Ferrari Styling Today?

true but that's probably a function of commonality in radio/infotainment/HVAC controls and of course steering wheels and TFT displays.

traditionally I don't think the styling has been that uniform across models from the same era, which IMO is a good thing. variety is the spice of life

after a few duds (FF, Cali) it's nice to see the F12, which I think looks great. 458 is gorgeous too

 

I think you cannot fully appreciate design until it stands a test of time. Some things that look cool immediately can burn out to the point were you can't stand it anymore. I have that feeling about the new Camaro while I still like the original Camaro very much.

On the other had, the 612 Scag was ugly as sin to me when I first saw it and today I rather like it. It's too bad they didn't make a limited SWB version as I think it could have been a classic.

I do believe that cars of the past had more of a single person's vision than they do today. And, car design suffers for it.

I'm talking about car design in general here, not necessarily Ferrari---

I see too much market research, too many cooks with their fingers in the design, too many non-designers making decisions, and too much wind tunnel influence making the cars look like they were the vision of some committee where everyone compromised just a little bit.

A lot of people want to blame regulations but I don't think that should be an excuse for just bad design. It's not a lack of talent. It's a lack of boldness and a lack of power for designers to execute their ideas over pencil pushers and people who wear gray suits.

 

Exteriors: No clear winners on your list, IMHO. I saw a white (!!) 458 today, and it just didn't do anything for me. Maybe the F70 will get Ferrari back on track.

 

Interesting NYT article this weekend on the demise of the traditional instrument panel: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/20/automobiles/a-digital-paradise-by-the-dashboard-light.html?ref=automobiles&_r=0.

 

You need one of these: You might just be unconscious and not know it.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I do agree with this. It's the worst part of the new Corvette. It has a dash display that looks EXACTLY like the cheap-o Dodge Dart.

When computer graphics are more important than the gauges, it's a huge step back. Someday manufacturers will see their folly. We don't want an Xbox staring at us in our face all day long (well, anyone over the age of 15 of course).

 

I havent initially been sold on ANY Ferrari thats come out in the last at least 15 years. I tend to withold my judgment until the car has had a chance to grow on me a while.

I love the performance numbers, but the looks of the car has a huge impact for me. I really did like the 550 when it came out instantly, thats probably because it was so reminescent of the Daytona. Thats probably the only exception to my earlier statement.

I think that the 360 and 430 have aged ok so far, but not sure if I will feel the same in another 10 years. The 599 still looks a bit awkward to me and kinda Corvettish, just as the F12 does.



PDG

 

During the 80's there was little cohesion amongst the models, think about the Testarossa vs. the 328, vs. the 412. That is OK, cohesion isn't everything when creating a product line. That is true especially now when we are talking about different platforms and engine layouts. It would make less sense if there was a lot of cohesion because it would be forced.

As far as what appeals to people in relationship to cost, that's hard to nail down too. Aside from the super models, the V8 models have been the fan favorites for some time. I think now that they have made the V12 model more aggressive looking, it will vie for most favorite amongst fans.

The most important visual aspect of Ferrari's is that they look sexy and aggressive at the same time. If a Ferrari looks like a shark, the design is in the right place. If it looks like something else, then the design on shaky ground. Cohesion should be about matching to a design theme.

-F

 

The 458 is the best looking sports car of the last 20 years, IMO, and in my eyes the current line-up (458-F12-FF) looks a lot better than the previous one (F430-599-612), but worse than the old F355-550-456.

 

To me the f12 it´s an amazing car, really a beautifull design and i belive a classic in years to come. The 458 it´s also an amazing car. The california not so much...i wouldn´t call it ugly of course but it´s far from being a stunner like the other 2. As for the ff i never saw one in person so i´m not sure....doesn´t look that special to me....just for comparison, a maserati also as 4 places (don´t know if it´s less roomy inside) it´s as big as an ff and it´s one of the prettyest cars in the world in IMO. I never liked the enzo nor the 360 and 430 but loved the 550/575

 

I don't care much for the 458 (or Spider, for that matter). Headlights are ugly as sin. I saw a 458 recently again but the only reason I got excited was because there is only 1 here. It wasn't pretty and it's HUGE.

