I decided to order new Ferraris - I actually like what is happening with the brand. When the mclaren came out they were so much faster then Ferrari. I remember driving a 458 back to back with a 650. The 650 was so much better and faster, the only thing I cared at the time was how fast the car was VS the brand. Since the 488 thé Ferraris have become fast again and are catching up. I think the 296 with 830 hp!! With be a great machine. I also love the rear wheel arches. I will see it in February- the dealer has a car coming in for customer viewing Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
But it is melting on the show car making the rounds to dealers...so not the 'expertise' to solve before presenting in-person in dealer showrooms... https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/posts/148177059/ So, that car would technically be "pre production" but the show car has this obvious defect...something to be mindful of, we will see how it resolves, if it resolves... Image Unavailable, Please Login
Pretty interesting that they are showing the car to potential customers in this condition. Perhaps Ferrari wanted to indicate they have a really hot-V! Anyway, I think it is pretty easy to fix the heat shield to withstand the heat, if that is the only problem.
The event was the 'International Media Test Drive' and looks to have been the usual fifteen minutes on a circuit so there'll be lots of stories that day without much substance or depth
Five time buyer and still cannot get a specific commitment. Put deposit the day the car was announced. Ferrari works on a loyalty basis and is quite serious about this.
For those with WSJ access, Dan Neil has his review out: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ferrari-296-gtb-11648756443. His reviews are less technical, but usually capture the spirit of the car. I went to the local launch of the 296, but have obviously never driven one. I think Dan accurately captures how I feel about the car.
Yeah, he might be just barely positive enough to get Ferrari's permission to review the next new model.
The french Sport Auto magazine has the first test drive of the 296 (with Fiorano pack) in the April issue. Comments are very positive, including the common mistake that the car only weights 35 kg more than the F8 (whereas to get this number, one has to compare the dry weight of the 296 with the kerb weight of the F8 - difference between dry weights is 140 kg).