Would you rather a mid engine flagship model

I certainly think a mid engine is more exotic and proper in a true sports car, but as long as it gets the job done, they can mount it hanging off the front bumper for all I care.

 

Yes, mid-engined V12s are exotic with a race car like dynamic.

 

Won't happen. V12's will be in front and they will be the flagship until they cannot comply with emissions and the switch will be to twin turbo V8. The first twin turbo V8 will be the F70 and it will set the tone just as the Enso did for the 599. Can hardly wait for this exciting direction first indicated by the Millechilli at the 60th anniversary in Maranello

 

Yes.

 

Yes..... why should Lambo have all the fun?
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YES !

i'm not sure what ferrari is thinking these days with the front engine cars....the look goofy

 

Not sure what you mean by flagship if F 40 etc, are excluded. The front engined GT is a more usable configuration than a mid engine V12. For the ultimate in performance Mid engine is the way and there is nothing better than a twelve but in the real world the 599 provides more performance than can be used on public roads already. Horses for courses I guess.

 

Yep.... I miss the Days of Ferrari as an Exotic car maker.... but my friend just traded in a Murciélago for an Aston Martin.... he loved the Lambo, but couldn't take it anywhere

 

Yes, Yes, Yes

 

More F40 s made than Daytonas right?
Flagship means top of the line to me so why not count the poor Enzo?

 

To the OP: Yes.

I think they look relatively ordinary. I like the 550/575M -- it's a very handsome design. But the problem is they're designed with luggage and golf clubs in mind. Given their freefall depreciation, I keep thinking I'd want one as a second car to my 328. But it's more of an economic thing than something I lust after. Cars like the Boxer and F40 were designed to:

1. Go very fast.
2. Stop very fast.
3. Corner very fast.
4. Provide a racer fantasy.
5, Make onlookers wet their pants/pantsuits.

If Ferrari is making mid-engined F1 cars, I'd like to see that spirit carry over to the top of the line road car.

True, but in the real world a BMW M3 or Merc AMG E-Class provide far more performance than can be used on public roads. I think if I'm paying obscene money for the Ferrari name -- and let's face it, fantasy -- I can afford to have something else with a big boot, all-weather tires, power seats, etc.

There's something basically right and exciting about a mid-engined car -- it's the ultimate expression of motorsports and practicality-be-damned.

 

+1

 

Yeah, it's kind of saddening that Ferrari only makes one sports car right now (F430 and its variants)


It's not that the mid-engine will necessarily perform better or sell better, but it makes a STATEMENT and CONVEYS AN IMAGE about the company; that performance is key. That's the same reason, I imagine, Ferrari offers a stick-shift on the 612 sedan. It conveys a message of dedication to performance.



And hey, why not a front-engined and mid-engined V12? I can't imagine how many hundreds of thousands a NEW mid-engined Ferrari V12 would go for...guess we don't have to look far past the Enzo and F50 to see. If 599s go for $500k, I bet a mid-engined V12 would go for $600k.

 

BTW unless you turn it sideways ala Miura, turn it backward ala Countach or put it on top of the gearbox ala BB packaging a mid engine 12 is a nightmare. This why you see it done in hyper exotics

 

Be careful with words like that, it could very easily get you PMs and emails from the Ferrari design team.

 

Yes, I understand that it's not easy at all. But this is Ferrari. Engineering is one of their core competencies and I guess I have come to expect that from them.


Maybe it is just too expensive. Or maybe Ferrari just doesn't care. Or both

 

Nope, Porsche has been hanging engines off the rear bumper for decades. Ferrari's not going there.