Friday 30th September 2011

Ferrari 599 Vs. F40: Video Duel

Two PH favourites, one 'winner'. So which goes into the fantasy garage first?

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We're not sure why this video titled 'Duel For The Crown' has just launched on the Ferrari channel at YouTube. Perhaps too many people know there's a replacement for the 599 on the way, and they're hoping to drum up a bit more custom for the current model?

Whatever the reasoning, the result is this lavishly-shot 599 GTB vs F40 head-to-head', featuring lots of simulated dicing on the road, and a reminder that the 599 will beat the F40 in any game of Top Trumps.

It's interesting to note how the game has moved on since the late 1980s, when the F40 was about the most exotic supercar money could buy. But it seems a bit disrespectful for the (not so young) upstart 599 to rub the F40's nose in the dust like this, surely?

PH spent a weekend with a handling pack-equipped 599 two years ago (well, I did!) and it's still the car I wheel out whenever anyone asks the dreaded 'best car you've ever driven' question.

But for me at least, the F40 remains the stuff of legend, to the extent that I don't really mind if I never get to drive one. They say you should never meet your heroes after all, and maybe this 'duel' shows why...

It's still great to watch, though!

[Pistachio]

Hmmm, This is a Ferrari video so of course the 599 beats the F40. On a track though I don't think so.
The F40 is all about the skill of the driver whereas the 599 has plenty of electric gizmos to help
But heh I have never driven either but maybe one day I will
F40 for me every time

[British Beef]

Absolutely no contest.

F40 every time for me, my favorite Ferrari ever.

I could list of a dozen Ferraris I would rather own than the 599.

[Ex Boy Racer]

Pornography. Pure and simple.

[Wardy76]

Ex Boy Racer said:

Pornography. Pure and simple.

Agreed. It's also an Excellent friday office skyve opportunity. Thanks for this chaps!

[Mr Dave]

I think the 599 is a work of art, I love the "flying buttresses" around the rear window. The f40 is still a good looking car but very old fashioned.

[jymbob33]

It is a fantastic video! It was made for the launch of the 599 and has been around for ages.

[Fire99]

F40 every day of the week. In my opinion it's a car that demands driver skill to get the best from it.

599 is brilliant but clever. Perhaps too clever.

[uncle tez]

Mr Dave said:

I think the 599 is a work of art, I love the "flying buttresses" around the rear window. The f40 is still a good looking car but very old fashioned.

I agree. I cant help think the f40 is starting to look a bit old now and surely the 599 would be easier to live with on a daily basis

[nonuts]

British Beef said:

I could list of a dozen Ferraris I would rather own than the 599.

However from people on here that actually own a 599 GTO most seem to say they're rather good. Having been in one I was rather impressed.

[uncle tez]

Pistachio said:

Hmmm, This is a Ferrari video so of course the 599 beats the F40. On a track though I don't think so.
The F40 is all about the skill of the driver whereas the 599 has plenty of electric gizmos to help
But heh I have never driven either but maybe one day I will
F40 for me every time

Didnt the 599 beat the enzo lap time at the ferrari test track ? If thats true then surely it would also be quicker around the track than the f40 ?

[BrewsterBear]

I've been lucky enough to have a passenger ride in an F40 being driven very enthusiastically by its owner.

I can't decide whether it's beautifully brutal or brutally beautiful, but either way its a day I will never forget and should I ever win the lottery there will be one nestled amongst my fleet.

Ferrari peaked with that car and, for a number of reasons, they'll never make one that good again.

[soad]

How menacing does that F40 looks

[don logan]

uncle tez said:

Mr Dave said:

I think the 599 is a work of art, I love the "flying buttresses" around the rear window. The f40 is still a good looking car but very old fashioned.

I agree. I cant help think the f40 is starting to look a bit old now and surely the 599 would be easier to live with on a daily basis

The F40 IS old but so is a 246 Dino, so is a Mc F1, who cares how old it is or looks, the Enzo is a whole lot newer and faster but it looks like the designer was only allowed to use a ruler.

What a nonsense comparison this is anyway F40 vs 599??????

