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Two hoons hooning...2013 Ferrari FF video

 
 By: ThomasM : November 21st, 2012-06:24

Ok, mostly tongue in cheek - two Purist friends, Billy Bob and Jimboy, aka Marcus and Tommy, goofing around...

Here's the PG version of the video 

 Below is the R rated version, please don't complain!  Just don't click if you are easily offended...

On a serious note, the Ferrari FF is a great work of engineering, one of the truly successful bi-polar jekyll and hyde cars:

quiet and civil around town and most city speeds, and with the hatchback, actually almost practical. The rear seats could almost be considered comfortable, even for a 6' + passenger...

 But open her up and WWWWWWHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRR....

tremendous grip, lots of electronic nannies at work but unobtrusively and in the background - please note, I still don't like them but at least they are not quite so intrusive in the FF - that can make most drivers seem like MUCH better drivers than they are...oh what a brilliant erotic noise this thing makes!

and the tranni...impressive, impressive, impressive! Even not recommended mid-corner high speed high lateral-G shifts, up or down, are handled so smartly and fast that dynamic balance is not impacted noticeably! Pretty incredible...

One small nit: when I drove it by itself one afternoon in August, probably on the same roads as fellow Purist Patrick_Y, the FF seemed perfect in ride and grip and handling during "spirited" driving - smooth, composed, and when pushed, solid and planted.

Back to back with the Corvette 427 CE and Porsche 991 Carrera S (and several other cars including the Bugatti) it seemed just a tad soft (but never wallowy!) when pushed, especially when compared to the Vette and Bugatti, and just a little tiny bit softer than the Carrera S. But MUCH tighter than the DB9 and SL63...

I lOVED the Ferrari Four (FF - Four wheel drive, four passengers) and if I could only have one car, this would definitely be in the top running...much more useable rear seating than the Carrera S, with much more useable trunk space, and pretty neck and neck (it would boil down to personal preference) ride and handling wise. The engine is in a class of its own, and knowing that it is the same base as that in the new F12, makes me that much more impressed. Engine and transmission, you had me at hello...

 

This message has been edited by ThomasM on 2012-11-21 07:29:24

I'm in love with this car!

 
 By: foversta : November 21st, 2012-10:22
I first saw it a few weeks ago:



These sensual curves...

Thanks for the post and the movies!

Fx


Thanks for looking, Foversta, and thanks for ...

 
 By: ThomasM : November 21st, 2012-13:56

proving that there ARE some out there, with taste, that actually like the looks of the car! It is, unquestionably, very controversial in it's styling...

We have to meet down in Nice and take the roads up to Sospel in one sometime...

Cheers,

TM

It would be a great pleasure for me!

 
 By: foversta : November 21st, 2012-14:04
Because even at the Salon de l'Auto, I didn't seat in it! Too many people around...

sad

Fx

We disagree here Thomas...

 
 By: Fricks : November 21st, 2012-10:40
....  That car is UGLY. Ok, maybe in white pearl and black top, its maybe driveable. But hey! Its the price of the new F12! or Aventador! Its a no Brainer. Anyway, as a 4WD i'd take a 991 4S even if back passenger need to squeeze a bit. And save something like 250k! Thomas, this car is not for you even if your watch matches perfectly with the interior smile) 
I understand that they want to open new markets try to fill some gaps in their catalogue of choice. But in that case, making it a SUV would be better. It looks like one anyway except that its low. Prices on the 2nd market will give you the idea if that car is a success or not. But Really not a good move IMO.
If Lambo comes up with their SUV this one is dead.
But anyway, thanks for the post, seems like you are having a blast. When are you going to make a post on the 991 :P

Why? We agree on most things...

 
 By: ThomasM : November 21st, 2012-14:14

Hi, Fricks,

I'm not a fan of the styling, for sure (though I am slowly getting used to it, and obviously Foversta, a man of impeccable taste, loves it) but for sure once inside the car, and especially from the driver's seat, I completely forgot how I felt about the exterior design. It just became a non-issue.

I do dislike the turn signal "tabs" on the steering wheel, though.

