Should I drive the 599 or the Gallardo?

[Sunny129]

OP, this is a performance driving event. one ride shouldn't be chosen over the other b/c of things like rarety or exclusivity. who cares of the Gallardo is more common? i'd still rather drive a mid engine sports car than a front engine grand touring car...particularly on a circuit.

[Fenixgoon]

Originally Posted by JulesMaximus

I suppose they just gave that technology to Ferrari out of the goodness of their hearts then?

ferrari clearly thought it was a better idea to use GM's suspension than to try their own hand at it

[JulesMaximus]

Originally Posted by Fenixgoon

ferrari clearly thought it was a better idea to use GM's suspension than to try their own hand at it

"The 599's suspension is revolutionary for a Ferrari, boasting the same Delphi-developed magnetorheological shocks available on, among others, the Corvette (while Ferrari admits the hardware is largely the same, it's quick to point out that it codeveloped its own software with Delphi). Each wheel on the so-called "SCM" suspension is controlled by a damper filled with a special fluid; the viscosity of the fluid can be modified almost instantaneously via an electronically generated magnetic field. A sensor at each wheel constantly monitors wheel and body movements; the computer reacts to changing road conditions (altering shock damping accordingly) in as little as one millisecond."

So, it appears that GM didn't design the suspension on the Ferrari as some have claimed. GM R&D had nothing whatsoever to do with it in fact.

Christ... I'm derailing my own thread.

[Arkaign]

You do realize that Delphi is more or less a seamless extension of GM, correct? I think it became semi-autonomous due to financial motivations and manipulation.

Same hardware, same tech, not sure what's to argue about there

It's okay, sometimes great tech comes from surprising sources. Ferrari doesn't have a fraction of GM's R&D budget (and this obviously extends to surrogates like Delphi). This doesn't take anything away from the fact that Ferrari has produced some absolutely stunning vehicles as of late, something they've really lacked for a very long time. The 70s, 80s, and even to some extent the 90s were filled with models that actually aren't that great all things considered.

[JulesMaximus]

Originally Posted by Arkaign

You do realize that Delphi is more or less a seamless extension of GM, correct? I think it became semi-autonomous due to financial motivations and manipulation.

Same hardware, same tech, not sure what's to argue about there

It's okay, sometimes great tech comes from surprising sources. Ferrari doesn't have a fraction of GM's R&D budget (and this obviously extends to surrogates like Delphi). This doesn't take anything away from the fact that Ferrari has produced some absolutely stunning vehicles as of late, something they've really lacked for a very long time. The 70s, 80s, and even to some extent the 90s were filled with models that actually aren't that great all things considered.

It's a shock absorber... and GM didn't design the suspension on the 599.

[Arkaign]

Originally Posted by JulesMaximus

It's a shock absorber... and GM didn't design the suspension on the 599.

Sure maybe that's an overstatment. But it's a crazy advanced shock absorber (one that takes the meh Camaro SS into something special with the ZL1). It's telling that they chose to work with Delphi (GM for all practical purposes), from Troy, Michigan, to do this project.

If it weren't worthwhile they wouldn't have done it.
If it were easy, they'd have done it themselves.

[JulesMaximus]

Originally Posted by Arkaign

Sure maybe that's an overstatment. But it's a crazy advanced shock absorber (one that takes the meh Camaro SS into something special with the ZL1). It's telling that they chose to work with Delphi (GM for all practical purposes), from Troy, Michigan, to do this project.

If it weren't worthwhile they wouldn't have done it.
If it were easy, they'd have done it themselves.

Never said it wasn't worthwhile or easy. Kind of have to wonder what a replacement shock would cost for that Camaro SS though.

[manimal]

accidentally put the car in race mode. see if they notice


have fun man. I would probably think the lambo would be a more visceral experience. Both good choices.

[JulesMaximus]

Originally Posted by manimal

accidentally put the car in race mode. see if they notice

have fun man. I would probably think the lambo would be a more visceral experience. Both good choices.

I know, that's why I'm leaning toward it over the Ferrari. I just love mid-engined exotics. If they have an F430 I might drive that one instead.

[Zap]

Originally Posted by phucheneh

The 'primitive' Gallardo seems to be fairly common with a real manual, though.

...better get a driving session in while they last...

Fuck you, Lamborghini.

Yeah, they're just trying to keep up with Ferrari again.

What's next? Sending out a "support team" to make sure that reviewer's Lambos are "tuned properly?"

[JulesMaximus]

Originally Posted by phucheneh

I got to walk through the warehouse at Port Newark where all the Ferraris get stored while between their boat ride and being loaded onto car haulers. This was...2007 or 2008. Had to be a few hundred cars there.

I couldn't find a manual. Sad, sad day for cars. I can only imagine they've got even more rare and/or non-existent.

The 'primitive' Gallardo seems to be fairly common with a real manual, though.

...better get a driving session in while they last...

Fuck you, Lamborghini.

They say that only 1-2% of Lamborghini Gallardos are ordered with the manual transmission option. I don't think it is even an option for most Ferraris these days unfortunately.

[phucheneh]

Damn, really? I knew Ferrari had gotten away from them in favor of 'flappy paddles,' but I know Lambo has continued to offer it on at least the Gallardo (not sure about Murcs) alongside their 'E-shift' or whatever they call it. 1-2% is stunningly low.

I think there may be one good reason to pick the Gallardo- I bet they'll allow faster laps in it, due to the AWD. Basically, I'm thinking maybe you can push it more before your instructor/co-driver guy goes 'WHOA THERE, CHIEF!' and advises you to back off.

I can't imagine they're going to let you drive the 600hp RWD Ferarri in quite the same way. One Jeremy Clarkson PPPPOOOOWEEERRRSSLLLLLIIIDDDEEEEE! and you're probably done for the day.

[JulesMaximus]

Oh I'm sure traction control will be in full effect on all of these cars. I'll let you know though.

[AMCRambler]

Lamborghini. Definitely. Sooo jealous!