[Boxer]

Picked up the FF today to begin our weekend together. This is one Ferrari that definitely looks much better in the "metal" than the initial press photos and silver suits the lines quite nicely. First impressions from the command seat were very positive. Surveying the world from the drivers seat is more of a "Master of Industry: type feeling than a 458 "Ready for LeMans" impression. Everything is well laid out with all the key controls within easy reach. Weighting on both the paddles "pull" and steering is very good. The front bonnet reminds me a bit of the Daytona where you sit sell back in the chassis, much closer to the rear wheels than the front. In fact a lot about the FF is what I would imagine you would have if you created a modern 4 wd 2+2 Daytona. Once the started button was punched, the engine spins immediately up, and after a few minutes to let it all warm up, off we went. Like any new car, the first 20 minutes on the road were an exercise in getting to know each other. Initial the FF is a big car that feels like a big car. Once you begin getting used to the way it moves, it all starts to shrink around you. The engine is outstanding, put your foot down, tug the paddle, and it responses with vigor. Lots and lots of grunt, and it moves the car forward very smartly and effortlessly. Brakes are as impressive as the engine and inspire great confidence. After 30 minutes in the drivers seat, I am sure this is a Ferrari you could drive everyday, everywhere, in all conditions.

Very much looking forward to getting out for a long drive tomorrow.

[tazandjan]

Boxer- She looks very pretty. Looking forward to hearing about your longer drive where you can let her out a bit.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Very much looking forward to getting out for a long drive tomorrow.

Be interested in your thoughts after that drive. Still can't convince myself to like it though. Though the only one I've seen in the flesh was heavily disguised in Maranello.

[bretm]

I'm definitely looking forward to your full thoughts as well. I know I'm in the minority, but I still think the FF is great looking. I love that hot-hatch / bread van styling on almost any car. It's really one of my favorites since the 550/575.

[champagne612]

I have no doubt it's spectacular to drive.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts - it's pretty darn cool to have Ferrari's latest and greatest waiting for you to wake up.

[134282]

A great writeup, B, thank you. Though I can't say I'm surprised by your description; the 612 is fantastic, and no one expects Ferrari to do anything but improve upon its model successors. Looking forward to the next installment. Is this a dealer loaner that's been given to you to test out, or is this your car?

[iainuk]

Find somewhere to try out the launch control function. It's great fun.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by 134282

A great writeup, B, thank you. Though I can't say I'm surprised by your description; the 612 is fantastic, and no one expects Ferrari to do anything but improve upon its model successors. Looking forward to the next installment. Is this a dealer loaner that's been given to you to test out, or is this your car?

The FF is a loaner from Ferrari.

You are right on the 612, it was a car I had little interest in until a friend at Ferrari insisted I take one out for a drive. I came back really impressed. A car that big should not drive the way it does.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by iainuk

Find somewhere to try out the launch control function. It's great fun.

Will do.

[Boxer]

Much longer drive today. A bit over 100 miles from near London down into Somerset to meet up with a friend at his recording studio. First part of the drive was mostly highway. The FF is very happy to cruise along at highway speeds in 7th for hours on end. It is also easy to have a conversation with your passengers without having to raise your voice. Passing is very easy, a quick pull or two of the left paddle along with a bit of right foot easily dispatches the moving obstruction to the rear view mirror. Below 3000 rpms the engine feels a bit lazy, happy just to cruise along. Push it north of 4000 and the power piles on rapidly with a distict change in the exhaust note. In fact my passenger remarked that I had found the Ferrari inside the FF when we started to push it a bit.

Once off the highway and onto the "B" roads, we started to hussle the FF. The double clutch gearbox is incredibly smooth and quick. Running up and back down the cogs is a real pleasure. On small twisty roads, it changes direction sharply although the only negative I could find was the steering was a bit to light for my tastes. That having been said, it is very fast, sharp, and the turning circle excellent for the size of car. Toss it into a corner and it just carves itself around, simply zero roll. Braking is also flat with the front nose highly resistant to any diving. In fact the only time I noticed any change in attitude was just a fraction of squatting when you give the right pedal a good push at low speeds.

Once you start to push it, the FF really transforms itself. The car very much shrinks around you and asks to be driven, pushed, and challenged. At lower speeds it more feels like you are guiding it and you are much more aware of the girth and weight. it is not a car you want to get out of, and even the back seats are suitable for adult habitation for extended periods. Net net, so far I am very impressed.

