Entry level Ferrari

The question is who's buying?

 

If Ferrari offered a smaller, raw & visceral car, MT, no fluff (Manettino, etc), 350 - 400 hp, 125 - 150K price range, and Pininfarina design, people would break the dealer's doors down to get them.

I go to many of the Cars & Coffee events, and THERE ARE enthusiasts who lament exotic car companies move to more luxury-oriented cars for the super wealthy. There has to be a sweet spot that Ferrari can hit to make all of these enthusiast jump for a new vehicle.

This would also attract those holding on to their "Enzo era" cars to finally move on to something more modern and advanced that provides the experience they covet. And it should also slow the out-of-control pricing on the older cars.

 

Any meaningful increase in volume would need a new factory and new production processes.
How much Ferrari DNA would survive?

 

IMO You'll never see a new Ferrari for less than 500hp and $200k
They can stay above that price and still sell 10k annually

 

Not sure many know what a Dino is these days?

 

Indeed.

Also part of the allure is the exclusivity.
Lets be honest.

 

Why would they lower the bar ?
No need to.
Remember Ferrari is a shrewd business not a charity.

 

I don't think 350-400hp is enough unless they keep the car ultra light (2500lbs or less). I'd be all for this but I doubt they will do it since everyone is obsessed these days with comfortable, user-friendly supercars. I'm one of those who enthusiasts you speak of and often feel so alone in the modern day car culture.

 

With the debt they're taking on the business may need to change and with the shares on the market the direction the company takes may be up to a new crew.

 

This ^^^

 

We don't have to be too pessimistic, there are enough positive signals from the FCA group: Maserati is back on the way to success and their roadmap looks excellent, Jeep was starting very successful in the market and is earning money again, Alfa Romeo has sent a first sign of life with the 4C. Here in Europe there is a relative wide Alfa and Fiat fan base, with the right products to reach the targeted sales numbers is realistic, IMO the FCA strategy is feasible.

And as written before, it becomes time that the FCA flagship Ferrari is cleaning up their business behavior. I'm not a fan of the extensive artificial generation of such a pseudo exclusivity just to push the earnings per car. Ferrari is a car producer and not Michelangelo or Klimt. A limitation on a dedicated product line (like LaF) is ok, but a limitation with so called "special editions" on more or less any single product line (and in the end they fail too meet) is stupid.

At the moment Ferrari is successful: therefore SM has to enforce fundamental changes as long as Ferrari has the needed power. Do we remember what Kennedy said: "There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long range risks and costs of comfortable inaction". Not wrong this statement...

Therefore I warmly welcome the ipo and I support the plan to increase the sales numbers clearly. I share the thoughts that this new sales target will open a slot for a further entry level V6 turbo-Ferrari, a brand new car aligned with a top end Maserati race GT. Such a car would be also a big advantage to reduce the fleet consumption which will additionally ensure the survival of the V12 models.

 

I do find it bizarre how much the price of a "base" mid-engine V8 has increased over the years. I believe the original 360 Modena had a base price around $138k for an all aluminum car and wonderful engine. I know that was 15 years ago, but the increase in prices far exceeds any rational explanation based on inflation. They have just gotten into an arms race with Lambo and others to boost performance and exotic materials to near ridiculous levels. What would be so wrong with a $160k mid-engined V-8 Ferrari without the excessive carbon fiber, excessive alloy parts, etc???

I always thought it would be cool if Ferrari would re-issue older models. Why not build a brand new 308QV with the same body and the same engine specs as the originals. Obviously meeting modern safety/emissions regulations will be a challenge and impose some changes, but the point is that those cars still capture an experience that is so enjoyable yet none of the modern cars (from any manufacturer) captures that same experience, why not build those cars again in limited runs? I don't see it diluting the brand or exclusivity at all, and they would probably be extremely profitable.

 

They're not the only one....never thought I'd see a day where a normal Porsche Turbo stickers over $200k.....rediculous, my 2001 Turbo sticered for less than $115k.

And look at the prices of Huracans.....ugh

 

Heck, even brand them as "Dino" or "Re-Ferrari"

I would love to be part of a project like that! But you are making too much sense. Imagine the value of an apprentice program where the old salts mingle with the new engineers and managers to introduce small improvements and production improvements.

I didnt follow the Datsun project too closely but this was done with the 240/260 z correct? Maybe too early?

 

pre owned is the point to get into anything expensive on a budget... demanding for lower cost in a premium marque indicates that one does not have the resources necessary to order new and are unwilling to accept pre owned or change to a lower cost brand. Those with the resources are not the ones complaining. If the demand is for a no frills car built to your specs, order it, but don't expect to get any price concessions. Ferrari is willing to do one off or customer changes to suit. There is no entitlement for the "wanna be" crowd to keep up.

 

Honda are about to launch the equivalent of a entry level Ferrari
There's no way an entry level Ferrari could compete on a price performance basis
with the upcoming NSX. Back in the day I dumped my mediocre 348 for a new NSX
both similar cars performance wise but a world of difference in built quality and
precision of handling and transmission. Just IMO

 

I question the Maserati success. I don't think much of the product- the quality is sorely lacking. And I don't think they will have repeating sales. I know several people who jumped on these cheap leases to discover cars with cheap material quality and an annoying exhaust note. When I asked if they would lease another one they all say no way and they are trying to get out of the leases now. The sales they do have at least in the USA are due to highly subsidized leases that have the potential to damaging the brand. As for Jeep- they seem on better footing and Alfa doesn't seem very successful. I think SMs record is mixed and to my eyes looks like its very short term focused at the expense of the medium and long terms. My point has always been Ferrari is different. If they act the same as everyone else they will become the same. Time will tell if I am correct. I would love to say you are correct.

Btw- I do see a space for an entry level Ferrari and I think it could compete with the NSX- they are probably in a better spot to do it today than back in the late 80s/early 90s. I really need to see the new NSX but based solely on styling I don't think much of it at all. I think Acura lost their way a long time ago and the only car they make that makes any sense at all is the MDX.

 

Those with resources ARE complaining. Enthusiasts with resources don't necessarily want to pay for cars that have features they don't want. Real wannabes are the poseurs, rich kids, lottery winners that have resources by virtue of luck of birth (or numbers) but have no passion for driving. It is then a luxury brand more than anything else. Some enthusiasts would rather pay something for exclusivity, but more for a differentiated driving experience. Otherwise Ferrari becomes equivalent to Rolls or Bentley.

 

The styling is more subtle than an in-your-face Lambo for instance. Its classy vs brassy. Not for everyone.
But the real beauty is below the skin. All wheel drive with the fronts using separate electric motors that can be used for torque vectoring. No-one else has done this and its set to re-write the rules just like the first one did. It took Ferrari 6 years to catch up to that car technically.

All at $130K plus or minus.

PS They are already building an entry level Ferrari.
Its called a 4C and its fabulous as a car. Not so much as a status symbol.

 

I just ordered a 2015 991 GTS with a sticker of 160K BASE WAS 115 PLUS 45 IN OPTIONS

IMO - Ferrari can quite easily sell a rear mid engined turbo V6 in the low 200's base price

 

Low 200s is entry level?

 

That is just nuts. 911s approaching 200 and turbos over is so ridiculous.

 

For a Ferrari yes

 

Where they get you is the options Everything is so tempting

 

How many new sales would such a "low" price generate?