488 GTB (458 replacement)

Expensive? Yes. But the power to weight ratio for the KERS system is 1:1. Granted, there is a real weight of 150 kg's, but it has a low CG point. It's not like putting a 150 kg brick on the roof. It is physically impossible to mimic the power response of the V12 + KERS powertrain with a stand alone V12 NA engine, because as mentioned an electric motor has 100% torque delivery from 0 rpm. You do not need the electric motor to perform significantly beyond the low to lower-mid range powerband, so its longitudinal capabilities are less important.

I doubt we will see any V12 + KERS on the production V12 lineup before the hybrid technology is more advanced and widespread. I believe the manufacturing cost for the LaF KERS is somewhere in the region of €50k? Many years of Moore's Law required to make that tech feasible for regular production.

 

All good points. KERS is not appropriate outside of its limited production hyper-car and you cannot duplicate its performance. However, Ferrari is a world class engine builder and can improve the performance of its NA 65 deg. V12 through the same design processes that produced its DLC coated tappets, super polished cams, graphite coated piston skirts, and all the other low friction, high speed modifications.

Remember, the controls for its "Evolution" magnetorheological suspension (SCM-E) and advanced vehicle dynamics systems (E-diff, ESC, F1-Trac and high-performance ABS) are integrated in a single, faster ECU with software unique to the F12. Since the code is in one box, the systems do not need to be re-architected to increase the vehicle’s performance and put the new power to the ground.

Good automotive engineering will get us there and they can leave the science experiments on the drawing board IMHO.

 

The manufacturing cost is high becos they need to amortize the development cost over very few cars. The devil is in the details of calibrating and sorting out the software in the various control systems to get them to work seamlessly. As a software guy, I can tell u it's definitely very demanding to get a hypercar KERs system to work flawlessly. Once they have gotten it right, they are primed to produce them in big numbers. The main limiting factor remains the battery. Too much exotic material and manufacturing is required to offset the weight from the batteries. That makes producing them in big numbers unrealistic as there aren't that many with such deep pockets. The new NSX might change the hybrid super/hyper car game...

 

The LaF KERS is assembled by technicians from the F1 team IIRC. No wonder it's expensive.

 

Not really. The F12 is both a torque and a power beast. They can make the V12 even more high strung with the addition of electric power though.

 

Exactly the direction NOT to go for Ferrari.

 

Is the production of 458's to be ceased when they start production of the M458t?
And also do you guys think the pricing of the M458T will be in line with the current price of the 458?
Or will the M458T released together with the 458 as a " more powerful" model and thus be priced higher than the 458?

 

The price will be higher.

I don't know the current state of the production line, but there will definitely be changes. Speculating here, but the last 458's will probably roll off sometime Q2, with the Speciale running longer. .

 

i was given end of february as deadline for ordering the speciale, with delivery in may/june.
maybe this was conservative as far as the speciale ordering goes.
p

 

Same here. I was also told that the production will be limited in the end to 1000 cars. This is for what it is worth - I do not necessarily believe it myself.
Best, w

 

Big question is will they start coupe and spider production around the same time
Or will there be a big gap ? when they went from 360 to 430 there was a small gap
Hence you have a handful of 05 360 spiders as well as 05 F430 spiders

 

only a 1000 Speciale's world wide is a lie

 

When delivery started the car was stated as being in production for at least 18 months. The question is if the Speciale will be allowed to run into 2016 MY.

 

UK order book closed end October 14 according to my dealer for Speciale.

 

My dealer sold 3 Speciale's just last week so obviously they are still taking cars.

 

I think it is fair to say that nothing is obvious when dealing with Ferrari agreed?

 

Its the word "limited" that you should avoid using. 458 and all its variants are not a limited production run.

 

I was told that Speciale A's are limited to a 499 run

 

You are correct. I should have been more explicit.

 

New rear for the 458 replacement...
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Thanks.

 

A dealer told me the Spider version will not be produced until 2 years after initial production begins. I guess he sees that as the typical timeline for convertibles.

 

i shall miss the triple exhaust but i love the F1 style brake light.
peter

 

The rear end looks like the love-child of an F12 and a speciale...

 

I'm a fan of the love-child look