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We drove the car that Ferrari is counting on for its future
Business Insider ^ | Matthew DeBord

Posted on 04/10/2016 2:36:04 PM PDT by MtnClimber

In 2014, my son, James, and I drove up to Watkins Glen International, a storied racetrack, to watch a Ferrari race. We did not, however, make the drive in a Ferrari. Last year, Ferrari kindly lent us a California T, the company's "entry-level" car — its base price is $198,000 — to make a sort of return visit.

The Cali T is now an important vehicle for the prancing stallion now that it's a public company and need to grow beyond its current 7,000-cars-per-year in sales. At the New York Stock Exchange in 2015, when Ferrari — ticker symbol RACE — began trading, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO and Ferrari Chairman Sergio Marchionne said that many of the 9,000 cars the Italian sports car maker will sell in 2019 will be Cali Ts.

Ferrari shares have endured a slide since the IPO, down 30% since last October. But of course there is Ferrari the stock and Ferrari the cars. So what is the California T like to drive?

When James and I went to the Glen in 2014, we watched a Ferrari Challenge race in which the contestants run in Ferrari 458s. In 2015, we attended the Six Hours of the Glen, an endurance race featuring teams from a variety of automakers — Porches, BMW, Aston Martin, Mazda, Corvette — alongside Ferrari. It was an interesting weekend with a long drive in a cool car and a race that was heavily affected by the weather.

(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: automotive; ferrari
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1 posted on 04/10/2016 2:36:04 PM PDT by MtnClimber
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To: Chode

Interesting article about father and son with Ferrari test drive to the 6-hours at the Glen race. Interesting story and lots of photos. I think the Ferrari 488 is also a key to Ferrari’s future too. They have a two-year waiting list. I checked.


2 posted on 04/10/2016 2:38:24 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber
very coool... thx
3 posted on 04/10/2016 2:41:34 PM PDT by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -w- NO Pity for the LAZY - Luke, 22:36)
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To: MtnClimber

4 posted on 04/10/2016 2:42:06 PM PDT by UnwashedPeasant (A slave is one who waits for someone to come and free him.)
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To: UnwashedPeasant

It doesn’t do much for me. I liked the one Magnum drove.


5 posted on 04/10/2016 2:47:58 PM PDT by wally_bert (I didn't get where I am today by selling ice cream tasting of bookends, pumice stone & West Germany)
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To: MtnClimber

sigh…I’m getting old.

Give me a good old Countach 500S or Testa Rossa if it must be a Ferrari. Vector even better, if you can keep the thing running long enough.


6 posted on 04/10/2016 2:48:07 PM PDT by moehoward
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To: UnwashedPeasant

Very nice lines...but those headlights are U-G-L-Y.


7 posted on 04/10/2016 2:48:34 PM PDT by newfreep
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To: wally_bert

That was the 308. *cough -poop box- cough*

328 looked similar and much better car.


8 posted on 04/10/2016 2:49:48 PM PDT by moehoward
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To: MtnClimber
Ferrarri California T - I don't like the butt. Too chopped.

This is better. Aston-Martin DB9:


9 posted on 04/10/2016 2:51:08 PM PDT by Talisker (One who commands, must obey.)
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To: wally_bert

The Ferrari 308 that magnum drove only had about 150 hp. The California T is claimed 552 hp. The new 488 twin turbo which replaces the normally aspirated 458 makes 660 hp. Magnum’s car would be eating dirt, but the lines on the 308 were great.


10 posted on 04/10/2016 2:53:50 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: moehoward

11 posted on 04/10/2016 2:54:34 PM PDT by moehoward
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To: moehoward
Lambo Huracan looks MUCH better...and similar price.


12 posted on 04/10/2016 2:54:53 PM PDT by newfreep
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To: newfreep

At least it’s not some electro POS.


13 posted on 04/10/2016 2:59:55 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
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To: MtnClimber
Meh.

Make mine the Lambo Huracan:


14 posted on 04/10/2016 3:02:50 PM PDT by gaijin
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To: MtnClimber

15 posted on 04/10/2016 3:09:12 PM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway - "Enjoy Yourself" ala Louis Prima)
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To: Talisker
I like Aston Martins, but most are slower than my 2013 Audi S6 (C&D 0-60, 3.7 sec). Here is the brand new Ferrari 488 V8 Twin Turbo:

 photo 488-1_zps0hy6wsc5.jpg

 photo 488-2_zpswgdankvw.jpg

I have been looking at the also brand new McLaren 570S:

 photo 2016-mclaren-570s-side-in-motion-02_zpsxldgxuu1.jpg

 photo 2016 mclaren-570s-2_zpsb72zuwa1.jpg

16 posted on 04/10/2016 3:09:17 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber

I MIGHT trade my ‘11 Porsche Cayman S for one..........


17 posted on 04/10/2016 3:11:56 PM PDT by Arlis
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To: wally_bert
I liked the one Magnum drove.

IIRC, wasn't that one actually a Fiat? Thought one of those cheap V-6 ones was. Sort of like Porsch putting their logo on what was sold as a VW in Europe when they sold it here. The 914 I think it was called.

18 posted on 04/10/2016 3:12:58 PM PDT by doorgunner69
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To: newfreep

I like the Lambo Huracan too. The Huracan 610 has the Audi R8 V10 Plus Engine and dual clutch gearbox for better reliability and AWD acceleration. I keep asking myself, with the closest McLaren dealer in Dallas and I am in Golden, CO I would have to ship the car for service while there are Lambo, Porsche and Ferrari dealers locally. Not too much price difference between Mclaren 570S and the Huracan, 911 Turbo S and 488.


19 posted on 04/10/2016 3:16:08 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: moehoward

Zero-to-arrested in 3.5 seconds!


20 posted on 04/10/2016 3:16:16 PM PDT by Fresh Wind (Hey now baby, get into my big black car, I just want to show you what my politics are.)
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