Thursday 31st January 2013

Chris Harris video: Ferrari 458 Spider

Yes, you read that headline right - Chris has been driving a Ferrari

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Someone lent me the car. That's all I'm going to say.

And, at the end of the day, it's my job to drive stuff and make films, so in much the same way I wouldn't ask Mila Kunis who she'd spent the previous night with, I don't really care where the cars come from. In this case I think the car in question belongs to Ferrari. The company which doesn't necessarily want me driving its cars.

Driven like it but not *actually* stolen, promise

But this needs to be about the 458 Spider, nothing else.

It's a bit of a triumph this car. On paper it's heavier and less rigid than an Italia, but you wouldn't know it from the way it drives.

I'm about a year late with this stuff, for obvious reasons, so it seemed that the only thing left to do with the Spider was to drive it like I'd stolen it. After all, that's the only way you really discover if a car has balance. Watching the first edit, it struck me that I happened to look like I'd stolen it too, which sort of adds to the theft theme.

I still cannot believe it is possible to drive a mid-engined Ferrari in this manner. If, in 1990, you'd tried it in a 348, you would have either experienced a life-changing pirouette or death. Or both. On a trailing throttle you can play with the angles in this car and it's just so controllable.

Bottom line: the 458 Spider is quite the tool

I still don't much like the way Ferrari deals with us, the great unwashed, but I will never let that stand in the way of saying their cars are excellent when they are excellent.

The 458 Spider is one of those cars.

Enjoy the vid.

 

 

 

 

 

[sagarich]

Glad you finally got a drive in one and hope whoever gave it to you doesn't get trampled on by the prancing horse.

Great vid.

[Mr P and R]

Love that video, call the RSPCA though as that little pony just got spanked.

[rijmij99]

Why do Ferrari not like him? Did I miss something?

[MattOz]

Splendidly spanked, Mr.Harris. Cracking vid.

[scenario8]

rijmij99 said:

Why do Ferrari not like him? Did I miss something?

There are plenty more threads if googled.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=965...

[Doshy]

rijmij99 said:

Why do Ferrari not like him? Did I miss something?

Yes.

[Ari]

"I hope you're getting that noise!"

Not really Chris, somone's overlaid it with oh so trendy music...

[Caddyshack]

Could do with some car control lessons











NOT

[Munich]

Did you get paid for doing that?

[vincegail]

Somebody is getting into a lot of trouble for letting Chris hooning around in this car....

[sagarich]

rijmij99 said:

Why do Ferrari not like him? Did I miss something?

Read: http://jalopnik.com/5760248

[PunterCam]

Wheel arch gaps are one of my favourite things about the 458 - it's looks delicate and light. Filled wheel arches reek of heavy to me.

[BBS-LM]

Nice

[MagicalTrevor]

PunterCam said:

Wheel arch gaps are one of my favourite things about the 458 - it's looks delicate and light. Filled wheel arches reek of heavy to me.

I don't mind the arch gaps but I always think that the front looks too high I.e. splitter to road distance

[Mavican]

I sense a Marenello Inquisition may occur rampaging across Europe to our fair isle after that. Can't argue with the sentiment though, driven like he stole it!!

[ellisd82]

Well done sir! Drove it like we all want to. Love it.

[civicduty]

Why was I thinking GTA whilst watching this?
Brilliant video where was it filmed?
Might just have to watch it again.

[beeblebrox]

civicduty said:

Where was it filmed?

Llandow Circuit by the looks of it.

[CraigyMc]

Good boy Chris.

[paulrussell]

It's a press car. Jeremy Clarkson was seen driving it in july.