And as for "living with on a daily basis"? the 599 was made for people who could afford it to be able to use it on a daily basis if they wanted to, I`d like to know how many people EVER considered doing that with an F40 apart from the fact that it was I`m sure the very last thing on the people who designed it`s minds!

[cookie1600]

I'm with the +F40 brigade I'm afraid. You're not going to get an Athena poster of a 599 on every schoolboys wall like you are the F40.

F40 - Brutal, raw and dynamic
599 - Fast, luxurious and electronically managed

[British Beef]

nonuts said:

British Beef said:

I could list of a dozen Ferraris I would rather own than the 599.

However from people on here that actually own a 599 GTO most seem to say they're rather good. Having been in one I was rather impressed.

It is very good, just like a BMW M6 is very good. As an driving weapon and a noise machine it excells.

I would still take a host of other cars from the Maranello company before owning one of these. Visually I find it very weak, too much computer input (makes it faster - no doubt) and finally it does not live up to what has come before it in all round appeal - this is the 599's greatest failing IMO.

[AyBee]

I'm not generally a Ferrari fan (give me a Lambo anyday), and as good as the F40 is, I think I'd rather have the 599. I just get the impression that the F40 would be too delicate/valuable to use on a regular basis and I'd rather get enjoyment from it if it was in my garage!

[SWoll]

No arguments that the 599 is going to be better in every measurable way.

It's in the emotional duel that it loses out for me, which is surely what matters most when talking about Ferrari's.

F40 all day long , my favourite Fez of all time.

uncle tez said:

I agree. I cant help think the f40 is starting to look a bit old now and surely the 599 would be easier to live with on a daily basis

Biggest statement of the obvious ever? It was designed in 1985/86 so its hardly going to look boxfresh is it. And at what point did how easy an F40 is to live with ever matter?


P.S Saw a 599GTO last week for the first time in London. Lovely noise, but the way it looks left me cold tbh, which was a suprise.

[uncle tez]

don logan said:

uncle tez said:

Mr Dave said:

I think the 599 is a work of art, I love the "flying buttresses" around the rear window. The f40 is still a good looking car but very old fashioned.

I agree. I cant help think the f40 is starting to look a bit old now and surely the 599 would be easier to live with on a daily basis

The F40 IS old but so is a 246 Dino, so is a Mc F1, who cares how old it is or looks, the Enzo is a whole lot newer and faster but it looks like the designer was only allowed to use a ruler.

What a nonsense comparison this is anyway F40 vs 599??????

And as for "living with on a daily basis"? the 599 was made for people who could afford it to be able to use it on a daily basis if they wanted to, I`d like to know how many people EVER considered doing that with an F40 apart from the fact that it was I`m sure the very last thing on the people who designed it`s minds!

I care how old it looks. It might be an iconic car due to its high tech for its time and its still a fast car by todays standards but for me its just not pretty enough for my liking. As someone who doesnt do trackdays i would prefer more comfort for the every day use

[HarryW]

Is it just me or was that a poorly made and edited video, a lost opportunity. Perhaps we've been spoilt by the high quality of BBC outputs from TG and F1 recently.

Love the F40 though, as already said a 'poster' car.

[don logan]

uncle tez said:

don logan said:

uncle tez said:

Mr Dave said:

I think the 599 is a work of art, I love the "flying buttresses" around the rear window. The f40 is still a good looking car but very old fashioned.

I agree. I cant help think the f40 is starting to look a bit old now and surely the 599 would be easier to live with on a daily basis

The F40 IS old but so is a 246 Dino, so is a Mc F1, who cares how old it is or looks, the Enzo is a whole lot newer and faster but it looks like the designer was only allowed to use a ruler.

What a nonsense comparison this is anyway F40 vs 599??????

And as for "living with on a daily basis"? the 599 was made for people who could afford it to be able to use it on a daily basis if they wanted to, I`d like to know how many people EVER considered doing that with an F40 apart from the fact that it was I`m sure the very last thing on the people who designed it`s minds!

I care how old it looks. It might be an iconic car due to its high tech for its time and its still a fast car by todays standards but for me its just not pretty enough for my liking. As someone who doesnt do trackdays i would prefer more comfort for the every day use

That`s why this is a nonsense comparison!