First of all, I don't have the money to buy either GTB model at the moment!!. So this is just a "one day if I can", type of question. I have just downloaded a video from the Evo magazine guys - http://www.autoclips.net/detail.php?parent=18&id=107&id_video=4819 While looking at the Porsche CGT (with F1 ENZO) I suddenly wondered why I have been wanting an F1 'box in a GTB? I have always admired - and lusted after - the 275GTB/4 because of the long bonnet, front engine and that gated chrome gearlever, it just seemed like the pure Italian GT, and having that gearlever was all part of the driver-to-machine connection. Now, after watching that video - I'm wondering whether 40-years later, that chrome gate is as good as ever! The F1 'box clearly is the more race-bred option but is it a bit clinical, would having a clutch pedal and lever be more satisfying (and more challenging to get the most out-of) on a nice piece of road. Don't get me wrong I like the F1 system idea a lot, and I hope Ferrari keep improving on it, I would have a F430 with it any day, because the V8 should feel like a race-car, not a GT. Is all that just me or do you lot feel the same?
I've been torn with this same question. The 599GTB is my favorite modern Ferrari, barring the supercars. (And I love the pentagram wheels!) While I know the F1 tranny shifts FASTER than the Enzo's and faster than I could ever work a traditional stick-shift, the answer to me is more crystal clear now than ever-- traditional six-speed please. Chrome gated shifter, third pedal! It makes me shiver when I imagine feathering the throttle and slowly toying with the clutch on my way through each breathtaking, awe inspiring rpm before my next shift!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am also wondering which one I would pick and at the end of the day its something I cant decide on, purely because there are environments where both have pros and cons, for the track the F1 is a blast to have and around town it makes the car easier to drive(have driven a 599 but a 355F1) but for me and I speak here because I have had perhaps the dubious honor of never driven a stick shift Ferrari, the gated shifter and that cliched "clack" does add something to the driven experience.....funnily enough only realized how much it adds when I went in a stick shift Murcie, and that was followed by a stint in a 360 manual, truth be told I havent ever seen 1 stick shift 430 in SA. For me I would lean towards stick shift......but it would 51% vs 49%
I can follow your logic. The stick shift extrudes sort of "traditional feeling". Also, a perfect shift executed by hand can add to the driving experience quite substantially. However, a car like the 599GTB has so little in common with the classical Ferraris. The 599GTB is full of electronics (suspension, traction control, ESP, ABS, even the cockpit design with the little screen next to the rev indicator is high-tech...) that F1 seems the logical choice when it comes to changing gears. In a way the 599GTB has been designed and built to be the ultimate high-tech supersports car of our time (in the below Enzo segment of course). Everything is designed to maximize GT capabilities on the one side and maximum performance on the other. The F1 tranny fits in both categories.
I would opt for the conventional 6 speed. Just as I will, the day I replace my 550 with a Superamerica. Nothing against the F1, I just chose to own my F-cars after the warranty period is up, and to date, the 6 speeds have been more cost effective to maintain.
I'm a fan of manual cars (Carrera GT, F40 and Zonda F are my all time fav), with some exceptions of course (Enzo and MC12). For a 599 GTB probably i'd try both gearboxes first. Then i'd make my decision. Which would lead me into a manual car of course
It seems I'm not alone!! I guess it comes down to what ones' own view of a Ferrari Grand Tourer is. I do know the answer though and I think you'll all agree, buy both!!!!
I have driven now twice with the 599, the F1 experience is just very good/fast. Much better then SMG3 of my BMW E60 M5. I would not want a manual gearbox in a 599.
I've had enough paddle shifters and lived through the continuous improvement to be totally sold on the concept. I have several manual tranny cars and they are fun to drive in the relative concept. They are appropriate for their time in history, but at this time high performance cars simply perform better with a good paddle or sequential shifter that doesn't require a physical clutch pedal to activate the clutch. Very different from a slushbox torque convertor as found in Porsche's tiptronic, Aston Martin and Mercedes AMG. They have paddles or buttons but they are not really "shifting" gears in the manual sense. A Ferrari paddle shifted F1 is really changing gears. The gearbox itself is the same whether the car has an F1 or a stick.
I guess i would need to drive both because from what i have heard the superfast gb is just incredible...
The Superfast gearbox is truly amazing. I was out today in a 599 and I was in awe of the shifting speed. It is not so long ago that the 355 pioneered an F1 option and it is stone age now. Even the 575 just became a vintage car I am a fan of manual shifting but the Superfast is a must have in my opinion for the 599. For the 599 I have no regrets at all that mine will come with Superfast. I don't see the 599 as a keeper. If I did then I might think harder about manual. Problem with Superfast is that at some point in the not too distant future there will be Megafast... I bought a Golf GTI when it first came out just to play with the DSG. Seemed like a more sensible way to play than a Veryon. But at the end of the day I kept my Clio Sport and sold the Golf because the Clio is more engaging and the manual is part of that
I agree, manual speed is a desirable option. It keeps you in contact with the car in a more personal way. After all, most of the driving will be off circuit for most of the people that owns one.
