Ferrari Fidelity
Discussion
Apparently I've done this all the wrong way round; earlier in the year I experienced ecurie25's Ferrari 430 Spider but have only just got around to trying it's predecessor, the F360 Spider. Regardless of the step back in time, this was a thoroughly entertaining driving experience, and one that has probably endeared me to the way of the Dancing Donkey more than managed by the 430.
The current ecurie25 fleet car has the F1 automated manual gearbox (which regular readers will know that I'm not the biggest fan of generally), but apart from a few infuriating characteristics (see below) it didn't spoil the encounter with what turned out to be a lovely balanced, responsive and engaging car. It certainly has a feel of lightness and 'pointiness' to it that I don't remember from the 430. Of course it could all be psychosomatic, with the sports exhaust on the 360 overwhelming all other senses and indeed my memories - but I'm not complaining!
It was a truly memorable experience on a clear, cold autumnal night to have the roof down and heater on and be able to launch a late night attack on the finest country lanes my locale has to offer: the high revving, barking motor sat directly behind me with exhaust note bouncing off the surroundings whilst I tried to exploit the enchanting handling characteristics by braking hard and late into corners, simultaneously coming over all F1 by rapidly flipping downchanges. There seemed to be the perfect balance of power and chassis capability; neither overwhelmed by the characteristics of the other.
However, these reports wouldn't be complete without adding further to the compendium of F1 gearbox madnesses: in this instance it seemed to include not being able to reverse with the door open (it automatically flipped back into neutral); making the driver look like a second lesson learner when pulling off by wildly slipping the clutch and letting the revs flare; and finally a kidney-punch change from first to second gear for no apparent good reason. OK, I did have the car permanently in 'sport' mode (who wouldn't), but on the gearbox front at least I can see there have been massive strides in Modena.
As you can probably tell, I was completely surprised by how much I enjoyed the 360; such an alive and communicative drive, made all the better by the intimate connection to the surroundings with the roof down. And doesn't it work well in silver as opposed to the more usual Rosso - bellissimo!
The current ecurie25 fleet car has the F1 automated manual gearbox (which regular readers will know that I'm not the biggest fan of generally), but apart from a few infuriating characteristics (see below) it didn't spoil the encounter with what turned out to be a lovely balanced, responsive and engaging car. It certainly has a feel of lightness and 'pointiness' to it that I don't remember from the 430. Of course it could all be psychosomatic, with the sports exhaust on the 360 overwhelming all other senses and indeed my memories - but I'm not complaining!
It was a truly memorable experience on a clear, cold autumnal night to have the roof down and heater on and be able to launch a late night attack on the finest country lanes my locale has to offer: the high revving, barking motor sat directly behind me with exhaust note bouncing off the surroundings whilst I tried to exploit the enchanting handling characteristics by braking hard and late into corners, simultaneously coming over all F1 by rapidly flipping downchanges. There seemed to be the perfect balance of power and chassis capability; neither overwhelmed by the characteristics of the other.
However, these reports wouldn't be complete without adding further to the compendium of F1 gearbox madnesses: in this instance it seemed to include not being able to reverse with the door open (it automatically flipped back into neutral); making the driver look like a second lesson learner when pulling off by wildly slipping the clutch and letting the revs flare; and finally a kidney-punch change from first to second gear for no apparent good reason. OK, I did have the car permanently in 'sport' mode (who wouldn't), but on the gearbox front at least I can see there have been massive strides in Modena.
As you can probably tell, I was completely surprised by how much I enjoyed the 360; such an alive and communicative drive, made all the better by the intimate connection to the surroundings with the roof down. And doesn't it work well in silver as opposed to the more usual Rosso - bellissimo!
Troesma said:
Errrmmm... yet another need for free ads mate..? 
Errr ... no! 
I've been sharing my driving impressions of the ecurie25 cars all year because it is this kind of thing that I'm interested to see and read on PH.
I give ecurie a mention because credit is due; I've no need to imply that I've been buying a string of supercars ...
And yes, I'm a happy, fully paid-up member of ecurie25 - I've yet to manage to get a kickback for all my efforts.
Ed - Jeremy is correct in what he says. He has given a good well written and balanced report on each of his weekend experiences with the ecurie cars this year including a couple of the PH Hoons.
Mr C's integrity is far beyond taking cheap bribes from flashy car rental companies ... expensive ones maybe
Keep them up JC, it makes interesting reading - see you at BTaP?
