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Ferrari's future is not in extreme performance and top speeds, vice-general manager Amedeo Felisa has revealed to Autocar.

“People are changing their minds about Ferraris,” said Felisa, on hand at the Geneva motor show to show off his firm's track-day special, the 599XX. “We need to go in the direction of customer needs and utilisation of our cars.”

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Has the law of diminishing returns reached the point in the development of road-going sports cars that a performance car maker can maintain brand credibility whilst admitting that they are not pursuing performance?

This is quite a brave admission that it is making less sense to keep pursuing outright performance in road car development. Whilst recognising the practical and environmental concerns of the vehicles themselves, I wonder how this affects the brand.

To put it bluntly: what happens to the bragging rights when it comes to performance figures?

Can the brand keep that winning image if it admits that it is no longer trying to be the fastest?

Autocar:

Ferrari's future is not in extreme performance and top speeds,
“People are changing their minds about Ferraris,” said Felisa,

Ferrari bring out extreme versions of their cars and are able to sell them.   Examples are off course the Enzo, but also the F430 Scuderia.

So I'm confused as to where Felisa is going with this.   Are they going to do more like the 612 which failed to live up to expectations and seems to be quietly pushed under the carpet?

Having talked to Ferrari owners they appreciate the more racy varients.   One said to me that the 360 wasn't nearly as good as the 430, which he has now.   At the time we were on a flight to Italy and Ferrari were entertaining him at the Italian GP.

Just as long as they're every bit as enjoyable and rewarding to drive, but without any drama, and I think Ferrari will be fine!   But at no point should they bow to the green lobby and do an eco-Ferrari.