Official Ferrari photos of 612 replacement.

So what your saying is that this is the car they SHOULD be building instead of that Bangle Z3/Z4 inspired abortion ...

 

Agreed. It looks a lot like the Ford Gr-1 showcar aside from the front.

The Gr-1 was never produced but those who sat in it said it was impossible to see out the rear and the sides.

Everyone thinks they are a better designer than the other guy --- until you have to put it into production that is.

Guys... its a FOUR SEATER. Just where do you suppose the rear passengers are supposed to put their heads?

 

I truely get what your saying about practicality, but it surely comes a bit of a secondary concern. In this segment style matters.

While not the last word in style my Mercedes '04 AMG CL is a genuine 4 seater but at least doesn't look this ugly! The 456 is so much nicer!

 

Im a big fan of many of Ferrari's old designs, particularly the work done before the 90's, however I feel very strongly that they will not make an achingly beautiful car (a la 288 GTO or Jim's car) ever again.

The 458 is an incredibly great departure from the 430 (sorry fellas), since the 430 never had appropriate proportions from most of the car's angles, and I also felt this way with the 612. To be honest, since the 355 few, if any, of their car's had pleasing proportions.

However, I think that much of the FF's negative first impression is not due to how it actually looks, but rather more to do with what some people expect a ferrari to look like. This FF is fantastic in my eyes. While many on here will never accept a ferrari that does not fit the stereotypical mold that SOME ferrari's fit, the shooting brake/breadvan is a very appealing design, both from a proportionate persepctive and in a practical sense. in fact, FF is likely the car that porsche should have made with the Panamara. The fact that ferrari did it instead is a testament to how a relatively small company like ferrari can compete with automotive giants.

Watch that video and see how it looks on the road...its low, wide, aggressive, and modern. If Ferrari is forced to design cars around the arbitrary desires of some of its buyers and fans (one tail light, or two tail lights, or smaller front lights, or less vents and scoops), then Ferrari's mission statement for the 21st century, innovation and tech rather then prestige and history, will be lost. Even the most ardent ferarri supporter must acknowledge that in the end, Ferrari cannot build cars that Enzo would have wanted anymore, lest they become irrelevant in the midst of cheap, track capable and elemental sports cars (Noble, Porsche, Vette...) that may be faster, lighter and simpler than Ferrari's cars.

If you are waiting for a modern day F40 from ferrari (specifically a stripped down, ultra simple and uncompromised racing machine), well, you will be waiting a long time. The manufacturer ferrari was isnt the business they are today, and I feel that once some people realize that and shed some of the brand's historical baggage from their minds, cars like the FF will seem vastly more appealing and be appreciated for what they are.

 

I've found there are three types of Ferrari fans:

1) Anything built before Enzo's death was so freaking brillant, it will never be duplicated again. Everything after is just trash. Fiat, money, and Luca have screwed up everything.

2) Anything built after the 355 is garbage because the 355 is the best looking, best sounding, best of everything car ever-ever. Why would anyone want anything else is beyond comprehension.

3) Anything built by Ferrari is OK with me.


People can choose which category they want to be in but everyone falls into one of these with utter predictability.

 

So your basically saying Ferrari is commercially dead then, Sorry but I disagree!

I'd rather they sell more theme parks, caps and tshirts than dilute the brand with this kind of tripe. Looks like this was a 'designed by committee' affair with nobody having enough balls to say it sucks to Bangle.

 

Love lots of Enzo era cars, 288GTO, F40, etc.
Love the F355, 458, 550
Love the CS, Scud, 458

They lost their focus with the (soft) Cali [not a bad car but not the right one either].
The FF is just a complete failure.

Fail.

 

I said the same thing about the 612 and it has many fans.

 

A OTO looks damned stunning in person.

 

It's a big car, there looks like there is room back there.
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Exactly my point as to why it looks the way it does.

OK, it's different. So was the 612 and the 599 and I don't see all of you puking over them today.

