How Ferrari Spins

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Found this online here. I'm betting this guy will not be getting an invite to any more Ferrari press events.


How Ferrari spins

Chris Harris — I told the blokes here at Jalopnik I was pissed at Ferrari and wanted to tell a few people. They said I could do it here. Stay with me, this might take a while.

I think it started in 2007 when I heard that Ferrari wanted to know which test track we were going to use for Autocar's 599 GTB road test, but in reality the rot had set in many years earlier. Why would it want to know that? "Because," said the man from the Autocar office, "The factory now has to send a test team to the circuit we chose so that they can optimize the car to get the best performance from it." They duly went to the track, tested for a day, crashed the car, went back to the factory to mend the car, returned, tested and then invited us to drive this "standard" 599. They must have been having a laugh.

Sad to say it, but the ecstasy of driving a new Ferrari is now almost always eradicated by the pain of dealing with the organization. Why am I bothering to tell you this? Because I'm pissed with the whole thing now. It's gotten out of control; to the point that it will soon be pointless believing anything you read about its cars through the usual channels, because the only way you get access is playing by its rules.


Like anyone with half a brain, I've been willing to cut Ferrari some slack because it is, well, Ferrari –- the most famous fast car brand of all and the maker of cars that everyone wants to know about. Bang out a video of yourself drifting a new Jag XKR on YouTube and 17 people watch it; do the same in a 430 Scuderia and the audience is 500,000 strong. As a journalist, those numbers make you willing to accommodate truck-loads of bullshit, but I've had enough now. I couldn't care if I never drive a new Ferrari again, if it means I never have to deal with the insane communication machine and continue lying about the lengths to which Ferrari will bend any rule to get what it wants. Which is just as well, because I don't think I'm going to be invited back to Maranello any time soon. Shame, the food's bloody marvelous.

How bad has it been? I honestly don't know where to start. Perhaps the 360 Modena press car that was two seconds faster to 100mph than the customer car we also tested. You allow some leeway for "factory fresh" machines, but this thing was ludicrously quick and sounded more like Schumacher's weekend wheels than a street car. Ferrari will never admit that its press cars are tuned, but has the gall to turn up at any of the big European magazines' end-of-year-shindig-tests with two cars. One for straight line work, the other for handling exercises. Because that's what happens when you buy a 458: they deliver two for just those eventualities. The whole thing stinks. In any other industry it wouldn't be allowed to happen. It's dishonest, but all the mags take it between the cheeks because they're too scared of not being invited to drive the next new Ferrari.

Remember the awesome 430 Scuderia? What a car that was, and still is. One English magazine went along with all the cheating-bullshit because the cars did seem to be representative of what a customer might get to drive, but then during the dyno session, the "standard" tires stuck themselves to the rollers.

And this is the nub: how fucking paranoid do you have to be to put even stickier rubber on a Scuderia? It's like John Holmes having an extra two inches grafted onto his dick. I mean it's not as if, according to your own communication, you're not a clear market leader and maker of the best sports cars in the world now, is it?

What Ferrari plainly cannot see is that its strategy to win every test at any cost is completely counter-productive. First, it completely undermines the amazing work of its own engineers. What does it say about a 458 if the only way its maker is willing to loan it to a magazine is if a laptop can be plugged in after every journey and a dedicated team needs to spend several days at the chosen test track to set-up the car? It says they're completely nuts –- behavior that looks even worse when rival brands just hand over their car with nothing more than a polite suggestion that you should avoid crashing it too heavily, and then return a week later.

Point two: the internet is good for three things: free porn, Jalopnik and spreading information. Fifteen years ago, if your 355 wasn't as fast as the maker claimed you could give the supplying dealer a headache, whine at the local owners club and not much besides. Nowadays you spray your message around the globe and every bugger knows about it in minutes. So, when we used an owner's 430 Scud because Ferrari wouldn't lend us the test car, it was obliterated in a straight line by a GT2 and a Lambo LP 560-4, despite all the "official" road test figures suggesting it was faster than Halley's Comet. The forums went nuts and some Scud owners rightly felt they hadn't been delivered the car they'd read about in all the buff books. Talk about karma slapping you in the face.


