296 GTB launch events…

[Mogul]

… are these picking up pace? (I’m aware of one coming up towards the end of Feb. in the South West..)

No sign of any press cars being reviewed as yet - are the first UK deliveries still likely to come through in Q2?

[jtremlett]

Q2 next year, I think. I don't think the first Euro deliveries are due until the end of this year.

[Mogul]

Crikey - perhaps we’ll all hear a bit more when the latest quarterly stock market report comes out later this week (on the 2nd Feb).

[johnnyreggae]

Mogul said:

perhaps we’ll all hear a bit more when the latest quarterly stock market report comes out later this week (on the 2nd Feb).

The last quarter's results included a delay in deliveries from Q2 to second half of 22 so this is probably correct - may also launch the spider as a distraction

[Soleith]

I've been invited to the HR Owen one on 1st of March but no interest tbh. Don't like the look, only just got my Roma in December and want as many v8s/v12s as possible before ICE ban.

That much said, I'll probably pick up a new Emira at some point before the ICE ban kicks in but mainly because I want a nice fun V6 manual again as part of my forever garage before we can't buy them new anymore.

[is-uk]

jtremlett said:

Q2 next year, I think. I don't think the first Euro deliveries are due until the end of this year.

That ties in with what I was told. UK dealer demo cars may appear in late Q1 23. The rumour is that the GTS launch may be next month but then if it follows the GTB timeline thus far, the actual first customer deliveries will be well into next year.

[Mogul]

Thanks - I guess there will be a number of pre-production 296 GTB’s doing the rounds to keep interest up, while attention swings towards the Purosangue…

[WCZ]

is-uk said:

That ties in with what I was told. UK dealer demo cars may appear in late Q1 23. The rumour is that the GTS launch may be next month but then if it follows the GTB timeline thus far, the actual first customer deliveries will be well into next year.

it's kind of strange because some dealers have been delivered cars, I guess they are pre-production ones then?

there have been launch events in other countries too already

haven't heard of a peep of what they are like to drive though

[jtremlett]

I don't think it is true that dealers have had cars delivered. Rather, the Factory has loaned them cars for customer introductions which generally then go on to the next dealer for their bash. So, for example, the grey car that I saw at Maranello's introduction last July was the same car that went round the other UK dealers, to the FOC Concours etc.

[WCZ]

jtremlett said:

I don't think it is true that dealers have had cars delivered. Rather, the Factory has loaned them cars for customer introductions which generally then go on to the next dealer for their bash. So, for example, the grey car that I saw at Maranello's introduction last July was the same car that went round the other UK dealers, to the FOC Concours etc.

ah, gotcha

[andrew]

jtremlett said:

I don't think it is true that dealers have had cars delivered. Rather, the Factory has loaned them cars for customer introductions which generally then go on to the next dealer for their bash. So, for example, the grey car that I saw at Maranello's introduction last July was the same car that went round the other UK dealers, to the FOC Concours etc.

good to see ferrari catching on to the grey trend

[is-uk]

jtremlett said:

I don't think it is true that dealers have had cars delivered. Rather, the Factory has loaned them cars for customer introductions which generally then go on to the next dealer for their bash. So, for example, the grey car that I saw at Maranello's introduction last July was the same car that went round the other UK dealers, to the FOC Concours etc.

Correct. There are a couple of cars that Ferrari have sent around the European dealer network. The one that has been to most of the UK dealers is an Asseto Fiorano spec car in Grigio Ferro I believe with the yellow stripe. The other is a Giallo Triplo Strato car in normal spec which has been to HR Owen. They have sent a Rosso Fiorano car to the US and also one to Australia in that launch colour and a Rosso Fiorano car in Asseto Fiorano spec to the Far East markets.

A RHD example was photographed near the factory in November but may have been a pre-production evaluation car.

[sone]

I’ve had an invite to view at Harry’s garage on 20th Feb. Should be fun!

[blueSL]

Interesting there’s an event at Harry’s garage. Maybe Ferrari have forgiven him for being ho-hum about recent models… (812SF, F8, Roma). Just as well, I find him a bit of a grumpy old man these days.

I’ve been to two events so far and a third coming up on 21/2 at Dick Lovett. I don’t think the Assetto Fiorano paint job does it any favours at all and would much rather see the car in a normal look. A classic case of a demo spec overcooking the pudding.

I’m still undecided on the look of the thing. I think it feels cramped inside, more difficult to get in and out of than an F8 and the engine bay looks a mess. I’ve no doubt though it will drive very well and have scorching performance. Around £30k more than an F8 Tributo and fully £40k more than the just-being-reviewed Maserati. This segment of the market is getting quite crowded.