EVO magazine insults 360 CS and Enzo

In the June issue of the British car mag EVO, they compare the Carrera GT to the McLaren F1, and the 360 CS in a group comparison with the Lotus Exige, Noble M400, Porsche GT3 RS.

Two quotes summarize the insult. First, the Carrera GT-Mac: "A decade ago the Mclaren F1 redefined the ultimate performance car, AND NOTHING SINCE HAS REALLY COME CLOSE. But now, there's a car that could finally usurp it, Porsche's Carrera GT."

The rest of the article reads as if the Enzo did not exist. It's amazing. They even suggest the Pagani Zonda was the best until the Carrera GT. Amazing. They also rave about the F1's interior which to me looks pedestrian at best, well-done, but pedestrian none the less.

As for the CS, this is what they had to say:"Barker has it (the Lotus Exige) second and equal with the Ferrari, but Bov and I nudge is ahead of the 360 purely because when you strip away the 'Ooh it's a Ferrari effect,' you're left with a car that DOESN'T INVOLVE AS COMPLETELY, NOR DOES IT COPE WITH THE DEMANDS OF FAST ROAD DRIVING AS CONVINCINGLY. (As the Lotus)" One more: "The Noble misses out too.......it's strange, for there's no doubting it's or its chassis, which, like the Lotus', IS MORE REWARDING AND INCLUSIVE THAN THE EFFECTIVE BUT ALOOF, AND AT TIMES UNTIDY, FERRARI."

Do they have a serious ax to grind against Ferrari?

I've read three different comparisons of the CS and the GT3 RS, and all of them give the Porsche it's due respect but rank the CS as the superior driving experience.

Your thoughts............


Cavallini

 

I'ts either he is blind or Ferrari wasn't his sponser.. lol

 

Remember, they're 'automotive journalists'--b!tches to the car company that is flying them out to the interesting new car test next week. And Ferrari doesn't do that too often...

 

Could it be they maybe telling it like it is? And not getting all hot and bothered because it says Ferrari on the engine hatch? Maybe this is the kick in the ass Ferrari needs to get back to being the number 1 exotic/performance car maker in the world, instead of trying to sell surfboards and little painted laptops.

 

As much as I don't like the Enzo, I have to admit they forgot a lot of cars between the BMW-MacLaren and CarreraGT. I won't even bother to name them.

When it comes to the 360CS ... well ... why not? I have driven neither of these cars, but the Exige weighs close to nothing, like the Noble, and that may make quite a difference. If you really want to know, I'm convinced the Exige and Noble are more pure in their sportscar approach, for that cimple reason that they have an actual stick.
BTW, more rewarding means it's harder to drive, hence "not as good"
As far as GT3RS/360CS comparison, both attain ridiculous performance levels, and it comes down more to personal preference than "this one's better".

And anyways, why are you aggravated to see your favourite car blasted in mags? The best car is the one that tops the rank in your heart.

 

They're not my "favorites," per se. It just struck me as if they were looking, searching for a reason or reasons to pan Ferrari. However, your points are well taken about the Exige and Noble.

Forza,

Cavallini

 

EVO is British. Lotus is British. I like EVO, but in the end it's all pretty biased.

 

I second Tom's thoughts, that they are calling it as it is. This is the British motoring press were talking about, who are very objective, unlike the American motoring press. The author even stated that "when you strip away the 'Ooh it's a Ferrari effect'" lead to their conclusion. There's nothing wrong with that, since the comparison set out to analyse track oriented street cars based on their abilities that make them great in that role. Not about which one looks best parked infront of a Starbucks, where the "ooh its a Ferrari effect" would come into play.

Besides, coming second to the Lotus Exige isn't exaclty harsh criticism. The Lotus is very highly regarded, especially for its handling and driver feedback, two qualities the author cites.

Finally, if you want evidence of a mag 'cooking the books', look no further than an old R&T which had an article searching for the best handling car in the world. The Lotus Elise beat the 360 in just about every quantitative measure, and many drivers gave it top marks in qualitative judging, yet the 360 won the test, since it was deemed 'more suited to street driving' or something along those lines.

 

Evo just might be right! I have spent some time behind the wheel of an Enzo and as far as driver involvement it couldn't hold a candle to my old F40. Sure it is faster....but a better driver's car...NO WAY. That's my opinion. The Porshe is probably a more involving drive than the Enzo.

