458 spider to get folding hard top?
Looks like patents have been filed for a new mechanism This will surely kill sales of the berlinetta once launched?
www.autoblog.nl/archive/2009/10/05/ferrari-patent-voor-een-targa#post-31648
Looks like patents have been filed for a new mechanism This will surely kill sales of the berlinetta once launched?
www.autoblog.nl/archive/2009/10/05/ferrari-patent-voor-een-targa#post-31648
Ferrari claim the aluminium folding top on the California weighs less that the fabric top on the 430 spider Nick so the folding top in these diagrams should weigh considerably less than the California's as the panels are smaller as is the rear screen.
Perhaps this is the future for all convertible top cars. The spy pictures of the next generation 911Cab seem most c/w a folding metal top concealed under a cloth disguise.
Carpe Diem--life is but a crack of light bounded by eternities of darkness (Nabokov)
DaveC:
Perhaps this is the future for all convertible top cars. The spy pictures of the next generation 911Cab seem most c/w a folding metal top concealed under a cloth disguise.
i sure hope not, a folding metal roof will never look as good and classy as a cloth roof, not to mention the issues of weight and space.
DaveC:
Perhaps this is the future for all convertible top cars. The spy pictures of the next generation 911Cab seem most c/w a folding metal top concealed under a cloth disguise.
Could be. I'd be surprised to see a 911 Cab w/ folding metal top. Not unless they ax the rear seats. There's just too much stuff competing for the same space. The space the 911 rag top needs is pretty remarkable, it's tiny.
Interesting find! 458 Spider w/ a decent amount of options/CF, etc is going to be up there $ wise.
--
08 PORSCHE Turbo Cabriolet, 06 Ferrari F430, 04 Durango HEMI, 04 Harley Davidson Screamin Eagle, 93 Harley Davidson Nostalgia
Normally I would agree that a folding metal top would be impractical for the 911. However, several of the spy phots/reports have stated that the next generation of 911 will have a longer wheelbase. If true that would translate to more space for seating in the coupe, and increased stowage space for a folding metal top in the Cab.
Carpe Diem--life is but a crack of light bounded by eternities of darkness (Nabokov)
Oct 9, 2009 2:59:46 AM
The spy photos I have seen (and have been posted on Rennteam) for the upcoming Porsche 991indeed appear to show what would likes a folding hard top. It would appear that Ferrari is not alone in moving in that direction....
2009 Porsche Turbo Cab - Cargraphic exhaust, HRE P40's charcoal
shin:
Didn't a Ferrari official confirm that the 458 Italia Spider will have a soft-top, to differ it from the California?
I wonder which one is true..
I don't think they said something officially. LDM assured, that there will be a Spider, but he said nothing about the material of the roof.
The secret of life is to admire without desiring.
Oct 13, 2009 11:25:33 PM
why don't they do it properly and sve more weight by offering the convertible with NOTHING TO FOLD UP! Ferrari's will only be driven in the sunny weekends anyways.....
indeed shifting is ancient technology - so is a fuel burning engine.. I happen to like both :)
_____________________________________________________________________
1986 BMW 325e 5spd 2.7L 121 hp (172 lb·ft) Le Mans Blau on Tan leather.
1986 BMW 325is 5spd 2.5L 168 hp (164 lb-ft) White on Tan leather (parted out)
2005 Ford Focus S, 5spd 2.0L 136 hp (120lb-ft) CD silver on grey (sold)
1986 Porsche 944, 5spd 2.5L 150 hp (168lb-ft) champagne gold on grown leather. (sold)
Oct 14, 2009 9:16:35 AM
Atzporsche:
why don't they do it properly and sve more weight by offering the convertible with NOTHING TO FOLD UP! Ferrari's will only be driven in the sunny weekends anyways.....
The weather is unpredicatable in many countries so a roof is essential.
I drove my spider through some torrential rain on a road trip through France and Switzerland. I've also been caught out when taking trips in it at home.
Oct 14, 2009 5:21:48 PM
Atzporsche:
why don't they do it properly and sve more weight by offering the convertible with NOTHING TO FOLD UP! Ferrari's will only be driven in the sunny weekends anyways.....
That could be interesting but its not that functional, maybe nothing at all would be way too much. i still think a cloth roof would be better.
ISUK:
Atzporsche:
why don't they do it properly and sve more weight by offering the convertible with NOTHING TO FOLD UP! Ferrari's will only be driven in the sunny weekends anyways.....
The weather is unpredicatable in many countries so a roof is essential.
I drove my spider through some torrential rain on a road trip through France and Switzerland. I've also been caught out when taking trips in it at home.
Ian,
Your Scud in the avatar looks AWESOME.
Cheers
Would like to see more pictures of her.
ONUR
09 Audi TTS Ibis
07 997 Carrera S / 05 M3 Coupe / 03 M3 Coupe / 96 M3 Coupe EVO (ALL BUT HISTORY)
Oct 18, 2009 6:03:01 AM
Shawminator:
The spy photos I have seen (and have been posted on Rennteam) for the upcoming Porsche 991indeed appear to show what would likes a folding hard top. It would appear that Ferrari is not alone in moving in that direction....
Hi Shawminator, may you forward me the link or post a pic of the 991 cab spy pic? I've been wondering about what's coming down the pipeline for convertible Porsches.
pride355:
Ian,
Your Scud in the avatar looks AWESOME.
Cheers
Would like to see more pictures of her.
