Ferrari refuses to let Top Gear track-test the LaFerrari against the Porsche 918

[razel]

It all depends on the track. Top Gear's fastest cars on their track are mid-engine and/or smart-wheel drive. Like they and McLaren said, Porsche's car will probably win. Exact words something like... 'favor the Porsche'. I admire McLaren admitting that. It's Fararri that's pu$$ying out, whining and coming up with excuses. Top Gear handled that situation well. Brits are known for their class... bad teeth and hairy armpits.

 

[Railgun]

It's too bad...there was a La Ferrari and a white LFA driving around Hammersmith/West Kensington Sunday afternoon. Had it been a day later, would have mentioned it to them.

 

[exar333]

It all depends on the track. Top Gear's fastest cars on their track are mid-engine and/or smart-wheel drive. Like they and McLaren said, Porsche's car will probably win. Exact words something like... 'favor the Porsche'. I admire McLaren admitting that. It's Fararri that's pu$$ying out, whining and coming up with excuses. Top Gear handled that situation well. Brits are known for their class... bad teeth and hairy armpits.

Totally agree, but I don't get the hesitation from Ferrari McClaren. It's not like they will not sell-out on these models and the TG results will have no effect at all on their products. If anything, refusing not to is more hurtful IMHO.

Ferrari is definitely the 'most wrong' here by not providing a customer OEM car and refusing to allow owners to do so. So silly and petty.

 

[Skurge]

Totally agree, but I don't get the hesitation from Ferrari McClaren. It's not like they will not sell-out on these models and the TG results will have no effect at all on their products. If anything, refusing not to is more hurtful IMHO.

Ferrari is definitely the 'most wrong' here by not providing a customer OEM car and refusing to allow owners to do so. So silly and petty.

All three cars are already sold out though. So it doesn't even matter.

 

[smackababy]

Ferrari has more to lose than Porsche. Same with McLaren. They don't have Boxsters to sell to everyman. Ferrari has to take their brand seriously, because their exclusivity and premier status is what pays the bills.

While TG has moments of serious credibility, in the end it's an entertainment show and they could easily embarrass Ferrari, whether rightful or not, and that would have real world impact on the showroom floor.

I know people who are young (<40) and have the money to buy exotic cars; brand embarrassments like could happen on TG would make a real impact in their buying decisions.

If you really think anybody buying any of these unicorn cars gives a crap that one was half a second faster around one track, you don't understand the people who buy these cars. They are status symbols. They care zero for actual performance. If Ferrari made a super rare, crazy looking car that topped out at 80MPH, but was super exclusive and cost a ton of money, they'd sell out.

 

[Skurge]

If you really think anybody buying any of these unicorn cars gives a crap that one was half a second faster around one track, you don't understand the people who buy these cars. They are status symbols. They care zero for actual performance. If Ferrari made a super rare, crazy looking car that topped out at 80MPH, but was super exclusive and cost a ton of money, they'd sell out.

Not all of them. A lot of the younger buyers take them to the track. You will see a lot of Laferrari at Monza

 

[boomhower]

Ferrari has more to lose than Porsche. Same with McLaren. They don't have Boxsters to sell to everyman. Ferrari has to take their brand seriously, because their exclusivity and premier status is what pays the bills.

While TG has moments of serious credibility, in the end it's an entertainment show and they could easily embarrass Ferrari, whether rightful or not, and that would have real world impact on the showroom floor.

I know people who are young (<40) and have the money to buy exotic cars; brand embarrassments like could happen on TG would make a real impact in their buying decisions.

I just don't see it though. Unless things have changed you can't even hardly buy a Ferrari. When a new 458 replacement comes out you won't be able to get one for years unless you are an established customer. I've heard more than enough stories of people buying undesirable models to get on the list to buy what they actually want. Short of the FF they have way more demand than they build, I can't see losing a TG test changing that.

 

[_Rick_]

All three cars are already sold out though. So it doesn't even matter.

These cars don't have to meet performance signposts for their own sake - they are more than just listeral vehicles for the brands involved.
A P1 has to sell a bunch of 650S.
A 918 has to sell a few GT3s, turbos and Caymans.
LaFerrari has to sell Ferrariworld, 488s and F12s.

By becoming comparable, the halo cars may just lose some of their shine that they currently project onto the other cars of a marque.

 

[MongGrel]

Maybe they are afraid they'll try to stick some wings on the Ferrari and try to launch it into space.

 

[MagickMan]

The 918 is AWD and TG has a very short track, it's stacked a little too much in their favor. Ferrari's fastest time, until now, is the Enzo... how long ago was that, 12 years ago?

 

[jji7skyline]

I just hope Bin Laden's cousin comes through with his three cars

 

[exar333]

The 918 is AWD and TG has a very short track, it's stacked a little too much in their favor. Ferrari's fastest time, until now, is the Enzo... how long ago was that, 12 years ago?

Every track is different....their argument is pretty silly.

 

[MagickMan]

It's just a fact, a short track favors AWD, if they were to suggest running timed laps at Spa or Monza you'd hear a very different story and I'd bet Porsche would be the ones complaining.