It's the level of control that's so profoundly irritating and I think damaging to the brand. Once you know that it takes a full support crew and two 458s to supply those amazing stats, it then takes the shine off the car. The simple message from Ferrari is that unless you play exactly by the laws they lay down, you're off the list.

What are those laws? Apart from the laughable track test stuff, as a journalist you are expressly forbidden from driving any current Ferrari road car without permission from the factory. So if I want to drive my mate's 458 tomorrow, I have to ask the factory. Will it allow me to drive the car? No: because it is of "unknown provenance," i.e. not tuned. I'm almost tempted to buy a 458, just for the joy of phoning Maranello every morning and asking if its OK if I take my kid to school.

Where I've personally run into trouble is by using owners' cars for comparison tests. Ferrari absolutely hates this; even if you say unremittingly nice things about its cars, it goes ape shit. But you want to see a 458 against a GT3 RS so I'm going to deliver that story and that video. Likewise the 599 GTO and the GT2 RS. Ferrari honestly believes it can control every aspect of the media — it has actively intervened several times when I've asked to borrow owners' cars.

The control freakery is getting worse: for the FF launch in March journalists have to say which outlets they are writing it for and those have to be approved by Maranello. Honestly, we're perilously close to having the words and verdicts vetted by the Ferrari press office before they're released, which of course has always been the way in some markets.


Should I give a shit about this stuff? Probably not. It's not like it's a life-and-death situation; supercars are pretty unserious tackle. But the best thing about car nuts is that they let you drive their cars, and Ferrari has absolutely no chance stopping people like me driving what they want to drive. Of course their attempts to stop me makes it an even better sport and merely hardens my resolve, but the sad thing is its cars are so good it doesn't need all this shite. I'll repeat that for the benefit of any vestige of a chance I might have of ever driving a Ferrari press car ever again (which is virtually none). "Its cars are so good it doesn't need this shite."

None of this will make any difference to Ferrari. I'm just an irrelevant Limey who doesn't really matter. But I've had enough of concealing what goes on, to the point that I no longer want to be a Ferrari owner, a de-facto member of its bullshit-control-edifice. I sold my 575 before Christmas. As pathetic protests go, you have to agree it's high quality.

Jesus, this is now sounding like a properly depressing rant. I'll leave it there. Just remember all this stuff then next time you read a magazine group test with a prancing stallion in it.
 
Nice and interesting post! Guess you have to start taking all of the magazines with a grain of salt. I like the idea of comparing non-factory cars to one another. Of course then you have to find a generous owner who wants you to wail on their pride and joy!
 
I'd have expected such...

Interesting, though I'm not totally surprised. Not that I agree w/ the apparent "setup" protocol by Ferrari which may be special tunes, stickier tires, weight-reduction, component-swapping, et'al - I can see how the manufacturer (which has a public aura & admiration that is analogous to a cult of personality & divine reverence) wants to make sure their fabled & 'w/o compare' persona isn't kinked or dented by a lackluster 2nd hand example demo'd in the limelight (ie. poorly maintained/serviced, non-OEM tires, wear-&-tear components not addressed, unfavorable atmospheric/environmental/weather conditions, boat-anchor dubs, etc).

Though, the reality of massaged press-cars is nothing new, BUT going beyond the usual "please make sure the demo/pre-owned model that you are evaluating/assessing has been properly serviced/maintained by factory licensed dealer service-center technicians, along w/ being spec'd as originally from the manufacturer..." is indeed a turn'off & a bit disappointing when it's reasonably concluded that other machinations & chicanery exist. Again, recognizing the mass-perception of Ferrari's mystique & the public adulation/adoration towards the vaunted marque, I'm not at all surprised at ringers being used.

FWIW, I recall that Ferrari was often scrutinized in the past for noticeably over-rating their factory power #'s (ie. BHP) on their brand-new models.

