GTC4 Drive, Inspection and Review

Saddens me as a interested and potential FF/Lusso buyer that so many of the posts here are personal attacks and offered as fact as if one car purchase makes a guru.

I certainly don't mind opinion sharing. The defensiveness and D-bagery is tiresome.

Only instance where car mag reviews are better and more objective than owner comments....Fchat FF/Lusso Board.

Please take five minutes before responding and post something awesome about these cars to get me excited.

 

I don't have a dog in this fight, I don't own an FF and never will; I have no intention of buying a Lusso.

However I thought the FF was a clever package and I think the Lusso is a necessary model to compete with the likes of Bentley and other luxury marques. The new V8T being a case in point. Bravo Ferrari for deciding to compete and build a repertoire.

But Brian, you write a review - and my goodness you must have spent ages on it - which everyone knew would have one outcome only. As you say it's your review and ass kissing it's definitely not. Fair enough.

I just don't see the need to spend so much time building the mother of a grenade, pulling the pin and throwing it into the forum knowing it would offend many people and create the predictable trading of insults by page 3. It's entertaining for a neutral but ultimately a little sad.

 

The cheap plastic horsey in inexcusable. We are not talking about a new cheap Chinese car here.

Sweater is going to kill what Ferrari means.
Pete

 

To CamLET1's post: +1

 

Wow! What a curious thread, so much vitriol.

I didn't take much away from the OP's description, but found the side-by-side comparison pictures very useful, thanks for posting.

I'm into four seater F-cars, for my sins....having moved from the 456, into 612, into FF.....and now, I guess we'll see.

I've only seen the car in person for a couple of hours, and I'm undecided. I'm getting to drive it in the Alps for a few days in a couple of weeks time, which will be interesting. I do get the impression that it might be a little too "mainstream" for my tastes, and by that I mean that it's about as far a departure from the pure Ferrari ethos as has been attempted thus far, or at least my perception of the ethos. I really enjoyed the FF, put 20k miles on in 3 years. However, when I look back, I enjoyed the 612 more for pure driving fun.....but that's another story altogether.

I'll report in when back from the Alps.

 

The "campaigns" yes (assuming the owner and dealers did it).

The 2014MY apparently was shipped with slightly different chassis/4RM/ESC/TCS software. Not sure exactly all that changed, but I know a back-to-back comparison on an autocross showed some clear differences in the data, and the SW versions were different. FWIW not better or worse, just different. Biggest thing noticed was how hard 4RM engaged - said otherwise, pre-2014 was easier to rotate under power.

On a separate note, the FF is big and heavy but properly driven is an autocross monster

 

got it, thanks

 

I just commented back on TT's question re the software. I do think the exhaust and start up bark were (slightly) modified as well.

My "low volume" point was that when they started production in 2012, there were very few cars, most US 2012's started as dealer loaners, and - note: my opinion - they were trying to push cars into the market quickly but in low volumes (as in, few cars).

A couple of my friends had early FF's -one a new spec 2012, one a Neiman Marcus launch car, and we had the 2013. If you look at some of the interior panels (rear, boot) you can and will notice that there is some subtle (or, not so subtle) variations. In the early cars, you had to pull a boot panel off to access the tender port; have seen a few different versions, the pieces all fit well, were well finished, but the underlying part looks like it was hand-laid. Some of the cars that were delivered with the rear DVD screens had a couple different (again, mildly different) panels. In rear seat, we noticed the contours were a bit different.

Absolutely not nitpicking, they were all finished and fit well, but different enough to notice if you were looking. We noticed it when one of our friends had to have a rear seat cushion and side panel reupholstered (due to their dog's claws). Around that time I had our boot panel modified to let us plug the tender in w/o pulling the panel (there is a thread buried here) which I think SpA copied and made standard (I'm half kidding). When one friend tried to copy it, the shop had to make a (slightly) different pattern.

 

The "campaigns" yes (assuming the owner and dealers did it).

