However I guess they already take deposits (and have been for some time); the first people to get the so-called FL will be the ones having put a deposit first.
I agree with you...the Ferrari 488 gtb has never been a new model. I hope to see two new models: new V8 new V12 both with engine behind the cockpit and with new design.
My guess is that there is an issue with the V12 in terms of efficiency (regarding weight and performance) given the current state of the technology. That's why we'll probably get: - the new V8 (the "BB") as a new top of the range mid-engined car, to fill a perceived gap left by the move of the V12 to front-engine layout; - eventually a new V6 to replace the entry-level sport mid-engined car (i.e. the 488) - since the V6 is not ready yet (and could be considered a too brutal move if it directly replaced the 488), an interim 488-FL will be unveiled in Geneva the coming March; that way the V6 will replace a really aged platform that nobody will regret. The V12 will be maintained as part of Ferrari's history, but V12 cars will not be able to compete interms of performance.
No Ferrari dealer will take an official deposit with an allocation for a car that has not launched yet. If they do that only increases their own bank balance and does NOTHING else. In terms of their being a hierarchy of allocations based on timing of deposits frankly that does not exist with Ferrari, VIP customers (without a deposit) will always get a car well before an 'ordinary'/new customer who would have placed a deposit (no matter how early). Anyone thinking otherwise is only fooling themselves.
I got one of the first (september 2015) 488 GTB and I placed a deposit far before the car was unveiled; and I am not a VIP customer - although I am a known customer (maybe I used to be, since I declined the Pista I have been proposed - btw I also had placed a deposit for the Pista before its name was known, so I took it back). It may be market dependent though.
Beg to differ. The V12 is currently more powerful, not much heavier (given all the paraphernalia that turbocharged engines carry) and definitely more soulful and sonorous. The N/A V12 is the King of engines!!!
The facelift is a V8, probably the last "entry-level" V8; the real replacement (on new platform) will be V6. Before the V6 will be introduced, the so-called "big brother" V8 (on new platform) will be introduced, and positioned significantly above the entry-level. Facelift, V6 replacement and new top range V8 are all mid-engined; in parallel the V12 is maintained in front engine layouts.
The facelift would only be a facelift if it is on the same PLATFORM as the 458 and the 488. This would violate the modern car's pattern since the 360: 360/430 same PLATFORM. 458/488 same PLATFORM. You could even take that all the way back to the 308/328 which are the same PLATFORM and the 348/355 too. IF Ferrari is doing this, the only reason that there could be is that the new hybrid PLATFORM is not ready. A distinct possibly. So amid this huge change to a hybrid platform, we get a third car on the 458/488 platform... for two years. I wonder only how it will sell with everybody knowing that the first hybrid is coming? Maybe a lot would like the last car that isn't a hybrid? It would be interesting to see. The V6 hybrid 488 replacement and the V8 hybrid "BB" regular range supercar seem to be pretty well worked out now.
Nothing is forever as a pattern - we had the 365 BB and the 512 BB, then three iterations of the testarossa (testarossa, 512TR and F512M), then the 550 and 575, but then a single model of the 599, then again the F12 and 812... The F512M could have had a similar purpose as the 142FL, an interim model before a real breakthrough - the 512TR did not really need an evolution but there was some wait before the real replacement, the front engined 550.
Yes, I also think a second facelift would acts to bridge the delay in making a big jump. Ferrari has done this in the past with the Testarossa where in 1995 there was 1 year of the 512M after the first facelift in 1992 with the 512TR before launching the all new front engined 550.. As hideous looking a car it was, 512M is now a collectable curiosity. Wouldn't surprise me if we had something similar happen here.
I never said anything was forever, just pointed out how far back the pattern went. I saw a 512M last week, and you can detect the links to the newer interior and headlight treatment of the 550 right away. That said, I'd had enough of the Testarossa by that time and had zero interest in the car. I will also have zero interest in a third car on the 458 platform.
It’s widely known that Ferrari does certain chassis in twos. For instance, with the V8 models, it’s 308/328, 348/355, 360/430, 458/488. Now, apparently the chatter is that Ferrari maybe changing this. And I think we can thank Lamborghini and Mclaren for this, as well as regulations and changing times/time frames.
Could the single model of the 599/612 Scag and then the jump to the F12 have something to with the move to the DCT for the F12 and the AWD for the FF/GT4Lusso?
