Monday 6th February 2012

Ferrari gifts bespoke Jeep SRT8s to F1 drivers

Well, we say 'gifts', perhaps we would be better to say 'lumbers'

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Alonso and Massa stand in front of their new 'ride'. Presumably to hide its hideousness

Aside from the cachet of simply driving for the greatest team in F1 history, being a Ferrari F1 driver has its fair share of perks.

For example, during their time at the Scuderia, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa have been given their own 458 Italia, Maserati GranCabrio and (perhaps less glamorous) an Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari each.

That's not a bad tally of cars. This year, however, the drivers have been given a 'unique' pair of Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8s, the first two in Europe. Which are not quite so nice.

Yes, we understand that it's a fine opportunity for Fiat to emphasise the point that it now has its mitts on Chrysler (and therefore Jeep). And yes, a Jeep powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 and capable of hitting 60mph in 5.0 seconds does have a certain appeal.

But why did they have to make it look like that?

'That', for the record, is Rosso Corso paint, a black offset racing stripe, black roof, a matt black grille, carbon fibre trim and white accents. The ride height is also 40mm lower and the cars sit on unique forged and painted 20-inch alloys. Oh, and the interior has been decked out in red leather accents, and even Ferrari-esque yellow dials on the instruments.

We can only assume that this is actually a form of punishment, and that if Alonso and Massa had been able to win more than a single race last year they might each be sitting in a brand-new Ferrari FF...

[Sivraj]

For sale two limited edition Ferrari Jeeps,
Reduced to sell!....

[timewatch]

As if they need it!

TW>>>

[Justayellowbadge]

You still published the press release though.

Job jobbed by FIAT PR.

[LuS1fer]

I like them. It's rather like the Dodge Ram SRT10, a fire engine of your own.

I'd certainly have more use for them than a Ferrari.

[robjeffree]

Massa's jeep has a rear facing camera, to assist with giving way to the other....

[EDLT]

They've already sold a bunch of Ferrari badged Fiat 500s for £30k, so can we expect a £100k Jeep-by-Ferrari special edition by the end of the year?

[Pingman]

God that looks grotesquely ugly!

Absolutely pointless too

Just a waste of money

[Kermit79]

^Yes, it is called the Maserati Kubang.;)

[LCR270]

lolss that's brilliant, you can see clearly that Alonso doesn't look very happy

[Johnboy Mac]

Those marketing 'people' would do anything for a bit of publicity, they've really no shame or taste for that matter.

[JJ78]

Both Alonso and Massa appear to be wearing 'forced smiles' still, I think they're (the jeeps) not much uglier than the F1 cars they have to drive this year!

[tuffer]

Is that what they modeled this years F1 car on?

[sunsurfer]

December 2012
Luca Di Montezemolo says.
"Fernando congratulations on your third world championship. Ferrari would like to reward you with a new Jeep Grand Cherokee.

As for you Felipe you've crashed into that cazzo Hamilton too many times and 5th in the world championship! We're going to give you three Jeep Grand Cherokees."

[Ali_T]

Wow, the Taste Police will be having words with those two....

[900T-R]

If that's an omen for the dynamics of this year's F1 car, I predict a repeat of the 1990 season when a disgruntled Alain Prost declared halfway through the season that his company motor 'now handles like a truck' and for his candour, promptly got shown the door...

[Fire99]

I'm a bit of Jeep fan, with them being a bit 'Marmite'. Did take me a second or two to work out the link between Jeep and Ferrari. Utter nonsense for the F1 drivers though. I doubt they're allowed to drive in anything less than perfect sunny conditions, due to contracts.. (cynic mode off..)

[RichardR]

You're right; you shouldn't say 'gifts' as gift is a noun and not a verb!

Please avoid the horrible Americanisms!

[RobCrezz]

The Crack Fox said:

How uncomfortable do they look ?



0/10 from me. Will this have the lowest ever score on PH ?

Quick, someone photoshop Lewis in!

[captain ash]

Wouldn't say no to a free extremely fast Jeep myself!

[tomv1to]

EDLT said:

They've already sold a bunch of Ferrari badged Fiat 500s for £30k, so can we expect a £100k Jeep-by-Ferrari special edition by the end of the year?

To be fair they also had flippy paddle gear boxes, and a bigger turbo allowing 180bhp over the Abarth SS's maximum of 160bhp so it was a bit more than a different badge and paint job. I'll be honest though the price tag was dissapointing but I think they only did 695 of each colour.