Funny, Porsche is more-or-less universally lauded for being overly humble & conservative w/ their published performance numbers (0-60, 1/4mi, etc).

Suffice it to say all of this is moot to me, go McLaren! :D
 
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I knew Ferrari performance numbers were a bit hyped up for the following reasons:

1. years ago when my friend's boss, a CEO that, during the DOT COM days was worth $500 mil showed up to my house party and handed me the keys to his F1 355. He knew about my 430rwhp FD and my driving abilities. Needless to say I was allowed to rip on the car unsupervised, which I did. I returned the 355 very disappointed wondering how it got such amazing 0-60 times.

2. I killed two 512TR, F360 and other older ferraris with the FD. GTO had 550 Maranello for lunch as well as a F430.

I'm just waiting for the SOS SC NSX to get it's fair share of the feeding frenzy.

the ONLY ferraris I'm worried about are the new ones like the 599, 458 and F-series. Rest are like a normally aspirated NSX - small displacement engines with no TQ or power by today's standards.
 
Entirely believable especially considering this is Enzo Ferrari's company. It's the kind of company culture he promoted and his legacy to the business world. The amount of BS Enzo left behind could fertilize the Sinai.

That said, I still want a 458 and a 288 GTO.
 
Enzo: Ouch!
 
My speedo is 10-15% faster than the car. Makes it seem a lot faster. I once put a temporary R sticker on the bumper and it felt like a twin turbo had been installed.
 
My speedo is 10-15% faster than the car. Makes it seem a lot faster. I once put a temporary R sticker on the bumper and it felt like a twin turbo had been installed.

Did you mean that your speedo is 10-15% bigger? :eek:or that your speedometer is 10-15% faster? :tongue:
 
we've been poking fun at "magazine racers" for years.......

this isn't limited to just ferrari..

run what ya brung and hope you brung enough!
 
I knew Ferrari performance numbers were a bit hyped up for the following reasons:

1. years ago when my friend's boss, a CEO that, during the DOT COM days was worth $500 mil showed up to my house party and handed me the keys to his F1 355. He knew about my 430rwhp FD and my driving abilities. Needless to say I was allowed to rip on the car unsupervised, which I did. I returned the 355 very disappointed wondering how it got such amazing 0-60 times.

2. I killed two 512TR, F360 and other older ferraris with the FD. GTO had 550 Maranello for lunch as well as a F430.

I'm just waiting for the SOS SC NSX to get it's fair share of the feeding frenzy.

the ONLY ferraris I'm worried about are the new ones like the 599, 458 and F-series. Rest are like a normally aspirated NSX - small displacement engines with no TQ or power by today's standards.

..Because you know they build Ferraris for drag racing and HP.:rolleyes: You came back from a 355 drive disappointed? Please hand over your car enthusiast card
 
..Because you know they build Ferraris for drag racing and HP.:rolleyes: You came back from a 355 drive disappointed? Please hand over your car enthusiast card

IMHO, the 355 is the best sounding car in existence. I driven one and I thought it a great drive. The sound alone is enough to raise the hair on arms and the back of your neck. Of course, I've never driven an FD RX7 or a GTO which I'm sure, as any self-respecting auto fan will attest to, are 2x the car the 355 is.
 
..Because you know they build Ferraris for drag racing and HP.:rolleyes: You came back from a 355 drive disappointed? Please hand over your car enthusiast card

IMHO, the 355 is the best sounding car in existence. I driven one and I thought it a great drive. The sound alone is enough to raise the hair on arms and the back of your neck. Of course, I've never driven an FD RX7 or a GTO which I'm sure, as any self-respecting auto fan will attest to, are 2x the car the 355 is.

NSX 2, I thought u took someone's advise and added me to ur ignore list.

Ponyboy, the 355 did sound good, but the topic was talking about the performance.
 
I once wrote Matt Farah of Smoking Tire(after he didn't get the top gear gig) and
I suggested getting some "friends" to go "test drive" certain cars from dealerships...and meet up and do the video shoots and testing in a few hours and return them. No one is the wiser. Then you know you are getting cars not "tuned" or have to say "nice" things about them. If they are shit...say they are. If the transmission shifts like a 1980's diesel Mercedes...we want to know it.

