Sports Cars

2012 Ferrari FF Review And Pictures

Review:

The 2012 Ferrari FF ranks 3 out of 8 Exotic Sports Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 15 published reviews and test drives of the Ferrari FF, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The 2012 FF features Ferrari’s first all-wheel drive system. So far, the automotive industry likes this ground breaking car because it’s both fast and friendly to backseat passengers.

Exotic sports cars cost more than $100,000, and with good reason. They have European nameplates, some of the nicest interiors on the market, powerful engines and exotic exteriors that cause drivers who own normal cars to stop and stare. The all-new 2012 Ferrari FF, which replaces the Ferrari 612 Scagietti, fits into this category. However, the FF stands out because it is a grand tourer that seats four, but still offers impressive sports car performance.

The Ferrari FF is different than competitors like the Aston Martin DB9, which is also a grand tourer, because it seats four comfortably. Not all reviewers say passengers six-feet or taller will be comfortable, but the FF does have the most comfortable back seats in the class. The FF also has four-wheel drive, making it the first Ferrari that doesn’t operate solely on its rear wheels. This powertrain may make some shoppers nervous, but test drivers say it’s hard to tell when the four-wheel drive system is in use. The FF is a great handler, and the four-wheel drive only kicks in when it’s needed. In normal driving conditions, the FF simply relies on the rear wheels.

The 2012 FF gets fantastic reviews for its 12-cylinder engine, four-wheel drive and comfortable rear seats, but one thing reviewers aren’t impressed with is its exterior styling. "It's not exactly beautiful, but this Pininfarina-penned coupe is charming with an undeniable Ferrari presence,” writes AutoWeek. “The look starts with a toothy jack-o'-lantern front end and flows into a shooting-brake backside, creating a silhouette that will remind just about everyone of the first BMW Z-coupe. The FF looks a bit ungainly, or perhaps oddly proportioned as Ferraris go, but it's less so than the four-dour Porsche Panamera." The negative comments don’t end there. The FF is also called a “toilet brush on wheels,” and some writers say it lacks the sexiness that Ferraris are known for. But, the FF’s love-it-or-hate-it exterior styling is what makes it so comfortable on the inside. If you’re looking for an exotic sports car that can seat four comfortably, the FF is your only option.

Shoppers who like the FF’s mixture of exotic sports car and practicality will have to wait. Ferrari didn’t make many, and according to Edmunds, they’re already sold out for the first two years. If the prospect of waiting a few years to get this model doesn’t deter you, perhaps the FF’s price will. It starts at about $300,000.

Other Sports Cars to Consider

The 2012 FF’s Italian nameplate shows that this sports car was designed for performance, but technically, this four-seater should appeal to shoppers in the market for a grand tourer. In that case, the Aston Martin DB9, which costs about $100,000 less than the FF, should appeal to some consumers. The DB9 has an aggressive exterior that screams exclusivity, luxury and speed. This exotic sports car is also one of the few that’s comfortable enough for long drives. Like the FF, the DB9 also has a V12 engine, but it doesn’t have all-wheel drive. And despite its four-person capacity, no one will sit comfortably in the back row.

The Ferrari FF won’t appeal to all shoppers looking for a sleek sports car that seats two because the FF straddles the line between grand tourer and super fast eye-catching speed demon. If you’re after an exotic sports car in the latter category, test drive the Lamborghini Gallardo. It has one-of-a-kind exterior and a 10-cylinder engine with some of the highest performance ratings in the class. Unlike the 2012 FF, the Gallardo is truly designed for the racetrack.

Details: 2010 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

The 2012 FF is an all-new model from Ferrari. It has a 6.3-liter V12 engine, a dual-clutch transmission and a four-wheel drive system called 4RM, which is a first for Ferrari. If you can afford the nearly $300,000 FF, and haven’t registered for one, you’ll have to wait. Ferrari has sold out of the first batch.

2012 Ferrari FF Pictures

2012 Ferrari FF

Ferrari F70 2012 Car Review

Review:

Ferrari has ambitious goals for its successor to the mighty Enzo: Rumored to be called the F70, this mid-engine supercar will have to do nothing less than substantially outperform the Enzo, while being considerably more efficient to comply with ever-tougher emissions standards. As such, it will have to do more with less. Less weight, less cylinders…but one thing will be more: the price. It’s said that when the F70 goes on sale in 2012, it could very well cost over $1 million.

Using knowledge gleaned from its Formula 1 race machines, the FXX Enzo-based track car, the FXX Mille-Chili lightweight concept, the 599XX track car and the 458 Italia road machine, Ferrari has much at its disposal. The Mille-Chili from 2007 gave a clear indication of Ferrari’s new path to achieving ultimate performance: a much lighter vehicle through greater use of exotic materials such as carbon fiber. Incidentally, “mille chili” refers to 1000 kilograms (about 2200 lb.), the target weight for the F70.

Unlike the naturally aspirated V-12-powered Enzo and the F50 before that, the latest word is that the F70 will switch back to a twin-turbo V-8 as seen in the F40. Only the F70’s direct-injected engine will use the very latest technologies to eliminate turbo lag, achieve 670–700 bhp yet return excellent (for a Ferrari) fuel mileage and low emissions (a hybrid powertrain is unlikely for the F70, due to the system’s inherent added weight). The F70 should reach 60 mph in less than 3 seconds. The target top speed of over 230 mph is reached with an array of drag-reducing active aerodynamic features.