Depicted below is a screen from the VDA (Vehicle Dynamic Assist) showing a useful track feature. The display is blue, showing that the engine, brakes and tires are not up track (warranty voided!) operating temperatures. The screen changes to yellow/green when all is good to go; and to red when "overcooking" occurs. While one might argue it is taking "idiot lights" to a new level, I think it is a neat feature for the heat of battle. Image Unavailable, Please Login
People with track experience might pretend to be unimpressed by this, but the fact is that countless Ferrari owners haven't got much/any experience of pushing high performance cars anywhere their limits or know how to warm them up properly - so this can only be a good thing. Hell, I've got a couple of decades of track experience and I like it! Cool stuff.
Anything that helps you treat a fine piece of machinery like a 458 with respect has to be a good idea. As long as we're not heading down the Rice Rocket route where we end up with displays designed by games companies...
Very true! That brings back memories... Nice to see the Ferrari system extends the feature to cover engine and brakes as well as tires - very neat!
what about a specific helmet (such as for the scuderia) with same features displayed as head up screen? and next should be a direct plug to the driver's brain, and then... sorry, I am dreaming, but nice device!
On the surface it seems like a good idea. Great for the guy that finds himself with track time but little to no actual track experience. That being said I have absolutely ZERO track experience and don't know how well this will work in reality.
How can anyone say this was not influenced by GranTurismo The guy who developed the idea must be kicking him self for not patenting the idea.
Lots of track experience here, but not in my 360. That said, I've watched many people spin on the out lap in practice or on the pace lap of a race. Anything that gets their attention and gets them to warm up both the car and the driver's brain before going 10/10ths is a great feature. -tc-
I've seen the same! I've been on track days where we've been ordered to take it easy on the first two laps (as you are on most days) only to see someone floor it on the second bend of the first lap and take themselves and someone else off the track. Day over.