/end rant
 
I wouldn't be surprised if even the new 458's fall under such trickery. Just watch the M5 Board races. There have been plenty of times I thought the Ferrari would win but manages to be equal or loses the race.
 
That's it, I'm returning my 458. :mad:
 
Another reason not to want an F car!

First there is the high cost to buy the car, Then there is a high cost to maintain it. But when you read an article like this it just solidifies my resolve never to buy a Ferrari.

http://jalopnik.com/#!5760248/how-ferrari-spins

I am not sure why they act so superior. Or why they think rules do not apply to them. And yes I am sure that to some degree all car companies try to tweak their cars a little before they are tested... I never knew Ferrari went so far.

Its like finding out that Michael Jordan used anabolic steroids.. you gotta read this article!

Jason
 
Re: Another reason not to want an F car!

I read the article - rules- smules- in the end the guy said "the cars are so great that they don't need to do that". If I had the fun bucks and could have a "Leno" stable - I'd surely have a Ferrari, Carrera GT, the new 918 when it comes out, a ......well you get the drift.

Cars are great - sports cars are even GREATER. What is it that makes us gear heads, enthusiasts, car guys, want a car of a certain manufacturer - is it the mystique, the idea that it's the fastest car in the world - not for me - for some that's the reason to buy a Veyron. To me it's the fact that they are HERE - here right now - built by Bugatti, Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes - who ever builds it - really doesn't matter - the fact that it IS built and you can drive it - that's what matters - that there is a machine - lots of different machines all for our enjoyment - it's a candy store and I'm a kid - a not so rich kid - but I can surely dream what it's like and I can see em and hear em - what a great life and a great time to be alive - we've seen all that has gone before and they just keep coming.

AMAZING time we live in - enjoy every bit you can- if someone offers you a ride in an amazing car - GET IN and GO! If you can drive it or afford to own it - well so much the better and more power to ya!

I love this stuff ! How bout the rest of you? :wink:
 
Re: Another reason not to want an F car!

Actually started not to comment, but I read the article with amusement and decided to comment anyway.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
My belief is all manufacturers cherry pick the cars they give for test reports, they would be fools not too! The more expensive it is the better the fit. This shouldn’t weigh in to making a decision unless something was changed that you couldn’t get done yourself. <o:p></o:p>
With this said I should say that I own a couple of Ferrari’s, a 91 Testarossa, and a 83 308 GTB. I’m not particularly popular on Ferrarichat because of my attitude towards modifications. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the cars heritage I just believe in the end it’s a car. I believe many on the site believe it’s an image first. <o:p></o:p>
My 91 Testarossa I did a small write up on removing the original electro/mechanical fuel injection and replacing it with a Motec full engine management system. Runs great, looks good, and easy to modify. Well you thought I had sprayed graffiti on the Mona Lisa. Gave me a good insight into who I was talking to. The 83 308 is a full ground up mod and I chose not to even mention it on Ferrarichat and decided to do the write up in the Ford GT forum since I was a former owner and new these guys were more than happy to see a well thought out cool mod. Had one of the guys in Ferrarichat tell me once why don’t I just buy the car I want and leave it alone. Hmm, I just haven’t found that one yet I guess.<o:p></o:p>
 
Mr. Harris' rant is a good one.

Can you imagine trying to get any sort of warranty claim out of Ferrari when they clearly act in a superior manner?

They would come up with xyz answer to avoid any such "fire" claims etc. that the brand is facing.

Remember Enzo was essentially quoted back in the day as saying "my customers are fools and a means to pay for my racing"....get bent.

Porsche any day every day.
 
Porsche any day every day.

If I may be so bold, Ferry Porsche was no saint either. Founders of car companies usually get the benefit of a "halo effect" and although Ferry Porsche's accomplishments are widely documented so is his closet of skeletons.
 
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