A sunny day in London

Which is a rare thing, so time to take another rare thing out. What strikes me about the 512M is how uncompromising and direct it is. This is not a special series/Scuderia/Challenge/Enzo/F50 style car. If you wanted a 12 cylinder 2 seater Ferrari in 1995, this was it. She grumbles and roars around town; manhole covers and potholes punch you in the head; a slight change in steering results in a direct change of direction. Breathe towards the throttle and you surge forward. Stop at the lights and a beast from Hades stops behind you, every time.
I love it.
In evolutionary terms, replacement was the 550, amazing car but so different. 575, fantastic car but a sedan to drive by comparison. 599, remote, clinical, brilliant, emotionless. (The views expressed here are those of the author only.) That's three gens of completely different car; in customer terms, a 180 degree, far greater than Porsche's 993 to 996 that gets so many internet km.
Then the F12 and that for me steps back/forward towards the 512M again: manic, maniacal, focussed and not a cruiser at all. (But still somehow a bit unloveable.)
And so, Ferrari's philosophy makes sense: the mainstream cars are much more liveable. (Try driving the 512 every day - potholes, parking lots, you'd need to be committed). The crazy cars are limited editions for focussed people.
But back in 1995, this was it. Cool. Respect to the original owners.
End of essay.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

This is sooo true. Shoot it around some roundabouts on the edge in the dry and your hairs stand on end, in the best possible way. My kids think it's more fun than any theme park ride (maybe a reflection on my driving). And they have been in a lot of supercars courtesy of my job. Would I push the limits in the wet? Only when I was 20 years younger, which, thankfully, is when I was not able to afford one, and when they were not born, when the cars were manufactured...otherwise, they may never have been born..

But the biggest thing is this: this is a car that is absolutely engaging, exciting, enveloping, to drive 15 miles along busy roads without ever being a rev hero. Something that none of today's Ferraris have, despite their brilliance.

 

Thank you and correct. I look forward to driving it and my 550 back to back shortly. Remarkable that 550 is direct replacement; symbolic of Ferrari's change of direction under Luca di M. And yes Mel I agree, Ferrari worked out no power steering and rumbustious manners were not things its expanding market would stand for.

 

Would be fun Paul. 365BB, that is pure class..

 

Really true...