Sanity...

At least there's one car company not run by their marketing department...

'We will not build a Ferrari SUV' boss confirms at Geneva show by CAR Magazine

 

I saw a Porsche macan today in the car park and couldn't be but quite disappointed for all the Porsche enthusiasts. If Ferrari end up down that path than it would be quite the brand killer.

 

The Macan turbo is the best winter daily driver out there. It drives like a Panamera, has a gorgeous interior if specced well, has PDK, AWD, enough power to kill 99% of the cars on the road and all the technology necessary for today standard. It is also 40% cheaper than the Cayenne TTS it replaced. I wouldn't even know what to replace mine with...

 

Yeah right, Porsche enthusiasts should be disappointed.
They only had the GT3, GT3 RS, GT4 and Boxster Spyder to play with last year, and they all are terrible cars... So bad they go over sticker on the used market.

Porsche is killing it right now. Their latest "limited" editions are selling like hot cakes, and stuff like the 911R is already sold out.

And if the 918 is any indication of what is to come to the 911/Boxster/Cayman, then I can't wait.

Porsche enthusiasts are not whining about the Macan/Cayenne/Panamera. Those cars bring a huge cash flow into the company, numbers Ferrari can only dream of.

 

The 918 saga turned out to be a huge winner for Porsche. Almost until they end they struggled to sell all the cars since the MSRP was much higher than expected ($850k vs $650k). During that time, Porsche was doing the latest stages of development, leaked some info and involved some potential buyers as they were realizing the 918 was a really really good car. Once the final specs were released and then test came out, the 918 was sold out and now trades at a generous premium. The program to give priority to 918 buyers on new models also helped moved cars towards the end. Total winner for Porsche.

The R is a huge step in the right direction to offer exclusive cars that match the new inflated Porsche prices. Add PDK, back seats and chop the roof and you have something really special (think 458 SA). Maybe that was their plan all along: split the 911 line in two separate lines: one comfy daily driver, one more exclusive and sport oriented (GTx R...).

 

A Ferrari SUV isn't a far stretch from the FF platform. I more worried about batteries and forced induction's impact on the Ferrari brand.

 

I think the marketing department had a lot to do with the new Lusso. They read up here and took feedback on every aspect as compared to the more artful FF.

Ferrari and "no SUV" is an Italian posturing thing that they will do FOR marketing reasons, forever IMO.

Porsche Macan Turbo is a great little car. When I bought my FF it was the last competitor in the race. Porsche has cheap leather and plastic interiors, the Macan has the turbo feeling I don't like, but the car is a blast to drive and handles everything well.

 

Porsche represents no competition for Ferrari whatsoever. Its like bringing up Dodge or other mass market supplier. Not worthy of comparison IMO.

 

Agree. And I wasn't meaning to compare. Ferrari has no real competition, that's the unique quality. We can talk about comparisons, and we do, but at the end of the day they can do as they please based on internal guidance and there is nothing like a Ferrari.

 

I hope Porsche builds mid-V8 NA. Something like non hybrid 918. The key is NA, I think people will line up to order like i-phone launching.

 

Porsche is doing fine. I couldn't get a RS or R and I am also a previous and current Porsche owner. Heard they might do a manual regular gt3 if so they better not make it with such scarce numbers like the RS or R cz I would be interested in one. The macan is an amazing car in terms of steering, handling and smoothness of the pdk transmission totally different experience than the cayenne imo

 

The PDK makes the Macan. It is not perfect as it could use more hp and the front dips a little too much on deceleration. But the red/black leather interior is stunning and all the technology is up there. No regrets going to a Macan after a Cayenne TT and another Cayenne TTS.

 

I like my macan turbo, as it is my DD, but I am contemplating trading it in and doing an FF as my DD. the macan is bliss, but almost too good at being benign. it's not a bad thing, I just wish it had the edge that my partner's X5M has!

 

I too had a Cayenne TT in 2004 and another in 2011 (and a few Panamera's). I also have the red/black interior and love it! Dark blue exterior with full CF inside and out

Porsche did not hurt the brand with the Cayenne or Panamera (or Boxster for that matter when the 986/996 shared a ton of parts). It SAVED the brand so that they could make the aforementioned GT3 RS, etc!
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In reality our winter is too harsh and the roads are too bad to use the FF as a real DD... Hence the Macan. The potholes are just horrible.

 

Where are you located again? I forgot!

 

A forced induction V12 is out of the question because of the unmanageable torque, look what they had to do with the 488, software configure to have max tq in 7th gear.

Has there ever been a enjoyable turbo V12? No.

 

I have an F12 & a 2015 Turbo S cab. Except for exclusivity, the P-Car is as good as the F-Car. My wife & I both drive Cayenne Turbos and love them. These are our 5th & 6th Cayenne Turbo/S and have owned at least one of every generation since introduced.

 

I agree 100%. I just bought a Macan Turbo as a daily driver behind my 458 Italia (soon to be gone for an incoming F12) and I am very, very pleased.

THis vehicle does absolutely everything well. It is solid as a rock, quiet inside (I can do several calls to and from the office/gym, etc) has a great transmission and suspension. The launch control is also a lot of fun for the kids.

The only thing I do not like is the lack of feedback in the steering, although it appears heavy enough and well weighted. Not sure why they tuned it that way.

Otherwise it is a blast for the daily task of getting kids back and forth to practice and games, etc.

 

Fantastic cars. There will always be one in my garage.

 

Agreed, they are doing great.. and we just bought a Cayenne Turbo (great fun btw) and I still couldn't get anywhere near an RS or R. I have been a huge Ferrari and Porsche fan for years, both amazing manufacturers that do things differently but achieve success in their own respects. Porsche has the financial and engineering mite to take on Ferrari in the mid-engined world, curious to see if they ever do.

 

Your missing my point.....I don't want electric motors and battery arrays in my V12 either...sorry LaF...The added weight and complexity of hybrid is un-necessary for a super car.

 

A man after my own heart! A dying breed for sure. However, it does seem necessary since the P1 and 918 also chickened out with turbos and electrics. Unless Ferrari significantly drops the weight and adds volume to that magnificent V12. Maybe add torque vectoring to the diffs (non electric) and throw in the 4WS, more active and passive aero, and some other real engineering. Just don't see it happening in the hyper car. The future is bigger batteries, more electric motors, hideous cabling and HV boxes, and smaller engines with forced induction. And the kicker is -- its what buyers want. That plus apps on their streaming video monitors. May you enjoy your pure F12.

 

I don't like hybrid tech either. Combustion or full electric, nothing in between...

 

I agree. A Boxster S special edition sits next to my F12. A lowly Boxster! But it is a hell of a lot of fun to drive. Light, responsive, flingable, just a hoot in a completely different way from a Ferrari. I've had other Porsches over the years and wouldn't hesitate to buy another 911 or a Cayman. My only problem is that my local dealer isn't great. That has nothing to do with their cars.