The brand has an elitism build in to it, limited production, etc. ... so it would not make any sense to have a V8TT and V12 of the same car, from their perspective. Would you sell two handbags that looked the same on the outside and were not the same on the inside, if you were a high end handbag seller? That's not snobbery just luxury brand marketing and brand identity, and protecting elite clients.
For once I disagree with you and agree with Brian. I think I need to go talk to my doctor now Just look at how Ferrari views itself. When they came to market they did not sell themselves as an exotic car company but as a luxury brand a la Hermes and LV. I too think that V8 turbo is a bad idea, they should have gone with a V12 hybrid with cylinder switch off technology (or something similar) for better fuel mileage. Of course it's a lot cheaper to plonk an existing engine into the car but I think they are diluting the brand. I also think this will have some effect on California T as there will now be two GT models with front engine V8 turbos.
It's hiprocisy to accept Ferrari V-8's for forty years and then somehow convince yourselfs That the same engine dropped in a GTC/4 is deterioriating the brand.Plus if Ferrari end up putting a V-8 in the car then it's a big FU to all that think it shouldn't be in the GTC/4 - IMO
No doubt the V8 Lusso with a turbo engine will be a screamer and sell well. AWD is nice but wasn't necessary, the 612 didn't have it and sold very well too. In the end, it's all about the price point. At $100k cheaper than the V12 AWD, it should sell pretty well. I also prefer the v12 but maybe not at $100k more... Regardless it will only accelerate depreciation of the Lusso V12 which will in turn depreciate the FF and the late 612... Let's not forget technology moves fast and is a big part of the car experience these days. The early FF technology is obsolete (basically all FF without CarPlay) and they will show very badly vs two year old V8 Lusso... Call me crazy but I would not spend $350k on a GT new car that doesn't have adaptative cruise control...
Great thoughts But I highly doubt it will be 100k price spread more like 50K which in my opinion is enough.Will the Lusso be offering adaptive cruise control ?
Even though I am a V12 lover, I have nothing but respect for the V8. I just think that putting a V8 in GTC 4 which currently stickers higher than any V8 will position it lower in the food chain. I don't think it necessarily harms Ferrari's brand but it does lower the brand of 4 seater GT Ferraris. But maybe this is a compromise Ferrari has to make to sell more cars especially in markets with engine size restrictions. This is me speaking from my heart, my head knows that the V8 Turbo GTC4 will be a great car. Kind of a win win situation
Apart from no V12, i wouldn't buy a Lusso without 4WD. It is a revelation in the FF and certainly does nothing to spoil the driving experience, just makes the car even more surefooted. Besides, with the V8T and circa 660 BHP (like the 488) going through rear wheels only, how could they market this version as an all season car? I know it will be mapped differently, but I drove a 488 today and whilst it was impressive, I was very happy to get back in my V12 after. ;-)
Every car manufacturer is under pressure to meet the emission/mpg requirements as well as maintaining profitability. If V8 is dropped into GT4, it's probably not really Ferrari's intention but a byproduct of the need to meet regulations. Of course, the result is a lot of perceived brand dilution, ie, MB has many upcoming "43" cars that wouldn't have hand-built engine but would be labeled AMG. At the same time, forced induction and downsizing of displacement are rampant throughout the car industry.
Why does it drive you mad that someone spends "multiples of another person" and can drive an identical looking car (to the average person)? Are you saying that it offends you that money doesn't buy you special status in the eyes of the public, or that somebody else might achieve said status cheaply or even deceptively ? In my experience a proper car guy, or a real enthusiast in any field only cares about the opinion of their peers. Perhaps your field is "giving the appearance of wealth" in which case I apologise. By the way the Bentley Conti V8 that "basically runs the same engine as the Audi S8" is a better drive than the W12 that basically runs the same engine as a VW Phaeton taxi. Sounds a lot better too. Perversely it could be argued that the anonymous Phaeton is more interesting than a W12 conti. More is not always more. I of course am a snob.
