612 final soulution?

It seems that Ferrari went conservative when the final decision was made for the styling of the 612 four years ago. They were presented with a much more appealing design than the one chosen. For example the front grill opening was smaller though still the same width and mounted lower in the front bumper. The hood fell away much more severely at the front. The horizontal bumper line above the front grill was more thin than on the final solution. Headlight pods were smaller and fender lines were more sharply drawn. As a result the whole front end had a lighter appearance. The side profile lacks balance, the rear overhang could have been much shorter, with the back window glass not rising beyond the point where the back edge of the rear side window ends. This really tightened up the rear profile. The solution instead was to use small taillights to make the rear appear lighter. It only makes the rear look weak and unfinished. The spoiler effect created on the top edge of the trunk helps some but does not even appear on all examples shown so far...
Every dimension and opening seems to have expanded to solve engineering concerns. The 116 inch wheelbase is in tact but it seems to be a shortcut solution to the desired handling result. More exotic engineering solutions could have achieved a comparable result in a more balanced package. Perhaps the 575 replacement will offer an opportunity for Ferrari to stretch it's engineering muscle with a motor based on the one used in the Enzo. Getting weight out of the car will continue to be a concern, that must be more sucessfully addressed.
CH

 

Hello Doody: I just viewed pictures of design proposals for the 612. I don't have them to post. As with any new Ferrari there were more radical designs tried. The large scoop in the side of the 612 was not a constant feature in other design proposals for the 612. The interior design was also toned down to what you see now. However radical exterior design themes were rejected by Ferrari, who wanted a more conservative look for this type of vehicle. More complex designs had cost considerations and engineering challenges too. Now, each aluminum body takes 13 hours to build. Something more complicated would merely add to that time.
Ferrari wanted the 612 (known as the 137) to represent a new design direction and not just a rehash of the 456 design. The greater use of aluminum for construction and a engine set much farther back in the chassis met these requirements. The large body design is due mostly to the placement of the engine, combined with the required seating for four. It would always be a compromise.
CH