The side curve of the bottom car is elegant. Top one.... not so much. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Like the fungus it evokes. This is a joke, right? April Fools Day falls on 5/13 in Maranello? They painted right over the frigging Styrofoam camouflage. Elements of the BMW Z4 and echos of the goddamned TR/512? One can only wonder what might have been if it had been allowed to be the Maserati Coupe replacement, instead of being hijacked to make the 599 look good.
Most tasteless joke since "George Bush, two term president". It's no wonder that Pininfarina is selling off the family jewels, they are quite clearly bereft of talent and fresh ideas.
I actually like it. I remember the discussions we all had when the 599 was revealed. I couldn't wait to see the first photos and when I did...I just kinda sat there staring with a voice screaming in my head saying "Like it!!! Like it!!! Just make yourself like it!!!" The problem is, I had a hard time liking it - a problem shared by quite a few of us at the time. The fact is that the 599 was different enough to make me uncomfortable, but the more I saw it, the more I liked it...not because I wanted to find something to like about it, but because I truly began to see the genius of the design. Now having seen one in real life, I know my fears were unfounded. My reaction to the California photos was far more favorable than the reaction I had to the 599. I really think that this will be a design that, a year from now, most everyone on this board will like and be raving about.
I'm so glad this is a place where so many can share their opinions, even though so many of them are JUST PLAIN SILLY. Do I love the wheels? Meh, could be better. Will it have the power of a 430 or a 599, no. But over-all, it is just STUNNING. GORGEOUS. And while the back end is not the best I could have imagined, it's MUCH better than that retarded looking back end on the Alfa 8C, that flat, zero character back with two lights stuck in the middle of the fender (almost like a Vette -- no insult intended to Vette owners).
Ferrari thinks they can do no wrong, because they think that people will buy anything that comes from Maranelo. But after the 612,599 and this one...I don't know,the new Fcars look more like jap cars. Fcars are supposed to look like supercars and not like a lexus, alfa, honda... I almost feel disapointed everything they come out with a new car.
+1 The front looks nice to me as I can see some resemblence to the 250, but the side and especially the rear just lack purity. The 599 is no design magnificence (look-wise) compared to the 360 IMO, but at least its still a pure design; no steroid - no exaggerations. When I see this new California, there is only one word in my mind, CONFUSED. The impression I got is that they don't seem to know where they want to go with this car as far as design is concerned. To be honest, without the badges, i think its fair to say that you can hardly tell that it is a Ferrari.
I agree with just about all the design influences mentioned in this thread. Couldn't put my finger on it but it just came to me. Car looks like the Panoz Esperante. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I love it. Especially with the black wheels above. Note that the fussy details on the rear fender are also seen on the front quarter of the 599, and they work very well in the flesh. Not so much in pictures.
I think people will lick this up like Ferrari candy. The resistance to new directions seems overly critical. It isn't even that drastic of a change. It's not so removed from the 599 look. Some of the talk of purity and such is pure pretentious bullsh/t. This isn't any less of a Ferrari than the 599, 612, or Scuderia or CS. This is Ferrari today, here, now, in your face. This is what they are about. Face reality. The days of the 288 GTO, the 250 GTO, the 355, all others.... that is gone and history. It's all great and warm if you can buy into it. But this is here and now. Ferrari will laugh all the way to the bank like they always do. This car in person will be even better, with that Ferrari sound..... that sweet intoxication.... will seal the deal.
Same request, dear Charlie Horse, You are good at this, can you put in the original 1962 wires with knock off's and see how that looks? Nice computer work!
I read this in LLN which I think is interesting and may shed light on it some more. Interestingly enough, the new Ferrari model actually started out life as a Maserati, according to our sources. The new model was developed under the codename M139 M for Maserati and was intended to complete Maserati's current lineup giving the Italian Marque the Quattroporte sports sedan, the GranTurismo coupe and a hardtop convertible. But after Ferrari's 2005 split from Maserati, Ferrari decided to keep the M139 program entirely for itself. As a result, the California rides on the GranTurismo platform. I wonder if it's more than the platform. The front kind of reminds me of this: Image Unavailable, Please Login
Very interesting comments so far, and the polarised reactions. Some interesting points I picked up which seemed to be missed: Car is priced at about £130K ($260K). For this price you get the 430 Engine, Carbon Brakes as standard (£10K option?), F1 box as standard (£6K option?), Folding hardtop roof (makes it very useful compared to the 430. Just without those two options the car would be priced at about £110K which is substantially different to the price of the standard 430. And to boot the clutch never needs to be changed! Shame about the crappy rear seats though. Also the front hood of the GT California has the lines you see painted on the 250TDF. Looks good! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Well, IMO this new California isn't even in line with the abovementioned models (design-wise) which are considered to be Current Ferraris. No doubt about the porfit Ferrari is going to make over this new car; hell, Ferrari will sell even if they come up with something like a Prius. I can't think of another brand in the world that the customers have such brand loyalty; not to take away their credit obviously, they earned every bits of it.
See.... it's all one big happy family. Maser is beautiful. They share similar, if not the same, engine platforms.
I disagree with your first sentence and agree with the second paragraph. We've met half-way. Not too bad. There's something for everyone.
You rang? Yes, sir, I already somewhat felt that would be asked. Let me see here.... give me a bit.... Borannis are on the way.... (for the record I am a visual artist by trade.. if the community so allows, you may be seeing more of me in the near future in another identity)
