That's what is confusing, but encouraging, about the presentation slide posted on pg 2. The 599 replacement is higher than the 599 GTO on both axes, Price AND Product Positioning (i.e. further into the Extreme Performance category). To me, that would suggest a adjustment to the raison d'etre for this model - perhaps a more focused performance model that could assume a mid-rear V12 and less cargo space. The Boxer, re-imagined. Surely, with the Cali and FF still in the lineup, they could entertain the idea of a car that does not need to be a daily driver? Am I dreaming?
Ugh, not a fan. Looks like a bad mixup of the new Lotus Esprit and the 458. What happened to the sleek profile of cars like the 550 and the 575?
I really don't see Ferrari at this point in time going without a front engined V12 car, I could maybe possibly see it in the next evolution but not now. I don't see the 599 successor selling if it can't handle any sort of daily drivable manner, remember the 599 isn't so much a supercar than a GT car that is a "super car" all joking aside though it isn't meant to be a supercar, it's a two door GT
What he said. As long as Ferrari is involved in racing, their flagship (or halo car) seems like to follow the mid-engined, engine behind the driver configuration -- practicality be damned.
Thanks. While the new 599 will be faster on paper the ultimate Ferrari will be a track biased car more like the FXX.
Well, something about that slide matrix doesn't line up. So what will the price be? Close to $600K and faster than 599 GTO, yet still as much of daily driver as base 599 coupe...
Boxer/Testarossa replacement please. Enough with the front engine in a modern car. Ferrari needs something that will dazzle again, visually as well as performance.
Shashi- There already was a Boxer/TR replacement and it was the 550. Faster, better handling, easier to maintain, more practical. The only possibility of a mid-engine V12 is the Enzo replacement. Taz Terry Phillips
Hopefully the new Enzo will be a merge of the FXX and 599XX whilst being mildly downtuned for road use.
I think so too. But Ferrari isn't going to do wild for the sake of wild a la Lamborghini. It will be fast for the sake of fast and that may mean lighter and smaller and not just more powerful.
+1 Honestly, I don't think Ferrari has to worry about trying to "out-Lambo" Lambo. The Aventador has taken the razor edge styling fighter jet styling of the Reventon to the extreme and, in some ways, looks to be even more raw than the Murcie. The upcoming Gallardo replacement will likely follow suit. IMO, there is definitely an opportunity for Ferrari to re-imagine the Boxer with a beautiful modern mid-V12. If not Ferrari, maybe Maserati should do it. They definitely have the better-looking Italian designs right now, as it is. Love the 550 series (IMO a future classic in it's own right), but part of the rationale was more usability when Ferrari didn't have other practical cars in the lineup (now they do). The Enzo replacements will always be a limited edition car; I think there is some demand for a return to the mid-V12 in a regular production series model, especially if the Enzo replacement goes turbo V8/hybrid or something. I dunno. Yes the 550 replaced the Boxer/TR series and created its own legacy. But, there has been a whole left by those mid-engined flat-12 cars that I sometimes feel was never filled.
I think Ferrari does have to worry about Lambo. They and you might not think it - but down deep it's the competition. Lambo came out with a beast - like it or hate it you can't ignore it. After the FF Ferrari has a wide open run at styling - no excuses this car should do it all.
The 550 reprised the 275 GTB and borrowed from that legacy, albeit with plastic bumpers and 1990s computers running the show instead of the old chrome and carbs. I like the car -- Pininfarina's best post-1990 Ferrari -- but "created its own legacy" is probably overstating it. More like a graceful sequel to the serious classics. But I agree, the flat-12 has several advantages from an engineering perspective, and it would be good to see a no-compromises sports car from Ferrari with that configuration once again. Porsche is still using the boxer configuration for good reason in the monster GT2 RS. With the FF hatch and California tourer in the line, I think Ferrari can afford to get more extreme with the upcoming 599 replacement: much lighter, lower, smaller, more agile.
Considering the 599 replacement will be based on a shortened FF chassis, how far can they go? Remember it was the same thing with 550/456, and later 599/612. However, I agree that the return of the Regular Production Flat 12 return would be spectacular.
As I understand it while there is a lot to like about boxers a flat twelve is a long engine and if you put the transmission behind it makes for a very long car. If you put the transmission under it ( a la BB) you raise the CG and lose one of its biggest benefits. The long configuration might make sense in an Enzo replacement but not as much a 599 successor.
correct me if I am wrong but isn't the 599 replacement (code name F152) a refreshed/facelifted 599 with engine, suspension, performance, etc tweaks? a la 575 from 550 or 430 from 360, if you will. if so, i think some of these comparisons of a carbon monocoque like the Aventador or ground breaking design are going to have to wait for the complete redesign.