The 2014MY apparently was shipped with slightly different chassis/4RM/ESC/TCS software. Not sure exactly all that changed, but I know a back-to-back comparison on an autocross showed some clear differences in the data, and the SW versions were different. FWIW not better or worse, just different. Biggest thing noticed was how hard 4RM engaged - said otherwise, pre-2014 was easier to rotate under power.

On a separate note, the FF is big and heavy but properly driven is an autocross monster

 

1st i've read this, and there are many thoughts regarding your thoughtful analysis of the new Lusso.
However, one thing needs further clarification. Speaking as a designer, I will say that the suppliers you mention are at the mercy/direction from the design team, in this case Ferrari Design. Just because there are several suppliers, doesn't mean there was/is no design integrity.
Having spent my whole adult life inside a major corporation, I can say that each decision regarding any given design is brought with potential for failure. There needs to be a common vision from the corporate level in making all the players understand what the corporation stands for.
Apple had this nailed under Jobs.With Mr. Cook, the jury is still out.

Regarding your writeup, it is one of the better one's I've read here on Chat in the 14 yrs I've been here.
Do I agree with all you've said? Not necessarily, but you very thoroughly analyzed the entire car from a design/performance/quality POV. Well done.
I personally happen to like the 'new' iteration as the FF never really rang my bell, but that's neither here nor there. I'm not a potential customer, so my opinion is just that, an opinion.

It's very difficult to be 'unbiased' with cars as passionate as Ferraris. We have our POV, and most of us stick with it.
I'm happy the brand is doing well.
Are they in danger of 'coming off the rails' at some point?
If they aren't careful, yes........it happens to the best of corporations. I know.

 

Bingo. I think folks forget that companies like Ferrari and Porsche came very close to insolvency just 20-25 years ago, when they were primarily sports car manufacturers. About half of current car sales are SUV's / Crossovers, and less than 20% of households own a sports car. The Cayenne saved Porsche and allowed it to make the Carrera GT, GT3 RS 4.0, 918, etc. Companies (and individuals) either grow and adapt, or they wither on the vine.

I don't personally care for the Cayenne, but I love the FF. I bought a Bentley with the W12, even though it arguably handles worse than the eight cylinder variant. Horses for courses. Buy what you love, and ignore what you don't. Nobody is forcing Brian to buy a Lusso, or me to buy an FF. Modern Ferraris are arguably the best cars the world has ever seen. As car enthusiasts, we are blessed. These are the good ole' days.

 

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Flavio Manzoni Interview ? Design Father

 

interview with flavio manzoni, chief designer at ferrari

 

https://born.com/user/profile/fmanzoni/created

 

I challenge Brian to share his design experience, awards and profile.

 

Ferrari Design keeps winning awards

 

By the way? Up until a couple of days back I had no idea who is Flavio Manzoni or anything about Ferrari design philosophy , thanks to Caeruleus11 who posted about him, I googled and Found many articles and interviews about the guy.

That's the beauty of this forum, some one points out something worth noting and we get to share relevant information and knowledge. In fact most of Ferrari dealers I met don't have the insight and experience some members here have.
http://youtu.be/3ysvItI-MeM

 

These are all great facts, but I'm trying to understand your point?
'I challenge Brian to share his design experience, awards and profile'
That the OP doesn't know what he's talking about?
That Ferrari Design is the top of the design food chain?
Etc. Etc.?

 

Hi Jm2

my point is that Manzoni seems like someone who has earned the respect of the automotive design experts and recognized as a master of his trade.

 

no question
I am one of his biggest fans/supporters
he has one of the most difficult design jobs on the planet & evidently Ferrari Sr management, rightfully so, must trust his design judgement
those guys/gals know what they're doing......are they getting 'help' from others inside the Ferrari organization?
don't know
and there's a very fine line when too many cooks in the kitchen produce OK/mediocre design vs. 'gotta have' design
ask anyone here on this site & i'm sure they'll tell you what they think about Ferrari Design, good or bad