Dare I admit it? I'm not a fan of the F12 design either...

The FF is in a completely different market niche than the F12 and Aventador, to me, even among those can easily make a decision on a whim - the FF is / can be a practical DD. No matter what anyone says as an afterthought rational, neither the F12 nor the Aventador (nor most any 2 door 2 seater with extremely limited storage and outward visibility) is really a "practical daily driver."
 
If price is taken into consideration, there is no question I'd take a 991 (or even 997) 4WD but back passenger "squeezing" a bit? Seriously? I'd hate to be your friend being relegated to the back seat...
 
smile
 
 
"... And save something like 250k! "
 
Yeah, and I can get an S8 and a Vette 427 SE to take care of the other needs...
 
smile
 
"Thomas, this car is not for you even if your watch matches perfectly with the interior smile)  "
 
The funny thing is, if I could have ONLY one car, this would be a serious contender...but ...
 
"I understand that they want to open new markets try to fill some gaps in their catalogue of choice. But in that case, making it a SUV would be better. It looks like one anyway except that its low. Prices on the 2nd market will give you the idea if that car is a success or not. But Really not a good move IMO."
 
Here is where we would have to disagree, Fricks; an SUV is very different than a wagon or shooting brake, imho, both driving experience wise, image wise, and practicality wise.
 
"If Lambo comes up with their SUV this one is dead."
 
Last word from Lambo senior management is the URUS is "on hold."   But regardless, whether Lambo releases an SUV or not has little bearing on the FF, imho - the overlap between serious Ferrari buyers and serious Lambo buyers is surprisingly small (like the cross over between serious watch people and serious car guys. Sure, the casual crowds have a large overlap between cars and watches, but hard core watch people aren't as often serious motorheads, and vice versa, as one might think...) - Serious Ferrari guys are Ferrari fans, and serious Lambo people love Lambo and generally tend not to consider Ferraris (before anyone hits me over the head for generalizing again, I sincerely believe the statistical numbers will support this, though of course I know there are glaring exceptions.)
 
991 Carrera post (and video) will be last, for a reason...coming up next.
 
smile
 
Thanks for jumping in, really enjoyed our exchanges.  And please, do post more about your in seat views; would love to read and learn from your obviously diverse and extensive driver's seat experience!
 
TM

Thomas, you are still under the curse of the V12...

 
 By: Fricks : November 21st, 2012-15:36
but i do believe that 1st impressions are usually the ones that will prevail over time. That car is ugly and however hard you try to convince yourself that it's not that much,... it is!
I tell you what, if you ever buy it, sure you will love the experience, who wouldn't. But once you will get used to it, you will start to be bothered by that ugly face that look at you every time you walk towards it. And it will be a matter of time before you upgrade for a F12 or 458.

About SUV, i find those breaks very similar to SUV except that they are lower and often more ugly. They often share the same plateform too. SUV nowadays, except the real hardcore ( G55, land cruisers, land rover, some Jeeps... ) are made for the city and soft country side rides. The cayenne is a high ride panamera...Same for X5-6 and the 540i, they share the exact same plateform. Brands understood that the feeling of driving and feeling high above the rest of the crowd is very addictive. I agree, i noticed that must of my friends that drive SUV, never go back to coupes or something else.

About Ferrari and Lambos fans, these are not the one to consider for opinions as they are not objective. The better judges are the real car fans, that appreciate all good cars and that can have a more objective opinion. I dont consider myself living a passion with a specific brand. As much as i love porsche, and i had them all since 993. I can tell you that the 991 overtook them all and by far, the driving experience is much better than anything done before. Plus the typical way of entering a corner ala porche is over. The balance of the 991 is amazing! Taking corners has never been as enjoyable. The grip is fantastic! And the 400hp you can exploit them till the last one. No like lets say an MB65, where you will leave 1/2 your horse on the tarmac when you kick the gaz.
With all my love for the 991, still its my favorite all rounder, best daily sports car, but 458 is in another dimension, feeling, performance, pleasure wise. Ok, you get more horsepower, would be more fair to compare it to the new 991 turbo. But i bet that the feeling on ferrari will still be more thrilling, even if the turbo might tickle the aventador, and might not be far from the veyron, you know, the fast car smile... 4WD and the 4 wheels turn together when taking a curve. The grip is going to be sick. Plus its much lighter than the veyron. 
As a reminder, a famous test car driver said that the 997 turboS with launch control had the most impressive launch.. bugatti veyron included smile I believe it. What happens in the first 3 sec should logical be to the advantage of the porsche, before the 16 cylinders of the bugatti goes into action.
We are getting lost here.
So about this veyron... is fast or FAST?!?!

