Breaking News
3 years ago
Charlie Cooksey drives the world’s most powerful convertible… in Bahrain. The Ferrari 812 GTS is the most powerful production spider there is, and I had the chance to drive this mighty car last month on a special Ferrari “Lifestyle Drive”. Its amazing 6,496cc V12 engine, capable of a top speed of 340 kph, can accelerate the car from zero to 100 kph in a blistering 3 seconds – and to 200 kph in just 8.3 seconds! I first enjoyed a pre-drive coffee and chat with Ferrari Bahrain’s General Manager, Matthew Morgan. He’s passionate about the brand and we spent an hour discussing Ferrari in general, and the 812 GTS in particular. Then it came to the drive… The car was waiting for me outside the showroom and was gleaming in classic Ferrari red. It looked beautiful – like a work of art, which I guess it is. It was a perfect late October day with temperatures in the mid-late 20s, so I decided to drive in convertible mode. The retractable hard top artfully opens in just 14 seconds at speeds of up to 45 kph. I appreciated the meticulous work that went into ensuring driver and passenger comfort with the […]
3 years ago
Charlie Cooksey takes the new Ferrari GT 2+ Spider for a spin around the island… I had the pleasure to visit Euromotors, Bahrain’s official Ferrari dealership, to collect the new Portofino M. The ‘M’ stands for ‘Modificata’, which in Ferrari nomenclature refers to cars that have undergone an evolution that has boosted their performance. The Portofino M is everything a Ferrari should be: sexy, powerful, and fast. Its twin-turbo V8 churns out 612 horsepower—up from 591 in last year’s model—and it should hit 60 mph in the low-three-second range. The small back seat and trunk won’t fit much, but practicality has never been a Ferrari selling point. So how else does the new Ferrari Portofino M differ from its predecessor? Well, it has a redesigned powertrain, a new eight-speed gearbox and a five-position Manettino that includes a Race mode. The exterior is also subtly changed and looks even sportier and more aggressive than the previous model, with a new design of the front of the car – the bumpers in particular. Usually, I prefer my Ferraris in traditional red, but I must admit to being strongly drawn to the unique blue/grey paintwork of this particular car. Ferrari claims that the new model delivers both superior handling […]
3 years ago
Charlie Cooksey from Gulf Insider drives the new Ferrari F8 Spider. The F8 Spider is a mid-rear-mounted two-seater that provides jaw dropping performance with reputedly the best 8-cylinder engine in the world. It offers intense driving pleasure, unprecedented handling, and superior ride comfort. Luxuriously stitched leather seats hold you in secure comfort no matter how hard you drive this car. Every element of the dash, steering wheel, door panels and tunnel is beautifully designed. It was a beautiful April day – not too hot, and while waiting at the Al Hawaj traffic lights, I remembered this car becomes a convertible at the touch of a button… So, I activated the process, by which, the blue sky opened up for me. The conversion to an open top sports car takes a dozen or so seconds and is mechanics as an art form. I realized all eyes from within the other cars around me were watching with fascination as the car changed. The F8 Spider was designed in parallel with the F8 Tributo – the most powerful, fastest, and lightest Ferrari for its type. They replace the 488 GTB and 488 Spider and have been significantly improved to provide even better control […]
4 years ago
Review by Charlie Cooksey I remember attending the EuroMotors launch of the new Ferrari Roma at the Bahrain International Circuit in late 2019 or early 2020 (pre-Covid days). The theme was La dolce vita (“the sweet life”), the iconic 1960 Italian movie directed by Federico Fellini that came to symbolize Italian style and attitudes for over a generation. It was a fun evening held outdoors in the Paddock area and we were treated to delicious Italian cooking, music, and there were lots of posters of Italian movie stars from long ago. Of course, the star of the night was the Roma. It was not for driving that evening, just for admiring. I remember looking forward to getting the chance to get behind the wheel, I just didn’t think it would take so long – over a year. The Roma, though understated compared to other Ferraris, is a beautiful car. I personally loved this particular car’s grey paintwork – the car I and everyone was admiring at EuroMotor’s La Dolce vita launch was this same rare colour so I’m guessing that this is the same car. So where does the Roma fit into the Ferrari family? I suppose it could be […]
5 years ago
Gulf Insider’s Charlie Cooksey goes to Dubai to experience a very special drive… I recently went to Dubai to experience the latest Ferrari Portofino M. Ferrari booked me into the beautiful Bulgari Hotel which was quite possibly the most stunning and luxurious hotel I have ever stayed in… residing on its own private island in Dubai. The Bulgari hotel is an excellent match to the luxury standard to that of Ferrari. The next morning, the Portofino M was delivered to me – loaded onto a flatbed truck. Usually, I prefer my Ferraris in traditional red, but I must admit to being strongly drawn to the unique dark grey paintwork of this particular Ferrari. After it was unloaded and I had signed the relevant paperwork accepting responsibility for it, the car was mine for the day to take wherever I wanted to go. I always enjoy cruising and driving around Dubai, up and down Sheikh Zayed road, and in the cool winter sunshine, it’s even more enjoyable to take the roof down to feel the speed, wind and the sun… However, when you start climbing over 120kph it can mess up your hair style! It was a working business day for me, […]
Flip through our magazines online and read amazing content.
