F12 Initial Observations and Comp to 458 Spider

The 599 was like that too. We had seen 60 litres per 100 kilometres.

 

Very insightful write up - Your perspective is very accurate Thanks

 

Perhaps gimmicky is the wrong word. In my mind it is a substitute for mid-engine handling. Have never driven one so I would like to see how a 4WS car handles compared to mid-engine car. My supposition (perhaps wrong) is that Ferrari would see 4ws as not in keeping with their idea of a proper sports car. (I wonder if 4WS is allowed in F1...my guess is that it's not...or if it is, that it does not work w/o creating other more serious problems).

Another poster claimed the FF had 4WS which was news to me and apparently wrong. I have never driven an FF but will someday.

My only memory of 4WS is a Japanese car maker (Toyota?) came out with it. One big selling point was you could parallel park easily and in tight places.

To my knowledge no sports cars have 4WS but I could be wrong. Seems like an elegant solution to cure understeer on a front engined car. But that's just an assumption on my part.

Phil

 

Honda had it in the late 80s. It was fun. But a lot of the press saw it as a kind of automotive blasphemy.

I used to think I would never think an AWD car could drive as amazing as some of the newer ones do, FF included, and I also thought I would never think a paddle car would offer something better than stick shift, the 430 Scuderia and 458 proved me wrong on that. So to my mind I think there should be no sacred cows. I think in the end what matters is the experience of driving.

I think you will likely be impressed with the FF. I was impressed when I test drove one but I wasn't impressed enough to get past the styling. It just isn't for me.

 

Production cars with active four wheel steering

Acura RLX (P-AWS)
BMW 850CSi (only Euro spec models)
BMW 7-Series (2009 onward, part of sport package) [3]
BMW 5-series (2011 onwards, Integral Active Steering option)
Chevrolet Silverado (2002–2005) (high and low speed)
Efini MS-9 (high and low speed)
GMC Sierra (2002–2005) (high and low speed)
GMC Sierra Denali (2002–2004) (high and low speed)
Honda Prelude (high and low speed, mechanical from 1987 to 1991, computerized from 1992–2001)
Honda Accord (1991) (high and low speed, mechanical)
Honda Ascot Innova (1992) (high and low speed, computerized from 1992–1996)
Infiniti FX50 AWD (option on Sports package) (2008–Present) (high and low speed, fully electronic)
Infiniti G35 Sedan (option on Sport models) (2007–Present) (high speed only?)
Infiniti G35 Coupe (option on Sport models) (2006–Present) (high speed only)[4]
Infiniti J30t (touring package) (1993–1994)
Infiniti M35 (option on Sport models) (2006–Present) (high speed only?)
Infiniti M45 (option on Sport models) (2006–Present) (high speed only?)
Infiniti Q45t (1989–1994) (high speed only?)
Lexus GS (2013 onwards, if equipped with optional Lexus Dynamic Handling)
Mazda 929 (1992–1995)(computerised, high and low speed)(all models)
Mazda 626 (1988) (high and low speed)
Mazda MX-6 (1989–1997) (high and low speed)
Mazda RX-7 (optional, computerized, high and low speed)
Mazda Eunos 800 (1996–2003) (Optional, computerized, high and low speed)
Mercedes-Benz Vito (London Taxi variant)
Mitsubishi Galant/Sigma (high speed only)
Mitsubishi GTO (also sold as the Mitsubishi 3000GT and the Dodge Stealth) (Mechanical) (high speed only)
Nissan Cefiro (A31) (high speed only)
Nissan 180SX (HICAS option)
Nissan 240SX/Silvia (option on SE models) (high speed only)
Nissan 300ZX (all Twin-Turbo Z32 models) (high speed only)
Nissan Laurel (later versions) (high speed only)
Nissan Fuga/Infiniti M (high speed only)
Nissan Silvia (option on all S13 models) (high speed only)
Nissan Skyline GTS, GTS-R, GTS-X (1986) (high speed only)
Nissan Skyline GT-R (high and low speed)
Porsche 991 GT3 (high and low speed)
Porsche 991 Turbo (2014 onward) (high and low speed) [5]
Renault Laguna (only in GT version of 3rd generation which was launched October 2007, GT launched on April 2008)
Subaru Alcyone SVX JDM (1991–1996) (Japanese version: "L-CDX" only) (high speed only)
Toyota Aristo (1997) (high and low speed?)
Toyota Camry / Vista JDM 1988–1999 (Optional) [6]
Toyota Carina ED / Toyota Corona EXiV (world's first dual-mode switchable 2WS to 4WS)
Toyota Celica (option on 5th and 6th generation, 1990–1993 ST183 and 1994–1997 ST203) (Dual-mode, high and low speed)
Toyota Soarer (UZZ32)

BTW no FF listed

LaFerrari Forum reports that Porsche 918 has 4WS.

 

Thats a lot of cars. Most Japanese.

 

I believe The new gt3 (porsche ) has rear wheel steering.

 

Yep. I think most 911s look like potatoes but they drive amazingly. Hopefully I'll get a chance to drive a 991 GT3 in the next year.

 

Yes thus I clarified 4RM, which is what Ferrari calls it. Technically not a 4wd persay (even though Ferrari mentions "4wd") regarding the FF.
But I do see Phil was referring to steering vs drive.

 

Just wait for 4WD + WS. And Mercedes will build a G Class with 6 wheel drive..........

Anyway, I have managed to get 2 MPG in a 599 on a track... and an F12 I rode passenger in seemed to be doing a good job of burning off the gas as well

 

Prius owners unite!