Latest news with #Modena
Motor 1
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Only Ferrari Race Car Drivers Can Buy This 296 Speciale
It's been less than two months since Ferrari launched the 296 Speciale , and yet it's already unveiling a special edition of the supercar. Called the 'Piloti Ferrari' for good reason, this limited-run electrified machine is exclusively for those who actually race cars bearing the Prancing Horse. Eligible buyers must race their prized possessions either competitively or recreationally at track events endorsed by Ferrari. But let's say you're not Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton; how do you buy one? Racing one of the Challenge models qualifies you to order the car. The same applies to those who enjoy weekend track time with an XX model or the newly launched 499P Modificata . For those who meet the criteria, the Piloti Ferrari is essentially a cosmetic upgrade to the 296 Speciale. Photo by: Ferrari The car can be ordered in Rosso Scuderia livery, but other options include Argento Nürburgring, Nero Daytona, and Blu Tour De France. Regardless of the exterior color, all versions feature Giallo Modena stripes, a tribute to the triple Le Mans-winning 499P endurance race car. To further distinguish it from a 'standard' 296 Speciale, Ferrari adds a hand-painted WEC logo, an Italian flag motif on the front bumper, and your chosen racing number. Inside, the seats are upholstered in thermoformed black Alcantara with fireproof fabric inserts made from the same material as racing suits. You can even personalize the metal footwell and carbon fiber door sills. Additional details include a carbon identification plaque and your racing number adorning the body-hugging seats, which come equipped with a racing harness. Ferrari hasn't disclosed the price, but it's safe to assume the Piloti Ferrari commands a premium over the standard 296 Speciale, which is estimated to start at $450,000. While production numbers for the base model remain unknown, it's already sold out. As for the WEC-inspired edition, the pool of eligible buyers is believed to be fewer than 1,000 people. Ferrari 296 Speciale Piloti Ferrari 7 Source: Ferrari Catch Up With Ferrari: The Electric Ferrari Isn't Coming This Year Ferrari Employees Can Buy a Fiat Panda with Their Fat Bonus Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Motor 1
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Alfa Romeo and Maserati Will Develop Cars Together to Cut Costs
Stellantis needs to take urgent action to revive Maserati after sales plummeted by 57% last year, dropping to just 11,300 cars. The Trident's parent company has denied reports that it plans to sell the Modena-based marque and insists it has no intention of shutting down the storied luxury brand. So, what's the plan? Help Maserati from within by working more closely with another automaker located just about 160 miles away. Alfa Romeo, which isn't exactly thriving either, will join forces with Maserati. Santo Filici, CEO of both brands, says a plan has been drafted but still needs approval from Stellantis's new top brass. The automotive conglomerate's CEO, Antonio Filosa , is scheduled to meet with representatives from the two Italian marques on June 23 to finalize the details. Photo by: Maserati Filici told Australian magazine Drive that Alfa Romeo and Maserati will collaborate on the development of new cars. A merger appears to be off the table, as the CEO has previously stated that the brands occupy different positions within Stellantis. Alfa is 'premium,' while Maserati is 'luxury.' Even so, the two companies are expected to consolidate efforts in other areas to reduce costs by 'finding synergies where is possible.' 'Of course, we are touching ... [vehicle] development. It's one of the pillars that's in this plan that we are going to close. For sure, we are also touching other columns ... meaning organization [structure], meaning our [dealer] network footprint, and ... considering our plants here in Italy. There is a big job to do. We are going to close this plan.' Regarding what went wrong at Maserati, former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares stated that the products were fine, but poor marketing led to a lack of clear brand positioning. Elsewhere, the fully electric MC20 has been cancelled after the company realized that wealthy buyers still prefer combustion engines. The next-generation Quattroporte, which will also replace the Ghibli, has been pushed back to 2028. Alfa Romeo faces its own challenges, as the launch of the next-generation Stelvio and Giulia is taking longer than expected. Initially planned solely as EVs, both models will also receive combustion engine variants, requiring additional engineering. Like many other automakers, Alfa recently abandoned its EV-only strategy . Catch Up With The Two Italian Brands: Alfa Romeo Could Delay Its Most Important Car Maserati Sales Collapsed in 2024 Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Reuters