[iainuk]

Scott,

Bear in mind to keep holding the downshift paddle back when braking for a corner. The DCT will blip the throttle and downshift to the optimum gear itself. It's a great feature if you arrive at a corner faster than you anticipated (easy to do in the FF ) and are braking harder than normal. It makes for a much more adrenalin infused ride when you realise the car likes to be driven by the scruff of it's neck

I knew you'd be impressed once you got behind the wheel. It really is quite a staggering achievement and goes far harder than a car of this size has any right to. I was very surprised by the almost lack of squat and dive in the car under hard acceleration and braking. It really does inspire a lot of confidence to drive it much more spiritedly than you'd have thought possible before getting behind the wheel.

[tazandjan]

Boxer- Sounds like a fun trip. I like the FF and cannot wait to hear what a souped up version of the engine will be like in the 599 replacement.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by iainuk

Scott,

Bear in mind to keep holding the downshift paddle back when braking for a corner. The DCT will blip the throttle and downshift to the optimum gear itself. It's a great feature if you arrive at a corner faster than you anticipated (easy to do in the FF ) and are braking harder than normal. It makes for a much more adrenalin infused ride when you realise the car likes to be driven by the scruff of it's neck

I knew you'd be impressed once you got behind the wheel. It really is quite a staggering achievement and goes far harder than a car of this size has any right to. I was very surprised by the almost lack of squat and dive in the car under hard acceleration and braking. It really does inspire a lot of confidence to drive it much more spiritedly than you'd have thought possible before getting behind the wheel.

I will definitely try that tomorrow. We have an all cross country route planned for tomorrow.

[ECSofVirginia]

Boxer, I agree that the FF looks fantastic in person versus in the magazines. I've heard a lot of positive things about how it drives.

[JazzyO]

Very interesting reports, very cool to read. Keen on trying the car myself as well, one of these days.


Onno

[JayG]

Best color and angle I have seen of the car on that picture you posted.

[Boxer]

Put well over 100 miles on the FF today. Started off with a bit of urban driving. Visibility all around is excellent. The FF handled stop and go traffic, low speed crawling, and some impressive inclines, with no drama. The auto feature on the gearbox really turns the FF into an easy car to live with in city traffic. The dual clutch gearbox is so smooth you don't notice the changes driving around town. The climate control system is simple to set and effective. Set a tempature, hit auto and the system keeps the interior of the car right on it. The steering wheel mounted turn signals do take a while to get used to but once you do, they are easy to use. Putting them on the steering wheel is quite logical and allows you to keep you hands on the wheel.

Back out into the countryside, we found a long loop of nice driving roads. First part of the triangle was very twisty with lots of elevation changes. Road was open enough with decent visibility to run it all in 3rd and 4th gear. Per Iainuk's comments, you can carry a lot more speed around a corner than what your brain initially tells you. Brakes are better than they probably need to be. Lean on them hard and its like hitting a wall. The second part of the triangle was more straight open road, more traffic, but multiple good overtaking spots. In the FF, you almost go hunting for overtaking opportunities. With the big V12, closing on the car in front is easy. Drop a cog, swing out, give it a bit of right foot, and then pull back left a couple of seconds later. Smile.

Overall, the FF is a beautifully engineered car. Build quality is excellent, the four wheel drive system outstanding and unobtrusive. The V12 is a worth successor to all the great Ferrari V12s of the past. Brakes are the best on any big car I have seen. The chassis is excellent and it simply does not roll or flex. Only minor negative is the steering is a bit to light but it does go right where you point it. As a place to be for a long period of time, the FF ticks all teh boxes. Easy to imagine driving from Paris to Rome in a day in the FF.

[tazandjan]

Boxer- Sounds like a great car, with plenty of room, for a rich man's daily driver. Owners seem to love them. Worthy successor to the OTO.

[StefVan]

Very nice feedback Boxer! This is one of the cars I would one day consider as we have tons of snow here. I'm wondering how efficient the 4 wheel drive is in reality (the videos look nice but I'm not a pilot). I hope one day, I'll have the opportunity to try this car out on a ice track

[masher44]

Such a gorgeous car. Grew up in the northeast so snow is a problem but ice is worse and ground clearance is the worst. The front of the FF would act as a plow in anything over a few inches. But on a snow packed road, I bet it is a hoot.