As far as the CS goes. Great car...but over rated. I ran into one on a favorite twisty road in my SL55.......and....sorry guys...ran away from it. More HP, better brakes....and serious technology!

I love my Fcars.....but the rest of the world has passed them by. But as long as there are folks queing up for the privilage of getting a great valet spot, Ferrari sees no real need to move the game on. I have been visiting Maranello for 20 years and have many friends there. What used to be a very special place is now nothing more than a tourist trap to remove as much money from visitors as possible...........Hmmmm, kinda like having a major done at your local Fcar dealer.....now there's a business model.

Ciao..Dino

 

EVO magazine are one of the best UK car mags. I respect their opinion more than others. They love Ferrari (numerous feature articles) but don't let sentiment cloud their judgement.

The McLaren article in EVO was written by Rowan Atkinson (comedian actor, dunno if he's big in the States). I respect his opinion because he is not a journalist; he has owned an F1, and could buy pretty much any car he wants (and he has owned Ferraris, so is not biased).

The fact that he hasn't mentioned the Enzo is interesting. The McLaren F1 was all about purity or purpose; no abs, no power steering, no traction control, manual box etc and the very best, lightest components. Compare this to the myriad electronic gadgets on the Enzo; stunning car I don't doubt, but I'd agree that the Carrera GT and Zonda and probably closer in spirit to the F1.

Look at the Enzo; it is trying to look as much like an F1 racing car as a road car can. It is a pastiche, for customers to pretend they are Schumacher.

The wider issue is that Ferrari have moved further and further away from what it was all about; think about the 250GT SWB; a real GT racing car you could just happen to use on the road; no compromises; 250GTO, homologation special, needs no introduction; 288GTO, homologation special for aborted Group B rally series. The F40, F50, and Enzo were nothing more than celebrations by Ferrari. Great cars I'm sure, but where's the purpose?

The F1 was the ultimate road car. That it also happed to win Le Mans is testament to its excellence.

I'd agree with other comments; Ferrari need to get back to building the greatest road cars, ones that stir your soul, not making pens and mountain bikes.

Robert.

 

Forgetting the Enzo - [shrug] - so what? as someone else has said, there have been many supercars between the F1 and now.

But, the fact remains that the comments about the 360CS not being an involving driving car are not substantiated by any other journalists (or owners here.) I would ask them why they made the "not completely involving" comment - that's the one that seems unusual.

 

I know F-cars aren't about numbers but the Elise was damn impressive in Road and Track this month. Most impressive to me was a skidpad number of 1.06g and 0-60 in 4.4 sec. Pretty awesome numbers and they didn't get to slalom test it but they figure its gonna set the record. I don't want one but as far as a weekend racer it seems tough to beat.

 

I still wish that Ferrari would do a new Dino.

 

Evo has consistently rated the 360CS behind the GT3. Why is it so hard to believe that someone may have a different opinion to that of owners on this forum.
To insinuate that Evo is nationalist and insular, as has been intimated earlier in this thread is both childish and foolhardy. IMO Evo is the best performance automotive publication currently available. I personally am not qualified to make a judgement as to which is better between the Lotus, Porsche, Noble and Ferrari, as I have not had the opportunity to extensively drive them all back to back, but bluntly would take greater stock in their opinion than that of a 360CS owner. Ferrari's complete rethink of the 360 upgrade in light of the Gallardo is in itself an admission that Ferrari needs to lift its game in this brave new world where family four door sedans produce 500hp from the factory.

 

stephens - This has next to nothing to do with what CS owners on this site think.
I can think of no other journalist that has said the CS is inadequately "involving." Insofar as that word is rather ambiguous, I would be interested to hear the ways in which they felt removed from the car, the ways in which the car was "untidy." They have a "different opinion," as you put it, than most - if not all - other reviewers who have driven the car. As a result, they should explain that opinion more clearly.

 

EVO is a wonderful magazine and I have read many articles in EVO which praise the Enzo and the 360. I really think EVO is the best automobile magazine currently available. Their content is always interesting and their writers are a bunch of characters who love cars just like the rest of us. They also offer track days to readers(for a cost but it seems reasonable) which I wish some American magaiznes would do too. I haven't read the entire article you are describing but I will try to read it soon. In regards to the Lotus, Strasse makes a good point. All British car magazines love their British cars. EVO also said that they would take an S-Type R over an M5. That being said, the Lotus Elise, Exige is a pure sports car. No frills just performance at a very fair price. The same can be said for the Noble. I don't really think you can compare a 360 CS to a Lotus Exige because they are very different cars. However it is a interesting comparison and that is why we love to read car magazines.

