: less oil, more industry and more space for foreigners in the tourism sector. Designers Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro have chosen to dedicate this research project to Saudi Arabia in the form of a superhigh-performing sports car: a 2door, 2seat, full-electric, 4-wheel all-terrain drive HyperSUV.

Fabrizio Giugiaro outlines its features:
“We modelled the 2030 on a carbon fibre body and aluminium frame, with super-sporty lines but also designed as a celebration of off-road and full electric mode driving: I believe the architecture is rich in content and it’s perfect for the needs of this incredible, extraordinary territory at this particular moment in time”.

Giorgetto Giugiaro adds:
“The inspiration for our design came from the territory and its evolution: simple, clean, sleek lines, like the desert itself, but able to excite; so an aggressive, distinctive front, a majestic, well-balanced rear, sides with sinuous lines without frills but able to convey emotion. A car conceived for fast driving on a desert track, perhaps where the skyline of Riyadh can be glimpsed with its strong technological image with an eye to the future, just like the 2030.“

One curiosity, the bodycolours of the 2030 could, of course, only be mirrored green and carbon black: those of the Saudi Arabia flag.

the author

Andreas

Italian classic car enthusiast with German roots. Renowned as a respected figure in the classic car community, he serves as a jury member at various international concours d'elegance, including the Classic Gala Schwetzingen and Mantova. As a content creator, Andreas passionately shares his profound knowledge and appreciation for vintage automobiles. His heart beats for cars designed by Giovanni Michelotti, showcasing his discerning taste and dedication to preserving the timeless elegance of automotive history.

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News 25 March 2024

The Bertone Runabout will be protagonist at Pebble Beach

The ASI Bertone Collection confirms itself as an attraction of world interest and the one-off pieces that compose it are requested by the most exclusive events, such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California, United States, which for the 71st edition scheduled for next 21 August wanted the futuristic Bertone Runabout from 1969, placing it in the “Postwar Preservation” category dedicated to preserved post-war cars.

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Photo courtesy of Auto Storica

The Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer (BB), produced from 1973 to 1984, stands as one of Ferrari’s most radical shifts in design and engineering, thanks to the collaborative work with Pininfarina. The BB was Ferrari’s first mid-engine road car, marking a significant departure from Enzo Ferrari’s long-standing preference for front-engine designs. Its introduction signified a new chapter for Ferrari, aligning more closely with the trends set by other supercar manufacturers at the time.

Origins and Design Inspiration

Designed under the direction of Leonardo Fioravanti, the Ferrari 365 GT4 BB (the first iteration of the BB series) debuted at the 1971 Turin Auto Show, and production began in 1973. One fascinating anecdote about the car is that its “BB” initials reportedly stood for Brigitte Bardot, the famous French actress, which was a codename used during development and remained with the model​.

The BB’s design was sleek and revolutionary. It featured a wedge-shaped, low-profile body, which became a staple of 1970s supercar aesthetics. One of its unique design elements was the bicolored bodywork, with a black lower section that visually slimmed the car while emphasizing its elongated shape. Its pop-up headlights and minimalist, flowing lines were indicative of Pininfarina’s ability to combine functionality with elegance, helping the car stand out from its competitors​.

Mid-Engine Innovation

Before the BB series, Ferrari had always adhered to front-engine layouts for its road cars, famously stating, “Never put the cart before the horse.” However, the mid-engine layout, which Ferrari had already used in its Dino models, became necessary as rivals like Lamborghini began popularizing the mid-engine format in supercars.

The 512 BB (introduced in 1976) featured a 5.0-liter flat-12 engine, mounted in the middle of the car, right behind the driver, delivering 360 horsepower. While this engine was commonly referred to as a “Boxer,” it was technically a 180-degree V12, not a true Boxer engine. In a true Boxer engine, opposing pistons move in opposite directions, but in the 512 BB, they moved simultaneously in the same direction​ This flat configuration allowed for a lower center of gravity, which significantly improved the car’s handling.

Performance and Engineering Marvels

The 512 BB was more than just a stylish car—it was a high-performance machine capable of a top speed of 302 km/h (187 mph) and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds. The car’s engineering wasn’t just limited to its engine. It featured independent suspension on all four wheels and a sophisticated five-speed manual transmission mounted below the engine, showcasing Ferrari’s commitment to performance.

Over the years, the BB saw several iterations. The BB 512i, introduced in the early 1980s, swapped the carburetors for Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, which lowered emissions and improved fuel efficiency without sacrificing too much power. Although the power dropped slightly to 340 hp, it remained one of the fastest road cars of its era​.

Legacy and Influence

The BB series laid the groundwork for Ferrari’s later mid-engine supercars, such as the Ferrari Testarossa, which succeeded the BB 512i in 1984. It also marked a significant shift for Ferrari, transitioning from the era of front-engine grand tourers to mid-engine supercars.

Today, the Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer remains a prized collector’s item. Its combination of cutting-edge design by Pininfarina, revolutionary mid-engine layout, and Ferrari’s racing heritage makes it one of the most iconic cars in the brand’s history. With only 387 units produced of the original 365 GT4 BB, and slightly more of the later 512 BB and BB 512i models, its rarity further solidifies its place in the pantheon of classic supercars.

The Ferrari BB, both for its groundbreaking design and engineering, represents one of Ferrari’s most influential models. Its innovations in the mid-engine supercar market, coupled with Pininfarina’s masterful styling, continue to captivate enthusiasts and collectors to this day.

Which Ferrari model is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

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