$842.000 Ferrari Develops Burning Desire – Slow Speed Cause Of Combustion?

by Bertel Schmitt

Published: February 20th, 2012

842 000 ferrari develops burning desire slow speed cause of combustion

Chinese authorities are so sensitive about self immolation that live events are sent with a time delay – if someone sets himself on fire, there is always time to cut to commercial. No such sensitivities if a Ferrari FF decides to end its life in flames.

Last Saturday, a new Ferrari FF cruised down Shanghai World Expo Avenue in Shanghai when flames suddenly appeared under the car. The driver got out unhurt, but after the Shanghai PD had arrived and doused the flames, the car was a $842.000 writeoff. That’s how much a Ferrari FF costs in China after customs and taxes.

The incident promptly fanned the flames on the Internet, as documented by Carnewschina. Chinese commentators remind us that Ferrari had to recall its 458 Italia because of tendencies towards flaming. This, however, was the first case of spontaneous combustion involving a Ferrari FF. As the speculation on the Chinese interwebs goes, if you drive an FF for a long time at slow speed, materials in the car can overheat and catch fire. Ferrari says the investigation is ongoing.

Until the true cause of the fire has been determined, we recommend to drive a Ferrari FF very, very fast.

Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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2 of 21 comments

Hogie roll on Feb 20, 2012

$842.00? Checks bank account... I'll take 3!

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Mcs on Feb 20, 2012

Maybe they're just trying to "one-up" the guys that like to string up Christmas lights on the undercarriage of their cars.

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