Why Manual Ferrari's Are Gone For Good

Express · 17-09-2015, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Why you won't see another manual Ferrari

Italian car maker has a simple reason behind its automatic-only line-up.

Sam Charlwood
September 17, 2015

Auto only: Ferrari will not offer a manual version of its new 488 Spider. Photo: Supplied.

Ferrari has emphatically ruled out offering a manual gearbox in its next generation of vehicles, for one simple reason: performance.

Speaking at the Frankfurt motor show this week, stakeholders at Ferrari said the manual transmission had become obsolete in a performance sense because modern dual-clutch transmissions were much faster and effective in their shifts.

"We never say no, but today we say no," a spokesman said.

"We are very convinced with our strategy about the automatic gearbox, it's the fastest gearbox in the market and this is a distinctive component for us. Right now we are not thinking about a manual because the performance is [less]."

Ferrari last offered a manual gearbox in 2012 as an option on the California. Only three customers took up the three-pedal proposition.

"I think the best answer is the client answer. The client answer to the California was very limited," the spokesman said.

The company's newly-unveiled 488 Spider will not be a proponent of the manual cause, Ferrari confirmed to journalists, and its seven-speed dual clutch transmission perfectly demonstrates why: teamed with a new 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 engine also found in the new 488 GTB coupe, it facilitates an official 0-100km/h time of just 3.0 seconds, a top speed of more than 330km/h and a claimed fuel consumption rating of 11.4L/100km.

While current Ferrari customer feedback reflects little demand for manuals, the gearboxes remain highly sought-after in second-hand circles due to their rarity. Earlier this month an exceptionally rare Ferrari 599 GTB with a six-speed manual sold well above pre-auction estimates, at about $950,000 (AUD).

However, Ferrari said those such buyers were a completely different demographic to prospective new car customers.

"It's another story," the spokesman said.

"Those people aren't looking for something special, they are just looking for something very few cars in the world have. It's not economical to have a special version."

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/w...16-gjoft8.html

Express · 17-09-2015, 02:01 PM

Those 3 manual California's will be worth something one day.

snowcone · 17-09-2015, 03:13 PM

Maybe it's because the woosie millionaire buyers of these can't drive manuals!

simon varley · 17-09-2015, 03:19 PM

oh well, that's my custom they've lost then.

99AUXR · 17-09-2015, 04:06 PM

Raced a porsche 991 GT3 in the states, The revised PDK dual clutch transmission was literally outstanding ultra smooth and fast.

FG50T · 17-09-2015, 04:39 PM

Manuals aren't their problem anymore. A lot of 458 owners aren't putting their names down for the 488 due to the new engine note of the turbo Ferrari.

99AUXR · 17-09-2015, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FG50T

Manuals aren't their problem anymore. A lot of 458 owners aren't putting their names down for the 488 due to the new engine note of the turbo Ferrari.

So true 488 sounds terrible. 458 looks better and sounds 100000x better.

This exhaust just wicked.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWhWD_YK3IQ

2011G6E · 17-09-2015, 05:45 PM

Ooo, oo, let me guess...

Is it because the staggeringly vast majority of them are bought by wealthy elderly fat cats who will never get over 60kph while tootling down to the coffee shop for a latte on a sunday morning and who can barely turn the steering wheel against their guts while a vapid peroxide blonde pneumatic chested 20 year old giggles in the passenger seat while her three functioning brain cells try to talk to one another...?

Am I close...?

blue sleeper · 17-09-2015, 06:42 PM

Let's be honest it's because of the americans....

AussieCJ7 · 17-09-2015, 06:45 PM

As much as I love my manual XR8, if it was offered with a proper dual clutch 7 or 8 speed auto I would have been tempted the 6 speed ZF is a nice auto but not a shade on modern dual clutch options

having been a in a couple of audi/VW dual clutch can certainly see the attraction in them and lead to consistent launch for faster times

2011G6E · 17-09-2015, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieCJ7

As much as I love my manual XR8, if it was offered with a proper dual clutch 7 or 8 speed auto I would have been tempted the 6 speed ZF is a nice auto but not a shade on modern dual clutch options

having been a in a couple of audi/VW dual clutch can certainly see the attraction in them and lead to consistent launch for faster times

And yet some makers are going back to single clutch setups because they provide better feel and lighter weight...

Everything old is new again.

Pedro · 17-09-2015, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Ooo, oo, let me guess...

Is it because the staggeringly vast majority of them are bought by wealthy elderly fat cats who will never get over 60kph while tootling down to the coffee shop for a latte on a sunday morning and who can barely turn the steering wheel against their guts while a vapid peroxide blonde pneumatic chested 20 year old giggles in the passenger seat while her three functioning brain cells try to talk to one another...?

Am I close...?

I have to say, when I bought my 1st BF F6 I went straight for a manual on the test drive but it was clunky and awkward. The salesman noted my negative comments and coerced me into taking a ZF equipped one for a spin. I was an instant conversion for me.

Express · 17-09-2015, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Ooo, oo, let me guess...

Is it because the staggeringly vast majority of them are bought by wealthy elderly fat cats who will never get over 60kph while tootling down to the coffee shop for a latte on a sunday morning and who can barely turn the steering wheel against their guts while a vapid peroxide blonde pneumatic chested 20 year old giggles in the passenger seat while her three functioning brain cells try to talk to one another...?

