RE: Geneva 2012: Ferrari F12berlinetta
Tuesday 6th March 2012
An all-new V12 Ferrari is always going to be big news and the new F12berlinetta is certainly among the most anticipated cars at the Palexpo. And the over-stylised press shots released before the show are one thing - seeing it in the metal is what counts. Easier said than done, even here at the show - you need sharp elbows to get anywhere close to it.
Aero bridges a neat styling signatureOurs are necessarily pointy though and having managed to get up close to the car there's a lot more to the styling than those early photos suggested. Most interesting are the flying buttress style 'aero bridge' side panels that draw air over the bonnet, through ducts on the wings and then displace the disrupted airflow coming from the wheelarches. All very Ferrari but it looks dead cool. Ditto the extended 'resonators' on the intake plenums (red crackle paint coated, natch) that increase the amount of air available for the combustion chambers.
California gets Handling SpecialeAnd though it looks big it's actually usefully smaller than the 599 too, being 63mm lower, 47mm shorter, 20mm narrower and losing 30mm in the wheelbase. The matt aluminium paint shows off the body detailing very nicely too. Expect a price of £240K or so when it goes on sale next year.
Geneva 2012: Ferrari F12berlinetta
Ferrari unveils new F12berlinetta and new Handling Speciale pack for California
Aero bridges a neat styling signature
Given that the 599 it replaces was neither a) looking too shabby for its age nor b) too tardy to drive the F12berlinetta is going to have to be pretty special. Default Ferrari hyperbole - 'better than the last one' Fiorana lap time: check, video of Alonso and Massa driving it and saying it's 'very nice': check - is present and correct. Likewise some suitably impressive spec sheet numbers, not least the 8.5-second 0-125mph time. That's some mighty traction from the rear wheels there.
California gets Handling Speciale
Against a show-stopping debut like that of the F12berlinetta a mild upgrade for the California is, let's face it, going to struggle for column inches but, ever dutiful, we can report the Handling Speciale equipped version is here too. The quicker steering rack, faster dampers and stiffer springs of the optional Handling Speciale pack should help you explore the extra 30hp (now 490hp) gifted to all Californias by a range of engine tweaks aimed at improving both performance and flexibility. We'll let you know how they play out as and when we get a drive in one.
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Discussion
I am sure I don't speak for many here, but I couldn't think of anything more silly than owning a new Ferrari. OK I live in London where a) there are plenty of Ferraris, and b) its a totally daft place to own one. But in this day and age, I just think they are rather pointless. You'll never use it to its potential (but to be fair that could be said about the vast majority of performance cars) but even on a track day you'd really struggle to use its full abilities. I saw a new FF the other day and not only did it look ridiculous, it sounded ridiculous even going 40 mph, and it was being driven by a guy with the full slicked back hair and pink polo shirt look.....I know we buy and love cars for what they are, not for what and who they are associated with but I just couldn't get that image from my brain. I do however love classic cars (although give me classic maseratis over ferraris any day) and I appreciate someone has to buy them in the first place. Last Ferrari that I think was nice is the 355....in a dark colour, without a 'crema' interior....
A friend has a California and whilst it was fun for a while, it was a monumental pain in the ass in Central London which is where the vast majority live....
A friend has a California and whilst it was fun for a while, it was a monumental pain in the ass in Central London which is where the vast majority live....
MogulBoy said:
Thanks for the link, some decent pics on there.I think it looks great in silver
But doesn't work for me in black at all.
The contrast at the front end really shows off the amount of plastic and the colour detracts from the lines of the car IMO.
Pointless.
Worldwide recession = Ferrari bringing out an even more expensive car that you can't possibly use the performance of.
And what happened to the legislation that dictated that car manufacturers had to meet a certain average mpg across their range; did I dream that it did Ferrari get a concession (get out of jail free card) like they do in F1???
As usefull as swimming trunks on a fish.
I agree with a previous post, give me a 328, 355, F360 and a 246 Dino, and save £000's ....
Worldwide recession = Ferrari bringing out an even more expensive car that you can't possibly use the performance of.
And what happened to the legislation that dictated that car manufacturers had to meet a certain average mpg across their range; did I dream that it did Ferrari get a concession (get out of jail free card) like they do in F1???
As usefull as swimming trunks on a fish.
I agree with a previous post, give me a 328, 355, F360 and a 246 Dino, and save £000's ....
rtz62 said:
Pointless.
Worldwide recession = Ferrari bringing out an even more expensive car that you can't possibly use the performance of.
And what happened to the legislation that dictated that car manufacturers had to meet a certain average mpg across their range; did I dream that it did Ferrari get a concession (get out of jail free card) like they do in F1???
As usefull as swimming trunks on a fish.
I agree with a previous post, give me a 328, 355, F360 and a 246 Dino, and save £000's ....
*yawn*Worldwide recession = Ferrari bringing out an even more expensive car that you can't possibly use the performance of.
And what happened to the legislation that dictated that car manufacturers had to meet a certain average mpg across their range; did I dream that it did Ferrari get a concession (get out of jail free card) like they do in F1???
As usefull as swimming trunks on a fish.
I agree with a previous post, give me a 328, 355, F360 and a 246 Dino, and save £000's ....
AdamPT said:
I am sure I don't speak for many here, but I couldn't think of anything more silly than owning a new Ferrari. OK I live in London where a) there are plenty of Ferraris, and b) its a totally daft place to own one. But in this day and age, I just think they are rather pointless. You'll never use it to its potential (but to be fair that could be said about the vast majority of performance cars) but even on a track day you'd really struggle to use its full abilities. I saw a new FF the other day and not only did it look ridiculous, it sounded ridiculous even going 40 mph, and it was being driven by a guy with the full slicked back hair and pink polo shirt look.....I know we buy and love cars for what they are, not for what and who they are associated with but I just couldn't get that image from my brain. I do however love classic cars (although give me classic maseratis over ferraris any day) and I appreciate someone has to buy them in the first place. Last Ferrari that I think was nice is the 355....in a dark colour, without a 'crema' interior....
A friend has a California and whilst it was fun for a while, it was a monumental pain in the ass in Central London which is where the vast majority live....
I'm never going to be able to have sex with Cameron Diaz. And even if I did I'm not sure i could really get the best out of her.A friend has a California and whilst it was fun for a while, it was a monumental pain in the ass in Central London which is where the vast majority live....
What's the point of her existing?
rtz62 said:
Pointless.
Worldwide recession = Ferrari bringing out an even more expensive car that you can't possibly use the performance of.
And what happened to the legislation that dictated that car manufacturers had to meet a certain average mpg across their range; did I dream that it did Ferrari get a concession (get out of jail free card) like they do in F1???
As usefull as swimming trunks on a fish.
I agree with a previous post, give me a 328, 355, F360 and a 246 Dino, and save £000's ....
I think you may be on the wrong site. Worldwide recession = Ferrari bringing out an even more expensive car that you can't possibly use the performance of.
And what happened to the legislation that dictated that car manufacturers had to meet a certain average mpg across their range; did I dream that it did Ferrari get a concession (get out of jail free card) like they do in F1???
As usefull as swimming trunks on a fish.
I agree with a previous post, give me a 328, 355, F360 and a 246 Dino, and save £000's ....
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