Have Ferrari gone soft?

In terms of styling and design ONLY....comparing the older generation of models such as the Testarossa, 355 and F40 to the newer generation such as the 612, 575 and 430? there has been much discussion on the boards about the 'less aggressive' styling and design of the cars.....although it does have its fans many have criticised the 612, and the 575 compared to the 550 and now looking at the shots of the new 430 i for one prefer the 355!

I think Lamborghini proved with the Murcielago that its still possible to produce a masterpiece and cater for the market.

So many of you think Ferrari is losing its 'designing/styling' edge by accomodating for a new changing customer market?

 

I agree. I wonder why they keep creating supercars like the enzo. They do serve a purpose, but why not make one that is dumbed down a bit with a larger production run? They obviously can still make agressive lines and product, but only making 399 of them at enormous costs??

I like the lines of the lambo diablos and murcis and their price range is "affordable" and they are readily available.

 

I agree.
Styling wise ... come on. Back then, when you saw the new ferrari, it was stunning. Now you're like "uh, yeah, ok, I guess it looks good ... from a certain angle, and if it's dark".

 

Under Ferrari's current leadership... the name "ferrari" has grown stronger, but the exotic style has grown weaker.

Why?

 

I agree.

It seems that aerodynamics and their associated computers have taken over.

There is little "art" or "style" in the design...they are just to "smooth".

That is why the new lambo is so sharp.

Is Pinninfarina still involved with designing the Ferrari?

 

I think so..........

That's why I like the 355. If this keeps up the 360 will prob. be my last.

 

a proper ferrari has 12 cylinders in the rear they dont make any good cars anymore they all look like fiat coupes my next car will have to be a lambo as the only other ferrari i would want is a F50 but cant afford one

 

Ferrari "mass production" cars seem more "wind tunnel inspired" than anything "hand crafted" as in the past. Sad really

 

Here we go again.

Everyone who talks about Ferrari going soft conveniently has memory that only goes back to the 1980s. The Testarossa is, arguably, one of the most radical styling jobs for a regular production Ferrari. The 80s was a time of ostentation. I mean no offense - I love the TR, and I will someday buy one of its versions.

But, the fact remains that many of the people who seem to talk about the Ferrari that once was are only talking about a small percentage of Ferrari's production history. Compare the 550 to the Daytona that inspired its design. The 550 is not a DEPARTURE from Ferrari's past, but an embrace of it - much more so, in fact, that the Testarossa or the 308/328, which after all, are an evolution of the Dino brand. Phil Hill wrote an article in Road and Track comparing the 250 GTO and the 550 - and his comparison was extremely favorable to the new model. Those who think the front engine design is a departure from Ferrari's past nead to read their history books.

The same goes for the 2+2s. Many question why Ferrari makes 2+2s. If I got a dollar for everytime I've heard, "That's not what Ferrari is all about," I'd have enough to buy one. Ferrari has been making GTs and 2+2 for decades and decades. The 250 Lusso was a toned down 250 SWB made more comfortable for road use. The 250 GTE was a 2+2, and its offspring have carried the flame throughout the history of the marque: 330, 365, and so on.

Edge? If you think the 212, or the 250 GTE, or the 330 GTC had "edge" then we have a very different idea of what is edgy.

Look, Ferrari are doing what they have ALWAYS done. They make limited production, very exotic cars and higher production everyday cars that are more user friendly. If you grew up loving the radical 80s styling and can't accept anything else, fine. But don't suggest that this is the new face of Ferrari or that they are embarking down a path of styling and design choices that are new to the company. Are they, as "Tubi" has suggested, accomodating their customer base? Of course. But, that's what they've been doing all along, and the way they are doing it hasn't changed. Back then, it was P4s and Daytonas. Now, it's Enzos and 575s. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. And that's how I like it.

 

I'd like to know if its just me, or are Ferraris getting taller? Anyone have a chart of Ferrari heights? 512s and 308s and TRs were stunning because (in part) they were so low. They came up to your hip.

New Ferraris seem to come up further to your chest. And nothing kills off exotic looks like being chest-high.

 

been brought up before

http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/251280/296137.html

IMO yes , but so has other co's such as Porsche

 

I think they are trying to fit the "40s" buyers...
because these people would choose BMW or Mercedes Benz, or Porsche, Aston Martine...which all look very conservative type..

I think Ferrari just try to win this part of business from the rivals.

 

well it is getting more horsepower..so the car must be bigger to be stable..

 

Fully agree.

It's a sign of the times, and a Ferrari 360 in the metal looks just as amazing as a 308 in the metal.

I however do not agree that a 'real' Ferrari has a 12 cylinder in the back. If you want to differ between real Ferrari's and 'fake' Ferrari's than the real Ferrari's are the front-engined 12 cylinders. Having said that, any car that leaves Maranello with the Cavallino on it, no matter the configuration, is a true Ferrari.

 

Spot on!

 

Speak the Truth ZjPj

 

Is the P4 edge ? (one of the most beautcars ever built)

 

Ferrari hasnt created a decent supercar since the F40, the F50 is dog ugly as is the Enzo, and the Enzo comes only with a near-auto transmission and enough driver aids to prevent even the most clumsy of drivers from killing themselves.

 

Thats what the market requires. Besides, Ferrari wanted to built a modern F1car for the road with the Enzo, and then you get driveraids. Looks are, and always will be, subjective. I would agree that the F50 is an ugly car (it's design is terribly incoherent), but the Enzo is a downright beauty in my eyes.

 

340 America, 342 America, 375 America, 410 Superamerica
400 Superamerica, 500 Superfast, 365 California, 250 Europa, 250 Boano, 250 PF, 250 GTE, 250 Berlinetta Lusso, 330 GT America, 330 GT, 330 GTC, 275, 365 GT, Daytona, 365 GTC/4.

For starters, as road cars, 340 America was built from '51 - '52.

That's a long pedigree. Between then and now, other marques imitated Ferrari styling. Ferrari is refining it's own styling, not "copying others."

 

the f40, which i have seen and driven, unlike most of thepeople is rocket, mostly because o f its light weight.... as far as styling goes, the f50 looks much better in my opinion, the f40 looks too much like a kit car...the enzo in person is a beast and actually has a proposeful look to it that is unique and wild!!!!

 

Agreed, my old 308 twists the necks of kids today whose parents weren't even born when my car got off the boat from Italy. My little 914, which is tastefully lowered, looks like a delivery truck parked next to the 308. Lower is more exotic.

I'm out on the road, but I'll have to refer to a Motor Trend issue at home, from earlier in the year, that had an artists' conception "Dream List" of sorts. A conceptual replacement for the 360 was in the group of various dream cars (a 914 re-do too). The 360 replacement carried forward some classic design aspects of the Dino...it looked like a Ferrari.

 

The less soul the most dependable they get, maybe Ferrari is following the pack.

I think Ferrai should build radical looking cars like the Enzo for the same money of a 360 or 575 of course it wont be with the same building materials as the Enzo. Then build the non inspiring looking cars like the 575 or 456 but with the really expensive materials and motors for the mega bucks spending older people.

 

Take a ride in a 360 Challenge Stradale... "gone soft"... you have got to be kidding me!?

I prefer my cars for the performance they deliver. If its only looks that one is after there are several other options.