Alutex trim options

Alutex? It has to be since I havn't a clue as to what it means. Best

 

Another boutique material: an aluminum-glass fiber composite.

 

Red carbon fiber? Alutex?

I hope these don't end up hurting the brand.

 

Have you seen some of the absolutely atrocious colour combinations being spec'd, and you're worried that a bit of red CF is going to hurt the brand?

 

I can appreciate that you feel holier-than-thou most of the time with your posts but let's not get over the top in your dislike of the tastes of others.

Its their money and their likes and dislikes. You don't need to be insulting about it. Not everyone has your supreme knowledge of what is and is not worthy of making.

 

"Alutex is an aluminium glass fibre material which is produced with a special process which allows its characteristics of workability and adhesion to the fibre resin to remain intact."

I have asked my sales about this but he has no clue but maserati has this option !
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Where does this go and what does it go with? I have trouble imagining this going anywhere on a car but maybe I am missing something. Best

 

Nope, just honest. Besides, I thought we were all grown ups here - why the thin skin? If I were spec'ing a 458 right now I might well go for red carbon. And you know what, if people thought it an absolutely stinker (and I know a lot of people would) I'd much rather they were honest about it and told me it stinks than that slightly whiny "Well, hey, you know, it's not for me, but as long as you like it, that's all that counts." we get all the time here. Those are the lamest posts you'll ever see. We know what you mean, so just say it.

 

this can go where carbon fiber is! it is a trim material that can replace carbon fiber !

 

I usually avoid these types of back and forths but really want to understand what this stuff is and how it is used so I hope the thread does not get hijacked.

I suspect we really want an "honest" opinion when planning to order, but after we receive a car what good does it do to tell someone their choice was atrocious? Clearly, there are color combinations most here would not choose, but what is gained by saying unkind things after the fact? I tell my kids to respect sound, noise, and physical space, and leave others to manage their own lives. Best

 

+1. I couldn't agree more.

 

Well I wasn't particularly slating anyone's choices in my original post, just making a wider point about the amount of customisation that Ferrari allow these days being potentially more damaging to the brand than any individual item. Allowing an absolutely anything goes approach to its cars in search of every last dollar for its shareholders amounts to a loosening of its grip on the brand. Essentially they're allowing the customer to design its cars. How far does that have to go before Ferrari loses its essence? How far down this road will we go in the future? Do we end up at a point where the only thing left designed by the factory is the prancing horse badge? (Note: ridiculous scenario used to make a point only). I think the Mayor was a little too quick off the mark there.

 

It appears very "busy" and distracting. Are there different color combinations? Does someone have a picture of this in "context", i.e. inside a car with whatever materials? Maybe the picture does it a disservice, but it appears hard to match with anything I can imagine. Best

 

I cannot find anything on F458 but I found it in Maserati configurator :

http://www.configurator.maserati.com/cc/?modelName=GTS&country=95&language=en

and try interior/trim

 

it looks a bit like silver carbon fiber to me!

 

I looked at the Maserati configuration but you can't see the trim in any great detail as to it's texture. I love my 458 but I have to be honest, I've never loved the brushed aluminum along the doors, dash and center console. If the look of these areas could be improved with a colored shiny material, I would consider it. I like the CF look but the added expense just gets silly.
Most of the cars that I've seen are quite nice with their personalizations and I'm not sure that Ferrari's brand will be damaged by someone who's spec'd an aesthetically appalling car. I think those examples won't resell and that's the end of it. I really do like the ability to get the color I want with the trim I want and wheels etc to match. These aren't great works of art from the 18th century after all but cars that were meant to be driven and enjoyed.

 

Just back from 2 days in Maranello, Atelier on Thursday afternoon and then Factory tour on Friday morning. More on that later but here's a pic I snapped of the actual Alutex on a 458 center console. Was told it's essentially a weave combining aluminum and textile, hence the name. Beautiful and tasteful, and (imo) a welcome alternative to dark carbon fiber.

Happy to answer any questions.....
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this is what it looks like in real !
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Very helpful, clears up mystery for me. I would need to see it in person to finalize thought. At first glance the word that comes to mind is "bling", but it could be the picture and again not in context (of maybe complimentary color(s)). Thanks. Best

 

Geneve 2011

-> http://www.arthomobiles.fr/Salon%20Geneve%2011/Big1/Geneve11%202411.jpg

 

Looks really artificial to me. Not a fan. Real CF is real CF. It was created as engineering material, not a decoration.

 

Its virtue seems to be to give a bright silvery metallic look without having simply bare metal. It thus gives an alternative to the dark carbon fiber look.

It does not seem to be a structural material like CF. Rather it is lightweight and durable -- so for example it is used as awning material.

I think you have to be careful where and how you use it. I have a hard time imagining large expanses of the material in an interior, perhaps more of an accent material. It will not be as forgiving as CF which is dark and neutral. You can easily end up with an overcooked interior.

 

I also had this standard on my Maserati Granturismo S. IMHO inferior to actual carbon fibre or brushed aluminum, but superior to the wood grain that Maserati offered at the time. Okay for a Maserati, perhaps not for the higher performance Ferrari.

 

When I was doing my spec I found myself wishing for a third alternative to the standard and CF finishes...this is not what I was thinking! Maybe satin aluminum (like the tunnel on the Cali) or gloss black alternatives. To each his own, but IMO this stuff is painful to the eyes.