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.
And that’s why I won’t buy any Italian car! I’d much rather buy a Mclaren which also has the added benefit of interior ergonomics.
That’s why I won’t buy a Ferrari. That and the not having anywhere near enough money thing.
This is the legendary Italian quality we’ve all come to expect, a country that redefined half-assed engineering. And this 800 grand FIAT has more in common with all the crap they’re going to be selling at your local Mopar dealership than anyone will want to admit.
I wouldnt say that italian’s have half-assed engineering. Sure the quality sucks (relative to today’s camcord), everyone knows that, but only the italians can engineer with true passion, which is something that makes a car great.
Cars are complex machines. Stuff can break, no matter who builds the car. How anyone can call a Ferrari FF an “underengineered car” is beyond me.
About a decade ago some Honda started mysteriously catching fires.
The last generation Lexus GS experienced a series of engine fires. About 300 cars were affected by this.
Well, this is the second one. The first one caught fire on a German autobahn in early November last. Slow or fast doesn’t seem to matter.
Over on the Autosport forums, they have pix of the incredibly lousy welding that comes standard on Ferraris. Makes you stop and think.
I’d like to see that. Do you have a link?
http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?showtopic=134798&hl=ferrari%20welding&st=40
Good.
The car is bought for the “Look at me” factor. We ARE looking D-bag.
“Dat car is the Shiznits”.
True, because when the wealthy buy things, they’re never for themselves. They’re just trying to make *you* jealous.
So where is Fox News on this issue? Did Ferrari start putting lithium-ion hybrid powertrains in the FF?
+1. You beat me to it.
People tend to forget that energy is energy, whether stored in liquid fuel or batteries. Anytime you’re storing a lot of energy, you have the chance for a catastrophic release.
So what you’re saying is that if I don’t go on a diet …
No, looks like they just copied the Volt. Fires and all.
Does FF stand for “FireFly”?
So I guess people pointing at your Ferrari while you drive may not neccessarily admiring your car…
That reminds me…
This weekend I was watching season 13, episode 3(I think) of Top Gear, and the guys all picked a car to travel the SE US in.
SLS, GT3RS and a 458 Italia.
They awake one morning and Richard and Jeremy are wearing shirts and drinking from coffee mugs with Italia’s in flames, James was no impressed.
Hilarious season, and great episode. Check it out.
They don’t know what causes the fires?
This looks like a job for Piston Slap!
Not surprising. It IS the Year of the Dragon…
$842.00?
Checks bank account…
I’ll take 3!
Maybe they’re just trying to “one-up” the guys that like to string up Christmas lights on the undercarriage of their cars.