It seems odd that the rear end of the 599 has less detail and more empty and unfinished space than the 360/430 ... If you look at the rear of a 360/430, it has: - four rear lights - pipes integrated into body panel cutout (which I always like) But strangely, the 599, a much more expensive, more exclusive, and newer car, has: - two rear lights - pipes hanging underneath (!) It looks like the same kind of cost saving steps that lesser car manufacturers do between cheap (chevy lumina) and cheaper (chevy corsica) models ... eliminate some pieces, make it a bit plainer... That's why it is so confusing ... the empty space in the rear where the other two lights would be is _conspicuously_ empty, and the unfinished look of the hanging tailpipes is disappointing. But that is coming from someone who really, really, likes exhaust pipes integrated into the rear body panel ... Comments ?
Ok, on further inspection I see that the pipes are built into a cut-out - just a much lower profile one than with the 360/420 ... I still think the pipes of the 360/420 and the manner in which they are integrated are much classier and richer looking ... My comments on the taillights stand though ... whatever is gained in simplicity of design is more than lost with the conspicuously empty/unused space ... they should have done quad taillights like on the 612/420/enzo, etc.
I don't think it has anything to do with cost savings. Pininfarina made the design and Ferrari agreed with the final result. Ferrari choose to leave more room for the trunk than to add two additional rear lights, so I don't think it is fair to call it unused space. About the quad rear lights: there are far more models in Ferraris history that have a different setup. It is an illusion to think that a Ferrari "should have" 4 round taillights. I'm glad they designed the back of the 599 the way they did, instead of "overdesigning" it as on the F430, which still looks way too busy and fussy in my eyes.
I'm not saying that it _was done_ for cost savings, I am just saying it _looks like_ the same kind of down-featuring and/or down-designing that you see when you move down a line of manufacturers models. I have no preference for two or four lights, in general, I just feel that there is an empty design space on the rear of the car - a conspicuous absence of design in those spots... Sorry if non preening/fawning posts annoy you...
Why is this an 'absence' of design though??? From what you are saying the more junk you put on a car should be the better design, regardless of whether it was thought about or not. I tend to think that the simplicity of the back end of the 599 is what makes it beautiful. Making something look appealing is far more difficult in my eyes when you've only got 1/3 of the components to do it. When I look at the back of the 599, I don't see what you call an "absence of design", I see an area where design of the vehicle was at it's peak.
I am ok with both design elements that you pointed out. The Exhaust may not be integrated into the body but to me it looks like it is very well integrated into the black rear diffuser. As for the Tail lamps, if I recall, those pay homage to cars in the past that had single lights. I really like the look as individual elements and as a whole.
I feel like the goal of the 599 design was not so much an in-your-face car as teh V8s, but rather a more classy timeless design. I love the 430s, so don't turn this into a 430 bashing post it's not at all. I think the 430 DEMANDS attention and screams exotic and it's really a work of art. The 599 however gets some attention, but it's more mature and timeless. The only analogy that comes to mind, and it's a poor one at that, would be comparing the Venetian casino to Wynn (yes I just got back from vegas lol). The Venetian has all kinds of stuff to look at, its huge, there are pretty girls everywhere and Tao is one of the hottest clubs in town. The Wynn however isn't as glitzy, but it's still amazing in its own right. The restaurants are top of the line, its not as busy looking but its more timeless, it has a wonderfull contryclub out back. I guess that makes no sense. In my mind the 599 is elegant and thus it lacks some of the qualities that makes the 430 scream "look at me."
The 599 is a fresh design, and it was time for a new look on one model. I didn't like it at first, but it has grown on me.