FF isn't pretty either but I sort of like it for a car in it's class. Atmospheric V12 helps.

California needn't be talked about. It's ****ing huge and it's ass is ugly.

I rather like the F12, except for the vulva at the back. No idea what it's doing there. It's their best car they have at the moment, but it's not a classic design IMO.

Challenge Stradale, 360 spider, 550 Maranello, F355 Berlinetta, Scuderia are all pretty cars.

But comparing it all to current designs of other manufacturers in the same class, I think only Lamborghini is still designing cars that are cool and poster material. Look at the Aventador!

Aston Martin are just making the same car all over again with a different price tag, or saying that their new Vanquish is an all new car (even though it's secretly a Virage with a different badge. And a Virage is a DB9 with a different headlight).


So in short, not a great fan of new styled cars in general

 

In the fullness of time the current range will fuse together better as the style of the 2010s. Whether it will be more likeable is a different question.

This happens in ALL areas of creative endeavour, whether it be music, literature, architecture or car styling.

 

Personally, I like the lack of cohesion. (I'm so tired of every Porsche looking like a 911 irrespective of its intended function.)

 

Agree, I think the 550 was a winner out of the gate, as was the 355.

Nothing after has really nailed the proportions. Too large, too bulbous, too busy with retro elements force-fitted to modern safety-regulation-driven shapes.

(And yes, all Ferraris are very desirable cars, etc. Just not leading the charge in terms of design or outright performance anymore.)

 

Remember the old adage..

" You can please some of the people some of the Time, You can please all the people some of the time, but you can never please all the people all of the time"

I think the 458 is the cats meow.

never cared for the 360 and 430 lines.

 

The trend I don't like is that "sports cars" are getting too tall and bulky, with the exception of Lambos that are still low to the ground.

 

I think this relates more to regulations and marketing conditions than not. We are big people and we like bigger cars inside. However, it's not an excuse for poor design. Methods can be used to hide size and bulk. The eyes can be deceived.

What is interesting is that the F12 is the first car perhaps ever in Ferrari's history that is smaller than the one it replaced (the 599). So, maybe the message is getting out.

 

Don't disagree. Ferrari has fallen off in the styling department with the excpetion of the 458. I am not thrilled they used the GTO moniker again for the 599 either. It was an unnessary another attempt to steal some more scratch from their customers. The F70 will define them stylistically for the next decade so we will see.

 

I agree as well. The 458/Italia is Ferrari's sharpest design out now. The others aren't as appealing for the money. Saw this picture of the upcoming F70, this def. looks impressive of what's next to come. Looks like the next $1,000,000 price tag super car.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

What I don't like about most manufacturers new model is that it has to be BIGGER than the last, to offer more room, more gadgets, more, well MORE. Ferrari was guilty of this too. F355-360, 550-599, 456-612. Now it seems smaller is better - 458, F12, FF. Sports cars need to be small and nimble, or at least I like them that way.

 

None of the newer cars you listed are small. The F12 is smaller than the 599 GTB/GTO, but barely. The 458 is longer than an Audi S5, which seats four. It's also a foot longer than the 355, and longer cars can be a challenge to pull off, aesthetically, because the nose-to-tail continuity of form and proportions are harder to get right.

(Add a foot to the 355 and it probably wouldn't have worked -- part of the drama of that car is precisely that it looks compact and wide, and that imposing width wouldn't be there if it was longer.)

I don't think cockpits have to go back to E-Type/Dino 246/Ferrari 308 dimensions for sports cars get back to where they should be, dimensionally.

 

The 456 and 550 were the last classically beautiful Ferraris. Subsequently they've gone to a more dramatic look with mixed results.

 

Does anyone else notice a certain similarity in the front end of this picture to the P4/5C?

Just sayin...