So here is a quick update on my new motoring adventure. Kept this in the Aero forum so the folks that asked for it saw it, but if mods want to move this over to the non Morgan section I will...
For now the fleet reshuffle is complete. V8 derv RRS became an l322 v8SC petrol the Aeromax went and was replaced by a Grigo Titano Ferrari FF. The 911 survives for now though am seriously considering going fully electric for the daily runabout...
The FF is somewhat intimidating on first appearances. It's big, long and wide. Those sculpted surfaces wrap around the car in a very functional if not always beautiful way and to some extent disguise the fact that its very much the footprint of a luxury saloon at 5m long.
The interior is special, very little plastic is visible except on certain switchgear where it makes sense. The surfaces are resolutely leather or Carbon Fibre. My car has carbon everything pretty much as you can see from the pictures, and I think this is much better looking than the matt aluminium look composite alternative. Its probably no lighter though! It still feels produced rather than crafted in comparison to the Aeromax, but in the context of cars made in the thousands per year (almost) it feels rather different.
Start it up and the engine cannot resist a theatrical bark, 12 cylinders howling to remind you where you spent your money! Once out the way the engine settles into a purposeful but unobtrusive gurgle. The rd bit at the front is the front gearbox btw...
Flick the right paddle and you are into first, and with 'comfort' selected on the Marinetto switch on the steering wheel the car is in the mode its going to get driven in much of the time, dsg 7 speed box behaving for all intents and purposes as a normal auto slushbox and the dampers in a compliant mode to soothe away the broken Tarmac of our increasingly crumbling road network. 4wD is engaged from the off and only switches out at 130mph at which point the clever front gearbox runs out of gear ratios. I won't describe how it works but there is good info in the proper reviews for those who are of the geeky persuasion. The 4WD is imperceptible in its interaction initially and only makes itself felt when pushing on in tight bends where you can feel the nose tightening the line and pulling you round. It won't under steer in my hands at all! I'll find out at some point how it copes on mud and snow I promise - and report back...
Crawling away the car feels taught but not uncomfortable and glides over speed bumps with less drama than my old Range Rover Sport. Out on the road the digital dash allows you to keep a good check on your speed which is handy - the car is more than capable of fooling you into thinking you are going slower than you actually are.
Visibility for this class of car is outstanding, and once on the move it doesn't feel its size in the way my old 7 series definitely did!
And when you put your foot down, your brain just scrambles. This thing is faster than anything I've been in before bar the noble m600, and on anything other than dry Tarmac it would probably spank the noble off the line..
0-60 in under 3.5 seconds makes this a fast car in anyone's book. My Aeromax probably dipped below 5 occasionally but I doubt it did so on anything but a perfectly perfect day and with the right balance of right foot to prevent wheel spin. Traction needed to be balanced to launch the Aeromax and it wasn't something I did to the car because it felt rather ungentlemanly if you did. The FF loves a boot off the line, even having launch control to make sure you don't fluff up the party trick in front of your friends. The main concern is not accelerating beyond a few seconds to avoid reaching instant ban territory...
The real wonder though isn't the 0-60 or even more insane 0-100 (7.5 seconds) but the in gear thump available in 3rd or 4th leaves everything pretty much for dead.
All the above ballistics can be safely achieved while your children sleep blissfully in their chairs in the back. Seriously. Both kids fit (one front facing one rear facing) with little compromise required by the front seat passengers. Talking of which this is still a luxury GT, not a Stradale / Scudaria / GTO. The chairs are fully adjustable (I went for Daytona seats as a must have part of my spec).
The noise. Most of you who know me are aware that I have bought most of my cars for the noise they make rather than their ultimate driving capability. This car keeps that side if me absurdly happy. The low guttural rumble of planting a foot whilst rolling quietly along in 7th becomes a roar a yowl a wail and finally on crescendo as the LEDs light up on the steering wheel a scream not unlike the F1 cars of my youth. Its somewhat addictive, I am still searching for more tunnels....
Roll on the weekend so I can drive it some more.
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