i could care less about giving an appearance of wealth - my opinion is based on principal - see my post re MB's....simple, sytraightforward, and logical when one is "passionate" about his/her cars..... Agreed re the Bentley: sold my '09 GT Speed - at a big discount - only 10 weeks into owning the boat - it was my second (inherited a '77 T2 in '94) and last Bentley
I read on the forum here in the past and heard from my dealer who attended the unveiling last year that there would most likely be a V8 version of the Lusso. Since receiving the TDF and as a result of selling my amazing F12, I am in the market for a more 'relaxed' but still high performing GT F car, so was contemplating either the Lusso or the F12M. In Lusso's favour is that it is a 4 seater so that I can bring along my 3 kids, which means I can then use my F car more often with the kids. I am reserving judgement until I drive both versions - apart from the potential pricing differential they may well drive very differently to each other - V8/RWD vs V12 AWD. As mentioned we may find the V8 to be a more agile and sporting drive (like the Bentley Conti V8S vs Conti W12) and the V12 somewhat more a 'relaxed' touring car. I wouldn't be surprised that once all the specs are compared apples to apples, a V8 loaded with similar specs to the V12 which will have what are considered options on the V8 as standard on the V12 (or at the very least much less expensive as options on the V12), that they may not be that far away from each other on price out the door. So it may just come down to V8/RWD vs V12/AWD driving characteristics, and perhaps local engine size regulatory issues, that decides which is purchased given that both will appeal to only a small demographic which can afford such amazing cars.
Two engine options offered in one car in the same market was last done when by Ferrrari? Hypocrisy? Yourselves? Ends up? Deteriorating? I'm not sure Ferrari needs to give anyone a FU. I mean luxury brand or Lambo wannabe?
Just because they haven't done something before doesn't mean that they will never do it. If that was the case then the brand would have died a long time ago. Until a few years ago they had never done a front engined V8, hybrid or 4wd car either.
It's not 4wd, it's front drive assist with a rear trans, in a shooting brake = Unique, and Iconic. Selling one shell with two different engines, for a brand built around: 1. the engine 2. iconic styling 3. client relations would be stupid IF in the same market. Creates confusion on so many levels. If they're that stupid, the FF gets more valuable. But I still hope they're not for the sake of the brand. Ferrari "going corporate" is a real concern if they do.
+1 FF has no primary market, and no secondary market. They will not hold their value, no matter how cool or how much we love them. A good 1/3 of the FFs in the US were pushed (forced) on first owners as an entry to the brand (to get allocations for 488, F12...) and on current owners to get them on the list for the limited edition models (458SA, Tdf...). Second hand ferrari owners want....a red V8 coupe or V12 for most. Not a shooting break that is a GT. They'll go for F12s. And this is why F12s keep their value so much better, and sell on the second hand market. Prices as shown by dealers are fully "artificial". I have not talked to a single Ferrari dealer who has an FF in their stock. They have some, on consignment only. That tells a lot. Cars dont move at all, and they barely negotiate them as 1) they have less incentive to do so and 2) tell their clients that their 375k 2012 FF with 3kmi sitting on the market for 12 months is now worth 170k is too hard to swallow I loved the FF and was in the market to buy a second hand one, as a daily and sole vehicle, 25kmi a year. I calculated my cost of use of a second hand 2012 FF to 80k for a year of ownership and 25kmi. I kept my 991 Turbo, and bought a RR Autobiography in addition. Some will say "if resell value matters to you, you don't have the money to own one..." which I find a very dumb comment BTW. 45-50k/year ownership cost was what I accepted to pay, in my mind. For 80k/year, I would get an F12, or actually lease a Lusso but I do like to change my cars too often at this time. To me, the FF is a little bit in the same market than the RR Wraith. Perfect for super wealthy daily driving owners, who have the lifestyle which come with being able to shell 400k on a daily. Second hand owners with 150-200k rarely have the lifestyle which goes with driving a 400k car to their factory, clients....so they want a ferrari for week end only. And a wagon does not best fit that purpose. All this to say that, if they launch a V8 Lusso for less than the V12, FF prices will drop.
Maybe the best way to own an FF or a Lusso, is to daily drive and use it to the fullest. At least you can take comfort in the knowledge that you drove the heck out of it. Pile on the miles, throw caution to the wind. Make that unique Ferrari multi function steering wheel familiar and instinctive. After the car has over 150,000 miles throw the keys to your sixteen year old and put a smile on their face which you both will never forget or regret!
Have any of you spec'd your GTC4 yet? Here is mine so far - still have much work to do and "fine-tuning" including a trip to Atelier as I'm still not 100% sure on exterior colour Colour : CDF Interior : charcoal Wheels : Diamond Cut Brakes : Blk CALB Front grille dark chrome CFG3 Pano Roof ECRF Blk painted roof section RSPA Alcantara rear shelf SHF5 - Charcoal Parking Cameras : PAC2 AFS Lights : AFS2 Lifter : ELEV Hi-Fi : SNDB Apple CarPlay : ACPL Blk Ceramic Sport Exhaust : EXAB Lower Dashboard : alcantara charcoal Central tunnel : CTU4 charcoal Leather upper area : ULEZ Charcoal Leather for seat back - BAC1 Charcoal Leather tunnel : LTCA Charcoal Steering Wheel : STW1 Charcoal Boot net : NET1
