Thanks for the Geneva write up Tim. I largely agree with you that there will be a minimum spend required on the interior to achieve what would in my opinion be a suitable quality interior for a £250k car. As much as i'd like to go carbon outside too, it's big bucks and i'd reserve that for a LE car if ever i'm offered one. To a certain extent Ferrari are getting away with it because in recent years used values, especially for V12s, have held strong so buyers have not suffered traditional levels of depreciation and been able to get the replacement model without relatively too much financial pain. So as long as there is strong demand for the new model and used values are strong customers won't mind so much. As for second hand resale, that's another matter. As Mario and others pointed out, in Europe at least high spec used F12s don't tend to hang around whereas lower spec cars can really be hard to sell so the old adage that you don't get any money back for well optioned cars may no longer be true in Ferrari's case at least. Back to the 812, i'm excited to see what the spec of the press cars will be. When can we expect the road tests to start? I know that the V12 line is still closed to the public so i guess the press cars may already be in build?
The badge I really want in this car is "Campione del Mondo". Testing looks positive,roll on Melbourne.
Will be at the show Saturday and very excited. Interesting discussion regarding mandatory options. To me options are only mandatory if you cant add them later. Example the LED wheel costs the same with the car or afterwards (maybe Australia specific due to crazy taxes on the car but not car parts). My ambition for this car is ZERO CF and spend on other items. Will be interesting to see how far I get. Worst case Capristio will make quite a bit off me
The road tests for customers in Australia/New Zealand will be late June/early July. Early customer build dates seem to start in November.
Interesting observation. In the past that wasn't always the case. What are the options that buyers are looking for in a used F12? Shields? LEDs? Forged rims? Which carbon options?
I had to see for myself and you're right! Great description! Talk about an awful design. Sure we can quibble about this or that regarding the 812's design but in general, it's pretty damned good and I imagine it will win design awards left and right and people will eat it up for many years into the future. Now, as far as the situation with the interior, I think what Ferrari is doing (making the base model basic and cheap, driving customers towards endless upgrades) is exactly what they should be doing. Really, it's what every good car brand does and Ferrari is just taking it to the extreme. They've been doing this ever since the 360 and have just increased it with each model. Based on the pics, the maxed out version of the interior looks rather nice. -F
Fantastic! I guess everyone has their idea of what looks good but when I mentally put this next to the 550, the 599, the F12, or the Daytona even, I think this car wins every time. Seriously, if someone offered me a Daytona vs. the 812, I would take this. If that makes me a simple minded dolt, so be it. -F Image Unavailable, Please Login
One of the more interesting firsts is the electric assisted steering. Has this appeared on any other standard Ferrari? The system is supposed to give steering feel feedback to help the driver sense when opposite lock might be required. Can anyone explain what this means. I can't imagine the crude kind of feedback one experiences in arcade games! I guess with hydraulic assist (what Ferrari is currently using) there is some feedback since it is still a mechanical system. People complain that any steering assist tends to make the wheel feel a bit numb.
I think it's undeniable that the market is slowly evolving and more and more people show interest in alternative and exclusive specs.
I'm absolutely sure that Verde Zeltweg will look absolutely great on the 812... Verde Zeltweg + Mark Moon's poltrona Frau "Coto" brown leather could be my choice If I had to spec a 2nd one (After the grey one ) .
A Few more from the configurator session. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Nice pics of the configuration! I'm waiting to get some config time with my dealer. But I'm in the US and it may not be avail as of yet. On one pic you can see the exterior carbon trim options. Personally, I think when you spec carbon it should work together as an ensemble. To me that would be either picking a group of trim pieces in carbon vs. none. This visual philosophy goes for the interior as well. However, in the standard models Ferrari doesn't offer carbon option for all trim pieces. So inevitably one ends up with a three colori interior, when choosing carbon. Certain items like door handle pulls & hardware, instrument surrounds are not upgradable and remain in standard trim color(s).
Thanks for the write up! I'm encouraged you like it better in person. I suppose this is not to be much of a surprise as its hard to evaluate a three dimensional object in a 2 dimensional format- and cars have become even more detailed and nuanced over the past 20 years. On the interior, its a little bit of a disappointment, but lets face it, that will not stop anyone from buying this car. And I am sure Ferrari not only knows that but knows more about most of us than we do about ourselves. I would rather have a nicer interior as standard, but I can't blame a business for pursuing an intelligent strategy. When you look at the amount of content you get with this car, its really staggering. I'm glad you and many others are liking the car. The spec in my head right now is GT/ some kind of Sabbia and lots of CF.... Or if I go wild, Blu Corsa!
That's why I describe it as a money pit and a trap. Take your pick, no carbon and a new 911 in your garage alongside your SF with black detail which upsets you. A little every time you see it, or the perfect looking SF but an empty space for another car........ That was never the case on the F12. Clever.
Just was at the show and yes, I like the car. OK, not all angles were as beautiful but the car is hot as a total concept. One has to accept that any F. going forward, will have tons of options and need a decent spending on them to finish it properly. So the end price of whatever new model is hacked up considerably ... hence profit for F. IMO the grey spec a beauty!
At Geneva. Another way they have cost cut, as best as I could tell from Geneva, was that you are basically given a black background to work with and unlike the F12 where if you specified beige interior, many areas, including behind the seats would change, now IF you want those beige details behind the seats, you pay for it as an extra.
As far as I am aware, this is the first production Ferrari with electric steering. I think you have it right in terms of what it means: they can now vary the level of steering assist as conditions change. I would be worried if it were just about any other company doing this system. Ferrari has demonstrated an uncanny ability over the past 20 years to bring electronic systems into the mix to assist the driver but where the driver feels like the car is still a natural extension of his or her will. I am confident they will have this right, otherwise I think they would have waited with this system. I can't wait for the first road tests.
Sorry, Its the spec I will be going for! i know its SIMILAR to the show car. I'll have a look through some of my pictures and see If I have any of other configs.