Are the new Ferraris becoming too similar in their design?

After having seen the new F12, it seems that the new models are becoming more similar in terms of design. As can be seen here, comparing the F12 with the FF, I think this might be a worry. Ferrari has built its reputation on developing new and unique designs for every new model (excluding evolutions and variants) but this is something I start lacking. The headlights on the F12 and FF are clearly coming from the 458 which as a model has a fantastic design. Perhaps the designers simply said "Let's take this successful design and use it on new models" instead of thinking ahead and perhaps create an even more innovative headlight design.
Perhaps I am exaggerating? What do you others think?
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I'd say these three look like the same guy designed them, nothing new here...
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You think the California, the FF, and the 458 are all that similar?

 

There's always been a similar "look" to Ferraris of any era, which is good when it's not hideous. Excepting the 458, the current crop has that similarity in the latter category. As WJHMH and I were discussing a few days ago, they all look like bloated (his contribution) anime (mine) caricatures of what good design used to be.

Thank god for people like Napolis/Jim who see what the contemporary Ferraris could be, and have the resources to realize them, to the benefit of us all.

 

I think that after the success of the 458 design (which I think is absolutely exceptional), the FF borrowed some from the 458 and the F12 looks like a copy of the FF. I also have a problem with the FF and the F12 when it comes to the "beauty" of the design or lack thereof (especially the back).

Perhaps the Ferrari design studio has more to say today Vs. Pininfarina which might not be a good thing (trying to find economies of scale etc.). Pininfarina is always focusing on making a unique and beautiful car. Is that focus shared by Ferrari's own designers?

 

I agree that the 458 was an outstanding success. Wonder if PF or Ferrari had more to do with that?

 

The FF and F12 share some styling cues with the 458, but overall they have a very different styling aesthetic. The 458 is curvy and sensual. The FF and F12 are edgy and aggressive.

Similar to the 355 vs 550, TR vs 328, etc

 

It's not the first time they have done this. The TR's side strakes appeared on other cars of the same period. The 355 front grill was repeated on 12 cylinder cars and the rears had the same simple feeling.

The 348 shares a lot of cues from the TR: Side strakes, rear tail lights, wheels.

The big question is --- should they? Does it lead to visual boredom and lazy designs. I think it might. Clearly the California, 458, FF and F12 look in the same family. The big question is will the new Enzo follow or lead? Last time -- it lead. I'm hoping it will lead again.

 

They still look better than the current Porsche corporate look.

 

I would agree with that.

 

I agree on the FF vs. F12 front.

 

I agree with you on the Enzo. I would like to be blown away by the design and the car.

 

I'm still waiting on a truelly 'New Ferrari' and not just a clone.

 

In terms of design, I think both. In terms of the overall success it's obviously Ferrari because of everything else about the car.
The key question here is more about the design.

 

Agree with you there. Porsche 911 is the biggest scam in car history. They have been doing cosmetic changes on the 911 since the 60s and every time they talk about "the new 911". No wonder they make so much money!

 

I see what you mean, but that's kind of the 911's point.

Besides, it has been best of class for decades now, only shaken sometimes by the NSX, V8 Vantage and R8 etc.

 

Best of class? Have you ever driven one?

 

My first Porsche drive was miserable in an '06 Carrera, do Germans have REALLY SMALL FEET!!

I would only own a racing Porsche, preferably a DP935 or GT1 but a Porsche as a DD, oh hell no!

 

I'm thinking that was the FF.

Truly a departure from the past models in several ways.
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I'm no Porschefile, but I do believe that's part of the "cachet". I would imagine it's similar to the old Harley saying "if I had to explain it, you wouldn't understand".

I'm ok with the new designs, although I think the FF is an aberration. The F12 and 458 are sweet though...

 

I don't know... I think Porsche is on a roll (except the Panamera, which is like their FF).

The new Boxster/Cayman is IMHO a vast improvement over the original 986-based design, and the 997/991 versions of the 911 are vastly better than the catastrophic old scrambled-eggs headlight/rounded butt 996.

Even the Cayenne, may it burn in hell (with the FF), looks much better.

They're the same, but as others have posted that's been pretty common over the decades. Daytona and 365 GTC/4 were similar; Boxer/308/Mondial; etc.

 

I'd like to see Ferrari come out with a new Dino model.

Maybe go back into the corporate archives for the Pininfarina design proposal for what would have followed the 355 body style if Ferrari had continued down that path.

Then, add a high-powered V6 mid-engine to that sexy sleek design and put a manual stick-shift in it (no paddle shift option).

That would be a winner IMHO.

 

As others have said, it's nothing new.

The 365 BB/512 BB/512i BB's all share a similar body style to the 308 GTB (albeit scaled up).

The 288 GTO was a 308 GTB on steroids.

The 355 gets raved about for it's design but it's only a light reworking of the 348, body styling wise.

The 328 was a "simple" reworking of the 308 series.

The 3.2 Mondial was given a front end refresh to replicate the 328 series.

The 512 TR was given a front end refresh to replicate the 348 series.

 

That would fantastic imo aswell.

 

This current design trend also incorporates the new laws for pedestrian safety which has a massive affect on design; the new Peugeots in Europe have a similar design for the desired effect of saving peoples lives. Mind you educate the pedestrian not to walk out infront of moving objects and we can have our creative designs back.

I do like the current crop of Ferraris though, they have made all the current Tipos stunning in their looks IMHO.