No, you read that right. A gated shifter. On a mobile phone. Not only that, but the box holding the high-priced handset even includes a valve from a Ferrari Formula One car. This is certainly the phone for the Ferrari fan with the problem spending money on the overpriced, outdated electronics.As far as we can tell, at its very basics, the Vertu Ascenti Ferrari 60 is your everyday mobile phone. Despite being made of titanium, covered in Ferrari leather and held together with screws identical to those used by the Italian carmaker, it's still nothing more than a mobile device for calling your mom. Yes, true, at the price Vertu probably wants for this thing, you're calling your mom from one of your two Enzos, but, still, it's a freakin' phone that can't even download songs at Starbucks.
And why the phone has a shifter is a complete mystery.
We can't immediately determine how many thousands of dollars you'll pay for the privilege of owning one of the 60 Ferrari 60 phones available, but you can bet it will be way more than anything available at your local T-Mobile shop. However, owners of the Ferrari 60 phone will enjoy not only a single F1 valve, but also Vertu's service package that checks out the phone for free every six months including replacing the leather.
[Source: Sybarites]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
importjap @ Sep 25th 2007 6:45PM
Unusual. Something Expensive AND Lame from Ferrari.
I'll trade the valve in for an iPhone.
Phillip @ Sep 25th 2007 6:55PM
And I thought Mustang fans were silly to fall for stupid things (the 5K red stripe package for the GT500)...
robz4 @ Sep 25th 2007 7:06PM
Fools and their money...
Flea @ Sep 25th 2007 7:11PM
I understand the limited number of cars they sell asks for extra profit somewhere, but this is just pointless.
Ferrari should stick to cars.
iamhoff @ Sep 25th 2007 7:27PM
All Vertu is, is the high-end division of Nokia. Same basic machinery with some higher-end materials (stronger jeweled movements for the keypad, better scratch-resistant screen, yadda yadda yadda). Nice looking, but who the hell cares?
Blair @ Sep 25th 2007 7:32PM
Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a used F1 engine for the valve?
Tai @ Sep 25th 2007 7:33PM
sign me up for two!!! j/k
sw @ Sep 25th 2007 8:25PM
Are rich people really that keen on wanting to throw away their money? I've got some air molecules that I've exhaled that may or may not have come in contact with a ferrari, I'll bottle and sell this air for $5000 a jar.
paul34 @ Sep 25th 2007 8:31PM
Ironic, considering there are few people who bother getting Ferraris with a true third pedal anymore. Nowadays its all about the fancy computer-controlled clutch paddle-shifter bore machine.
Kenny @ Sep 27th 2007 2:52PM
paul34, Are you calling the Ferraris Formula 1 car a "fancy computer-controlled clutch paddle-shifter bore machine"
Eric @ Sep 25th 2007 9:59PM
The whole appeal of products like this is that it sends the message: "This is how rich I am. I have so much money that I can throw it away on useless crap just to show people that I can"
I have the same theory about stupid 30 inch spinning rims on a truck. The more money you can spend on something that serves no practical purpose, the cooler you are.
John Graham @ Sep 25th 2007 10:09PM
Looks like something designed by Chrysler.
Talis @ Sep 25th 2007 11:18PM
Never mind the fact that the author of this post over simplified. There is NOT a gated shifter on the back as that would also include the actual shift handle and gears. There IS, however; a shift gate plaque that adds to the uniqueness of such a phone.
Besides, I am sure that the people who do enc up buying one are NOT interested in downloading in Starbucks. This is what is called core consumerism, where a product is made of a type of consumer who wants something specific.
Justin @ Sep 26th 2007 12:38PM
Money will always buy tackiness.