THE F70 (LaFerrari) Thread

Who cares? When is this ever used? I never run 5-60mph flat throttle in my Ferrari (or any other car), so it's a useless metric. If I'm flooring it in 1st it's either at a 30mph roll or from a dead stop. The 0-60 metric is more useful to me than 5-60, but most useful is probably a 60-100 or similar. On a road course you never even use 1st gear, so it's completely pointless. Even an autox course I only use 1st gear at launch (which is from a dead stop, not a roll) and it's 2nd/3rd the rest of the way. The only time these low rpm acceleration tests are useful is if you're too lazy to shift gears, which is half the fun in driving a sports car (imo) so completely worthless.

 

I don't really get the narrow minded aspect to the "to 60" metric like it's the only metric to measure a car's performance. Certainly it's another single piece of data to gauge a cars total performance. I've alway felt this metric was driven from people who live in areas like LA that have lights for entering the freeway. Thats the only time 0 or 5 to 60 has any direct relevance.

 

I lost interest in 0-100KM (0-62mph) a long time ago once cars started to get really fast. It is so hard to see on paper the difference between the fractions of a second that the gaps come down to now. 3.2 vs 3.4 seconds anyone?
Better is the 0-100mph spread that I find to separate things out a bit and give the most useful measure of where most of us would drive performance cars

 

2 weeks to go and no leaks yet? Strange and sad

 

Have you put into account the element of surprise?? I think it's exciting

 

I'm actually not surprised at all.

First, to be invited means you agree to not reveal anything. To get invited is an honor and a professional understanding. You don't go to a guest's house and put your muddy shoes on the couch.

Second, it's not that difficult to actually keep people who even want to cheat from stopping them in the right environment. I go to all kinds of things that are "secret" from the public eye and they just confiscate your cell phones and do a metal scan. We all sign that we will not take any photo materials in with us and that any camera caught will mean expulsion and confiscation of the equipment, not to mention never being invited again.

I think Ferrari wants to control the release of information about this car to get the maximum payoff in terms of PR.

They probably won't make a lot of money off the F70 after they include all the investments, tooling, R and D, marketing, etc. But, it will be a highlight for them for many years and bring renewed interest to the brand as it tries to stand out against some rather formidable competition.

What they have done so far is brilliant. Their highest customer base is salivating, the blogs are all awash in speculation, and anticipation from the Tifosi is at it's highest level in years.

Now... bring it on!

 

You've never pulled away from a stop light and then floored it?

 

Lol! I have! It must be a Texas thing...

 

Amazing how good they do secrecy.
Given Ferrari's tradition of openness, candor and transparency.

 

I find it interesting that ferrari, porsche, and maca differ so much in timing of reveals for these very similar products. Porsche has shown 918 for yrs while ferrari keeps it total secret and macca is in between.

 

Macca needs the PR to help sell the P1. That's why they are on a world tour with the car now in advance of Ferrari showing the P70 and taking the wind out of their sails (and sales).

Ferrari will sell all the F70's they have lined up to make. Ferrari is doing this for a bigger reason than F70 sales -- they are looking total sales WW of all models.

How much do you want to bet the Macca doesn't even come close to half of the 500 P1's they plan to make? That may be good for collectors long term but it won't help Mac's bottom line. Let's face it... this is still a business. You have to make money or else.

As far as Porsche, I think they are making a huge mistake. They have stolen all their thunder.

"Isn't this car finished already?" must be on the lips of most -- same for the Acura NSX.

 

Ferrari is a bit old school with regard to this launch. They truly wish to control info flow until the formal launch. In fact only a handful of people within the organization knows the official name.

They did not confiscate your phone but affix stickers on each phone to block camera lens. Nevertheless I believe all participants felt a sense of ethics and duty not to betray this privilege bestow on us. I hope i didn't cross the line reviewing some selective data.

Does the 0-100 or 200 times matter anymore? Its way more car than any of us can handle on public roads.

 

Well, show me a pic of the Interior of the Mac P1 and then tell me again about their tradition of "openess" and "candor" -- and how they do it better.

 

That is where you are completely wrong. This is NEW SCHOOL all the way... in the new internet, facebook, and twitter world. One pic gets flashed around the world in seconds.

"Old School" would have been to get the press over, have the make some photos, and release them to magazines months in advance so the car could be released with the articles about it.

Chevy tried that with the new Corvette. Guess what --- total fail. Pics were released days in advance spoiling at least part of their event. Most of us knew what it looked like before Chevy told us. This is not nearly as effective from a PR point of view. What you want is a lot of shock and surprise -- providing you can deliver.

What Ferrari's marketing group wants to do is unleash it all at once for maximum penetration in the blogosphere and internet, as well as 24 hour cable TV around the world. Ferrari spends no money on TV commercials. This is how they get the word out and they are going to push it for all it's worth.

Besides, would anyone watch the Oscars if we already knew who won? We certainly don't watch for the great bits and comedy!

 

I've just got to find that irony emoticon.

 

Only when I have my stopwatch with me ready to time it.

 

I'm aware customers who attended the private presentation were not allowed to take pictures but there are always leaks before the official and public presentation. Do you recall the "wooden" F12berlinetta prototype? Ok that was not the real car, but that prototype featured the actual shapes of the Berlinetta.

 

They've obviously learned from their mistake.

Some sneaked out a bad camera photo of the F12 in a secret preview about 2 months before the unveil. I'm sure they were not too happy to see it.

 

My informants tell me that the photo snapper found himself in some legal difficulty for awhile.

 

Have you seen her in person or from photos ?

 

I respectfully disagree. Ferrari is masterful at this kind of stage show. Look at Apple and Ferrari and see how it is done.

Yes, 0-100 and 0-200 times matter. Fifty years ago, it was said that a top speed of 100 mph was silly because you could not do that on the public roads. Fast forward and 200 mph is now nearly a yawner, even though there are few places -- including a track -- where this can be achieved.

 

60 to 130 mph is starting to become a new road car standard in the US with several events measuring that. 5 to 60 was big many years ago when C&D Magazine started that. But I think 60 to 130 will start taking over.

I tested the Enzo several times. After the engine rebuild we got 6.7 sec.
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I agree that 0-200 MPH times really tell the tale. The Porsche that Mark Drove that Jerry recently bought did it in about 11 seconds.

 

What Porsche is this?