Would you prefer a Turbo or NA engine on the 458 Successor?

Some people, perhaps, but not all of us. I'll take a vintage F40 over a 458 if I want a truly special driving experience in a Ferrari. For big NA, I suspect the front engine cars will continue to deliver what you seek, and Lamborghini appears dedicated to big displacement there.

As for displacement, it's hard to have big displacement and high RPM, and traditionally revs have been a substitute for displacement in European cars. Americans have been the bastion of 7 liter V-8s that have a unique sound of their own, lower in the rev range (7000 rpm has been the limit for street cars). But Ferrari has always made jewel-like engines that were light, compact and made power with spin, not torque.

While Ferrari could probably make a 5 liter V-8 that spins 9000 rpm, it would probably make only 10-15% more power than the 4.5 liter unit, so barely get to the level of the 650S. While perhaps many folks truly don't care about horsepower, I do think the marketing wars call for bigger bragging numbers (unless people can be convinced that less weight is better) and the next generation of mid engine Ferrari probably should eclipse the face lifted McLaren. I think it is perilous to have a car with less performance than the "lesser" competitors from even Chevrolet (there are some F car owners who will be considering the upcoming Z06 at least as a supplement to their stable).

Also, the Ferrari V-8 needs to have variants that can appear in other models and even makes (Maserati) and bigger just won't work any more for that.

So lament the end of NA in the 458 successor, but it seems clear that ship has sailed. It remains to be seen if enough people shun the car to affect the demand and waiting list. I bet not.

 

Regarding the "wars", Corvette's new Z06 will have about 650hp and the new ZR1 (rumor has it) will be much much higher. I know we get into "class" and "status", but like you say there is something for all of us. I like the 458 and do not like turbo cars (own two), but prefer supercharged cars (own two). However, the new Mclaren looks and sounds pretty good and beyond doubt the faster car, and even the Corvette has attended to both interior and design and as importantly wll be "race ready". Best

 

I love the response and sound of the NA motors, but, you are absolutely right. Ferrari road cars for a long time now have embraced new technology and these new turbo motors are nothing like their forebarers. If anyone can make this work well it will be Ferrari.

Rather than being too disheartened, I am encouraged that we are still getting our fun sports cars in this go round. Just look back to the last time we went through this kind of cycle which was the early 70s and look at what happened to sports cars then. We're not even anywhere close to that.

 

Prediction:

When SF stops producing NA V8s, those wanting a new Fcar will be more interested in a NA V12 which I assume will still be available.

And I (and some others) Will just hold on to my measely old NA 458 Spider. Alas when the new spider comes out in 2017 I will be 72 years young. Hope I can still drive.

Best

 

A 5 litre n/a engine would bring power to the level that the new turbo will have, circa 660 hp. Alas, that ship has already sailed...

 

According to the new California T review from CAR:

"You had better get used to the idea because next year’s 458 replacement will use a tweaked version of this California’s 3.8-litre V8, too."

Source: Ferrari California T (2014) CAR review | Road Testing Reviews | Car Magazine Online

 

I had both a Cali and 458 at the same time and got to compare the two on a daily basis.

The 458 motor is much more responsive and better performing than the Cali's motor.

I would wager that the new 458 turbo is going to be better in terms of performance, torque and rev range than the new Cali T.

That's just the way Ferrari has defined the hierarchy between these two models. Which one costs more? The 458 line. Tweaked perhaps, but not the same.

 

I doubt anyone would disagree with that... The journalist just seems pretty sure the replacement is indeed a turbo, that's all.

 

the cali T did not do so well in the british press. this is somewhat worrisome since the engine of the 458T will be a tune of the cali engine.
i am afraid it won't sing as the F458 engine does at 8.5-9.0rev.
peter

 

How is lamborghini still staying in the NA game though?
I'm not sure why the new 458 has to go turbo, although all indications seems to hint that it will be.

 

In Italy Ferrari just patented a new vehicle and a new turbo engine with an electrically managed compressor. And Ferrari always make prompt use of their patents...

 

How are 5-star reviews "not doing so well"?

 

Many people keep talking about F40 as a comparison for turbo charged engine. I think the F40 was made long time ago, when there was no cat in the exhaust, and the turbo was meant for racing. The turbo today is for lowering the emission.
And btw, I don't think the F40 is louder than 458, even F40 technically is a straight pipe. Compared to F40's league with NA, like F50 or Enzo, F40 doesn't sound that loud.

 

well, just read the comments and a bit between the lines.
peter

 

From the Cali section:

Ferrari California T review - Telegraph

4 out of 5 stars.

Quote:
Forget the tyre-shredding antics of the F40 and 288 GTO supercars, the aim in this instance was to make it behave as much like a naturally aspirated Ferrari V8 as possible.

Did they fail to mention what the T sounds like? Couldn't find it.

Best

 

Claro.

Just came on this thread and have not read it through, only a couple of pages of posts. Here's the problem: carbon and emissions regs world-wide. Several years ago when I had read that Cadillac would not be developing a V-12 I wrote a friend high in the Cadillac and GM hierarchy to remonstrate that if Cadillac wanted truly to compete with Mercedes, BMW, Audi and the like they would have to have a 4-cam V-12. He answered that in relatively few years those companies would no longer be producing 12's in any quantity that CAFE and the Euro equivalents would absolutely mandate that increased power could be achieved only through turbo-charging. It is exactly why the F.I.A. went to those disgusting sounding turbos for this season, the engine manufacturers themselves wanted it in order to pre-sage and emphasize for the general public the increasing use of turbos in today's commercial auto market.

Incidentally I did read one poster who ranked aspiration modes: supercharge, natural, then turbo. I'm inclined to agree. I have two Cadillacs, a normal CTS and a supercharged STS-V, the latter being perhaps the best all-around car I've ever owned. The STS-V is a dazzling performer but it's fuel consumption, emissions and carbon footprint are nothing to write home about.

I'll be particularly interested in what the new California T drives like and sounds like. The F1 cars sound like underwater f-rts.