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
Maserati ready to present new business plan very soon, brand boss says
MODENA, Italy, June 5 (Reuters) - Maserati plans to present a new business plan shortly, soon after parent company Stellantis' new CEO Antonio Filosa officially starts in his job later this month, the head of the struggling luxury carmaker said on Thursday. The loss-making Italian brand, the only one in the luxury segment for the world's fourth largest automaker, has no new model launches scheduled at the moment, with Stellantis reviewing Maserati's strategies after a previous business plan was put on hold last year. Maserati CEO Santo Ficili said the plan was being finalised and would not just include new products but also redesign relations with dealers and the assistance network. "We have clear ideas about what we want to do, we hope we can be ready very soon," Ficili said at the Motor Valley Fest in the Italian city of Modena, where Maserati is headquartered. "Let's wait for Antonio to take up his job," he added. Stellantis last week named its North American chief Filosa, an Italian national, as its new CEO. His appointment will be effective from June 23. "Antonio loves the (Maserati) brand, I am sure we'll do great things," Ficili said, adding Maserati will continue to design, engineer and manufacture all its models in Italy. Asked about market speculation that Stellantis could assess a sale of Maserati amid poor results and falling sales, Ficili reiterated the group had no plans at all to divest from it. Ficili, who is also the head of Stellantis premium brand Alfa Romeo, said a review of the Alfa plan was imminent too. The group has hired consultant McKinsey to advise on strategies for Maserati and Alfa Romeo as they face a hit from U.S. tariffs. Maserati makes around 30% of its sales in the U.S., while Alfa Romeo generates some 15%.
Medscape
29-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Gut Health in Rosacea: Diet, Probiotics, and the Microbiome
Growing evidence suggested that the skin and gut may be more closely linked than once thought — especially in chronic inflammatory conditions like rosacea. In a comprehensive review recently published in Biomolecules , Marco Manfredini, MD, from the Department of Dermatology at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy, and colleagues explored the evolving science around how diet, gut microbiota, and probiotics may influence rosacea pathogenesis and symptom severity. While more clinical studies are needed, the review highlighted new pathways linking gastrointestinal dysbiosis to cutaneous inflammation. The authors proposed that specific dietary modifications and the use of probiotics could support traditional treatment approaches for certain patients. Pathogenesis of Rosacea: A Multifactorial Inflammatory Process Rosacea arises from a complex interplay of multiple contributing factors. 'The pathogenesis of rosacea continues to be a subject of investigation,' the authors wrote, involving 'dysregulation of the innate immune response and neuropeptide activity, microbial involvement, environmental factors, dietary triggers, and skin barrier dysfunction.' Central to these mechanisms is the innate immune system. In rosacea, elevated levels of kallikrein-5 trigger excessive processing of antimicrobial peptides into proinflammatory fragments such as LL-37. These fragments promote oxidative stress, cytokine release, and blood vessel changes, contributing to the inflammation and vascular symptoms seen in the disease, according to the authors. Neurovascular dysregulation is also a hallmark of the disease. The authors noted, 'activation of TRPV1 [Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel Subfamily V Member 1] and related channels by environmental triggers like heat and UV [ultraviolet] radiation exacerbate flushing and erythema by promoting vasodilation and neurogenic inflammation.' These channels are hypersensitive in patients with rosacea, contributing to enhanced symptom severity. While the skin microbiome — particularly Demodex folliculorum and its associated Bacillus oleronius — has long been considered a contributing factor, recent attention has turned to the gut. 'Emerging evidence suggests that while microorganisms may not be central causative factors… alterations in the skin microbiome across multiple rosacea subtypes may act as trigger factors or potentiate inflammation,' the review authors wrote. 