For this there are the Ferrari Atelier, the Tailor-Made programme... They didn't put the mirrors in carbon because it probably would have been too bulky, and highlight...Probably they could have re draw the mirrors...
in my opinion this new front it's much more aggressive and muscular than a normal 458...especially from 3/4 view
I believe they were going for "meaner" Sounds like it did not work for you. The three exhaust treatment of Italia/Spider is unique (Not seen since F40) The two exhausts of the 458S look like they are copying the Scud...not unique. Wonder how many 458/Spider owners will be retrofitting those winglets in front of the rear wheels to their cars. Not many, if any, I would surmise.
Like so often happens, the "pictures" and "video's" provide fodder for opining . When the car becomes availalbe, those who buy do so and the rest find something else to crtique. At the end of the day, I really like my 458, and never considered the Scud and the same for the Speciale. These cars alter the original design, to the cars deteriment in my opinion. The "original" beautiful design is "sacrificed" in order to add necessary aerodynamic changes, weight loss (more cabin nolise) , a bit more horsepower, all designed for increased high speed driving, only achieved on a race track. Street drivers will not benefit from any of the changes and arguably will drive a less "comfortable" car, as was the case with the Scud. Imo the 458 is the finest street car built to date, and if one is looking for a "track car" there are a number of cars that compete with the 458.Best
+1. But I doubt very much if the aerodynamic demands required grafting on design elements that are incompatible with the base car. While I am certain that the car will an exciting performer, an opportunity has been lost. But more importantly I am now concerned about what Ferrari Centro Stile has in store for us in the 458 replacement. The Pininfarina influence may be missed.
+1 totally agree. This is a good demonstration of how over designing can go wrong. Pinin would not have made this kind of mistake. Could this be the first run out series car to be less coveted than the original?
I found an interesting test mule video, at 0:20 looks like they are testing the water leakage/drainage ability of the new hood vent in a shower room. 2014 Ferrari 458 Speciale Prototype in Maranello - YouTube
I have seen 3 cars today in Maranello (red, black and dar grey) and I have to say that you have to look very carefully to see the difference between an normal 458 and the new one. The cars were covered at the front but you could see the new front spoiler. Sorry no pics at this moment but you could see the cars I mentioned on Exclusieve Auto?s | De Meeste Foto?s & Laatste Nieuws ? Autogespot. The noise was of course much louder and the gearshift very quick. 5 september introduction to clients and press. They were finishing the "showhall" for the introduction today.
I hesitate to be too critical of the car because it will likely offer track oriented drivers the edginess and performance increment they have been looking for. Also I suspect there will be enough buyers to make it popular. But I think that criticism of the styling is warranted if it will help stave off disappointments in the future.
+1. I would never final pass judgement until seeing this car in person. It's funny that so many (myself included) are eager to critique the Speciale based on 2D photos and video. It's like trying to make artistic commentary on Michelangelo's David based on a picture when seeing it in person is so much more imposing. People hated on the P1 when the photos came out. It's received almost universal praise from those who have seen it in person.
I like the rear and those brakes!!!!!! The front is still tough to swallow for me. The skirt winglet doesn't bother me, but it doesn't appeal to me either. And I'm kinda sad the racing stripe ruins the car so much...maybe for the first time in history, san-stripe speciales will retain higher resale than striped ones? And where is this deployable wing ppl keep talking about? It looks fixed to me. Also, it doesn't seem like there is any exterior carbon at all?!
I feel exactly the same. I actually think it looks great with the stripes. I'd be shocked if they don't offer several CF options inside and out. I am thinking they are trying to keep the base price as close to $300,000 as possible, thus stuff that was standard on 2009 Scud may be optional on Speciale. Here's hoping CF mirrors are one of those options!
To me, it looks more like a tribute to Kimi Raikkonen! Not too sure about the bodykits. I prefer the original sleek, stylish one!
