not that I can afford one, but i'm defiantely a 3 pedal person..
The history of Ferrari has always been linked to Formula 1, originally the only reason they started selling production cars was to finance their F1 program, likewise people purchased Ferraris because they wanted F1 technology on their street cars. So lets face it, as much as we love the old manual gear box, the technology has long since evolved past it. A ferrari just wouldn't be a ferrari with out the latest F1 technology.
+458 ........... for the manual shift gearbox with left foot actuated clutch!!!! (Yes I had to say 'foot actuated clutch' because some guys actually think shifting with paddles is 'manual' ..... )
I cant ever see myself owning a sports car with anything other than 3 pedals... Of course I am not Ferraris customer as I would never spend $300k on a car.
I would like to see manuals available on all Ferrari cars save for perhaps the limited-run models where it may not be practical. Having said that, Ferrari is a business, and with almost 90% of its cars going F1 these days, it's going to be harder in the future to make a case for it.
I have driven a number of 360s and F430s with the F1 transmission. I still prefer a manual, and believe that not offering one would be similar to Ferrari's earlier decision to abandon air horns for an American-sounding horn. Technology is all well and good, but I'm still for good old-fashioned choice. Fred
The gated shifter is as much of a Ferrari tradition as the V12 engine. Don't give up on that and betray your own past. I would be content with a six-speed, although a seven-speed with the first gear left down would be as epic as the design of your new 458 Italia. YES to three pedals in the 458!
This is a very good point. I do not envy the "decision makers" at Ferrari as they always have to tread that thin line of nurturing and honoring a tremendous legacy while still having to maximize sales and profits. It is a business and when the day is done, success is measured in EBITDA*, not the happiness and enthusiasm from the enthusiasts. (EBITDA, for you non-business folks, is a fancy acronym dorks like me use for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) That said, and assuming your 90% is accurate and correct, why did this thread blow up with support for a true manual so quickly? One school of thought is that those who purchase F1 transmission cars are not "enthusiast" enough to order a standard manual, let alone be a presence on an enthusiast website. Not flaming! Just guessing, so calm down. Paddle slappers stand up and be heard!
no 6spd manual means i'll be shopping for used f430s when the time comes ferrari should offer 3 pedals for real enthusiasts
I would buy an F-1 but I think it would be wise and appropriate to continue to offer the 3 pedal car for those that want it.
His estimate of 90% is not far off the numbers I have heard, it may even be little low. The fact is that standard manual cars are getting very rare and they just aren't making that many of them. It seems the majority of the customers want the latest and greatest technology in their new cars. If you want a classic car, there are plenty of those around that have standard manual transmissions. A lot of them even have no power steering. As for why there are so many responses, it is simply because it is a hot topic. It has been for over a decade and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. Past examples, like the fiasco with the M5, show support for a standard manual transmission on online forums doesn't translate into sales. This whole you aren't a real "enthusiast" unless you get a standard manual argument is a complete load of crap. That argument holds about as much water as "you aren't a man unless you get a manual" or "your are gay if don't get a manual". I assume most of the last two come from the teenagers in the audience. It is just personal preference and I might add that it is never the F1 or double-clutch people attacking the manual people, it is always the other way around. Makes you wonder.....
you have to remember that even thought the F1 vs manual is basically the same trany except for the shifting part there is a LOT more going on in there than just a switch from stick to F1 The electronics in the traction control, leveling etc. is from the F1 computer that doesn't fair well when you request the manual over the F1. Not saying it isn't a great lot of fun or not an option to get, but there are performance differences/adjustments that do not exactly translate from F1 to manual in the same model....talking newest 360+ models. and to feel like you are driving because...back in the day....you had more things to mess with while driving....I'll refer you to my old '25 Model T pickup and challenge anyone to have tons of fun driving that daily...had more levers, pedals, stuff to consider just going from reverse to fwd.....think tractor having said that: both mine are manual ...but would I have a F1 in a newer car: yup.
How does this sound: The car comes equipped with a 7-speed transmission that has the automatically actuated clutch and the paddles on the steering wheel. However, with the push of a button, a third pedal descends from beneath the dash and a gated shifter rises up from the center console. In this mode, the computer "releases" it's control of the clutch and switches to a pedal-controlled linkage and the gear changes are deferred to manual input from the gated shifter. Pretty sweet, eh? Listen, I know dick about the actual inner workings of transmissions and all the reasons this would be impossible, but I think it would be cool as hell! Call it the ummmmm, "F1 / Heritage DualSpec" transmission. Rock On! - Nick