[The F12] is the best car Maranello has ever made -- Chris Harris.

https://grrc.goodwood.com/road/drives-and-rides/458-speciale-or-12-chris-harris-reviews

> But if there was an F12 at the other end of the car park, I’d walk straight past the V8 [Speciale] to drive it. I should duck when I say this, but it’s the best car Maranello has ever made.

 

OK. Mostly because it's a V12 and he doesn' t like the sound of the V8s.

 

Soon sound of V12 will be only good sound at Ferrari

 

It already is spectacular. Am thinking of migrating from 458 to F12 ... NA V8 days are over at Ferrari.

 

I bet he doesn't include the limited series hypercars though.

 

But there is one problem, Ferrari don't build unlimited cars with V12 and without roof, so F12 and FF can't be fully substituted for those who will be disappointed with V8 turbo sound

 

BTW Chris has something in his bonnet about the V8 Ferraris' sound. In this review of the California T, Ferrari California T for turbo - CHRIS HARRIS-HD - Video Dailymotion at 6:00 he argues that tooling back the V8 noise with a TT is not a bad thing because the V8s sound bad anyway. OK but then if you listen carefully he then opines that AMG V8s are "musical," a characteristic I never associated with those engines which I consider dull sounding.

Anyway I do agree that the V12s sound is magical. There really is nothing on the planet like that.

I am going downstairs to start my FF just to listen to it.

 

Yep... and that's good. Otherwise the V12s would get even more expensive. And there will be those that will love the rubber band effect of the TT torque curve (wheee!!!). As for the roof, I am ok with one that doesn't move... but that's me.

 

Well count me in as one of those that prefer the Ferrari V12 over the V8s. I am swapping my Speciale to the F12.

The V12 just makes the car feel 'special', sound, power delivery, etc.

 

real beauty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsEx3_TxioQ

 

It looks great in white. I make the interior as ciocolato but it could be a similar brown.
(BTW it would be nice if she took it out of auto mode; a flick of those long fingers and it will shift)

 

I have a different take on his column.

With statements like:

"The F12 is, for me, the Ferrari road car."
-and-
"Don’t ask me how a front-engined 740hp Dobbin has more traction than a 600hp mid-engined example, but it does."
-and-
"The F12’s motor is the best road car engine on sale – if anyone disagrees with that statement, they are sadly wrong."
-and-
"it’s the best car Maranello has ever made"

I think he's making a statement about the car itself instead of just the sound. Of course, on this, I happen to agree!

 

The F12 is a much more versatile option. There are only so many situations that a 458 Speciale would be comfortable for. Plus the V12 has always been the better sounding engine, no matter what generation. The 360 CS isn't particularly musical either.

 

True that. That's why he is good. He may get off on something like noise but he has perspective and gets to the heart of things.

BTW I think the "front engined" F12 has 54% weight on the rear wheels. Even the long wheelbase FF has 53% on the rear. These are front mid-engined cars.

 

I personally agree with that last sentiment. All the stars have aligned in the F12, it's just one of those cars that's going to be a legend.

 

Being Black listed and being denied access to new product did wonders to his allegedly "independent" mind.
Quick transformation from speaking his mind and not shying away from undertaking "touchy" for Ferrari Spa subjects to another fanboy on the web.
Looks like he is doing everything in his power to get back in good graces of Maranello.....
Pathetic, IMO.

 

My original California doesn't sound that great. My Vantage with Larini exhaust trounces it musically...

 

The Aston V8 even with factory exhaust sounds miles better than a Ferrari V8.

 

Not for long, in the future V8 engines for Aston will be delivered by AMG so get ready for another crappy turbo sound

 

The F12 is gorgeous.

But Chris Harris jumped the shark a long time ago. He is a blind squirrel, and now and then even a blind squirrel happens upon a nut.

 

He track tested an F40 and an F50 of a fan who asked him to race them.

I DO NOT THINK that, had he wanted, he would have had troubles asking on the internet for fans to let him test their cars for one day.

 

After a brillant LaFerrari review at Fiorano and borrowing an F12 with 4 sets of tires for a week, I dont think "black listed" applies to him anymore.
Maybe he was black listed at some point, until someone at the factory realized he is currently producing the best Ferrari video out there.

In his California T review, which half of it it saying how terrible the old Cali was, he's not doing that much to get in the good graces of the Factory.

I find him very consistent in his reviews. He already mentioned he didn't like the V8 sound in his 458 review.
And he always put the V12 on a pedestal in his reviews of his personal 599 and FF.

 

I agree with this. I personally like his reviews and look forward to them. Yes, there are things I disagree with from time to time but I believe that he is for real, not show biz.

 

Yeah, I don't necessarily agree with him on everything he says, but I find his reviews true and very enjoyable to watch.
His 458 Spider track video is just insanely fun to watch !

Also, this thread is wrong.
He only rated the F12 2nd best Ferrari, after the LaFerrari

Anyway, he's now also writing on Jalopnik, and his first entry has a few details on his relationship with various factories
"Chris Harris's Jalopnik Column, On Jalopnik"

 

Ugh. Jalopnik is just awful.