Has Ferrari Lost It's Luster?

Why can't it be both?

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From last month's Routeclassiche in their coverage of the Aurora concours.

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"The second edition of the Scandinavian show celebrated the Italian automobile in a context of great refinement, rendering still more evident the contrast between a glorious past and an empty present."

Which is to say, you can show off the new models if you like, but if you park them next to the old models, then you won't be feeling too good about the current state of car design in Italy. In the guts of the article they talk about how all of the old skills have disappeared, and the old styling houses have closed. The author felt that just about the only bright light in cars currently being built in Italy are the reborn Stratos and 037 coming out of Cuneo. I saw them both last year at the Torino auto show and they are indeed lovely things. Beautiful, clean, simple. Also, they're not ****ing enormous.

Why does Ferrari keep building larger and larger cars? Before you know it they'll be building TRUCKS! Oh wait, that already happened didn't it.

 

Maybe that's the answer - Ferrari needs an alter ego for Manzoni's experimentation!

 

Def hasn’t lost its luster. “Lost its luster’ is the wrong phrase IMO. The brand is still the most beloved and most sought after car brand in the world. I can’t drive more than 2 blocks without someone taking a photo or making a comment. Jaguar and Lexus are brands that have lost their luster. I’d argue the term “design slump” is more fitting. I’m in my mid 40’s and wouldn’t truly consider anything after the F8. I don’t truly hate anything that’s come out post F8 with the exception of the 849 and F80 but I don’t love anything either. I just find everything they’ve release to be mid. Happy to stick with what I have for now until they rebound which will 100% happen. Valleys and peaks and I believe the least 10 years has been a big valley but they’ll pull out. Just like in music, you can never count real talent out.

 

I've been fortunate enough to have driven all the new cars... the Roma and 12 cyl are my favorites.. the 812 is spectacular as well. The SF90 - super fast, but not that good looking and its heavy.. the 296... blah... it felt cheap to me on the inside.... its fast but the looks of the car... not at all pretty, as is the all the newer cars. I will say the Dodici 12 cyl, was a lot better in person... shockingly so. But still I think the 812 is pretty hard to beat. the F8 in my opinion is the pinnacle of 21st century Ferrari's so far. the Daytona is ok, as is the F80... but what is with the Huge side mirrors? they look horrible.