 

Allow me to clarify. The issue is not that a Ferrari was trumped in a comparison test. This happens consistently, especially in Evo, and usually for sound reasons. What is odd about these two articles is an apparent effort to reduce F-cars to a) non-existence, the Enzo, or b) a glorified poseur, the 360 CS, which Evo themselves rated head and shoulders over the 911 GT3, only a few months ago in a similar test.

I enjoy the Brit magazines far more than their American counterparts: much better writing, usually much better and more pictures, and more honest, seat of the pants reviews. But these articles seem very deliberate and skewed, and thus surprising.

As for my personal tastes, I plan to own a Carrera GT because it is without question the best, in looks and drive, drop-top ever. It's gorgeous, especially in black.

Yet, I would never own an Exige or a GT3 RS because I would have to drive them at the extremes to extract the same amount of pleasure I would derive from a regular 360 Spider w/Tubi, just driving around town. Also, they're (the Lotus and GT3) ugly or plain next to any F-car.


Forza,


Cavallini

 

Of all the car mags I've read, EVO is definitely one of the most honest to their thought reviewer of cars. Since their earlier days as Performance Car they have been producing thrilling test drives one after another. I trust their review articles more than any other mags. As to the question of their being British and their bias toward British cars, I think this is understandable and respectable. But you know what, their ECOTY or Car of the Year award has rarely gone to British cars!

I think they have mentioned something also regarding the fact that their review this time contradicts with what they have reviewed before. They also gave a little effort to explain why. Sorry I really don't remember what they said as the mag is not nearby at the moment.

Ferrari owners, or any car owners in this regards, surely wouldn't like it when their beloved cars are given a bad review. This is understandable too. But I think if the reviewers give their view clearly and the test is set up in such a way that it covers all respect of performances, then it's only fair to respect their works.

I know I will still love Ferrari regardless of what the mags say about them.

 

Mark, that is a brilliant idea! Wouldn't that be cool?!! What would the price range be? $100K? Strip it down and make it absolutely raw, appealing only to your visceral being. Resurect the 6 cylndr engine in honor of both Dino and Enzo. Don't even put a place to install a radio. Best idea I've heard in a long time.

 

Well, the British Show Top Gear's host (Clarkson) went absolutely bonkers while driving the 360CS over how wonderful it was.

http://www.sleepy-fish.com/sleepy/Top_Gear_GT3RS_vs_360CS_hi.wmv

 

Yes, as people have already mentioned, the British journalists love good British cars. Just this week, Top Gear tested an XKR, a Carrera, and the 6 series, and said they prefered the Jag. Clarkson praise for the CS is particularly interesting in light of the fact that some years ago Clarkson reviewed the DB7 and the Modena side by side and said he would prefer the DB7. Everybody seems to love the CS. So, can someone who has this EVO article please post as to WHY in particular they found the CS "untidy" and not as "involving"?

 

EVO sucks. They like to be contraversial ..thats all.

They all secretly wish they did own a Stradale..

 

OOOOOOH....THATS HARSH MAN...REALLY HARSH

 

I've driven or owned several of the cars being compared, and I agree with Zipj. It really depends on what exactly you want to optimise. As I see it, the EVO journalists are talking about pure driving experience.

If you want to optimise on pure driving experience, the Lotus is hard to beat. It really does handle like a kart and is reasonably quick to 120. In fact, if you want to take this to an extreme, buy a Caterham, a 'modern' car based on an early Lotus design. There's in fact lots of choice if you want this type of car.

Personally, I want to optimise on the ownership experience, which includes how good they are to drive, but goes further than that. It's got to be nice to look at too, make you feel good when you sit in it, give you a sense of anticipation when you walk into the garage, even smell nice. Lotus etc. don't do this for me.

This is, I think, why you get different reactions from CS owners and the EVO journalists.

I will disagree on one point though. As far as a lack of feedback when driving the Stradale is concerned, I'm sorry but IMO that's rubbish. Maybe I've got sensitive hands or something, but feedback through the wheel and seat in the Stradale is spot on- it doesn't tell me I've run over a piece of grit, but does tell me how much grip there is left. In my book, that's filtering out irrelevant information.

To my mind the real competition is from Noble. The M12 is a seriously sorted car and really does have character. If they nail the design and source a more tuneful engine then Ferrari needs to worry.