Truly an experience...

 
 By: patrick_y : November 21st, 2012-11:40
Thanks for the words and the video, love that sound!  

Truly an amazing car!  

I'm thinking, I've only driven Ferrari's front engined cars; 599, California, and FF.  If they say the mid-engined ones are even more fun to drive...  I must be really missing out.  Speaking about mid-engined cars, ThomasM, you must try the new Porsche Boxster.  Don't love the design of the rear end, but that car is a phenomenal drive.  

Looking forward to your impressions regarding the Bugatti.  

mid engined Ferrari's

 
 By: ThomasM : November 21st, 2012-13:53

Hi, Patrick,

I know the 430 pretty well, and it really is a pleasure to drive. The funny thing is, though, the FF is so good all around - handling, ride, engine, tranni, interior ergos - that I wouldn't say the 430 is more fun to drive, just different.  The 430 is the kid brother you do crazy things with; the FF is the cool older brother that is good at everything.

Oh, but the 16M...now that's a whole 'nother story, brother!

  

I'm not sure if I should admit this, but I'm not a fan of the California, at least on the track (don't have much road time with it)

I respect and like the 599 GTB (no experience with the 599GTO) and got to know if fairly well on very nice Swiss roads, including some INCREDIBLE Alpine passes -

But the FF is "superior" in almost every way (except looks)...(sorry to the 599 owners out there, just my personal opinion)

Bugatti Veyron - Don't let me forget to mention, it's fast...

;-) 

Great video, and the passenger side...

 
 By: ED209 : November 21st, 2012-15:05
Cool video TM.  Is that a passenger side speedometer?  Awesome!
Regards,
ED-209

LOL! Cool, but gimmicky. But hey, if a gimmick works...

 
 By: ThomasM : November 21st, 2012-15:49

Who am I to complain?!?

smile

Yep, a passenger side speedo AND tach!

Did you watch the PG or R version?

wink

TM

I did not like the FF rear quarter view

 
 By: JerryW : November 21st, 2012-20:06
until I drove this incredible machine.  This car could easily be a daily driver with a few extra thrills.  It is very fast, fun to drive and extremely comfortable. I loved my test drive and really wanted to buy one.  After the test drive I must have walked around the car 20 times, looking at it from many angles.  The front view is by far its best.  The local dealer had sold 3, all on a 24 month lease with a 10K mileage limit.  When I did the math with a 10k mile penalty I decided to keep looking.  The smart buy may be in 24 months when one is returned.

TM, I also want to read your review of the Carrera 4S.  

Maybe time to start a PuristS drivers club.

JerryW

I would LOVE to start a PuristS drivers club, even do an annual driving event

 
 By: ThomasM : November 25th, 2012-01:42

in Europe or US that combines fine wine and dining and some watch or car factories...

I agree with you about the depreciation curve (and I think Fricks hinted at it too)

So the seat time was able to help you get over the rear end?  Me too...I actually don't like the front end too much either.

Cheers,

TM

I took these just for you, Thomas ...

 
 By: AndrewD : November 22nd, 2012-03:32

You will recognize the backdrop. smile

 










Nice pics! Geneva, just around the corner of rue du Mont Blanc and across from quai du

 
 By: ThomasM : November 25th, 2012-01:45

Mont Blanc! I know that street / corner well!

Very nice pics, it actually looks nice in that color.

TM

Wow interesting Ferarrai and great videos :) [nt]

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : November 22nd, 2012-10:54
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Thanks, AT. [nt]

 
 By: ThomasM : November 25th, 2012-01:45
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