LaFerrari: New supercar introduced today

[Ace-Garageguy]

I think the point is that there are NO "pointless" creases. It's all aero...

bestest,

M.

Not necessarily. That appears to be a natural, slightly high-pressure area just in front of the fender bulge, where flow would tend to be attached and close to 'laminar'. In that case the crease does nothing but make a tiny, turbulent drag spot. If, on the other hand, it's a lower-pressure area and the flow is beginning to separate there, the crease could act as a tiny spoiler, and trick the airflow into staying attached farther back. Without seeing CFD data on the car, it's impossible to say.

It is, however, incorrect to assume that every line and crease on a recently-designed production-car, even an exotic, is for "aero" efficiency. That's just not the case.

A little reading on "tripping the boundary layer":

http://www.physicsforums.com/archive/index.php/t-257723.html

Edited March 6, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy

[Matt Bacon]

Read the press release... It's CFD'd and wind tunnel tested to the same degree as the F1 cars, (and those guys worry about the effect of tar splatter and the placement of sponsor decals on airflow), and the designers worked completely hand in hand with the aero engineers to fine tune the shape. At worst, I imagine every aesthetic line has zero negative impact on drag, downforce, cooling airflow etc. Can you imagine the conversation...? "You want to add 0.3 seconds to our Fiorano lap time because you want a crease in the fender?" When I did the fluid mechanics courses during my engineering degree, I was still writing Fortran IV, and the Silicon Graphics workstations had to be booked out in 10 minute slots. I imagine things have moved on since then, and there's NO excuse for not knowing EXACTLY what your neat-looking curve on the drawing board will do to the fuel consumption or on-limit road-holding...

Bestest,

M.

[Matt Bacon]

Did you guys have "Top Trumps" in the US? Card game where you had a deck of 40 or so cards in a category (eg Star Wars, Military Aircraft, Top Gear Supercars...) and you had to pick one of six characteristics (eg Maximum Speed, or Payload) and if your friend's card was lower or slower or had less Magical Power, you took it and had the next go?

The supercar guys are either selling to brand loyalists... in which case "fastest ever round Fiorano" matters, or they're in a game of Top Trumps with million dollar stakes... Just LOOK at the press releases for the LaFerrari, McLaren P1 and Lambo Veneno. They've got that old Veyron dinosaur in their sights and they're hunting him down.

Neutral drivers at the 'Ring... It's the only solution...

Bestest,

M.

[CJ1971]

Anyone seen/heard the U-Tube video Ferrari has recently posted, concerning La Ferrari? Man the noise it make's.... I think this baby's a Veyron killer.... ;-)

Cliffo

[Bennyg]

I can't believe it! I don't like it! Maybe it will grow on me. I loved the 458 italia and enzo instantly though. Ben

[khier]

Finally a Ferrari with some testerone, sepite the name.

[Ghostmech]

You guys who picking this thing apart are crazy! That is absolutely beautiful! I have always loved the Enzo,but this is a whole new level of beauty and design. LaFerrari is my NEW favorite car!

I guess I better be careful ...don't want my Z06 to know I'm in love with someone else....she may get jealous and leave me on the side of the road ;-)

[Dr. Cranky]

Just proves Ferrari hasn't lost it's design touch. They are still making gorgeous cars which is more than I can say about the rest of them. I think Mercedes lost its way a long time ago and so has Jaguar.

[JM485]

That is an incredible looking car. I honestly think they nailed the look and horsepower is of the charts!

[lanesteele240]

All that beauty and they named it LaFerrari. Woe, why not name it after enzo's wife. Unless her name is...... Erm...... La!!!!!!!!!

[martinfan5]

You guys know what "LA" stands for in Italian? The, so this car is called ,The Ferrari , Ferrari's The Ferrari

[lanesteele240]

Here in the USA. La is some frenchy sounding term that makes the car seam like it should have 53 hp two cylender engine with 3 wheels and one door.

Sorry but that is what i think of when i here laferrari.

How about magnus ferrari or grand ferrari or godzilla ferrari. Or theferrari. But not laferrari

[Jeremy Jon]

It seems a bit peculiar to us, but it makes more sense in the native Italian tongue, it's expressed as an exclamatory remark in Italian, more than simply "the", it really means more like "The Best" or "The Most" or "The Pinnacle of", etc.

That being said, it remains a bit awkward for us to use, something they might not have fully realized in the name selection process

I like the car, it's got great style, and loads of high technology has gone into it

If you're a styling/design geek like me, here's a thread on Ferrari community forum, which has tons of info and images about it's design and styling evolution

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/288gto-f40-f50-enzo-laferrari/400737-who-designed-laferrari.html

Edited July 14, 2013 by Jeremy Jon

[zenrat]

Look, it's got separate front fenders and running boards.

Back to the forties...

[lanesteele240]

The name wont stop me from getting my 1:1. Im on the waiting list. Im may have to settle for the 1:24 till it is delivered.