--- title: "Ferrari Declares β€˜The V6 Is Superior to a V12’: The Downshift" date: "2025-11-26" modified: "2025-11-26" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/ferrari-declares-the-v6-is-superior-to-a-v12-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" tags: - "Coupe" - "Ferrari" - "hybrid" - "Supercar" --- # Ferrari Declares β€˜The V6 Is Superior to a V12’: The Downshift ![Photo of Ferrari F80 on track, rear three-quarter view.]() *\Michelin\* Happy Thanksgiving eve and welcome to *[The Downshift]()*, or *TDS* for short. Here at *TDS,* we get you up to speed with the morning's automotive industry headlines, fit with links that you can follow for more information. And, even considering the holiday week, there's still plenty of news to be shared. We hope you have a fun and, most importantly, stress-free turkey day, and we thank you for reading. Here's the bulletin: πŸ† Ferrari livestreamed a curious panel discussion from its Museo Enzo Ferrari on Tuesday about the development of the F80. The chat covers plenty of ground, but a standout moment came [at about the 11:15 mark]() when Matteo Turconi, the F80's project manager, explained the rationale behind choosing a turbocharged hybrid V6 powertrain rather than a V12. Turconi said that Ferrari ultimately went the former route because of its direct ties to Maranello's endurance racing program. And he summed it up with a declaration that is sure to surprise some enthusiasts: "Without a doubt, today, the V6 is superior to a V12." In fairness, when you've won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times on the trot with that exact setup, I think you're allowed to say that. πŸ‘‹ We hope the BMW Z4 isn't gone for good, but for now, it will bid farewell with a "Final Edition" spec, [BMW announced Tuesday](). Here in the States, it will apparently be limited to the $78,675 M40i model, per *[BMW Blog]()*. β›½ Speaking of BMW, the automaker is considering making gas range-extender versions of its largest EVs, including the iX5 and i7, *[Bloomberg]()* has reported, in a bid to appeal to Chinese consumers, who apparently favor the technology. πŸ’² General Motors will pump more than half a billion dollars into factories in Michigan and Ohio for 2027 production, according to the *[Detroit Free Press]()*. The Romulus Propulsion Systems investment will go toward 10-speed transmissions in SUVs and trucks, while the boost for Cleveland's Parma Metal Center will, naturally, concentrate on sheet metal stampings and assemblies. 🍁 Canada's Industry Minister Melanie Joly told *[Automotive News]()* on Tuesday that the government is "continuing discussions with GM about a new vehicle mandate" for the Ontario plant where production of BrightDrop electric commercial vans has been idled. The Industry Minister previously said she expected a "full update within 15 days" of the October 21 production shutdown, and that timeframe has long since elapsed. 🀑 Stellantis has [rebuked]() the influencers who got into a pre-production Jeep Recon at the LA Auto Show and systematically began breaking things inside while snarkily complaining about the vehicle's build quality. 🏎️ Soon-to-be IndyCar driver Mick Schumacher said that he was "in contention" to drive for the Cadillac F1 team before it chose to go with veterans Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, *[Motorsport.com]()* has reported. *Have feedback on the formatting of TDS? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com*[]()[]()[]() ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()