On The Road Oz: ...a blog of Australian automotive exotica

Better than perfect - the Ferrari 430 Scuderia

2007-11-24T07:56:00.000-08:00

Sorry. Just can't help myself. Still blown over by that Scud launch yesterday. I had to post something up here of the Ferrari 430 while I get the PR snaps and videos sorted.

A truly awesome and unique automotive statement. The perfect sports car.

Pretty bloody obvious.

And it sounds even better.

Christmas is early this year...what a week.

2007-11-23T18:09:00.000-08:00

Some weeks just dont get much better. Had a ball this week with the amazing little Piaggio MP3 250. I dished out a lot to this little tripod both in town and the Adelaide Hills close to our home. Not entirely a suitable pastime for the little Piaggio - but it coped admirably despite not having the engine torque - and basically its not REALLY designed as a scraper. But it did it with grace and bags of fun. I just loved the looks of the regular jet pilots on the Blackwood Road run.

Anyhow - here are some snaps and the review will be done this week-end.

THE BIG NEWS was that I was one of three SA media to go to the Prestige Formula launch of the totally 'bello' Ferrari 430 Scuderia - yes - an awesome beautiful beast. At approx $500,000 - price TBC +ORC - this single Ferrari has just arrived in SA from Sydney and was ...well ...amazing. I sat in it, I felt it - I heard that cavernous throaty exhaust note. Indeed who needs a radio when you have THAT motor to listen to. I am quite astounded to hear there are already 60 orders in Australia for the 430s - and 7 being within South Australia. Anyway much to write this week-end - check back and enjoy the MP3 pics - thanks to Piaggio Australia the 400 version is being released early 2008 and thats also heading over here for me to check out.

The 400 will be the real deal I think offering a total sports - commuter package that will see a lot of folk - new and old to bikes - maybe head onto this amazing Italian tripod.

Oh yes - the 430 launch will be my next feature to pen so stay tuned for the draft here...

MP3 arrives at last: extended review to follow...

2007-11-15T00:50:00.000-08:00

The call finally came from Sydney that the new Piaggi MP250ie was on its way...

As I waved the freight van good-bye I knew I finally had the week to get to know this unique three wheeler from Piaggio on the streets, tram-tracks and expressways of Adelaide.

First impressions riding home were very good. Within a block it feels fine. A few sets of lights over what was potted city roads and you know this is something very different. Very stable, plush, nimble ride. But whoa the cornering! Amazing stuff. Two wheels mean just throw it into any corner, twist the throttle and smile. Scrape. Well tha was painless. Not a twitch and it just tracks on. Very tidy. Like it.

Expressway was great also despite being a tad slow from the lights. Managed to quickly get to 80kph when needed. Annoying thing was the bike is so different many car drivers feel obliged to try and run behind me at 110kph in the 80kph lane. Huge joke..ha ha ha - sigh.

Coped with that even tho I'd normally just sit at 80. Same thing happened when I had the shoebox sized Mercedes Smart car. Capable car - but it just freaked people out and - yep, lets run it off the road for fun' - a big "thanks -NOT" to all the scoota-phobes out there. Sad that I can run a cruiser up the expressway at 80 and the cars will skulk two car lengths behind - sadly 'bogan australis' are alive and well.

Once I pull im the driveway to awaiting wide-eyed son patiently waiting, I simply flip the right toggle and that locks the two front wheels, flip the central handbrake mini-lever and hop off. Neat. Cant wait for the week-end..or maybe I DO need to pop out for the paper....

"Mille Vespa!"

On The Road Oz

2007-11-14T17:40:00.000-08:00

Nick Ramage - legal editor and writer by day - motoring and bike writer by night - attempts to ride and drive as much automotive exotica as can humanly be sourced from Australian prestige dealers and bike distributors [bless them, venerate them all].

Join him on his many jaunts and peg-scrapes as he meanders across South Australia in the elusive quest for the perfect car and bike - on the road.

Before we start a small heads up that I DO prefer two wheels to four - but I'm sure we can all still be friends. I review each vehicle on its merits be it scooter or soft-top - and respect the wealth of engineering - new and established - that I manage to see.

When not posting reviews he can be found scouring the web for the latest news, press releases and technical waffle concerning cars, bikes or things with motors and round rubber bits.

He is happily married with three toddlers, a happily deaf Jack Russel (it helps in our house), three chickens - and an abiding passion for Gilera scooters...as you will find out.