It is REALLY frightening how much they copied from Lexus. If this was the LF-A, I'd say wow, nice car, but as a Ferrari, it is just horrible (except the side view).
If this were any previous design I would be defending Ferrari/Pininfarina but I can't argue with you on this one. Lexus of all people...
That's a pretty harsh claim!! Yet you worry about gas mileage?? That's not up for you to decide for him.
+1 Let's not forget the target market guys. It is not a racer. With the name "California" and a mechanical roof, did you actually expect this to be the next Enzo? I'm sure opinions will change once we get some pics of MILF's going shopping with this car. The feminine curves are designed to appeal to a specific audience. The rear end could of been better and it is a bit of a mess, but I think they hit this part of the market right on the head.
:| I can understand why Ferrari kept this under wraps and so heavily camoed for so long. Had anyone caught a glimpse of what it would look like earlier, there'd probably a surge of deposit withdrawals.. I just don't get it. Why can't Ferrari release a good looking car, one that would look good straight away and not have to grow on you. Why can't they get a design the likes of the 8C, which is pure genius? My first thought when I saw this was "Toyota". Then someone posted the Lexus SC pic - how spot on style-wise. When the spy pics from the dyno appeared I was actually excited and full of hope - here the rear treatment just looks dreadful (mainly: fat!). The hood scoop looks so unnatural, so forced. Doesn't fit at all, unlike the one found on Maranellos. I just don't understand.. Good thing Ferrari has started backing coachbuilding, because the companies are probably going to have a lot of work soon. Or maybe that was Ferraris intention in the first place - give a platform they can work on. Only reasonable explanation to me, because I really don't understand how this can get anyone more than luke-warm from the start. This thing is so bad I actually don't want it to grow onto me. The 612 was a little disappointment, but I liked the front lights. The 599 didn't grasp me either, but I liked the rear and the C pillars were beautiful straight away. This? Nothing... I liked the black PS someone did earlier - at least you can hardly see anything. Ugh.. F- PS As to the LF-A comparison - please... the Lexus looks so much better. A bold design, yet one with class. This is just some mushy, overcooked pasta.
The taillight intergration is nothing like the SC430...you're beginning to stretch for all of your Lexus comparisons.
love the rear and side profile, dislike the front. Car is a such a mistake o well just another ferrari that celebrities will want to be seen in.
Ferrari has not started backing coachbuilding in general. Problem is, there are more definitions of "backing". Only PF, Giugiaro and Zagato have been 'given' the badge.
From the pictures, I don't think I like it. Looks too much like a cruiser. Maybe a better show in person. Will have to wait to see. Art
So you don't think it will sell at a premium here at key markets like So Cal? Or you just don't like the way it looks? (The all aluminum chassis and folding hard top/direct injection points are from the Ferrari PDF)
Im talking about your comments on William. He is a long time Ferrari owner, driver and racer. As for the F149, i have no doubt it will sell at a premium. I hope Ferrari takes this cash and goes back to its roots of hardcore sportscars.
I concur. Notice how the sides of the 8C are elegant, simple curves. The F149 looks flabby, and the low door handle in line with the side vent is just strange. I don't mind the front, although it's derivative. Reminds me of what Ford did with the reincarnated Thunderbird in some ways. There's a lot of Lexus SC in the back. I wouldn't hold up the 599/612 as high watermarks for Pininfarina. As far as fuel economy and a folding hard top, that's nice, but the Merc SLK is available for one third the price. It's named after one of the best-looking cars ever made, and instead of a real dramatic shape we get some half-hearted character lines and contours on the side of the car to suggest what could have been. What if, instead of the usual boring door top line, there was a real real fender kick-up like on the original California? I need to see it in the metal, but from the photos I think it's a miss. Maybe it's better in person.
Hence my word "started" Maybe (hopefully) they'll open up wider later. Will you be taking up the F149? Can't wait to see what can be done with the chassis by someone like you! Sometimes it's better to keep quiet... look around a bit.
I agree, it will sell for a Premium because its a Ferrari. I do hope they go back to design hardcore sportscars(Testarossa, F40, 512BBi). I must say I have been dissapointed with Ferrari's direction in the last few years. The F430 is my favorite, but thats their entry level Ferrari. I like the 599, but its not a real exotic, same with the 612. I am depressed looking at the F149. What have they done? The back looks to Japanese(Lexus exhausts), the front is not aggressive and overall it just looks like anything else out there.
Not to hijack, but have any of your designs made it to metal yet? I'm looking forward to those pictures.
Maybe the thread should be renamed "What I don't like about the F149 and what I think I might not like about the F149" Guys- this car is not meant to be the top end of the brand! This is the new entry level Ferrari. The F430 and its replacement are moving up a notch in the food chain.
