Gigabytes vs. driver skill

First off I wish to say I have all the geek toys, ipods, GPS, Palm pilots, etc.
BUT, am I the only Ferrari owner that is cringing at the fact that computers and weight now rule in Maranello? Yes, yes, yes, I know you can't stop evolution but it is now the car that drives, not the driver. The Manettino is a great example. This device can take an ordinary Joe and make him look like Schumi. If you take your car to the track ( I do ), you will improve lap after lap and the car becomes an extention of you. With all the electronics the CAR is doing all he work, ediff, f1 tranny, traction control, abs. At this point YOU are the passenger. Aslo the less gifted are going that much faster, a little scary if you goof due to the speeds you would normally not attain. I fear that in a few years the sound of a Ferrari may be the only thing left that has not been a victim of the mighty chip.
Thanks, but I think I'll keep my 01 360 with 6 speed and the traction control off (unless it's raining of course, I'm not that arrogant or brave).
Your thoughts or am I just a dinosaur at 39?

 

Agree with you that all these driver aids allow less than capable driver to possible overdrive their talent and still survive the ordeal. Perhaps there is a balance of technology and progress versus raw driver experience. Deep in my heart i, too, yearn for NO driver aids and let the driver skills (or lack thereof) shine through. Your comments may be part of the reason why many hard core guys love the F40 over the F50 and perhaps Enzo... or it could just be me.


"Technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a mass murder" -- Albert Einstein (i think)

 

Make that 2 of us.

 

Want to put the hand crank starter back in?

To me, an F1 gearbox is still a tool, because it takes commands from the driver.

ABS is a crutch, because it thinks the computer knows better than the driver. (Alas, too often true.)

 

Remember smart alec I have all the latest electronic toys. All I'm saying is that there should be a limit on electronics in a "driver's car". Otherwise we may as well buy the new S-class with 600+ hp and enough electronics to make Larry Ellison jealous.

 

I keep trying to avoid excessively long posts --- but everyone gets annoyed at my short posts.

I was trying to show a distinction: Electronics which take commands from the driver I call driving tools. Electronics which override the driver I call a crutch.

Then there are the "toys": GPS, restaurant guides, yada yada -- stuff that simply duplicates the toys on your notebook, PDA, or smart phone. I call that stuff "frills".

Electric windows are a gray area -- they take command from the driver (except for the latest which automagically fiddle the window around the door jamb), but they don't actually *drive* the car.

But then, I still use a paper daytimer.

 

I think everyone wants all the toys, tools, and crutches. The problem is we all need different levels. So the solution for me is more dials so we can dial in the exact time abs kicks in, when traction control kicks in, brake bias, etc ...

I am looking into trying to get a HUD for my 360. I found a tachometer only system, but I want everything when I look through the windshield.

 

i've got one of each, the Audi has all the bells and whistles and i'm sure my 3yr old could drive it just as well.
adaptive cruise control that works down to 0mph!
parktronic
rear camera with parking guidance
torque bias AWD
air suspension that keeps the thing upright in turns
headlights that turn with the steering (maybe that's a plus)
electric steering, speed based ratio
and the alphabet soup of aides

the Mondial has power assist brakes and electric windows that work when they feel like it. otherwise i'm on my own, and i love it!

Sure the audi's great for highway trips and hauling the faimily around town. but it really lacks driver feel and feedback. yes the saftey features are great and for the generation that did not grow up driving drum brakes and no ABS it is helpfull. my concern is lack of responsability, people rather blame the cars electric wizards than accutually learn to drive!

 

Ferrari is about technology and innovation and always has been. Get over it.


Many shunned electric starters and for some good reasons. Many shunned syncro gear boxes, Many shunned hydraulic brakes, many even shunned disc brakes. Some even swore that radial tires were dangerous for the same reasons you cite.

How far back into the dark past of technology do you need to go be happy?

 

im for all the electronics that can be reliably pack in a car. just make sure they are fully defeatable when desired. that way everyone is happy as technology advances

 

Hey rifledriver. No offense, but if you're comparing an electric starter and F1 paddle shifting and abs you just don't get it do you? An electric starter doesn't get me around the track, doesn't give feedback to the steering wheel, doesn't cause rear wheel spin in an off camber corner, etc. That is a convenience that is well received. I'M TALKING ABOUT A COMPUTER MAKING YOU DO THINGS YOU CAN'T. If Enzo were alive he would shudder at all the computers driving his cars not his customers. i drive an IS350 as a daily driver and between all the VDIM and ABS and TRAC, I may as well be driving a marshmallow! The last post is well received, as long as I can defeat it or not order it, Kudos! But for God sake put the technology in the brakes, suspension and engine, as far as I remember THAT IS WHAT MAKES A CAR!!!!!

 

An F1 gets you around the track faster. If not I do not believe you would see it in each and every F1 car. No different than the radial tires and hydraulic brakes and disc brakes I mentioned. All technoligical improvements to make cars go faster. Some don't like it. So what? Order a car without it. Or is it your intention to deprive others? If I was a Christian Scientist do I have a right to deprive you on heart surgery because I don't belive in it? Should I complain about a TV show or just change channels?

Electric starters and F1 systems have given people the ability to drive cars that they otherwise could not. Why deprive them as well?

Get a life and let others live theirs the way they want instead of conforming to your view.

 

Whoa big fella. Let me conform to your view! Ok, I'll my next Ferrari will have GPS, TRAC, MAnettino, F1, GPS, electric seats,Video screens, and the upcoming 4wd. What do you think that thing will weigh? 4500lbs. i've driven an Enzo my friend without all your tech bs and it weighs 2850 lbs with NO DRIVERS AIDS. until you drive such a car, please hook up your new Mac G5 to your engine so you can get to the grocery store!

P.S. Why do Ferrari owners of many of the cars consider the Stradale and F40 to be the best F-Cars in 30 years? Because they are devoid of fat and wires.