There are innumerable reasons why Ferrari inspires such a broad and almost rabid fan base. The company’s history, the man who started it all, and the longevity of this marque’s influence on the motoring as well as the racing world, all play a part in the mystique that surrounds this company’s name.

The history of Ferrari is storied and proud. Some American companies have definitely appeared envious of this heritage. So envious were some, they tried to buy the Italian company for their own. While Ferrari ultimately balked rather demonstratively at the idea of an outright purchase by an American company, Ferrari has a history of financial and other relationships with automakers and companies related to the automotive world. The most influential of these include Fiat, which currently owns Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Shell Petroleum, Pirelli, and others. Ferrari continues in many of these very successful relationships today.

The man who started it all, Enzo Ferrari, was remarkable. He stands as an icon in the automotive world. And the racing record of his cars is so long and studded with accomplishments, that it is little wonder some people equate the name with racing, itself.

During some periods, Ferrari seems to own the Formula One World Championship series. The present time is an excellent example of this. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have the best drivers. But why do the best drivers always seem to want to find a ride in Ferrari cars? Among other reasons, it’s because they have a well-developed habit of winning.

Born before the turn of the last century, in 1898, Enzo Ferrari lived in an entirely different world than exists today. Over a century later, we take for granted things like the almost natural feeling of cruising in an automobile at 75 to 100mph. When Enzo was 20 years old, in 1918, a prosperous and growing automaker had just begun to brag that it had made the very first 100mph Packard automobile.

It weighs less than a ton and only has a four-cylinder engine, but it’s fast enough for most and has handling characteristics that more than one automotive magazine has called “telepathic.”

The Elise has been available in Europe for a few years (as the Elise 111R), but the 2005 Lotus Elise marks the company’s re-entry into the U.S. market. In this article, we’ll find out how they made the Elise so light, why it handles so well and what it takes to get behind the wheel.

Designed in the spirit of a Le Mans-style race car, the distinctive JP1 has joined Jonathan Palmer’s ‘Motorsport Sensation’ programme, the UK’s premier track driving facility established by the former Formula One driver at the Bedford Autodrome, near Thurleigh, Bedfordshire. Engineered to be enjoyed by novice and enthusiast drivers alike, the JP1 is powered by a 245 bhp version of the proven 3.0-litre AJ-V6 engine from the all-wheel drive Jaguar X-TYPE. Cosworth Racing has adapted the power unit to suit the mid-engined layout. The rear wheels are driven through a race specification six speed ‘sequential’ shift gearbox, that allows rapid upward gearchanges with a short, sharp pull-back of the lever without even lifting off the accelerator.

The characteristics of the 24 valve, 3.0-litre V6 from the Jaguar X-TYPE make it well-suited to the JP1. Its all-aluminium construction ensures a low mass and even in standard tune the engine produces a healthy 231 bhp. Cosworth Racing has increased this to 245 bhp, boosted the torque using a bespoke engine management system and improved responsiveness by fitting a lightened flywheel and revising the inlet and exhaust systems.