 

Is it just me or does the back end have a bit of Testarossa in it? Especially the top surface.

 

I Think I'll have nightmares tonight...

At least all existing 456's and 612 owners can sleep happy!

Hmmm, if they keep going at this rate I may debadge my car.

 

not once did i suggest they are commercially dead. in fact, the implication is that they are being commercially realistic in NOT producing cars like an F40. Try reading it again, its a bit long, I admit.

 

It must be a market for this car. I always say lets see how a car sells & what new technology does it bring to the table. This car has a ton of new tech. You can't say its a failure purely because of the looks.

People can scream about what a car looks like all day, but their were more Californias sold than Gallardos with ease. Is the Gallardo a failure? It can be argued the past 2 or 3 years all these new additions that have just been sitting around on lots not selling.

Got to wait & see if it has any commerical success to declare its a complete failure.

 

I feel what you are saying. And people better get use to it. Ferrari became commerically realistic and went in a new direction in the mid 90s.

You aren't going to turn a profit when your entire stable looks like the F40 F50 or Enzo.

I think Ferrari's strategy is to produce a halo wildly looking exotic every 8-10 years.

Extreme but beautiful front engine V12 599

2+2 very practical V12 FF

Sporty mid engine V8 458

Practical front engine V8 2+2 Ca

Modify & upgrade them in some way every 4-5 years. These cars are aimed at a cross section of different Ferrari buyers. Each car will be exclusive because it will just be aimed at a particular segment of people across the globe.

 

What a disappointment! It doesn't seem to fit the Ferrari label at all. Perhaps another marque, but Ferrari? Do they really need this type of a car? I can't see it as a Maserati or an Alfa and certainly not the greatest sports car brand in the world... Ferrari. Something just seems so wrong about this. This is not what Ferrari is known for. I would rather have a 612 hands down...

 

for a while I've read this is a concept. now it seems this is the 612 replacement. which one is it? with so much overwhelming negativity here on the forum, is it too late for Ferrari to change the design if it is indeed the replacement?

would have loved if the car looked like this, as posted earlier.....
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That's a pretty good computer rendering... if you don't want humans to fit in the car.

 

Indeed, probably the best post in this thread.

I can't see how anyone can deem something a complete failure without seeing, much less driving the actual car. How many people are scared to take their Ferrari out in the rain? This car would solve that, plus it's practical. To me I think this Ferrari makes the MOST sense. I love it, and if I had the means I would have a deposit on it. I'll be looking for these cars down the road as they always depreciate.

I'll say again, 0-60 in 8 sec in the snow??!! Outrageously awesome

 

That car is is terrible - the worst I could have imagined

 

Wow- the reaction of dislike is predictable. But that's exactly what Ferrari wanted or didn't want.

Let me explain. The 612 failed to generate strong sales and demand. Why? Well some didn't like the looks. Many felt it wasn't sporty enough in terms of driving experience. "It drives like a big car" is what a lot of people said or thought.

So if Ferrari had just made the new 612 a little prettier I think they would have gotten the same result. Weak sales again. Dispassionate feelings about the driving experience.

The FF gives the customer a different form factor. The hatch is a plus if you want a car with one. If you talk to SUV owners the hatch is very important.

The new 4W drive, better engine and gearbox will make it very sporty drive.

Yes it looks different.

That's the whole idea.

 

THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN BEAUTIFUL!

 

Please don't try to use logic. People's heads will explode!

Just like the California, this car will disprove it's critics.

The person who will buy this car will be considering a Bentley, RR, or Merc AMG. If they wanted a 2 place sports car, they would buy one. What they want is some level of practicality. They don't want something that looks that sporty. It's always been that way with Ferrari 2 + 2s and 4 seaters. Some people just can't see anything other than a 355 as "a real Ferrari" look. They are still upset Ferrari got rid of pop up headlights.

The people who are dissing this thing would never buy one anyway. The people who would buy one will love it.