Worried that a ride-over-handling-oriented California, the end of manual transmissions and flirtations with hybrid power have left Ferrari without any kind of brand focus? Don’t be, Maranello spokesfolks tell Autocar. There is at least one line that Ferrari will never cross: building a four-door to compete with Aston-Martin’s Rapide, Porsche’s Panamera or Audi’s A7.
As Enzo [Ferrari, company founder] would say, we will never do four doors. And we will keep this tradition. Frankly speaking no-one is asking for a four-door Ferrari. If you want a four door Ferrari we have a Maserati. We stand 60 years and we never needed four doors. What never means, I don’t know, but one of the strong points of Ferrari is to keep the product in the right way. I’m not saying four doors is not right for the image, but it’s not part of our heritage.
Unless you’re the Sultan of Brunei, anyway.
As most automakers continue watering down their product for mass consumption, it is nice to see Ferrari stand up to the crowd.
Although the 456 Venice Sedan one-offs for the Sultan are quite handsome.
Hmmmmmmm. Stupid me I was under the impression that Spyker bought Saab, not Ferrari. (Sure looks like a Saab wagon got herself knocked up by a Ferrari. Remember kids be careful what you drink on spring break, the children might be ugly.)
The horse, she pulla da carta, no? . . .
The Old Man has left the building. Ferrari is like any company, sales are all that matter. The (original) Superamerica used to be a pillar of excess, yet now it looks quite tame. The game changed when the GM auto-boxed 400 showed up. Then, you understood anything was possible.
I’m far more concerned with the general ugliness of modern Ferraris than how many doors it has.
Wow, a practical Ferrari. That’s a great-looking wagon. Switch the auto-box to a 6-speed manual and I’m sold (dreaming that I have the money to afford it).
needs a diesel engine, though.
Even the Ferrambo only has two doors. Well, three if you count the hatch.
Good grief … when I look at this car, in the front I see mid-90’s Ford Probe, and on the side something akin to Subaru SVX.
Memo to Porsche: that 456 wagon is proof you can make a practical sports car look good. If only you would try.