Ferrari F50 - Driving Impression - Italian Car - Tech Data

During our own short but sweet stint at the wheel (five precious laps, all respectfully cautious), another delight became apparent: The steering has the precision of a surgical instrument and the feel of a direct mechanical connection between driver and road. It would probably seem a tad heavy at suburban speeds, and it loads up as the front pushes wide under power on the way out of tight turns, but otherwise it has you thinking of that go-kart again. At 3.3 turns from lock to lock, you might expect it to be a bit slow, but Benuzzi reckons the metal suspension joints significantly sharpen steering response.

The other controls are a perfect match in precision and weight. The six-speed shifter clacks its way around the traditional open metal gate with satisfying deliberation, although its long movements unduly interrupt progress. (The 641/2 racer introduced Formula One to semi-automatic shifters, operated by the flick of a paddle switch behind the steering wheel, but Ferrari says the system's electronics still aren't reliable enough for road-car production.) The clutch pedal is fairly firm, but unlike a racer's it isn't heavy and doesn't grab. The brake pedal initially demands a stout shove, but then bites with powerful effect. And although the throttle pedal has a long movement and is firmly sprung, it's perfect: With exquisite precision, you can let the power trickle out, or pour it onto the road.

It's the sound and fury of the powerplant that leaves the strongest impression. Although the V-12 shares the racer's 65-degree V-angle, block length, and five-valves-per-cylinder design, all else has been altered. With its displacement enlarged from 3.5 to 4.7 liters through lengthened piston stroke, and with maximum revs dropped from 13,500 to 8500 rpm, the F50 engine retains much of the raw urgency of a racer's, but has none of the belligerence. Response is a bit soft below 2500 rpm, but it pulls strongly from 3500 rpm, and all the way from 4500 to 8500 rpm a brush of the throttle pedal delivers a sharp whack between the shoulder blades.

Being rigidly mounted, the engine transmits a high level of noise and vibration to the cabin. Even at tickover, a gentle tremor murmurs through the chassis, the pedals trembling beneath your feet. At high speed and high revs, the tremor swells to something measurable on the Richter scale, so that the whole vehicle is alive and vibrant, shaking the images in the rearview mirror to a blur. But this, like the need for ear plugs, is an essential part of the experience, and once you've tasted it, you'll crave more.

The McLaren can perch forever proudly on its lofty technical pedestal, but the F50 is half the price and much more fun. If it's excitement you're looking for (and why else buy a sports car?), there's nothing on earth like it.