Depends on your age. At a certain age one doesn't have enough time to sit around waiting for long periods not only for the dragged out preview but then the prolonged allocation and ordering process. Life is too short and eventually it may be wise to move on to something else so as to be able to enjoy it while you can.
When the 812 appeared on preview computer graphic shots, many disliked it. Now, almost everyone loves it and its photo thread is very active, by geneva, with real and computer photos, all people will love the 488 VS; whatever the name or the engine power, it will be the most wanted Ferrari till 812 VS comes out.
I still think teh 812 looks bad...the front is ok, but the rerar is bad and i think most people feel the same....The f12 was by far a much more beautifull design.
Ferrari has changed a bit the focus about design. And there is a real reason for this, “changing” curves and softer lines for more straight and radical ones (California-Portofino, F12-812 and so) Probably this is not the proper thread to talk a about that, so when/where is correct I would happy explain the reason.
Under 'General Forums' (6th section from the top of the front page) Ferrari Discussion (not model specific) you can expand on the design ideas...
Still doesn't explain the very poor execution of surfacing on the 812, especially the doors (as evidenced by the messy play of light and reflections noticeabe in most pictures), the big "square pants" rear quarters and aft end. The Portofino, despite being so big and tall below the waistline (to get the fastback look of the greenhouse) that the wheels look like 15" and the funny skirt design aft of the front wheels, is by comparison, a well executed surfacing exercise. Back on topic, the 488 VS looks to be a really good combination of aggressiveness and good design and looks to me as will be the pinnacle of the design for the 458/488 series.
I hear you but the process is not out of one's control. The truth is Ferrari is the most desirable car brand in the world and while Ferrari build superb cars, they can reasonably dictate their marketing strategy; aka who gets what. And we all know what Ferrari wants from you, total loyalty; in cash, in use of dealer network service, in finance, in purchasing range cars that will lose money and now involvement in racing too. For that, they reward. I'm pragmatic, I adore the marque but someone will always have and do more. That said, there are stories where dealers have encouraged buyers with promises of specials, if true it's deeply unacceptable. But even here, some people choose to hear what they want to hear.
Most modern car design is like this I find. Even the LaFerrari had my on the fence for the first little bit until better videos/pictures came out. Then I fell in love with it. The 812 Superfast has me on the fence. I'm caught between not minding the front and liking it. It reminds me of the Viper and really sets the stage for an awesome VS/GTO variant when it comes out if they do a complete over haul like they did with the F12 TDF. The rear remind me of the F512 M which isn't a compliment. But yes I do agree that the more pictures of it that I see of it the more I'm starting to come around........even the 488 GTB at first has me thinking "hmmmmmmmmm" now I love it. The McLaren Senna.........You couldn't drink that thing pretty.
UAE has received 50 initial allocations for 488 GTO. It is unclear if more or how many more may be released. It seems Ferrari is imitating porsches strategy of releasing allocations in batches for its GT3/RS cars to create an impression of scarcity. I recall no such strategy when speciale was launched. Allocations were wide open throughout its cycle and much more than 100 were sold in this market.
That is my impression too, clever marketing, but until Ferrari tell us numbers we cannot be sure. Anyone confirm what the annual GTB/Spider production is?
[QUOTE="ingegnere, post: “Still doesn't explain the very poor execution of surfacing on the 812, especially the doors (as evidenced by the messy play of light and reflections noticeabe in most pictures), the big "square pants" rear quarters and aft end.” In your view - you’ve not liked the 812 since the first photos came out and I presume you won’t be buying one. I don’t think the 812 is perfect from a design stand point but I actually prefer it to the F12. That’s my opinion which many will disagree with but it’s not a fact, it’s simply my view - the way I read your views on the 812 are more like you’re stating facts not an opinion. For what it’s worth, I don’t agree with your views/facts in this case.
In France 488 (GTB and spider) account for 53% of the annual sales, not sure to which extent the percentage is similar for the global production. Ferrari sold 273 cars in France in 2017, of which 69 were 488 GTB and 75 were 488 spiders.
I agree that my dislike of many elements of the design of the 812 are subjective, but the poor surfacing on the doors is not. In fact, most surface design applications have functions to check the continuity in curvature or tangency of the surface and general reflectivity of a surface and this one would fail miserably. That whole design in the door area is too forced in my opinion. Remember the flack the Scaglietti took on its presentation, this is similar and already in some reviews the styling has been called out. I believe that Ferrari, because of their history of beautiful cars and Pininfarina designs should be held to a higher standard as they are the standard bearers. Having said that, I'd buy one in a minute if I could for the pleasure of driving it with its V12 Back to the 488 VS, I expect it to look stunning.
I agree with your observations on the doors. Tortured is how I would describe the surface development.
Just my opinion, that’s all. I’m sure the Ferrari Design Team thinks the design is just fine, otherwise they wouldn’t have done it. For me however, I wish they would have used greater restraint, and simplified the design somewhat.
