Founder
Year Founded
Year of First Vehicle Produced
Headquarters
Formula 1 Constructors’ Championships
Ferrari and Porsche are two of the biggest names in performance-focused vehicles, but their backgrounds couldn’t be more different. While both automakers produce impressive cars, Ferrari’s commitment to Formula 1 racing — and its influence on production vehicles — presents a stark contrast with its German competitor.
Ferrari and Porsche have vastly different origins: Ferrari is rooted in the racing world, whereas Porsche began by offering motor vehicle development work and consulting.
The concept of Ferrari began in 1929 as Alfa Romeo’s racing division, then known as Scuderia Ferrari (a name Ferrari uses for racing to this day). It wasn’t until 1947 that Ferrari established itself as a true automaker with the release of the 125 S — but then, as now, the design of every vehicle is rooted in the racing world, and thus in pushing the limits of what is possible for supercars and hypercars to achieve. It’s as much a reason that Ferrari has earned a record 16 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championships as it is for the Prancing Horse’s production vehicles continually getting better and faster.
Porsche began by providing vehicle consulting services to the German government, with one of its first designs becoming the Volkswagen Beetle — a storied design, to be sure, but not a car that’s known for its performance. Its first performance vehicle — the Porsche 64 — was developed using many of the components that were also used in the Beetle. During World War II, Porsche was focused on designing tanks. It wasn’t until 1948 that Porsche was able to release the 356 — the first car that Porsche actually sold.
Porsche didn’t become involved in motorsports until the 1950s, and while they saw success in certain venues, they’ve never been a major player in Formula 1. In other words, racing is something that Porsche came to eventually; by contrast, Ferrari grew out of a racing spirit.
The origins of Ferrari and Porsche speak to the difference in the performance of their vehicles. Consider a recent example from each automaker:
You may have noticed that the Ferrari and Porsche logos both look similar: they both have a prancing horse on their badges. While the horses are similar, the designs are different from one another, and the horse was adopted by each automaker for different reasons:
One logo was a default option, while the other was earned. There’s a reason that Ferrari — not Porsche — is also known as the Prancing Horse.
A Ferrari is unlike anything else on the road, including the best that Porsche has to offer. The only way to truly understand is to drive a Ferrari for yourself. If you’re ready to take the next step, we’ll be delighted to help you buy a Ferrari of your own, whether you’re in Indianapolis, Milwaukee, or elsewhere in the United States. We proudly serve enthusiasts throughout the country from our Chicago-area dealership, so contact Continental AutoSports Ferrari today to begin!
Either of the Ferrario Portofino trim levels offers speed and luxury on a grander scale in Hinsdale. Both models offer top-down, open-air driving experiences along Lake Michigan, or they are equally capable at your favorite racetrack near Chicago. Named after the idyllic coastal town of Portofino, the configurations for the Ferrari Portofino embody everything about that city, from the zigzag roads to the breezes coming from the coast. Read our guide to the two Ferrari Portofino trim levels to learn more from Continental AutoSports Ferrari. View New Ferrari Inventory Contact Us Ferrari Portofino Trim Levels Although there are technically two configurations for…
Imagine yourself along a winding road in the Italian countryside before you enter a beautiful town that time seems to have forgotten. Look for the ancient castle on the hillside, a sentinel overlooking the jagged point in the bay. You wind around to an idyllic residential district on the seat, with colorful, multi-story homes engulfing the shore breezes of a late afternoon in the summer. The spirit of Portofino, Italy, one of the most beautiful coastal towns in the country, is found in every Ferrari Portofino on our lot in Hinsdale. Drive along Michigan Avenue with the top down in…
When considering a hybrid vehicle for your Chicago garage, there are some differences to consider, such as the hybrid battery. Just like any battery, the hybrid battery will lose its ability to hold a charge over time and will eventually need to be replaced. You may be wondering about the hybrid battery replacement cost and lifespan. Find out more about hybrid car battery replacement with the service team at Continental AutoSports Ferrari in Hinsdale. Service TipsContact Us How Often to Schedule Hybrid Car Battery Replacement Under normal conditions, your car will require a hybrid battery replacement every 150,000 miles or 15 years,…
(630) 655-3535
Call Now420 E Ogden Avenue • Hinsdale, IL 60521
Get DirectionsOpen Today! Sales: 9am-6pm
Open Today! Service: 8am-5pm
Open Today! Parts: 8am-5pm