 

[Skurge]

It's just a fact, a short track favors AWD, if they were to suggest running timed laps at Spa or Monza you'd hear a very different story and I'd bet Porsche would be the ones complaining.

Except Ferrari won't even do a drag race which they will win, or rather should win.

Porsche never complain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfLqa4vlmFI

 

[smackababy]

It's just a fact, a short track favors AWD, if they were to suggest running timed laps at Spa or Monza you'd hear a very different story and I'd bet Porsche would be the ones complaining.

From what I've heard, I doubt Porsche would complain. They seem to be up to any challenge. McLaren seems to be more in favor of a track equally suited for all involved and have stated as much. Ferrari is in favor of being a bunch of butthurt Italians about pretty much everything though.

 

[MagickMan]

Except Ferrari won't even do a drag race which they will win, or rather should win.

Porsche never complain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfLqa4vlmFI

Huh? That makes no sense at all. Drag races favor AWD, always, for the same reason short tracks favor it too (slowing down to a very low speed then accelerating rapidly will show the advantages of having more traction). Remember all the crap over the Tesla P85D smashing the Hellcat? Geez...

 

[Skurge]

Huh? That makes no sense at all. Drag races favor AWD, always, for the same reason short tracks favor it too (slowing down to a very low speed then accelerating rapidly will show the advantages of having more traction). Remember all the crap over the Tesla P85D smashing the Hellcat? Geez...

maybe quarter mile does, but not to 200mph. The Laferrari is lighter and more powerful the the P1 that won that race. Mclaren was OK with that race cause they knew they would win a 200mph drag race, Porsche still didn't care or complain and handed them a car. Just like when the P1 lost to the 918 on EVO, McLaren came back a week later with stickier tires. Porsche didn't complain or care. Ferrari won't even bother unless everything is on their terms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiyyO7vrdiI

 

[fbrdphreak]

If you really think anybody buying any of these unicorn cars gives a crap that one was half a second faster around one track, you don't understand the people who buy these cars. They are status symbols. They care zero for actual performance. If Ferrari made a super rare, crazy looking car that topped out at 80MPH, but was super exclusive and cost a ton of money, they'd sell out.

How many of the younger ones do you know? I worked with several. Public opinion has a real effect here.

Besides, weigh the pro's vs the con's. What do they get by participating? Not a whole lot. Do they stand to lose more than they gain? Absolutely.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I just don't see it though. Unless things have changed you can't even hardly buy a Ferrari. When a new 458 replacement comes out you won't be able to get one for years unless you are an established customer. I've heard more than enough stories of people buying undesirable models to get on the list to buy what they actually want. Short of the FF they have way more demand than they build, I can't see losing a TG test changing that.

I think you're right; it probably wouldn't make a big real world impact today if Ferrari bombed. But, then what do they have to gain by participating? Ferrari holds the power over TG here.

 

[boomhower]

I think you're right; it probably wouldn't make a big real world impact today if Ferrari bombed. But, then what do they have to gain by participating? Ferrari holds the power over TG here.

Nothing really. They are just viewed as scared to lose which again makes zero impacts on their sales. Barring private owners from allowing their cars to participate in particular irritates me. Dictating what someone can do with their car by leveraging future sales is complete BS.

I'd like to see a comparison on various tracks, three ideally. One picked by each manufacture. That way each gets to cherry pick one they feel favors their car.

While the Porsche is last on my pick of the three they as a company have my respect more than the other two.

 

[MagickMan]

maybe quarter mile does, but not to 200mph.

These cars are getting pretty damned close to 200MPH within a 1/4 mile, FYI.

 

[mikeymikec]

Nobody who buys these cars gives even half a rat's ass what that entertaining buffoon Clarkson thinks.

Based on the available evidence, I'd guess you're wrong about that.

While I would agree with you that it's less likely that someone seriously thinking of buying something like a Ferrari right now is going to watch Top Gear first in order to validate their decision-making, however I think a lot of people aspire to be "rich when they grow up and buy the car they've always dreamed of (or the closest thing to it)", watch Top Gear and therefore scratch Ferrari off that potential list.

Nothing really. They are just viewed as scared to lose which again makes zero impacts on their sales. Barring private owners from allowing their cars to participate in particular irritates me. Dictating what someone can do with their car by leveraging future sales is complete BS.

If I look at that point sympathetically, I can understand them not wanting some random dude's car (possibly in dire need of servicing from a performance perspective) tested, however given the rest of the story it seems pretty obvious that they want to cherry-pick their contender.

 

[MagickMan]

watch Top Gear and therefore scratch Ferrari off that potential list.

Over one incident like this, over cars that are sold out and no one else can buy anyway? I don't see that happening. 99% of the time they're very flattering towards Ferrari. In fact, they all own at least one.

 

[jlee]

These cars are getting pretty damned close to 200MPH within a 1/4 mile, FYI.

Not really. The 2015 Porsche 918 is pulling a 9.8 @ 145mph.

 

[angminas]

I've never understood why people care about other people's cars. If I like my car, I like it. If I don't, I don't. The fuck does it matter what somebody else is driving? I know it's about status and peer pressure and all that, but it just doesn't make sense. People are stupid, and I don't care what they think about my car.