FERRARI CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN THE MIDDLE EAST WITH SIX UNIQUE FERRARI 296 GTB
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The carspay homage to the Gulf
Nations; United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia,Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Omanand share
a unique livery and interior treatment, with each model boasting an
individualised exterior colour
Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), 7 December 2024 – Ferrari
celebrated its 30th anniversary in the Middle East by unveiling six
exclusive and greatly customised 296GTBsdesigned and created especially for the
occasion. Thecars, showcasing unrivalled aesthetics and unprecedented design
originality,were unveiled at the prestigious Casa Ferrari event, coinciding
with the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix weekend (6th to 8th
December).
The six 296 GTBs were created by the Special
Equipment team within the Ferrari Personalisation and the Colour & Trimdepartments
in six unique colour configurations, with a trim dedicated to each of the Gulf
countries.
On the momentous
occasion of the Prancing Horse’s 30th anniversary, Giorgio Turri, General
Manager of Ferrari Middle East, said: “As we celebrate three decades of our
presence in the Middle East the outstanding six one-of-a-kind, highly
customized 296 GTBs payhomage to the Gulf Nations, where we are so very proud
to have forged strong connections and garnered such appreciation and passion.
Every element of thesecars has been designed taking inspiration from the six
GulfCountries, appreciating their unique spirit and personality. This creation
serves to strengthen our bond with clients in the region, fostering an
emotional connection to those that call the Middle East home.”
The cars present a unique palette of highly
distinctive metallic colours, with the livery incorporating an original matte
colournever used before, “Arabian Golden Sheen”. The striking and original tone
has been specially created to represent the reflection of sunlight on desert
sands and extends to the model’s roof, rims and spoiler, as well as being used
to gracefully depict the name of each country in Arabic calligraphy on the
engine cover.
Bold, spectacular
and visually arresting are the best words to describe the body colour palette. The UAE’s magnificent pearlescent white reflects its rich history
and deep-rooted connection to the pearl diving tradition, meanwhile, the vibrant green of
Saudi Arabia draws inspiration from the lush beauty of its oases, representing
life, growth, and resilience in the heart of the desert. Kuwait’s
metallic brown celebrates its natural landscapes symbolizing warmth, strength,
and timeless elegance. For Qatar, a deep, dark red captures the strength,
pride, and the enduring spirit of its people. Bahrain’s metallic black, flecked
with gold, evokes the mystery and allure of its nightscape, a tribute to the
elegance of starlit evenings. Finally,Oman's deep, metallic blue mirrors the
enchanting beauty of its seas and coastline, embodying tranquility, depth, and
natural allure.
The interior
incorporates new materials inspired byand dedicated to the Middle East. Being
fitted with Beige Honolulu leather coupled with Gold Metallic leather, the
seats and lower door panels boast a diamond stitched design, showcasing a
sporty and elegant combination. The Gold Metallic leather
is characterised by a translucent surface that makes it glow and is used for
the seat inserts and a part of the carpeting from the central tunnel, below the
seats and onto the rear luggage shelf. For the first time on this model, the
front luggage compartment is upholstered in leather.
In true Ferrari style, attention to detail remains
paramount; the Prancing Horse depiction on the headrests and the logohave been
embroidered using a special glossy gold thread with a metallic effect, elegant
and striking finesse befitting a unique commemorative masterpiece. The addition
of the Satin Gold plating of the H-shaped gearshift gate in the central tunnel
is the ultimate reminder of the significance and uniqueness of six cars that
markthis extraordinary anniversary with unedited exclusivity.
Giorgio
Turri adds: “As the region continues to grow and prosper, we see a very bright
future for Ferrari in the Middle East region. The attributes of technological
advancement, imaginative innovation and a quest for excellence are common to
the brand and the Gulf nations, and we look forward to a continued journey of
prosperity and success as we embark on our fourth decade in this great area of
opportunity and ambition.”
Such is the significance of these six exclusive296GTBs that they have
inspired the creation of six one-of-a-kind Maranello clutches. These
accessories are characterized by the iconic designs of the Ferrari car
silhouettes – a symbol of Made in Italy craftsmanship, attention to detail, and
artisanal excellence. The Maranello clutches embody the ideal combination of
automotive vocabulary and the brand's contemporary style in a one-of-a-kind
accessory. This minaudièreis meticulously crafted in the Ferrari
Maranello factory, where the cars are built and assembled. The same artisanal method and process used for the cars, particularly
the paint technique responsible for the clutch's lacquered colour, are employed
in its creation. The evocative shape reveals the elegance of the Ferrari
automotive sleek silhouette finished with an ultra-suede lining, a plaque
engraved with the Ferrari logo, and a removable strap offering the versatility
of being worn by hand or over the shoulder.
In these exclusive editions, Alcantara Sand interior colour and Gold
metallic accessories are paired with liveries in the following Sheen shades:
Brown Sand for Kuwait, Blue Waters for Oman, Pearl White for the United Arab
Emirates, Night Sky for Bahrain, Maroon for Qatar, and Emerald Green for Saudi
Arabia.
The Casa Ferrari event is an annual event held in Abu
Dhabi during the F1 GP weekend. A temporary luxury hospitality and
entertainment venue, it is designed as a villa, the concept mirroring its title
– Casa, meaning house in Italian – serving as a home for the local Ferraristi
community in the region.