The "hot vee" layout in the BMW N63 was the first for production cars, but it's not the only as the other German car manufacturers do it now, too. Caddy's Blackwing V8 as well.
Sad to see they're still recycling the 458 architecture for yet another model. It's been here since 2009 and they squeezed four models out of it, rather than the normal two. I don't hate it, but I can't wait to see what's next.
Really? This is what they came up with ? A smaller version of the SF90 which doesn't look good at all in my opinion. So now there are 2 cars in the ferrari lineup that look like a lotus! Wonderful
I don't care how many horse powers it makes, it's just another design flop. And " fun to drive" ??? where is the manual gear box ?
When people talk about "manual gearbox" I always chuckle to myself because the assumption is that "everyone wants one"...... Ferrari spent £10 million developing a manual gearbox for the California and I believe sold about 5 cars the remaining 10k units opted for an auto. They will never do it again... and dont mention Porsche etc because the economies of scale are polar opposites.
I had a manual 430. It accounted for 2% of production I believe. When it came time to sell.............crickets. 10 yrs later now they are selling for a premium. I was amazed at how few people could actually drive a manual.
Certainly not everybody wants one, but I will mention Porsche because it does confirm demand, as does the current market for 575s with manual transmissions. And while the £10million development cost seems excessive, it would have been recovered across the 10,000 unit California platform, not just allocated to the few manual equipped cars sold.
I had a manual 430 way back in '07. It was such an AMAZING car to drive. I loved every moment behind the wheel. To this day, even when I am getting in my 488 I still think about my manual 430.
Obviously a lot of thought and planning went into developing this car. To my eye it’s the most pleasing Ferrari in the current lineup. But..... If I have my facts correct (from the press release and Autoweek), the 296GTB starts at $321,000. The battery power will move the car 15 miles. May I ask, what’s the point? May I further ask, how much could the price have been reduced if development, production and potential warranty costs for the hybridization had been eliminated? And how much would performance have been enhanced without the extra weight of the hybrid system?
It isn’t worth much to me. I’d be giddily happy with what the ICE engine is capable of. I don’t like to pay for spec sheet, bragging-rights, performance that I’d rarely use. Besides, spec sheet performance dominance is fleeting.
Well at least for all of us who have v12 or V8 Ferrari prices will hopefully rise! I’m just glad it’s not an SUV.
Actually, I like solar exactly because of "The Man" - I hate being beholden to some huge quasi-governmental utility. I like to depend on myself as much as I can, hence - having solar panels and battery backup when the sun is low/raining. I get some people don't mind depending on others = gas corporations and Islamic Terrorist supporting OPEC countries. What can I say? I like being independent and in control of my family's power supply. The fact that it's cheaper and I don't waste time going to gas stations or Jiffy Lube is a bonus. As for the last point, electric powertrains are about 1/5 the components of an ICE powertrain. Ask any automotive engineer, they are much simpler than ICE = lower cost. This is a 450hp electric engine. We're at most only in the second inning of electric powertrains. These will get more powerful, smaller, lighter, and yes - cheaper. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Looks good..but I can guess exactly how it will drive. Dare I say it will be very much Mclearn feeling.
Not sure how many buyers would buy this over an F8.Slightly higher price, more HP but heavier. And at this power output, how much power can you really use on the street in a rear wheel drive car? Three sets of rear tires a year instead of two?? Ferrari missed the chance to make a great, engaging car. It could have been a 2,900 lbs. car with no hybrid and around 600 HP. Small, short wheel base....a nimble, high-engagement car for around $225K, maybe. Why not make this instead of stealing buyers from the F8. I do like the smoother flowing lines and the 250 LM design echo.
I absolutely love it. This car is for the drivers...not the posers. No bragging rights. Just amazing engine layout - hot V6! Lighter, smaller...very fast! Love the styling, so much sleeker than what I have seen of Ferrari recently. I bet this will be the best driving Ferrari for street use. Heck I may even order one!