The latest issue of Car magazine has an extensive piece on Ferrari, probably the most saddening aspect of the article (aside from the details of the 488 being turbocharged and not naturally aspirated...) is the quote and alleged ambitions of Marchionne, the Chairman of Ferrari and CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles:

"I actually think the cars are almost incidental to Ferrari. I know this sounds sacrilegious given what we produce, but it is truly a luxury brand"

I guess this is one of many the many sound-bites to make the forthcoming IPO more attractive for potential shareholders, but IMHO, it doesn't bode well for Ferrari as the manufacturer. There's presumably a Ferrari SUV evolving on the back of an envelope somewhere...

Some years ago when I visited the factory at Modena, the Ferrari store was a bit of a shock; it was full of the kind of tat I would associate with a Disney store in Orlando.

I suppose some would argue the revenue resulting from the sale of Ferrari branded luxury goods will support the development and production of the road cars; it will be interesting to see what happens.

Malo Mori Quam Foedari

 

Ferrari has as long as I can remember been heavy into selling merchandise.
I was at the factory in Modena myself, back in 03 or 04, and I was also surprises as to how much junk they actually put a Ferrari badge on and sell it.
If you were to visit Lamborghini, which you should've , they are nothing like Ferrari.
They are, or were at least, the exact opposite.
And Pagani was all about the cars, and nothing about silly coffee mugs and key chains..

Ferrari isn't just a car manufacturer anymore, it's a franchise heavily involved in anything that makes money.
I mean... the Ferrari theme park in Dubai. Enough said.

 

 

the problem isn't them, it's us.
while ever people chase the fastest car round the 'Ring you'll need a turbo.

i drove a 458 and it was a fantastic thing, incredibly quick and amazing handling. easy to drive stupidly quick and felt a bit like a playstation.

gorgeous too.

i'm sure there are more involving cars around. i drove a lambo which was more involving but it had a shat e gear auto that the ferrari shamed.

the numbers game could ruin cars, probably already is.

as for selling tat.. fine imo. wgaf about brand if the cars are good?

the 458.. i'd have one but i'd need something more involving too..

 

A few years ago now but I went into the Ferrari dealer in Monaco, thinking it was going to be somewhere really amazing. It was full of Hondas!

How many Ferraris get driven anyway? Mostly they're just a garage ornament or a status symbol. All that engineering, and it wouldn't make any difference to most owners if it was just a Golf in a body kit ( and yes I know some on here are the same with their S2000s).

 

The days of the performance car are coming to an end full-stop.
There's talk now in Belgium to fit some device to cars which limits speed....

 

There is an upside to that, it would be the death knell for Clarksons cash cow!