Tim GFM and CF blends really well. Check out my thread on my 599 HGTE from a couple of years back and you will see it works very well. GFM and a sporty spec go very well together in my opinion: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/612-599/248361-599-hgte-one-one-final-spec.html
I was told the whole front and rear end sections are made from CF - so the rear CF panel section is not a distinct separate panel but an unpainted but polished CF section of the CF rear end. I doubt very much that there will be a factory option to paint over this section but I never asked at the time. Close up in the launch video it did look good....
I asked this question at the preview-received a vague response on tire brand selected but was told the gap between tire and wheel arch is identical to regular F12 so suspension not 'lowered'- only difference will be width of tires - wider xsection on both front and rear. Also fenders front and rear have been widened so this could add to that effect of looking a little empty even with bigger tires.
I see a good amount of inspiration from 275 GTB/C Speciale... wouldn't be surprised if this takes some of that nomenclature. F12C Speciale for example. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Very true but it also has a fair amount of 250 swb/GTO in it in terms of the sharper more compact lines.
I think this shot shows if it works on its ancestor, it should work now. Image Unavailable, Please Login
One request on the pictures of the car. We shared this in the spirit of the car community and our genuine love of Ferrari. What we didn't expect is how much this picture was going to get picked up. The owner of the picture (and rights to the picture) is fine with it being shared but is not OK with others taking credit for it and some trying to sell it. If you share or publish it please do not take credit for it and PLEASE do not try to sell it. Thanks!
Or as a rich blue shade> but will they do a limited open top version to... Image Unavailable, Please Login
Is it aero refinement, or does it have to do with the extension of the exhaust pipe past the body work (look at the pic and imagine if those boxes were not there -- the pipe would stick out a fair way beyond the rear). Maybe the pipe length has something to do with tuning for max horsepower at the optimal engine speed? Are the pipes longer than on the F12 or is this F12 variant shorter? In any case I'm thinking it has to do with the HP increase. Maybe the boxes are something as simple as a safety feature to avoid the possibility of burns from too much exhaust pipe exposed? In any case, I don't love the look, but there are probably those who didn't like the look of the gearbox on the 288GTO when it first came out!
I would imagine you can have the whole rear panel painted- for an extra fee. Im surprised the car is not lowered even a few mm from stock. Perhaps it has to do with the front spitter and side winglets? Easy to damage? The way those wheels sit on the car, it has me thinking those are just thrown on the car for testing purposes. I am thinking this car in a subtle color like GF or a medium to darker color with the Aero Bridge piece and rear section painted body color would suit me, but this is early days.
I wouldn't say so. A topless version of this would be like the 599 Aperta. By comparison, unlike the 599 Aperta, the F12 F60 did not share anything with this car and was based solely on the normal F12 platform. The 599 Aperta shared the GTO engine and some other bits. The F60 is more like the 575 SA. Also, the 599 Aperta, 575 SA and 550 Barchetta was made in far greater numbers than the F60.
Didn't this beautiful colour work then because it was elegantly offset by the amount of bright-work/chrome and stunning wire wheels, all missing in today's cars?
Possibly, but given the similar rear elements, that it is also a front engined GT car, I feel it would still be a great choice, along with Pozzi and whatever the darkest metallic blue is.
In all that Ferrari is trying to achieve with the new features on the F12 balance is one of the most important characteristics. Balance for the weight of the car is something like 46% front and 54% rear. In the same way Ferrari wants 'aero' balance with the new front and rear spoiler treatments. The body is also slightly raked downward at the front. The wider body doesn't really improve air flow but the wider track does improve handling. Ferrari is obviously going for more downforce at a modest expense in drag. It would be interesting to see how the modifications change the c/d compared with a stock F12. The 'box' below the tail lights on each side may in some way compensate for the air that exits the rear fender vents. The air on the back window is already very turbulent and the taller (curved) rear spoiler and boxes may improve air management back there. The technical presentation for this new Ferrari should be quite interesting. With Ferrari every feature is there for a reason... Regarding the exhaust the equal length of exhaust manifold pipes are the primary concern. The size of the exhaust pipe with minimal bends is really the only challenge with length a result of the dimensions of the vehicle.
You almost seem to be implying that the F12 VS does not share the same platform as the F12. Do you have factory information that this is a new chassis? Outside of the non-Pininfarina flaps and gills it sure looks identical to me.