Manual Gearbox

I find this hard to believe, but sounds like a good idea..

Jim

 

This is not a good idea - it is a great idea. I think a three pedal California would be a wonderful car.

 

I think they did it just to show the car is almost a full second slower to 60 than the dual clutch box.

 

If they can do it on the California, they can do it on the 458. Would love to see some more details.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

We've had this argument a million times but... I don't see the point.

You either make the best performing sports car in the world with the best equipment and the best technology.... or you don't.

If you want LESS technology and LESS performance, there's only about 200,000 Ferrari's out there to give you that "classic" feeling.

If you don't like ABS brakes, there are plenty of cars out there that don't have it.

If you don't like Fuel Injection, you can buy plenty of cars with carbs.

It's like saying you want the latest high tech super resolution TV set but you want to use rabbit ears for your reception. It makes little sense to step backwards.

 

Remember, I was on the no manual 458 side. Just would like to see more details. Actually fitting a manual to a California is way less of a challenge than on a 458. Tongue in cheek on the 458 comment.

No idea why they would put a six speed manual in a California. None available in an AMG 6.3.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

+1 ... could not have been said better! However, the person that is silly enough to buy a manual transmission may not like his wife or friends and buys the car so the slow shifting pounds their head against the headrest ...

 

For those who "wish to retain complete control over their car's dynamic behavior and performance."

...And there's the anachronism.

 

Some of you guys kill me

Seems no matter what Ferrari does you find a means to complain about it. No one would be forcing you to buy a 3 pedal car. If you don't like it... then don't buy it! But don't criticize others for their preferences.

There are a large number of enthusiasts who find the 3 pedal car a more "engaging" driving experience. Heel-Toe braking is a lost art nowdays is seems. So if they have that choice... perfect.

Others like the increased speed, simplicity (of driving) and feel of the twin clutch. So if they have that choice... perfect.

I'm very impressed with the twin clutch technology. It is very satisfying. But a part of me still aches for rowing through the gears at times.

And let's clear up this total delusion that Ferrari is ONLY about performance and technology. It's NOT! It's about the EXPERIENCE. If it was ONLY about speed we'd have no A/C, leather, cupholders, glass panels to show off the engines, stereo's, retractable hardtops, etc. etc. etc. etc. It's about an enthusiast experience.... not purely performance.

How about you find something meaningful to complain about. A car company offering choices to their consumers is hardly a big deal.

 

this is very well stated riskinator!

i understand from the road and track article on the 458 that less than 1% of 430 buyers chose the stick shift, but it's still nice to have the option.

personally, although i've always driven a stick, the double clutch is clearly much better without giving up the control of a stick. i doubt i'll get a stick again...

 

Iain- Thanks for the release. Very interesting technically and appears to be a new gearbox. Note is has dual cone syschronizers, where most of the late model Ferrari gearboxes for manual/F1 shifters (same gearbox for both versions) had triple cone synchronizers in at least 1st and 2nd gear. Hopefully some more details will emerge.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Terry, last year I read a rumor that, in 2010, Ferrari would offer the California with a manual transmission. But, unfortunately, this rumor also stated that the 458 would only be available with an F1 transmission. The rumor seemed backwards - if anything, the 458 should be available with a manual, not the California. But alas...


Riskinator, very well said!


Bdelp, not everything about a Ferrari is/has been/will be logical. Driving a sports car is about the experience; it's about the journey, not the destination. The F1 transmission is prevalent among newly ordered Ferraris because that's what people are ordering - but that doesn't mean that those people will get the most out of that technology. For most, it's just a gimmick.

Comparing a manual transmission on a Ferrari to rabbit ears on a flat screen is a bit silly. You should've compared the manual to getting up from the couch and walking over to the flat screen to change the channel. But getting up from the couch and walking over to the flat screen to change the channel doesn't make the shows you're watching any better or worse. It's just a personal preference.

If 458 owners were racing the 458s professionally, then this debate would be pointless.

 

Take it easy.

This is not a debate forum. He expressed a personal preference for a 3 pedal 458. It's an emotional thing, not rational. Buying a TV is a little different than buying a Ferrari.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2mFEC2H0cY

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nürburgring_lap_times

 

Carbon- Thinking about it, fitting a manual gearbox to a front engine, rear transaxle car is much easier than to a mid-engine car. The 458 was designed around that dual clutch transmission.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Maybe..... but, it's more fun to drive, for a lot of people, than dial-a-ride is.

 

So you're the guy that would probably buy the michael schumacher option, and have him just drive the car for you, since you would have quicker laps at the ring...right?

 

Ouch ... man can you ever twist things around! The California is great as it is ... maybe one of the best V8 Ferrari cars ever ... quit knocking it. Is mine perfect? Nope, couple minor flaws, and I failed to add stitched prancing horses to the headrests. When I buy my next one in a couple years I will add that.

 

I by no means am knocking the California, I think it's a great car

But to bash the 6 speed as old news, and to hail the duel clutch because of milliseconds of performance is rediculous. I though driving a Ferrari was about the experience of actually driving... not letting the car do so for you.

 

Man... Is your finger not on the pulse of the demographic.

 

WOW! Had pretty much written this off as never gonna happen.

Nice to know Ferrari hasn't completely given up on the stick people.

 

manual gearbox in F149? Design?

my idea: http://czechferrari.autofun.cz/clanek/ferrari-california-s-manualem/18976/

 

I think this is a great idea... but the real question is, will it sell?
yes maybe to those few real true enthusiasts... but I think the sales numbers will be hugely in favor of the dual clutch over the 3 pedal.