Charity LaFerrari goes for US$7m at auction

A UNIQUE LaFerrari hypercar has been auctioned off in the US for a record US$7 million (A$9.39m) to raise funds for relief efforts in the aftermath of the earthquakes that rocked central Italy in October.

The auction, organised in conjunction with Sotheby’s and the National Italian American Foundation’s Earthquake Relief Fund, played host to what was the most valuable 21st century vehicle to ever be sold at auction.

The auctioned flagship Ferrari sold for approximately five times the asking price of a ‘regular’ LaFerrari, which was US$1.4m during its limited run of production.

Ferrari decided to donate the LaFerrari in August when bilateral talks between the Italian and German governments were held at the Ferrari factory in Maranello.

All proceeds from the auction will go towards reconstruction efforts in the areas affected most by the earthquake.

The LaFerrari features a red livery with a white dream line running along the hood and rear windshield, as well as a small Italian flag adorned on the hood as a homage to the support of its home country.

The LaFerrari is powered by a 6.3-litre V12 paired to an electric motor for a gargantuan combined output of 708kW/900Nm.

Meanwhile, the Prancing Horse has revealed a couple of other super-exclusive models at the Ferrari World Finals event in Daytona, USA.

One such model is the 488 Challenge, a racetrack-tuned version of the 488 GTB to be used for special racing events which is fitted a bodykit and tweaks to its 3.9-litre turbocharged V8.

The 488 Challenge comes with a reworked front radiator, a redesigned front bumper and bonnet, a large wing spoiler and intakes on the rear flanks that help cool the rear brakes.

Under the bonnet tweaks include shorter gear ratios, specific engine mapping, a modified variable torque management system, and switchable independent traction and braking systems.

The modifications allow for an 11.6 per cent improvement in acceleration out of a bend compared to the 488 GTB, and a lap time of 1:15.5 around the Fiorano circuit, over a second better than its 458 Challenge EVO predecessor.

A special edition of the F12 has also been revealed, coined the SP275 RW Competizione.

Little is known about the SP275, but images show a gorgeous yellow model with exterior tweaks including large gills behind the front wheels and a dark blue carbon-fibre trim around the skirts of the vehicle.

The SP275 is not a production vehicle but has been made by the Italian brand as a special one-off for a client who felt an F12 Berlinetta was just not exclusive enough.

The price of the SP275 is unknown, but it is likely to cost more than the $808,888 asking price of the special-edition F12tdf announced last year.