Ferrari electronics breakthrough

The dealership has a machine that takes my credit card, it's an actual Ferrari store...they sell all manner of Ferrari product and repair/maintain them. Anyways, I put the card in the machine and my bank balance suffers greatly after....technology!

 

Oh, maybe the SDS system...if I have the acronym correct....proprietary diagnostics?

 

Sure. Enzo invented the Check engine light, which in his honor is often displayed in his cars!

 

No. Fords scan tool puts it to shame.

 

You sure it wasn't Luca (di Montezemolo) that invented the Check Engine Light? ;-)

 

Nope.

They were the first to change gear via paddles attached to the steering wheel but that was simply because Barnard got sick of designing the gearshift linkage as the engine and gearbox was designed in Italy and the chassis in England ...

But the reality is Ferrari is a technology follower, not a leader.
Pete

 

Ferrari has almost zero in house electronics people. They rely almost exclusively on vendors and typically piggy back onto systems developed for other cars. As already said, they are a follower, not a leader.

 

Totally agree - Ferrari pay others such as Magneti Marelli and Bosch to come up with their electronic developments.

It's not totally fair to say that they are followers though - Sometimes they run at the front of the pack.

For example, they were the first to bring semi-automatic gearbox technology to Formula 1, complete with the complex electronics required (much to the amusement of the other teams at the time due to the system's reliability issues back then), and were one of the first to adapt that technology for road use (with the help of outside electronics specialists of course!).

 

Totally Magnetti Marelli. One example in 60 years? I stand by my statement.

 

The Manettino dial on the steering wheel?

The FF's electronically controlled front wheel drive system?

There's two more!

(But in general, I do agree - Ferrari do tend to let others master the technologies before they then apply their own version to their cars)

 

Lots of cars had adjustable driving modes. Putting it on the steering wheel doesn't count as innovation, now does it.

However, partnering with Becker to pioneer the concept of simple, intuitive radio units? Genius!!

(Can you tell I tried to turn mine on recently?)

 

The 512 BB rear deck open idiot light isn't too bad.

 

Let's not overlook the notorious flashing SLOW DOWN light.

 

Yes, more often followers throughout their history. Late to adopt disk brakes, late to mid-engine sports cars are two of the earlier examples.

 

Late to go from wire wheels to mags in F1. Late to go with GRP. (fiberglass) in F1. I believe Surtees encouraged it for them?

 

Ferrari also invented the parking brake that does not work!

 

Some information on Ferrari patents here:

Innovation: A Part of Ferrari's DNA - Ferrari.com

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Let us not forget the Ferrari marvel of electrical engineering the Testarossa and Mondial fuse boxes. Designed no doubt by the same fellow who did the Maserati BiTurbo electrical system.