Thanks. I've not got many pics to be honest but here are a few taken at various Italian car days this year along with a link to a video someone took of me leaving an event. The effect is somewhat spoilt by my friend who followed me out in his 993 with that old air cooled sewing machine motor rattling away in the rear
Iain,
Thank you for the pictures; AWESOME car
Enjoy it in good health
I have read in Audi forum that you sold your R8. I hope it was a good ownership for the short period of time.
ONUR
09 Audi TTS Ibis
07 997 Carrera S / 05 M3 Coupe / 03 M3 Coupe / 96 M3 Coupe EVO (ALL BUT HISTORY)
The Audi was great fun but the time was right to move it on without it having cost me a lot in depreciation.
I've got quite a few toys lined up to replace it starting with a GranTurismo S which is due to be delivered next week, a California a few weeks later then an AMG SLS, 458 Italia and 997 GT3 next year
ISUK:
The Audi was great fun but the time was right to move it on without it having cost me a lot in depreciation.
I've got quite a few toys lined up to replace it starting with a GranTurismo S which is due to be delivered next week, a California a few weeks later then an AMG SLS, 458 Italia and 997 GT3 next year
Great cars Iain Wish you good time to enjoy them.
I just don't understand why you go for the GranTurismo S if you have California (a convertable), 458 italia (best of the best), 997 GT3 (ultimate track weapon), AMG SLS (instant classic, a GT car). And there is also Scuderia.
Will you have time or will you spare time for Maserati
--
ONUR
09 Audi TTS Ibis
07 997 Carrera S / 05 M3 Coupe / 03 M3 Coupe / 96 M3 Coupe EVO (ALL BUT HISTORY)
The GranTurismo will be my daily driver whilst the California will be used as my weekend convertible replacing my 430 spider. I hadn't planned on getting another GranTurismo but found myself missing my old one and my dealer put an offer on the table for a brand new S that was very hard to ignore
The Scuderia will make way for the 458 next summer at some point. Depending upon the build slot I get the GT3 will most likely replace the GranTurismo this time next year. I think the SLS may be a keeper somehow.
My current plan is to replace the California in 2011 with a 458 spider and to try and get a Maclaren MP4-12C to replace the 458 berlinetta. By the time I've had some fun with the MacLaren the 458 Scuderia variant may be on the horizon. Got to plan ahead you know Whilst I juggle cars around in an effort to minimise depreciation and experience a bit of variety MikeS would sensibly just call the builders in to get more garage space to grow the collection
ISUK:
The GranTurismo will be my daily driver whilst the California will be used as my weekend convertible replacing my 430 spider. I hadn't planned on getting another GranTurismo but found myself missing my old one and my dealer put an offer on the table for a brand new S that was very hard to ignore
The Scuderia will make way for the 458 next summer at some point. Depending upon the build slot I get the GT3 will most likely replace the GranTurismo this time next year. I think the SLS may be a keeper somehow.
My current plan is to replace the California in 2011 with a 458 spider and to try and get a Maclaren MP4-12C to replace the 458 berlinetta. By the time I've had some fun with the MacLaren the 458 Scuderia variant may be on the horizon. Got to plan ahead you know Whilst I juggle cars around in an effort to minimise depreciation and experience a bit of variety MikeS would sensibly just call the builders in to get more garage space to grow the collection
Iain,
Nice plan.
Personally, my choice is 997.2 Turbo PDK Coupe and 458 Italia. I am not interested in 458 spider since IMHO spider versions of mid engine sportscar do not look right. Even R8 Spyder is well, not as good design as R8 Coupe, at least IMO.
I am somehow interested in some "lesser" cars like Golf R/Scirocco R, RS5 or something similar as daily driver.
KresoF1:
Personally, my choice is 997.2 Turbo PDK Coupe and 458 Italia. I am not interested in 458 spider since IMHO spider versions of mid engine sportscar do not look right. Even R8 Spyder is well, not as good design as R8 Coupe, at least IMO.
I am somehow interested in some "lesser" cars like Golf R/Scirocco R, RS5 or something similar as daily driver.
Hi Kreso,
I thought you are going to deliver your R8 V10 in december. 997.2 Turbo + 458 italia is the ultimate combo, IMO.
I couldn't buy R8 V8 since I couldn't sell my TTS, but still working on it
ONUR
09 Audi TTS Ibis
07 997 Carrera S / 05 M3 Coupe / 03 M3 Coupe / 96 M3 Coupe EVO (ALL BUT HISTORY)
Well, maybe 997.2 Turbo PDK coupe + Scuderia or even Scuderia 16M is a better and the ultimate combo since Turbo is the best all around car and Scuderia is the most raw, exciting and sporty option on the market.
--
ONUR
09 Audi TTS Ibis
07 997 Carrera S / 05 M3 Coupe / 03 M3 Coupe / 96 M3 Coupe EVO (ALL BUT HISTORY)
I liked my 997.1 turbo and thought it would make an ideal compromise car if it was used as a daily driver and a toy. I found it too clinical after a while though and found I was driving other cars in preference to it. It just never connected on an emotional level because it was perhaps a little too competent if that makes sense? You really need to be be doing incredible speeds in the turbo for it to really come alive.
I'm keen to try a 997.2 version though to see if things have changed.
I'd agree with you Kreso that the spider variants can look less pretty than their coupe siblings but I've found that I tend to drive the spiders more as you really can't beat the enjoyment of open top driving on a sunny day with a raucous V8 or V10 wailing memorably out back