'Gastrointestinal dysbiosis, including conditions such as Helicobacter pylori infection and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO),' they noted, 'has been hypothesized as a potential contributor to rosacea development.' Gut Dysbiosis and the Skin: The Available Evidence The concept of a gut–skin axis describes the bidirectional relationship between intestinal microbiota and skin inflammation. In rosacea, this relationship is supported by associations with conditions like SIBO, H pylori infection, and inflammatory bowel diseases, as highlighted in the Manfredini review. Asked to comment on this emerging topic, Rajani Katta, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at the McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, noted, 'We have strong evidence linking gut dysbiosis to rosacea, but it is important to note that this applies only to certain patients. In other words, only a subset of patients with rosacea seems to have gut dysbiosis, and in those patients, there appears to be a link.' Rajani Katta, MD Katta added that the most compelling mechanisms relate to inflammation. 'Patients with SIBO may have higher levels of inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha. In other studies, gut dysbiosis can lead to the activation of specific inflammatory pathways like the kallikrein-kinin pathway. Activation of these pathways has multiple downstream effects, which may ultimately increase neurogenic inflammation in the skin.' The review by Manfredini and colleagues supported these theories, citing studies that show improvement in rosacea symptoms following SIBO eradication, although the benefit of H pylori treatment is less clear. 'The association between Helicobacter pylori infection and rosacea remains complex and influenced by several confounding factors,' the authors wrote. 'The antibiotic treatment required for H pylori eradication represents an important confounding factor.' The authors caution that without large-scale prospective studies examining the gut microbiome before and after intervention, firm conclusions about causality remain elusive. Dietary Triggers: What the Evidence Supports Dietary factors may influence rosacea by promoting vasodilation, activating sensory receptors, or altering the gut microbiome. Yet, data on specific triggers remain mixed, according to the authors. Asked to comment on dietary triggers in rosacea, Lauren Kole, MD, associate professor of dermatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said that 'the best data for dietary triggers for rosacea are for alcohol and hot beverages. Alcohol may induce peripheral vasodilation, promote inflammation, modulate the immune system, and may trigger histamine release. Hot beverages may cause direct vasodilation and trigger other pathways that lead to flushing, stinging, and sensitive skin.' Katta also noted that alcohol and hot beverages 'are common triggers, likely because they lead to vasodilation, which causes flushing.' She also highlighted spicy foods as a culprit. 'Foods that contain capsaicin may result in vasodilation and thus flare rosacea, so avoiding spicy foods may be helpful.' Another category included foods that contain cinnamaldehyde — a compound found in cinnamon, tomatoes, and citrus —which may trigger flushing in sensitive individuals, according to Katta. Katta recommended a practical approach for patients. 'For most patients, a 6-week trial of eliminating the most commonly reported food triggers in rosacea is a good first step… I tell patients that it can take 6 weeks of avoiding these foods to see if it will be helpful, and I recommend a food diary.' Interestingly, certain foods may offer benefits. Dairy products have been associated with reduced rosacea severity in some populations, potentially because of their anti-inflammatory effects. High-fiber diets may support gut microbial diversity and caffeine — despite its reputation — has been inversely associated with rosacea in large observational studies, cited in the Manfredini review. Probiotics: Potential but Preliminary Probiotics are another area of growing interest. These live microorganisms may influence rosacea by rebalancing the gut microbiome, reducing inflammatory cytokine production, and enhancing skin barrier function, according to the authors. 'Dietary probiotics may help normalize skin dysbiosis in rosacea and may limit substance P-induced skin inflammation,' said Kole. She referenced a study that found improved skin barrier function and reduced sensitivity with oral probiotic use alongside doxycycline therapy. Katta said that she has not used probiotics for rosacea in her practice. 