Mr C's integrity is far beyond taking cheap bribes from flashy car rental companies ... expensive ones maybe
Keep them up JC, it makes interesting reading - see you at BTaP?
I never quite saw the point of the ferrari f1 gearbox.
Now i cant comment on the 430 as i haven't had chance to drive one yet,
But both the 355 and 360 F1's i had a go in automatically changed up once they reached the rev limiter in each gear.
It kind of took the fun out of it for me as it was more like a glorified auto.
Iv'e heard the Gallardo E gear is different in that it doesn't auto change up,
I could be wrong though
Now i cant comment on the 430 as i haven't had chance to drive one yet,
But both the 355 and 360 F1's i had a go in automatically changed up once they reached the rev limiter in each gear.
It kind of took the fun out of it for me as it was more like a glorified auto.
Iv'e heard the Gallardo E gear is different in that it doesn't auto change up,
I could be wrong though
Edited by ineedagallardo on Sunday 28th October 16:57
No offense but don't you want the car to change up in 1/10 second when you reach the rev limiter. I presume you like to 'manually' change up yourself at that point but the F1 gearbox will be quicker to realise it's hit the limiter than you and so your overall progress will be quicker (although more automated!!)
Rupert
Rupert
Edited by 3552B on Monday 29th October 08:14
[quote=3552B]No offense but don't you want the car to change up in 1/10 second when you reach the rev limiter. I presume you like to 'manually' change up yourself at that point but the F1 gearbox will be quicker to realise it's hit the limiter than you and so your overall progress will be quicker (although more automated!!)
Rupert
I understand what your saying and yes it is partially correct but it kind of takes the fun out of it and they may as well have just binned the flappy paddels and stuck an auto shifter somewhere.
Rupert
I understand what your saying and yes it is partially correct but it kind of takes the fun out of it and they may as well have just binned the flappy paddels and stuck an auto shifter somewhere.
I took that very car to Le Mans and back this year so got to know it very well.
But I have to admit having driven the 430 F1 Spider quite soon after, I thought the step up (in gearbox terms) was fairly noticeable. Mostly in terms of the change speed (getting quicker over each of the 5 settings) but also the 430's dramatic accompanying blip of revs on the downshift never failed to make you grin!
Both fantastic cars nevertheless.
PS: Neither as good as the Gallardo Spyder egear though
But I have to admit having driven the 430 F1 Spider quite soon after, I thought the step up (in gearbox terms) was fairly noticeable. Mostly in terms of the change speed (getting quicker over each of the 5 settings) but also the 430's dramatic accompanying blip of revs on the downshift never failed to make you grin!
Both fantastic cars nevertheless.
PS: Neither as good as the Gallardo Spyder egear though
I must say I think the gearboxes are chalk and cheese. The 360's seems alright, but then you drive the 430 and you realise you were previously driving the development model...
I love the Gallardo e:gear too, but of all the paddle shifts, i was most impressed by the one in the R8 - very very smooth, nice downshift blip, and you can change gear at full acceleration without lifting, and without snapping your neck...
Although call me old fashioned, but i still prefer the manual 430 and Gallardo...
I love the Gallardo e:gear too, but of all the paddle shifts, i was most impressed by the one in the R8 - very very smooth, nice downshift blip, and you can change gear at full acceleration without lifting, and without snapping your neck...
Although call me old fashioned, but i still prefer the manual 430 and Gallardo...
Beefmeister said:
I must say I think the gearboxes are chalk and cheese. The 360's seems alright, but then you drive the 430 and you realise you were previously driving the development model...
I love the Gallardo e:gear too, but of all the paddle shifts, i was most impressed by the one in the R8 - very very smooth, nice downshift blip, and you can change gear at full acceleration without lifting, and without snapping your neck...
Although call me old fashioned, but i still prefer the manual 430 and Gallardo...
Beefy is quite correct - prior to driving it (and having an inate preference for manuals) I had misgivings that the box would dilute the R8 experience; in fact it is easily the best of its type. No high rev pull away, smooth and quick changes up and down with perfect rev matching. E-Gear by comparison is an irritant - sooooo much clutch slippage when pulling away, and the latest version of F1 is the same (strangely the '06 430's ecurie had before were much better in this respect). The AM system is not bad but needs to be driven in a particular manner to smooth the shifts to an acceptable level.I love the Gallardo e:gear too, but of all the paddle shifts, i was most impressed by the one in the R8 - very very smooth, nice downshift blip, and you can change gear at full acceleration without lifting, and without snapping your neck...
Although call me old fashioned, but i still prefer the manual 430 and Gallardo...
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