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Snowing in Maranello?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by W. MITTY, Feb 6, 2012.

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  1. W. MITTY

    W. MITTY Formula Junior

    Oct 18, 2005
    297
    #1 W. MITTY, Feb 6, 2012
    Okay, just sitting here obsessing about my incoming 458. My dealer let me know that its at stage 70, which i understand to be "testing". Then the weather channel comes on and tells me that its crazy cold in Europe and its snowing in Rome!

    How in the blazes does Ferrari perform its road tests when there is snow on the roads in Maranello?
     
  2. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 donv, Feb 6, 2012
    If it's your car that's being tested, you don't want to know...

     
  3. Jdubbya

    Jdubbya The $10 Trillion Man
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    #3 Jdubbya, Feb 6, 2012
    Uh maybe they take them out and drive 'em??

    Just because the dealer says the car is at that stage doesn't mean they are out driving it at that moment though does it. I would imagine they would wait for the snow to clear or at leas the roads to be driveable. I can't imagine a 458 being the best snow car!?
     
  4. Mo T

    Mo T Formula Junior

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    #4 Mo T, Feb 7, 2012
    With production running at full swing and lots of 458's coming out the factory I guess they would have specific equipment to clean the track and perform the tests.

    Congratulations !!!
     
  5. henryenzo

    henryenzo Karting

    Jan 16, 2012
    175
    #5 henryenzo, Feb 7, 2012
    I am sure they use chains--not to worry :)

    BTW, I assume you are the same W Mitty on the GT site. I read your post about first time Ferrari ownership and thought it was great--especially the part about not wearing any F emblem/clothing while driving--so true.

    So I wear Ford/Viper stuff.
     
  6. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

    May 18, 2004
    10,406
    #6 finnerty, Feb 7, 2012
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2012
    HA ! Don't sweat it. Think of it this way.....you're probably the only 458 customer whose car is getting a completely thorough "road test" of its Traction Control System before delivery --- it's a good thing ;) ?

    Besides, someone along the delivery chain somewhere, will probably hose the car off a bit for you before you actually pick it up :)
     
  7. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 donv, Feb 7, 2012
    "Never driven in snow or rain"
     
  8. mwr4440

    mwr4440 Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Mark W.R.
    #8 mwr4440, Feb 7, 2012
    I bet they beat the living hell out of them in testing.



    " .... Better to break it now Luigi ..... "
     
  9. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 donv, Feb 7, 2012
    I've quoted here in the past from an article David E. Davis wrote about riding along with the Ferrari test drivers. The cars will never be driven harder than they are during testing, you can count on that.

     
  10. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

    Sep 4, 2001
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    #10 parkerfe, Feb 7, 2012
    I was at the Ferrari factory in late November 2010 and watched new Ferraris being test driven in the snow.
     
  11. W. MITTY

    W. MITTY Formula Junior

    Oct 18, 2005
    297
    #11 W. MITTY, Feb 7, 2012
    Boy do I feel encouraged...
     
  12. W. MITTY

    W. MITTY Formula Junior

    Oct 18, 2005
    297
    #12 W. MITTY, Feb 7, 2012

    Yea, its me. I plan on writing a full blown, overbaked review of the 458 vs. the GT when it gets here. After I wash the Maranello road grime/winter testing sludge off of it, that is.
     
  13. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #13 donv, Feb 7, 2012
    This is what David E. Davis had to say about riding with the Ferrari test drivers in the 1980s (I don't think things have changed much):

     
  14. SPEEDCORE

    SPEEDCORE Four Time F1 World Champ

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    Toe Knee
    #14 SPEEDCORE, Feb 7, 2012
    Employees car park ;)
     
  15. henryenzo

    henryenzo Karting

    Jan 16, 2012
    175
    #15 henryenzo, Feb 8, 2012

    I can tell you it is a different car from GT (big surprise). 458 is the highest tech car I have driven and in some ways the best. The GT is a drivers car. Love both. The difference is I will keep my 2 GTs and I will need to make sure to get out of the 458 at the right time.
     

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