'Preliminary results appear intriguing, but there are still many questions about the optimal strain of probiotics as well as dose and duration,' she told Medscape Medical News . She added that the current evidence is 'too preliminary to recommend specific strains or delivery routes, although some have shown benefit,' referencing studies on strains of Bifidobacterium , Lactobacillus , and Escherichia coli Nissle included in the Manfredini review. Topical formulations are also being explored with promising results, and a product containing Vitreoscilla filiformis has shown reductions in facial erythema and Demodex density while improving transepidermal water loss, according to the review's authors. However, mirroring Katta's sentiment, the authors concluded that 'despite promising results, the evidence supporting the use of probiotics in the treatment of rosacea remains relatively limited. Further clinical trials are necessary to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of various probiotic strains and different methods of delivery, such as oral ingestion and topical use.' Looking Ahead: Clinical Considerations and Research Needs While the current research is promising, more rigorous studies are needed. 'One of the research areas that I'd love to see more of,' Katta said, 'is measuring rates of gut dysbiosis in patients with rosacea, with prospective studies examining gut microbiome composition before and after treatment, and how that correlates to rosacea severity.' For now, clinicians may consider an individualized approach, she said, and asking about gastrointestinal symptoms, evaluating for common dietary triggers, and discussing a food elimination trial can be helpful strategies. Although formal probiotic guidelines for rosacea are lacking, some patients may benefit from a monitored trial of supplementation — particularly if they also have gut-related complaints, she added. 'There are many gaps in our understanding of the gut–skin axis,' Katta emphasized. 'But it's an exciting area of dermatologic research.'
Top Gear
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Here's everything you need to know about the 2,137bhp Giamaro Automobili Katla
Like you, TG couldn't believe the claims of an unknown hypercar startup, so we went to the reveal event in search of answers Hopefully you've read the news about the 2,137bhhp Giamaro Automobili Katla by now. Heck, if that headline power figure didn't make you click on the initial story, we don't know what would have done. Of course, you'd be right to treat its claims with a healthy dose of skepticism given how regularly new companies pop up declaring that they're the next big thing in the world of hypercars. There are usually some renders of a car, outlandish performance figures and limited detail on who will actually build the thing or when deliveries to customers could feasibly begin. Yes, we're looking at you Dendrobium D-1, Devel Sixteen, Vencer Sarthe, TranStar Dagger GT etc. As a result, when an invitation landed in our inboxes to attend the launch of the latest 'thrilling new chapter in the annals of automotive excellence', we very nearly dismissed it without a second thought. Then we slapped ourselves on the wrists for not being giddy at 2,000bhp and jumped on the next plane to Italy. So yes, was there as Giamaro Automobili unveiled the Katla to the world. 'In Modena, at the heart of the Motor Valley,' said the invitation, which turned out to mean 'on a small industrial estate in Cavezzo, still in the province of Modena but roughly 40 minutes from the city's centre'. Still, the glitzy launch event was held in a genuine factory where the smell of fresh paint still lingered, and TG rubbed shoulders with local dignitaries (it wouldn't be an Italian event without the local police chief showing up), prospective customers and interested dealers. Given how little we knew about Giamaro from the initial press release, it was an enlightening evening. So, we're going to treat this like one of those Frequently Asked Questions sections that the internet seems to love. Here goes… Well, the claims are indeed wild, but the company's launch event did seem pretty legit. It turns out that Giamaro was actually born back in 2021 and is the work of father and son team Giacomo and Pierfrancesco Commendatore. Giacomo describes himself as an entrepreneur and seemingly made his money from a mattress company and through telesales in the 80s and 90s, but he was also one of the first investors in a little-known company called Pagani. Aha! 'This was a fantastic project,' he says. 'Horacio was an amazing man, but in the end, we had different ideas. He prefers aesthetics while I adore functionality.' Interesting. Commendatore Sr also tells TG that the reason we haven't heard of Giacomo until now, despite the company being four years old, is because 'we don't like to talk, we like to build cars'. And yes, he does have the perfect surname to be running a car company in Modena. Well, near Modena.
