I didn't ask you if you'd been in the Cali T, you already said you had. I asked have you driven it after they've updated the exhaust sound? A turbo engine will never scream like a flat-plane crank V8, but that's the way of the world and we adapt. As I said, nobody has to buy the 488 if they prefer the 458 sound. I don't see Merc running their F1 engine configuration in their road cars.
MisterMaranello sounds like a shill who blindly praises anything Ferrari makes, kind of like that other guy Luque who appears on every car forum on the internet every time someone says something negative about Ferrari. 99% of what users describe as "emotion" is the engine when it comes to Ferrari. With the new turbo cars they will have to rely more and more on synthetic methods to improve the sound.
I would love to do a survey on how many supercar owners are true petrolheads and how many are just "show offs" as you described. I honestly think that the show off % is rediculously low, but I guess we'll never find out. Anyway, those renders of the 488 Spider are simply spectacular! I know the car doesn't even exist yet but if it looks anywhere close to that good in the metal it will probably trump the F12 as my favourite modern Ferrari. GORGEOUS! I think I need one..
I think going along with something is a lame strategy. Ferrari should have rejected the turbo cars but at the end of the day shareholders need profits delivered so rationalizing away that "it's the way of the world" is one way of doing it. Many manufacturers love turbos because its a cheap way to make power, turbo cars are more profitable.
Actually, no. But the flak the turbo engines are receiving is getting old. You can't expect a turbo engine to sound like a NA unit and then criticize it when it doesn't meet your fantasy expectations. Take it for what it is. Ferrari are doing the best out of the current situation. Or would you prefer them giving EU legislators the middle finger, and then be banned from selling cars in a few years? I think it's ridiculous that Ferrari can't keep doing what they want, I think the eco legislation is ridiculous. But I can't change that. I suggest you read through my post history, you will find I am far from a shilling blind fanboy.
If Ferrari sold cars only to die hard enthusiasts who actually use them, the production would need to be cut substantially. Look how many low milers always appear from the speculative crowd who wants to profit at someone elses expense. Ferrari is in the business for maximum profit delivery to shareholders. The show off % is much higher then you think.
Auto companies are more then happy to use regulations as an excuse. Turbo cars are more profitable to make, it is easy to make high HP with boost. High performance NA engines are more expensive to develop and produce. The emissions on the 488 are only 15% lower then the 458, it's not a night and day difference. Look the powerplant becomes cheaper to produce because now you can share it across 2 models Cali and the new 488. If a customer complains you simply tell them it's "EU legislators". If automakers wanted NA engines they would have threatened EU legislators with major job losses, they don't.
Apart from anything, as far back as I can remember, each new generation of V8 has sounded distinctly different from its predecessor. The 488 will sound different and, most likely, be the next truly great sounding Ferrari V8.
Merc spent £300M on developing their F1 engine unit. Tell me again how much cheaper turbo tech is. I too noticed the minute difference in emissions, and was surprised. Again, I'm not saying I would have a turbo over NA. But I accept this is something Ferrari has to do to keep up. Take your tinfoil hat off and do some research. The new emissions regulation is not an excuse, it is a real threat to supercar production.
I predict Ferrari will sell every 488 they produce. I also predict some of these new owners will revert and buy a used 458 again. These are interesting times. It is unprecedented for Ferrari to go the turbo route for their bread and butter model (208 turbo was limited run). It's a major deviation from their screaming NA V8 engines from the 308, 328, 348, 355, 360, 458. The 5 valve v8 in the 355 is one of the best sounding ferraris and what can top the 360 CS in a tunnel at full throttle with sport button on? I left out the obnoxious sounding 430.
What does F1 have to do with anything? F1 is a sideshow used to drain public money while providing a bread and circus. That is another topic. I don't have a tinfoil hat, the fact is turbo motors allow for cheap HP. Look Mclaren used 1 engine in their entire line up. Ferrari 3.8 turbo and its variants will end up in Maserati, Cali T and who knows what else. You play around with boost settings to get whatever HP you need. Turbo motors will boost Ferrari profit margins.
It is because in 2015 there are threats of emissions restrictions that were not present 30, 20, 10 or even 5 years ago. I'm not saying the 488 will sound better than any of the cars you mention, because it won't. Never in a million years. I'm not going to disagree with you that some may go back to a Speciale or 458 either, because you're probably right.
Well I'm not the one who brought F1 into this discussion. What is your problem with improving profit margins? Why is that wrong? You know the F430 engine was in the Maserati 4200 first too. Wow, so you get "cheap" HP from turbo engines. Again, what's the problem?
My point was that Lamborghini somehow managed to avoid having to go turbo route. So what was their strategy to meet emissions? Ferrari with the Cal T numbers should help buffer the situation the same way aston try with their Cygnet. I think Zaius is right, maybe profit margins came into play in this major decision. Ferrari already milk 600hp+ from the 458 V8, what more can they do with that engine to increase hp. It's like Pagani realizing he needs to up hp for the huraya but since the amg v12 is max out in development the easier lazy solution was to slap on a pair of turbos. Btw, the Huraya drives like crap, feels like a jap rice rocket wrx at every stoplight.
No doubt profit margins are part of the decisions. Ferrari is a business. I would have loved too see a further evolution of the 4.5 V8. I'm certain they could have gotten even closer to 150 hp / liter. I wouldn't know what Lamborghini does. Someone here can probably answer. Maybe Lambo can hide under the VAG umbrella to a further extent than Ferrari, which is supposed to be even more distanced from FCA in the future? I'm not sure, merely speculating.
Ferrari could not bear that Mclaren car is a little faster, that's why they go into turbo, Lambo know how important is sound for their customers so they will stay NA even if car will be slower than Mac and Ferrari
My guess is 'show offs' outnumber 'true petrol heads', unfortunately. However, 'show offs' + 'true petrol heads' doesn't equal 100% of ownership.
I had a chat with my dealer the other day, and the topic came up. As an example he said he's never been asked to open the bonnet on a Ferrari he's sold. The majority don't care about HP numbers, materials, heritage and lineage. They want the experience of driving a Ferrari.
Current supercars are so damn fast the last thing we need is more speed and hp. Look at the dude who flip his Huracan at 200mph. I'm just afraid the "new" Ferrari corporation has lost its founding direction to create amazing thoroughbred sports cars.
