More than likely.......it will be based on the F12VS and probably come just before the end of the F12 lifecycle as an extremely limited edition akin to the 599 Aperta.
I get the mystique with low volume "exclusive" however why limit production on a spyder? Why not offer these as a regular version like the berlinetta? Why shouldn't Ferrari offer these side by side with a $$ difference and just let the market sort it out? It seem to me the artificial exclusivity is annoying and expensive and limiting to just about everyone except the 500 rich guys that rub each others elbows.
You cant compare the extremly pricey and rare F60 to a limited run of F12 Spider. IMO Ferrari will do it since there is a long tradition of front engine V12 cars. I hope they do a speedster. That would be awesome.
Well, the V12 spiders have never been run-of-the mill cars. As I'm more than sure you're aware of; they have been limited models. In recent times going from several hundred to <100 for the SA Aperta. And so it has been done for the F12 as well, with the America. The car - F12 Spider - exists. Well what do I know, with SM and his self-professed desire to increase the availability of special models now being at the helm. However, I'm not convinced an F12 Spider is in store.
With Sergio at the helm we will see an increase in number of special edition models You cannot spin off Ferrari into a separate entity and NOT increase profits unless a drop in stock price is a primary goal.
I don't see why it isnt just a normal model to buy like the 458 spider and 458. Unless most people just don't want the spider in front engine v12 2 seater form and the low demand doesn't warrant it. Or would something like this take away demand from the aperta versions?
I really don't undesrtand why people want an open top supercar. They are supposed to be fast and rigid and a convertible is a compromise in weight and structure!
An open top supercar is plenty fast and plenty rigid for 99% of the people that buy them and furthermore the compromise of weight and structure is indiscernible to 99% of those!
The 458 spider has noticeable cowl shake, but I get your point. I still don't get what open top motoring offers when you are driving such a fast car. Personally, I like to keep distractions (such as wind blasts) to a minimum when giving a fast car the full beans. Not to mention the safety aspect of rolling over with an open top while doing 100+ mph...
I still don't see how that would take away any demand on an 'Aperta-type' version; it seems to work fine for the F430 and 458s so far... F430 coupe and spider / Scud and 16M... 458 coupe and spider / Speciale and Aperta. I agree with the posters saying these models are more than likely with Sergio at the helm and more focus on shareholders and that means we're very likely to see a 'regular' F12 convertible as well as a GTO and Aperta special editions. Ferrari would be leaving tens of millions on the table if they don't do it.
Well it seems like you are going faster....with the top down. Say you are driving 60 with the top down. It seems faster so one is not as tempted to speed and get a ticket. I have done 150 with the top down (windows up) and you could talk and listen to the radio just fine. It is great. To each his own. Best
I never got the whole convertible thing. That is, until I owned one. It always seemed to me like the coupes looked nicer, and were lighter and faster, less expensive, and who wanted heavy wind blowing in their face all the time anyway? But for me, personally, everything changed the first time I took a convertible out in beautiful weather and really drove it hard. I just plain felt more in touch with the driving experience. Even if it isn't 100% the performance of the coupe, isn't the driving experience what Ferrari owners are always going on about anyway? In fact, I drive a 458 spider now, and one of my biggest complaints is that it doesn't offer enough of a convertible experience, that it's more of a targa than a proper convertible. Nonetheless, I chose the 458 over the F12 simply because a convertible was available, and a convertible F12 is pretty much my dream car.
To those who think they are leaving money on the table by not building a standard f12 spider... I dont' think you quite get the business model. Ferrari doesn't make money because they build the worlds best cars. The probably build some of the worlds most flawed cars. There is the mystic etc... behind them, and once the brand loses that... its just a flawed car for sale. They make more money on selling the horse than horsepower. The money is made on branding. There is no reason to produce a run of the mill production convertible... when they can sell special editions for ridiculous money and keep people trying to get into position to buy the next one... "Well Mr. Jones.... I know you are a good client but you don't have an FF and a California T in your garage... change that and we can talk about the next special car" You always want the customer desiring something. Its like a woman, if you are too available... its unattractive. Think of a club that charges extra for "tables or VIP" would the club make more money if they didn't limit VIP or tables? Why don't they make the whole place filled with tables or VIP... Ohh wait... that wouldn't work would it
When the boys in F1 start driving coupes i will rethink my position which is: a day without a spider is like a day without sunshine.
