Clarkson and the GTO

The gearbox is a 599 gearbox.

 

You guys have to understand, Clarkson is a frighteningly unstable, irrational, psycho girlfriend.

If you're hitting the g-spot every time, he will claim you are God.

Miss it once and he will tell the police you rape kittens.

 

I've had one or two of those...

 

hmmmm ...

Faster around Fiorano than an Enzo ... but described as a "pig," by a guy who's "80% talentless" (according to Sabine Schmitz, and probably others) .... ???

I love the show too, and get a real laugh out of his antics. But his opinion about cars? worthless, in my view.

I agree with what others have said ... the show is designed for entertainment.

 

Thanks for pointing it out, let me clarify that point ... For the mechanic, contemporary Ferrari and Maserati F1 type gearboxes share the same lineage (ex458). For the driver though, gearbox = gearbox software and it's quality is expressed by the quality of the shift change. In that respect the 8C couldn't be further away from the 599. My comment was directed at the software not the box internals.

 

Good point. 8C has the same soft as a standard 599 GTB

From a driver's perspective, Beltoise tested the car and said it was one of the most fun and thrilling cars he had ever driven. To each his own, but as a road car it is simply wonderful as it connects you with what driving was all about

 

Yes but don't forget the first thing he probably did when he started it up was to switch off all driver aides because thats the only way his ego will let him drive! And lets be honest with those off even most of the most talented of drivers may struggle when pushing hard........

Almost all modern day cars, super or normal, are designed with stability electronics in mind from the outset and as such its a bit of a moot point to discredit them, turn them off and then complain of the handling. The laws of physics can be very unforgiving and will always do their best to wrap you around the nearest tree.

But its flippant comments which make Clarkson what he is and make Top Gear what it is.....a great entertainment show and humorous read.

 

That's plain BS what he is writing. Put it in race mode and the car can certainly be kept under control and it will give you a real run for your money.

I do agree that if they tried to go on the limit with the GTO in the CST off position that they found it to be a very tricky lady but I'm sure someone like the STIG would be able to take it around the track without spinning it.

 

Adjusting the software is very simple. As an aside you can do it in your Enzo if you want to but keep in mind that if you go too far you'll reduce clutch life and CV life which in the Enzo can get expensive.

Personally I agree that drivers aids make a car boring. The Veyron's are amazing and without them the car would be very hard to keep between the lines but for me it makes driving the car a snooze. It does make these cars "faster" for more drivers but I enjoy cars without them much better. Spinning is a good way to learn a cars limits and I always push all of mine until they do so I'll learn when they will and how far I can go before I can't save them. Note opposite lock in this photo. It's not electronic but it's IMO a lot more fun.
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I did read a slight retraction from him on this point where he admitted he had been a bit over the top in negative views of the GTO but I think they were driving it in the wet. The fact is he does not posses the talent to drive the GTo quickly and this is no the first time he has been hyper critical of a car for being "undrivable" when what he actually means is he is unable to drive it. It is his (lack of) talent not the car.

At the Silverstone 24hr in the diesel 3 series BMW he was over 6secs off the pace of the Stig they were using (who I know and have driven with) and the other two were a further 5 seconds off him.

 

What's it like on the limit? With Jason Plato driving it (obviously a very competant driver) it looks like a really very edgy and nervous car? I guess driver aids have a huge mipact now days? I was thinking of another review of the Scud where the driver switched off the systems and apparently the whole persona of the car changed?

 

Most people on this site would be lucky if they were that close to the Stig's times ... the only criticizim I have of Clarksons driving (and probably why he is 6 seconds off the pace) is he likes to throw a car around too much. Not the fastest way at all, but fun.

Once you have watched the program for a while you get to know Clarkson and can read between the lines and I think he's pretty accurate for what he wants out of a car.

I imagine the 599GTO would not drift as well as other cars and thus the fun factor would not be there for him, fair enough and again more justification for turning the computers off like Jim said. Plus we know Clarkson hates these computers, especially if he feels they interfere in the driving experience.

Whether you like it or not, the 599GTO is a big heavy car. The thing is 1.50 sized and really should have been the size of a Mazda Rx8 ... then it would be completely awesome.

I can see driving enthusiasts turning towards American cars like the Corvette more as they are less sophisticated (I believe) and thus the ultimate driving experience is still there and pure. You are not just a data source for the computers who actually do the driving, you are in control or otherwise.

While I appreciate Ferrari think they need to be leading this technology push, I think they need to be careful because it could backfire, actually I predict it will for many potential drivers/owners, and maybe many other manufacturers.
Pete
ps: Again as another poster said, he has driven more cars than probably anybody on this site and he has had an empty track to play with them on ... and he is pretty clear that he wants a car to involve HIM in the driving process, which is why he cr@pped on the Audi supercar ... boring, etc.

 

I sat in a GTO at the Ferrari showroom in Manhattan. Its too big of a car to enjoy..Just a hot rodded 599 and a way to dump unsold inventory IMHO

 

If that photo had sound, which particular exclamation of exhilarated joy would we have heard you using?

"Weeeeeeeeeee!" / "Woooooooooooo!" / "Yeeeeeaaaaaah!"​

All the best,
Andrew.

 

True, JC isn't near the calibre of a professional race driver, but then having a professional race driver test cars isn't that relevant to the typical 599 buyer. I would say most of us would have a hard time getting a 599GTB/GTO/etc anywhere near 9/10ths. So, his test drives are probably more relevant than the Stig's.

Well said.

And I agree that he loses a few seconds through intentional flamboyance.

 

Great basis to form an opinion on the potential and driving experience a car can give you ...

 

If you believe it´s true, then it probably is..

 

Clarkson is unhappy about his inability to swing the tail out on the GTO as much as he would like to. Well, he is absolutely right. Don't know how many Tokyo Drifting Cups the 599 GTO is going to win. Haven't seen too much drifting at LeMans lately either. A racecar for the street is probably not the best platform for winning that kind of trophy. If thats really what you want to do. Feel free to turn OFF all the computer aids, hold on and try NOT to spin out sitting on 670 hp. and 458lbs. of torque.

 

Have you driven the Spider? I find it better handling than the Competizione. I've now had mine for a year and absolutely love it.

 

That was really Funny ))

 

So what if anyone suffers from someones opinion? That's the risk you take building something right? You can't please everyone in life .

The difference between a racing setup and a drifting setup is actually minimal .

I don't always agree with Clarkson, I love his shows and reading his stuff though...

 

What, kittens?


Onno

 

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