Ferraris have gotten too big?

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=155738&page=4

 

That goes for 99% of the cars today. Every new released model is somewhat bigger than the old.

VW had Polo, but had to introduce the Lupo as a smaller alternative when the Polo went bigger and bigger.
Toyota had Yaris as a small, compact city car but now, they introduced Aygo because the Yaris also had kind of grown out of the market segment.

 

Fat Americans demand big cars and Ferrari is just trying to satisfy it's largest market...i.e., its largest customers...

 

I agree on a larger note that many European manufacturers have become bloated and power hogs, even the venerated 911. The greatest BMW ever made was the 2002 tii.
I think Ferrari is on track with their new lightweight direction, and can hope for a modern car with the size and soul of a 275 GTB.

 

I agree with those who have said all cars have gotten too bloated - BMW especially. As technically good as they are, the BMW 6 series is a whale. Porsche has kept the weight off a bit better in the 911, but it is no longer the taut athlete of 10 years ago.

And Ferrari lost something when they moved away from the intimate cockpits of the 246/308/328.

Even the jump from the tight little F355 to the 360 hurt, IMO (photo from another FChat'er):
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"Smaller and lighter" is impossible if you want a legal fast car that is not Spartan in approach. Ferrari is all about being a fast plush GT car, not about a no-nonsense Lotus type interior. I think the F 40 was the last Ferrari that was really purpose built as a street legal race car (does anyone race an Enzo? I doubt it). A new Ferrari has 500+ HP, nice interior, ergonomic options up the wazoo, complex engineering etc. etc. to compete with Lamborghini. Also, what did Ferraris from the 1950's weigh anyway? I bet they were over 3000 pounds with half the HP of today's cars.

The Lotus Elise and Exige have almost no interior, few if any options and are about 190-230 HP. Very basic stuff here, catering to track guys. You'd be hard pressed to get the guys who buy new Ferraris to get excited about such a car unless they're buying a second Ferrari as their GT car. I just don't see Ferrari trying to compete with Lotus. They did that with the 246 and it was not very popular at the time due to the price (double that of a Europa and almost 3x a Vette).


Ken

 

I wouldn't mind if my 430 shrunk about 10% even if it meant less power. Sitting next to my 328, the bulk is very obvious even though the weight is nearly identical.

Dave

 

I DON'T THINK THEY'RE LARGE ENOUGH!
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The 2008 M3 looks huge, and weighs 3700 lbs.! No wonder it needs a V8...

 

Me! I have a dream floating around my head of a 1000-1100kg Ferrari...

 

Which is why for me, its was either the 308, or the 355. So far, I love my LITTLE 308, its not the worlds most powerful car but I like it. The 328s are supposed to be good too, but I test-drove a lowsy one I guess.

Plus, although I'm not italian, I'm pretty freaking short, smaller cars fit me better

Is the Ariel Atom legal in the US? Thats pretty spartan, but its definately "smaller and lighter" .

Not sure its legal here, but I've heard there are a few in the states, one was recently at a colorado car show.

James in Denver

 

I agree, sort of. I don't think Ferrari were in Lotus Elise territory even back in the Dino/3x8 days, although the 308/328 seem like a nice compromise between cramped and intimate. They were very nicely appointed as well, a sort of gentleman's sports car (and not GT cars).

The problem is that when I'm in a 360 I feel like I'm sitting in a leather-and-aluminum-trimmed fun house with comfy lounge chairs, whereas in the 328 I feel very much a part of the car. It's also extremely low, so your perspective of the road is dramatic. Doubtless the 360 would be much more pleasant on a long trip, but something about smaller cars (like the Elise) gets the adrenalin going. Bigger cars have to work much harder at it.

The pics in AutoWeek definitely made it look bloated. I think the 1 series will be more interesting.

 

Although I appreciate the technology of the 360, 430, etc. I am not really a fan, I still love the looks of the 355 and 328.

 

The first time I saw a 612, it was next to an Enzo. I was amazed. The Scaglietti is a bus. However, its hard to fit all the technology of an F430 with its generous engine size into a smaller car. I personally love the cabin space of recent Ferraris, they are very airy and not as 'closed' as come of the 80's cars felt, but I know what your talking about, and I have heard similar complaints. Ferrari are almost 'on the road' with this new fuel-friendly car idea and I am sure soon enough we will begin to see smaller, lighter Ferraris.


Best
Jon

 

+1 and the 308.

 

i was at a ferrari/lambo show in san diego in the spring and i saw omgjons chairs and flares 246 dino and a few steps away was a chrome wheeled (dubs) 430.

i was struck by what a total jewel the dino was and shook my head as i then looked at the 430...looked like a escalade by comparison...it was almost gross!!!

 

In the non-exotic realm, Mercedes did this with the SLK as the SL grew over the years into a luxury cruiser. I've driven an '05 SLK and while Mercedes aren't on the same level as Porsche when it comes to thrills it is a much more exciting and energetic ride than big sister SL.

I hate to see Ferrari go downmarket, but the concept of a smaller V8 sports car would keep them closer to their roots.

'Jewel' is the right word. His car was stunning.

 

I agree, I would definitely like to see Ferrari's lower, just too high. When I had my 308qv, it was awesome, so low and close to the ground. Maybe the rumored Dino will be that, like a Cayman did to move closer to the old Porshes.

 

Ferraris are big even by today's standards. Who would have guessed that a 599 is actually bigger than an SLR? I saw the two parked next to each other recently and noticed this. I had to look up the specs to realize I wasn't seeing things. But to be honest the SLR appears bigger and the 599 seems to hide its size better.

 

In fairness the new 430 Scuderia will be as light as a 308, but with 500hp!

 

The bigger the better they reckon.......