What is up with the door handles on the 488?

I saw a 488 for the 1st time in person yesterday. What immediately jumped out at me were the door handles. They stick out like a sore thumb. They look so much like an afterthought, and really detract from the flow of the design. WTF was Ferrari thinking???

They could have come up with a handle-less design, or maybe look back to a 308 for a solution.

Also, the side vents are obnoxious. I thought that 1st in pictures, and now that I have seen it in person, they still look obnoxious. Front end? A little blah to me. Note to Ferrari; the LaFerrari's nose does not necessarily work on other models.

Just like I prefer the 308's design over a 328, or the 360's design over the 430, I certainly prefer a 458's design over the 488. The only refreshed model in recent history that I prefer is a 355 over a 348.........

 

I have to agree--I know many complain about the vents, but my eye keeps coming to the sore of those door handles.

 

Could not agree more. Ferrari also failed to match what Lambo and Mclaren have done so well with the side vents - WTF was Ferrari thinking. Have to admit however i was relieved to see the 488 as had just taken delivery of a spider and did not feel compelled to worry about not having the best Ferrari available under $1m. Unless Ferrari makes things right with a brilliant evolution from the 488, will be looking at a Mclaren or Aventador SV as my next acquisition.

 

It's for function over form.... the door "handle" serves as aerodynamic device that splits the airflow most effectively into the intercooler, air intake and drag reduction through the big intake... and other elements around the outside of it, so the smoothest flow is created.

Windtunnel and simulation work, but bottom-line is that it's Function over Form for the 488.... some prefer that .. and others prefer Form over Function.... which is fine too.

Just different approaches to design and who holds the upper hand when compromises have to be made....

 

+488

This is my understanding as well.

 

I personally don't mind the styling of the 488. I think the rear looks better than my 458. I also like the hood better. I'm not a fan of the side vents, but I don't hate them either. I still may consider a 488 since I can get a late allocation for 2016 if someone was able to mute down the wheezing noise. Otherwise I prefer the huracan

 

Had a conversation with a Ferrari NA exec last week at the auto show where they had a 488. I specifically asked about the door handles and was told it was all for aero.
Go figure.....
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Ferrari has always prided itself on achieving its aerodynamic/downforce goals without the addition of tacked on wings or appendages, like Lamborghini and other manufacturers do. Even though these door handles appear to be serving a dual-purpose, they do look like tacked on appendages.

I have to wonder if some kind of splitter was actually needed in that location, or is it because that's where a door handle should go, so make it a splitter as well......?

They could have had an inconspicuous handle mounted on the b-pillar, and left the entire vent area clean looking.

 

i have not seen the 488 in person, but seeing the door handles on the yellow photos on this string is actually frustrating. Must be sheer arrogance of Ferrari - cannot see Mclaren or Lambo trying to get away with such design lethargy. I realize design is subjective - but the handles and vents defy any sense of style - surely there must have been better solutions. If we were being honest, and those handles were on a Lambo or Mclaren, this forum would shred them.....

 

They can look at their very own LaFerrari for how a clean vent area and door handle integration should look................

 

"Aero" gone amok!

Someone needs to make some aftermarket door handles or push button electric release.

 

Luca would have insisted on a different solution...

 

Theres a difference between having a reason, and having a good reason.

I doubt the aero benefit outweighs the ugly appearance for the majority of owners.

 

Once and for all: the 458 is the mona lisa, any other addition - novitec knockoff, odd door handles or otherwise - is like putting a mustache on a beautiful woman.....

Ferrari should have gone more blank slate for its first turbo rather than force the issue.

 

Seen the 488 in person as well.

Don't care what anybody says it does not look as good as 458.

Also a little tired of Ferrari always touting aero. In F1 it is critical as these cars are routinely pushing 200 mph; on street cars that are travelling at less than 100 mph 99% of the time it is much less an issue. Wish instead they would focus on mechanical grip, which IMO is more critical for street car performance.

