[MEDIA]
"THE one every should be looking at is the F12 Berlinetta". This statement is self evident and unimpeachable. In a world of supercar introductions per month it stands as the one to remember.
The car that when it was introduces was ridiculed on this forum for the "uterus-like" rear-end and is still the car that cannot put its power down efficiently. Chris Harris... yeah...
Chris Harris is one of the world's most recognized motor journalists and apart from being an authority on cars he can drive them faster and better than the majority of his colleagues. When he was banned by Ferrari because of an article he wrote, then he demonstrated that he isn't the footman of any car brand no matter how iconic or powerful that brand is. When in 2013 Chris Harris tested the F12 in a race track and destroyed four sets of new tires, he spared no adjectives to the Berlinetta; “traction astonishing”, “the fastest road car I’ve driven”, “insanely fast but accurate”, “the fastest street car I’ve driven in a straight line”, “this is I think the greatest technical achievement of a big sporty GT car driven”,” I wouldn’t even look at an Aventador”,” the power is utterly addictive, I’ve never driven anything like it” “I think it’s a fantastic car”, “the car is so dam fast, I have to own one”, “it’s the best car of it’s type that I’ve ever driven” Chris Harris is a respected personality in the world of motor journalism and he showed courage while expressing publicly in a video what are his car preferences. He knew that he would be immediately exposed to criticism. His choice of the F12 Berlinetta as being his favorite Ferrari GT his entirely personal but consistent with everything he said about the car back in 2013.
Just got back from the rock store in Malibu, there were a bunch of Lambos...Performates, Aventador SVJ, Evo and a Pista, Viper ACR, but the car that really stood out was a two tone F12 body in a deep flat orange with a black top. I have been narrowing it down to a 675LT but the F12 may be the winner when the time is right.
Chris Harris is a very respectable journalist and it is so wrong to ban a journalist for expressing his views, if anything, 'Ferrari' looks worse than 'a dictatorship'. Ferrari has done the same thing with Philipp Plein (a German fashion designer) for a very silly reason, he put his green shoes on his green 812 Superfast!!. I have no idea what Ferrari was thinking, I think Ferrari needs to focus only on their car business (the design, the engineering and a few other things) instead of that. Because all people have the right to express their opinion without fear.
While I understand where CH is coming from, I think his comparison/expectations of this new v8 GT car, in respect of his love for a previous generation flagship v12 GT are a little apples and oranges. Further, the buyer that wants a new Ferrari won't necessarily look at what past masters could be had for similar money used, since warranty, spec choice etc... have already been prioritised in the buyers mind. As for the silhouette comments, just add an AMG GT to the mix. Front and particularly the rear of the Roma are very pleasing from every angle, something that could not be said for the others IMO. I take nothing away from the F12, which is a stunning vehicle, but I think Ferrari should be praised for bringing the Roma to this segment.
Chris Harris is like a Jeremy Clarkson without the intelligence and the fun. You’re only left with the controversies and the noise
Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion. However saying that a new model is less desirable than a 5 year old coupe which was 50% more expensive when new is hardly a fair comparison. This applies to most production cars that are used, once they are superseded by a new model. How about a first gen 991 GT3RS then? It is a huge discount on a second gen car. Does that mean no one should buy the new model? Never heard Chris say that on TV. Is a first gen 991 GT3 RS worth more than 50% the price of a Speedster? Of course it is. However one is a new model and one is a used car Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat
During Chris Harris interview about the Roma one felt from the beginning that the Aston Martin syndrome was there. From the moment Chris Harris stated that the new Ferrari Roma is identical in design to the older Aston Martin Vantage, the stage was set for controversy. Chris Harris appears to be someone not afraid of expressing what he thinks and to me was clear that the Roma isn't and will never be his type of Ferrari.
And that's OK. But I would be curious to learn Mr. Harris' opinion on should one form a complete opinion of a car one has not yet driven?
Driving a car is the only way of having a valid (and subjective) opinion on how it goes. Regardless, he may have an opinion on the car's pertinency to be launched, it's position and blending with the other cars in the Ferrari's catalogue, or any other product-related matter not involving the driving experience. So, I think he could have it in terms of discussing the brand's direction and catalogue.
Agreed, but in this realm, his opinion is about the same as any of ours. The last time I checked, he's not a member of the Ferrari board. I should also add, of course its implied he can change his opinion after he drives it, maybe its best to wait and see- even the driving experience can alter ones thoughts about how it fits into the lineup.
Opinions on how a car performs are important, particularly considering how many different cars these folks drive. They are much better suited to provide feedback on one versus another, how they compare, how they differ, etc. Their opinion on styling or where/how the car fits an individuals needs are no more valid than my own. Less, really. So I will be curious to see if his position changes once he drives it. At the end of the day, the car serves a specific purpose ... not intended to be a pure sports car and certainly doesn’t compare to a V12. And this whole Aston comparison is just silly ... not sure how looking like an Aston is a bad thing ... both beautiful and very distinct to my eye. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I know, Chris Harris loves the F12. I drove this car too and was disappointed without end. And at the end of the day my opinion is more important to me than Chris Harris's. Ha! To compare the Roma (IMO) with a F12 is nonsense. We are talking about a new car vs. one that can only be bought as a used car. Do I want to buy a used and often maltreated F12 where I have to make compromises because my desired specification is never available? Certainly not when I have such an attractive alternative with the Roma. And I can easily do without the relatively low-torque V12 compared to the monster TT... And if I compare new with new I have to compare the Roma with the 812SF. And here we are talking about two completely different price segments, a comparison makes no sense for this reason alone. And an cheaper 812SF with the V8 TT would unnecessarily diminish the brilliance and uniqueness of the Ferrari flagship. With the Roma, Ferrari will hit a market segment which is extremely exciting and high in revenue and this segment is mostly about cars for the everyday use. And that Ferrari will have success with the Roma in this segment is what the first pictures tell me. What about the expected driving dynamics? The Portofino is already very sporty and agile as a convertible, the GTC4Lusso T is more agile than the V12. I think the expectations can be rightfully high.
I enjoy chris’ reviews on driving dynamics (up to a point, as the extremes simply don’t apply to me). His comments on styling are as irrelevant as anyone else’s as I either like the aesthetics or I don’t, regardless of others’ opinions. I look forward to his driving review for fun (although no matter his opinions it would not change whether I would purchase a car). It amazes me when someone derides a car they have never driven because someone else had negative comments about it. It works for your purpose or it doesn’t...
That was the point. I’m not after lap times. I enjoy his reviews. To me the biggest aspect is my enjoyment, not his technical expertise, because while one car may be faster, another may fit my needs better or be more forgiving to drive and more fun for a non-expert. So whether you meant others are superior for your enjoyment or others are technically better drivers so you enjoy them more, that’s the same for you.