Nobody has said this is the last N/A, and certainly not of nay sports car. The F12M replacement will most likely be a hybrid, but the engine will most likely also be a fantastic screaming N/A V12. In terms of emissions, every manufacture has quota they can use. What Porsche does is basically go green on all their normal cars, which leaves room to do the N/A GT cars.
Same thought. What ever have McLaren ever done to wrong Ferrari? They build a great car and bring real competition to the table. This should be celebrated as it's not a bad thing. Not a fan of what Ford did at Le Mans last year, but other than that, I don't see how they are trying to humiliate Ferrari. If anyone has sat on a high arrogant horse for years pointing their fingers at newcomers, it's Ferrari. Claiming that Ferrari can't be accused of what markonex accuse McLaren and Ford of, is pure pot - kettle. If Enzo could bend a rule to his advantage, he did. If he saw a newcomer, he'd usually not give them the time of day. McLaren is doing great and their new car surely looks to be a swift kick to the arse of Ferrari to get up and move on. I like it as competition is healthy. I just completely fail to see any wrong doings just because McLaren don't care about the old hierarchy - why should they?
Someone once said that in terms of sports cars McLaren can do anything Ferrari does for less money and may be that's true but if things were just as simple as that Ferrari would have very long ago lost this custer dominant position to other manufacturers. I fully agree with you that competition is something very healthy and is the factors that will guarantee that Ferrari will have to design and produce state-of-the-art sports cars that clearly differentiate themselves honoring it's past and history.
Exactly guys competition is a good thing - Their low came during the 348 and then the NSX gave them a wake up call after which we got the fabulous 355 and the cars have gotten even better from there on
Sorry to disappoint, but pretty sure there are flaps (aka: vertical strakes, or guide vanes), hopefully not gauche, at the the front corners as I tried to illustrate previously (see below). In fact they may be slightly taller than shown here. Maybe even 458 Speciale-style, so supported at the top also. Also pretty sure about the fact that the grille opening surround (U-shaped) will be black and so floating in the overall fish-mouth opening at the front, making the front spoiler the focal point of the design. That Instrgam shows splitters (probably also black) under the bumper, but only in front of the wheels. I expect that the lights will wrap around the bottom of the inlets, forming the boundary for 2 sides of the trapezoid-shaped inlets. The inlets will surely feed the new aero-bridge, exiting along the top of the front fenders/hood. This was hinted at on the graphics of the preview invite kindly shared by Ron (Challenge64). Image Unavailable, Please Login
As Traveller pointed out there appears to be very strong demand for this car even before we've seen it. While I don't KNOW, it sure could be the last NA unassisted V12 front engine from Ferrari. In my case, I really need to see the car before I can know but I purchased a brand new 2017 because it was the last PF designed front engine V12 and that is important to me. And I am truly thrilled with my F12b. Of course I knew an even better one was coming. This new one sounds incredible. I am excited for everyone getting one. I hope it has the good looks to match the specs. I forget which half was designed by PF and the other by FDC but I think PF did the front and FDC the rear. But that's what I've read in several places. But as you point out you get the badge. This is true, but I am still left puzzled why Ferrari didn't buy PF. There must be good reasons, I just don't know what they are. And to my mind, it would make sense to keep the PF badge. Never the less, it's not as if sales of the Speciale and LF and TDF have suffered! As you say the world has to move forward. And to anyone who really prizes the PF association there are plenty of cars out there. So it shouldn't be long now and we can see how close we all were with our guesses.
Some interesting replies, I'll wait for the debut in Geneva and first drives. I don't feel like being an early guinea pig especially with the upgrade from 6.3L to 6.5L. (crossing fingers it will be a gem minus hybrid) the last of V12 ICE. If Ferrari had a limited run before production ends with a manual transmission, I'd be on top of the list. Crazy is my middle name So far, HELE is optional and not mandatory and I've yet to see anyone order it. UK market is a different story + 'RHD' I don't have problems getting an allocation, whether it's a F12M or the next TDF or whatever they will call it. I wouldn't let go of the F12B for the TDF if I was given a choice, maybe that's just me Contemplation continues as more details get poured in to this thread....
I think we all know Ferrari's engine designers are at the top of their trade so I very much doubt the drivetrain of the M will be anything but spectacular. Very unlikely they would do a manual. They've almost forgotten how to! A very lucky man with no allocation issues of any LE car.
Not sure I understand the fascination of a manual transmission when they do a VS version. When Chris Harris whom can only be considered a guy with excellent car control says the TdF would be worse with a manual, I believe him. Everything happens so fast and there's so much power, so I definitely think these cars are better enjoyed with the DCT. I'm from Europe and have driven manuals all my life, so it's not a question of me not having driven manuals. I simply think there's a time and place for everything.
If my records are right with the F12 M if that will be the correct name of the new car, that's the 5th time in Ferrari's history that it's used the M (Modificata) following the model reference. Before they did it as follows: - The F512 S (1970) which was a pure racing car, only counts partially to this statistic, in 1971 originated the F512 M to try to close the gap to the Porsche 917 S. - The F 512 M (1994) was the third evolution of the modern Ferrari Testarossa from 1984. The mechanics and the styling of the original car were revised and Pininfarina designed a completely new nose. - The F456 M GT/GTA (1998) was a the result of a profound re-styling of the 456 GT/GTA in 1992. The modifications affected the nose in particular. - The 575 M Maranello (2002) was a substantial revision of the 550 Maranello (1996) and the front end was given a series of aerodynamic refinements as well as a more powerful engine with + 30 hp.
Interesting, but it won't happen. This will be badged with some historic name such as Daytona or something from the 60's and 70's to sit alongside Lusso and mark it out as a new model again like Lusso. M doesn't cut it. In addition this is much more of a reworking of the F12 than any M prior.
This thread was first published by you in April and I've been following it since recently when I bought my F12 and it's amazing the interest that it has generated. Because so many people here and elsewhere are referring to the F12 M I wasn't aware that in fact the name will be an historic.
Not really an aero bridge anymore but more like an aero tunnel! It does look perhaps like flaps in the front lower corners as the camo does seem to be stretched over them. I believe that much of the car has been identified (mostly from your overlays which I bet are pretty spot on) but lacking fine detail, a little better view of the rear, (cross between tdf and Lusso) and, of course, the interior design which we now know has 'large 8.8" passenger screen' - love the 8.8 as much better than 8.7 but not as good as 8.9, I suppose. So the question to come for some will be is this and 60 hp worth another $125k or $150K or more? It is sold out but how many of them are speculative flips for quick cash? As always, I'm very interested in the drivetrain. The new F12M will be beautiful and very quick for sure. More to come.
I think the interest level is a direct reflection of the excellent job they've done on the F12b and TDF. It makes perfect sense. As to the name, we just use "F12M" as a placeholder. I hope they go for a name with a little more imagination, but to quote Traveller, they could call it "cheeseburger" and it should still be amazing!
The question we are all asking is can they really make the F12B any better? For some the answer will be yes, but I suspect for probably an equal number, the answer may well be no. We shall see.
General question for those with more insight than myself: I've seen more than one post remark that the F12M is sold out/all allocations spoken for. Is this a hard fact for all markets globally or is it limited to specific markets (e.g. UK)? Or is it more akin to speculative enthusiasm? I would be disappointed if true, as I was hoping to transition from the 488 to this soon-to-be revealed beast Regardless, it's been fun to follow the thread.
Agreed, we're talking fundamental changes across the board, not just a suspension and small boost to HP
No issue to sign-up for one in Switzerland, most, if not all, dealers can get you one - where in the queue is a different story......