 

This thread only highlights/underscores the thread entitled "Test Drove the 488 Today. Cancelled my Order, Sticking to my 458".

There is irony and paradox in what many of us say here. Function over form.

First, we want a performance car, comparable if not better than the competiton. We also want a beautiful car. Ferrari may have gone too far, mutilating the body in order to maximize performance, performance that few of us here will ever realize.

However, regardless of how quickly the 488 engine revs or phenomenol the technology, something happened here that has caused reaction beyond that of prior models. At least enough for me , for the very first time, to consider replacing my 458 with an alternative to Ferrari.

I also have to say there will always be new buyers who do not share my concerns and maybe that is as it should be. However, for me personally, "the times, they are a changin". Best

 

I pointed out the door handles, but my biggest beef is the move to forced induction. The 458 is a keeper - may very well be the last normally-aspirated V8 for Ferrari. If you have an itch for something else, track down a Speciale - the greatest V8-powered Ferrari ever built.

 

Handles are "design lethargy" as previously said. Damn the wind tunnel, I can't believe those handles do a hell of a lot . As for the side vents, they are what they are. I don't like them at all, but looking at my poster of iconic Ferrari's they all appear to have side vents. Actually, the 458 is the odd ball out with no side vents. Normally, I could go either way. I like the 360 and 430 but the 488's side vent's are hideously large. Aventador did a better job by having the side vents toward the ground, not up top.

the 488's engine, don't even get me started. It may pump out a lot of HP/Torque, but that thing looks tiny!

If you love the 488, good for you. For me, I think Ferrari could have done better.

 

Although I like the 488, I agree with one of the posts above. The tacked on door handles, side vents and front bumper design as well as the small appearing engine would have been criticized by Ferrari tifosi if it was in a Lamborghini, McLaren or Porsche.

 

There seems to be a lot of people making comments on the 488 without seeing it or driving it. My 488 will be arriving within the next two weeks. I consigned my 458 with the dealer and the car sold. The day it sold, I went to the dealership to say my final farewells to a car that has been an exceptional experience. When I arrived, there were two 488's being loaded off the truck. A white one and a nero one... The cars were off loaded and parked very close to my 458. The first thought that went through my head was how dated my 458 looked compared to the 488. They are different and the beauty is in the the eye of the beholder. I can tell you that with all of the negativity swirling around the 488, I had my reservations. But now, after seeing it, hearing it run and rev (I didn't drive one yet), I am very excited and I believe I made the right choice. Once my car arrives, I will post pics and provide a thorough comparison between the two cars... All the best...

 

I agree the 458 looks dated next to the 488. I don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about the door handles, they look fine. The side I take looks good too and the front and rear of the car completely date the 458 (and I own one ).

 

I had the exact same experience my 488 arrived in December and never looked back it is an absolutely ridiculous BEAST!!!

 

Hmmm, maybe letting Pininfarina go was not such a good idea? 🤔

 

I agree with those defending the 488. I have a Speciale and will add a 488 Spider. In person the 488 does date the 458. Not to say it's 'prettier', it isn't. But it is a well wrought successor, emphasising the different flavour that a turbo car takes. Its appearance suits it.

As for the vents, assuming they needed the size due to massive power output, the job they did of integrating the vents is waaaay better than they did on the 430 over the 360. 360 flowed voluptuously, whereas 430 was a little awkward. 488 looks great to my eyes. Complain about the door handles if you want but that is a very small issue in my eyes. I certainly know that small appendages in just the right place can make all the difference. Thankfully

 

Door handles don't bother me at all, the one thing I really struggle with in this day & age is how they , and Maserati also, but the old fashioned silver coin sized lock just under it , surely they can come up with a way to put the emergency key lock somewhere else, its horrible, like a big old fashioned wart right in your eye line and its there on every car, there is the lovely waistline crease across the door and the WART!!
and of course its got to be on the drivers side too, so you see it every time you get in,surely they could run a cable release into the front boot area as an emergency release or something.
moan over!!
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