Am I close...?

I don’t know about if I want the dual-clutch transmission but you’ve definitely sold me on the ‘vapid peroxide blonde pneumatic chested 20 year old giggling in the passenger seat’.

Sign me up for one.

mik · 17-09-2015, 11:40 PM

i wonder what the reliability of the ferrari dual clutch box is , even if it was pretty average , anyone that could fork out for a fezaz probably would not be worrying about maintenance cost or repairs, they probably are rarely used as dailys /do bugger all k`s anyway .

XR Martin · 18-09-2015, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue sleeper

Let's be honest it's because of the americans....

Chinese actually.

Manual performance cars in the US still have a market.

Franco Cozzo · 18-09-2015, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Express

I don’t know about if I want the dual-clutch transmission but you’ve definitely sold me on the ‘vapid peroxide blonde pneumatic chested 20 year old giggling in the passenger seat’.

Sign me up for one.

Dont do it man its a trap!

Stefan · 18-09-2015, 06:47 AM

VW screwed up one their DSGs and now every DSG from any manufacturer is unreliable.

Maybe we should all not buy cars with ball joints as they are all prone to failure like on a Territory

FPV GTHO · 18-09-2015, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

i wonder what the reliability of the ferrari dual clutch box is , even if it was pretty average , anyone that could fork out for a fezaz probably would not be worrying about maintenance cost or repairs, they probably are rarely used as dailys /do bugger all k`s anyway .

Ferrari have a long history using automised manuals so I wouldn't be too concerned, beyond any regular DCT issues.

mik · 18-09-2015, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefan

VW screwed up one their DSGs and now every DSG from any manufacturer is unreliable.

Maybe we should all not buy cars with ball joints as they are all prone to failure like on a Territory

Well a ball joint is a pretty simple item , and in most cases not a problem unless its has a poor design , and mine are rocking 15 years old and not a problem so im not worried about that ,

however dsg are more complex bit of gear, and as you know with complexity very often comes more chance of failure or problems and higher maintenance.

Express · 18-09-2015, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Dont do it man its a trap!

And when you marry them the trap slams shut.

2011G6E · 18-09-2015, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Express

And when you marry them the trap slams shut.

Umm...I don't think that's the sort of "trap" he was talking about...

Trump · 18-09-2015, 12:50 PM

The problem with DSG gearbox applications isn't just the stigma associated with the colossal failures of the VW unit. Even a well built one will wear and need replacing at some point. At this point, a reco isn't possible because no one carries spare parts for them. They were designed as a throwaway item when it crapped out. If a transmission shop went to the trouble of buying several complete DSG boxes for the purpose of dismantling them for parts, the labour would be too cost prohibitive (both the disassembly and remanufacture of the customers box).

Ferrari in choosing not to have a traditional manual boxes won't lose customers over it. They spend bulk coin in knowing their market better than they know themselves. And when the market is fat, well to do Caucasian males in the latter halves of their lives (and increasingly their equally fat Chinese counterparts), they know they are onto a winner.

Sioso · 18-09-2015, 02:10 PM

My dream car has always been an NA flat 6 911 with a manual box and these won't exist after March 2016.........very sad.

gossy · 18-09-2015, 03:05 PM

Maybe I'm old school and a little bit slow, but it's not about the outright acceleration figures I'm after.

To me, it's about the timing and synchronicity between hand, leg, foot, sound, mind and machine that appeals to me about a manual gearbox. They may not be the fastest anymore, but they still sound the best compared to an artificially changed box.

MITCHAY · 18-09-2015, 04:57 PM

Not like you're gonna knock back a super car because it doesn't have a manual option (the sales prove it in Ferrari's case) but for cars which are in the average persons price range, I'd never go the auto if I can get a manual.

I don't think it will be very long before manuals are gone completely unfortunately.

gossy · 18-09-2015, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

I don't think it will be very long before manuals are gone completely unfortunately.

Unfortunately, I think the same.

Wretched · 18-09-2015, 05:08 PM

I wouldn't turn down a 911 GT3 RS even with the PDK. Performance is the point of the car, going around a track as fast as possible.
It'd be a bonus if it were manual.

78xcgxl · 18-09-2015, 05:25 PM

Manuals are outdated, it is simple. Times have changed. Autos are now far superior and no longer are the days when 4 on the floor was king. Can't wait to **** off my manual Ute for FG turbo falcon with a ZF auto. After driving modern autos, i will personally never buy another manual car.

gossy · 18-09-2015, 05:52 PM

^^^ Why not??? ^^^

SumoDog68 · 18-09-2015, 06:03 PM

Dual clutch automated shift gearboxes are very different beasts to torque converter transmissions . DSG is basically a manual box that eliminates driver from operating the clutch(es) . You still retain the manual gearbox feel and efficiency of direct mechanical connection between engine and driven wheels.
Torque converter transmissions are ( despite some really great ones nowadays) still a bit "doughy" in delivery . Ferrari ,Porsche and other manufacturers still maintain that manual feel with superfast shifts . I would class those as automated manual gearboxes rather than automatics.