Let's compare the rear views of the base 458 and the new 458S. But instead of just saying, "I like this," or "I don't like that," one can try to isolate features in both that make for the differing impressions they create. Why the rear views? No particular reason except in this case, there are great differences that illustrate very different styling approaches. The predominant feature of the base 458 is the "T-tail" outlined in white in the photo. The horizontal arms of the "T" end at the tail lights, then the neck of the T frames the license plate area and terminates by wrapping around the triple exhaust tips. You don't read this as a T but the visual effect is to integrate the entire rear together with this element. Look at the FF, the F12, and LaFerrari and you will see the T is there and is much more pronounced. It clearly became a styling feature for Ferrari that is first seen here to the best of my knowledge. Next look at the area within the yellow outline and notice the intricate angular work around the reflector and above the diffuser. Also notice how the nearly horizontal body crease angles down to the center to join visually with the bottom of the license plate area. Standing back you can see how the lower part of the rear (in yellow) widens as it extends to the side of the car while the horizontal part of the "T" narrows as it extends to the side. In this way the whole thing appears balanced to the eye. There is interest everywhere your eye goes and yet it all ties together. Now look at the rear of the 458S. The first thing to notice is that the "T" is gone. Instead there is a large flat surface below the large curved upper surface (white arrows). Whereas in the 458 the entire rear view was an integrated whole, here we see right away that there are two separate halves -- an upper curved surface and a lower flat one. The outlet screen extends across the entire upper rear, presenting an uninterrupted horizontal sweep, a look that can be achieved in the base 458 as an option. The license plate area is now isolated as a separate stand alone element. The intricate angular work on the 458 lower area is replaced by a nearly linear black area (inside the yellow outline) that houses the exhaust. This black area has no particular shape of interest, and it sits in close proximity to the separate flat central element (inside the blue outline) that houses what appears to be another brake light or reflector. This central element presents a flat black surface that attracts the eye to this large and frankly ungainly feature, but the eye finds nothing there and the feature seems tacked on, almost as if it were a tow hitch. The three elements on the flat surface -- the license area, the central black piece, and the nearly linear rectangular pieces to the side are all separate, and it is clear that no effort has been made to tie them togther. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I think the reason why the "T" is gone is precisely because it does NOT work. The T in F12 looks terrible, in 458's the T appears forced, and LaFerrari rear end T element segmented everything. IMO the T shape design only ever worked for the one original Pininfarina concept car - The Maserati 75th Birdcage. I am actually glad with the 458S they are moving away from the gimmicky T shape design, and hopefully the next batch of Ferrari will do away with the 458 style headlight as well.
The italia is a cohesive, curvy, flowing work of art. That is the prettiest mid engine V-8 ferrari (or any car) in a long time, if not ever. The "T" works on the italia, even though the other angles are more sexy. And I am an ass man to boot. The other cars you mention? Not so much for me. But these are mere opinions.
+1 Judging from the Centro's last effort in the Speciale, the 458 italia and spider have a good chance of becoming collector's items
Very insightful. Now that you point it out the 458S rear is a mess visually. However, it may work from a performance point of view. F1 cars are fast but fugly IMVHO.
I've been reading the 458 chatroom and I cant believe there are so many negative comments in here about 458S. I like the look of 458S, i think Ferrari Centro tried to create a different look from the Italia or Spider which I think it worked. 458S looks more aggressive and meaner. The only thing I have to adjust is the aero on the front hood and the stripe. Besides that, I have no complain about the small winglet on the sides, the new twin tail pipes (look a bit like Scud) and the mostly I like the front bumper. I drove many Fcars before on tracks and roads (F40, Enzo, 512TR, 360CS, 430, 550, 575 SuperAmerica and 599) but I haven't been fortunate enough to own an Fcar eventhough I already own several Pcars. So this will be my 1st Fcar and I'm happy with the look. There I said it...shoot me now
I am completely with you.Same experience here..And at the end let me say...who cares? The important is that you, me and few others will be extremely happy and lucky to own one since by the number of production that I eard...this car could be enought rare. And this satisfy me even more As someone said it could be slightly better.But even much worse. What I know is that sure when I willl fit "inside" and drive her I will feel a satisfied man for the unique sensations she will deliver indipendently by how she was designed "outside". And this prospective is enought for me and my future plans. When you come from an icone as the Porsche Gt3, with that huge and stupid rear wing... (expecially in the Rs) you will find the design of the new 458S just "superb"..So it is always a problem of what you experienced in the past and what you will need in the future.But exactly for the same reason I understand who here..complains.The important is that all of us ..will be satisfied with our choises.And I will be with mine..
Who will be the first FerrariChatt member that will see the car at the end of the week? I will be there on Monday afternoon.I am really curious to read about real comments and feeling..
Agree...even better with the limited production F1 has huge wing...nobody complain LOL... I'll be seeing her in Frankfurt...since you will be seeing her 1st so please keep us updated
