599 to F12 to 812. A discussion about the evolution of design language

As the world moves away from from the 'big bad gas guzzlers' as an environmental preference and super cars in general are seen as yet another example of the social divide causing issues in some countries along with globalisation the 812 design has become a characature of all that is evil and bad by being even more edgy and aggressive presenting an intimidating presence amid a sea of mediocrity. I love it

 

The pictures below perhaps can help to visualize some of the aerodynamic differences on each model.
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Or its just an unfortunate design attempt.

 

Recently and for the first time I was able to have a good look at a 812 in my Ferrari dealer. The first thing that strike my attention were the aerobridge cavities on the doors which are definitely much more pronounced than the ones in the F12 and for my taste too busy. The front despite having all those bridges and buttresses IMO is the better looking part of the 812. The rear which I couldn't get into terms with when I saw it just in pictures I admit it looks better alive but didn't impress me very much. The air exit over the rear bumper IMO interrupts the flow of the body design when you view it from the side and the rear is definitely the less achieved part because doesn't look integrated in the rest of the body design. Ferrari says that all these features we see in the 812 are aerodynamic oriented but I believe a car isn't like an airplane and has to be designed taking also into account aesthetics. I believe that one of the very few successful examples of a sports car that was designed by an aerodynamicist and with aerodynamics just commanding all the rest was the Jaguar E type where by some miracle the final result was close to perfection.

 

Shame it tried to take off at anything over 120mph but absolutely agree the E Type up to the birth of the hideous 2 + 2 version was truly beautiful. I had one new in 1970. A red fixed head 4.2.
Uffer Fox, the brilliant and very talented yacht designer, said that 'if it looks right it probably is right' and more often than not he was right.
The 599 was a radical departure from the Supra ish shape of the 575 and the F12 was a space ship compared to the 599 the 812 however to my mind is more of an evolution of the F12 with the wick turned right up.
All the competition is moving towards extreme edginess in their design language with gratuitous visual attitude. In my opinion the days of flowing lines and graceful curves are long gone...........regrettably.

 

This will change again though. Remember, the Testarossa was between the Daytona and the 599 periods.

 

Good point.

 

What we see today as being 'agressive' or just a tad too far will be seen as classic in several decades. Design is always moving forward.That can be neither good nor bad; however standing still is never a good option.

 

The 550, 599, F12, basically the PF designs have an organic natural feel. I haven't seen one in person however from pictures the 812 can seem a bit forced and over styled. I have said and still feel it's a design that some pics and angles I like and some I don't. I'd like to see one in person

 

I hated the F12 when it was first launched. But in time it grew on me. Somehow I seem to understand the design better.
In time the 812 will probably have the same effect on me.