Automotive Editor Caught Speeding with a Ferrari

Powerful sports car could make anyone push the pedal to the limit, and a 57-year-old automotive editor is no exception. The driver has been clocked driving his Ferrari at more than 230 km/h in a 100 km/h zone, and according to the Australian police, will be charged with reckless driving.

The car has been impounded under hoon legislation for seven days. According to Sg. Greg Lambert, "The incident should serve to remind drivers that regardless of a car’s capabilities, excessive speed is a contributing factor in about 60 people dying on our roads each year."

After they pulled him up for speeding on a West Australian Road last week, police have identified the driver as Rod Easdown, who works for the Australian Financial Review.

According to drive.com.au, Easdown was driving nothing else than a V8 Ferrari California convertible, reportedly one of only two in Australia, and worth more than 400,000 Australian dollars (312,440 US dollars). The car was brought into Australia by Ateco Automotive and was scheduled for test drives with Western Australian media outlets this week.

The other Ferrari is in Auckland, while other four are due to be delivered to dealers across the country. The waiting list of Australian buyers stands at 200, but the first lucky customer to own one is a Ferrari enthusiast from Queensland, who expects its car to be delivered this week.

The F149 is the first coupe cabrio to see daylight in Maranello. Its V8 engine propels it from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds, a bit slower than the F430, and develops 470 hp at 7,500 rpm. The car is also the first front engined Ferrari with a V8, the first to feature a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, and also the first with multi-link rear suspension and with direct petrol injection.