The lack of an engine. Though I agree, if you start with the premise that they're making an EV, I like their priorities.
It's an electrical vehicle. Not a car. If one cannot even agree on that basic fundamental premise, then the discussion is largely pointless, if not a exercise in logomachy.
Actually, I hate electric cars, I really don't know why I'm defending the Elettrica here, probably a reaction to the criticism—playing devil's advocate? On the other hand, I really like Manzoni's work and I find today's Ferraris more interesting aesthetically than they were 10 years ago. Of course, it's just a matter of taste. We mustn't forget one thing: “Pininfarina” is not a designer per se, but a company whose design office always included several people—there were a dozen of them in the 1980s, for example—who were deliberately left anonymous (even if today some names have gone down in history). It is very interesting to note that these people did not achieve much of note when they left Pininfarina to pursue solo careers, proof that collective thinking prevailed at Pininfarina. It may also be interesting to note that some cars that have been attributed to Pininfarina for commercial reasons seem to have been designed in-house at Ferrari. Some say, for example, that the 250 Lusso and the 275 GTB are the work of Edmondo Casoli, who was then Ferrari's aerodynamicist. And then, as I often say to those who tell me that Manzoni should resign and who want Pininfarina back... Just look at what Pininfarina is doing today... And you'll quickly change your mind! Sorry, this is a little off-topic, but since the subject was brought up...
I haven't heard anyone say that it's a bad EV. The debate is whether they should be making an EV at all. Perhaps they could make a very good piano. Doesn't mean they should.
If Ferrari wants to remain relevant, they have to enter the EV market. Both for sales (yes, sales as in "people want an EV Ferrari") and because of government regulations. And, if people would buy a piano from Maranello, trust me, Ferrari would make one.
They could have simply sub branded it like they did the Dino. Elettrica by Ferrari. HOWEVER they didn’t. It would have made all the difference in the world in regards to old clients perception.
No doubt regulations mean they'll eventually have no choice. I don't know if we're at that point. We might be close, in which case I can hardly fault them. If we're not, I'd have preferred they waited. As for tapping into another source of demand, perhaps it will be a commercial success. I'm skeptical, but maybe. Either way, it dilutes the brand for me. But then, so does the Purosangue. And that one is clearly (and unsurprisingly) a commercial success. In any event, no matter how good the Elettrica is as an EV, I won't be getting one. Fortunately, they're still making plenty of cars that do appeal to me. Which can't be said of many other brands. As long as they keep doing that, I'll keep supporting them.
Consider the choices. 1. Ferrari maintains the ICE lineage (with a few hybrids, like the 296/SF90/F80 thrown in) and becomes commercially unviable OR 2. Ferrari incorporates EV into its lineup and stays commercially relevant If anyone thinks option 1 is impossible, think back to 1956-57.
Is well known that through 61 years of collaborative design with Ferrari, Pininfarina was able to interpret Enzo Ferrari's will almost perfectly. After Enzo's death the same happened between Pininfarina and L.C.D.M. when he assumed the role of Ferrari's chairman. The relationship between Pininfarina and Ferrari was so close that Sergio Pininfarina became a member of Ferrari's board of directors in 1969 and served until he stepped down in 2011. Although there was a very close collaboration between Pininfarina and Ferrari, the final decision to approve or reject any design was exclusively Enzo's, and the same continued to happen later with L.C.D.M. However, today we don't know if Manzoni's designs receive final approval from anyone, but even if they do, we don't see anyone in Ferrari's top hierarchy who has the analytical skills of Enzo or L.C.D.M. The solution for design improvement doesn't seem to me to be either Manzoni's resignation or the return of Pininfarina. Manzoni has already proven to be a very talented and capable of producing exceptional designs. However, in models where aerodynamics and lap-time beating are the main existential reason, Manzoni clearly struggles to produce appealing designs and tends always to end up introducing futuristic elements of dubious taste that destroy the design's harmony. IMO, what Manzoni simply needs in this cases is the guidance of someone like Enzo or L.C.D.M. who were able to bring him down to earth from the futuristic and aerospace worlds were he has been living lately. Manzoni won't improve if he doesn't ear the word no whenever necessary. As for the return of a collaboration between the current Pininfarina and Ferrari, IMO that would be the worst possible solution.
If you're arguing that regulators are forcing their hand, sure. As I said: If you're arguing that customer preferences have left them no choice, we can agree to disagree.
For those saying "never self-driving", consider that the company also said "no SUVs". Yet all signs point to this thing being the SECOND Ferrari SUV.
The Pininfarina Battista looks better than any Ferrari in their current roster imo except possibly the 296. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I’m still trying to figure out what is the difference between a car and a vehicle? Well, I guess a car is a subset of vehicle. So, all cars are vehicles, but not all vehicles are cars?
In a recent interview, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Enrico Galliera demonstrated that besides wearing beautiful, perfectly tailored Italian suits, he's also an excellent salesperson. In the interview, he said that Ferrari is taking an unintentional and selective approach to selecting future Elettrica customers. "If it's not for you, maybe... you won't be invited. I'm not giving you the car because it's not the car for you." Those eager to own an electric Ferrari should pay close attention now, because it will be much harder to get an Elettrica than any other combustion-engine Ferrari. Even if you're willing to buy an Elettrica without knowing the price, you'll have to submit to Mr. Galiera's draconian scrutiny, as if it were a job interview. Only after you've been approved will Mr. Galliera give you the car. IMO, this just shows what some companies and their salespeople are capable of when they realize there are no buyers for a particular product.
I think there are several factors that make Manzoni's task very difficult and that it is impossible to compare the Pininfarina era (even recent) with the Manzoni era. Firstly, aerodynamic requirements have exploded (and this includes flow control for cooling), making the design process extremely complex. We are a long way from the days when Fioravanti said, “Let's put the radiators on the sides of the Testarossa and you figure out the air intakes.” This is the main reason why Ferrari integrated its styling studio, so that engineers, aerodynamicists, and designers could work together on a daily basis. And as you say, Enzo and Di Montezemolo are no longer there, but there is undoubtedly a long decision-making chain that makes choices very complex, with, I imagine, a host of compromises. I've talked enough with Manzoni to think that he must not be happy that the 849 is called Testarossa, and I've seen him struggle to sincerely defend certain aesthetic choices that were clearly decided by other departments... For example, one of his colleagues told me a long time ago that there were much more elegant proposals for the 812 Superfast, but that Marchionne had the final say, considering that the more “vulgar” design he had chosen would sell better to the target customer base.
I haven't been a fan of most recent designs, but would Manzoni's resignation really change much? There'd still be the same requirements from other departments to be translated into design elements, and his design team from Centro Stile would still be there. Mr. Palazzani, Militello and the others would still be there, only under the umbrella of someone who wouldn't be Manzoni.
They have no chance of continuing to make cars with an EV range...none ! Who has 500k to throw out the window to buy this thing, seriously...
Manzoni is an architect, he has immense artistic culture, he is a gifted draftsmen and sculptor... He is a very talented guy with a real vision for design. And having spent some time in this milieu, I can say that this is not the case for the vast majority of the profession, who are just guys motivated by the desire to design supercars, without much knowledge of automotive history or design in general. Worse still, without any sensitivity. I mean, for example, Mitja Borkert, Lamborghini's head of design, started his career drawing tuned cars for car magazines... It's not the same culture or sensibility at all. The first is an artist. The second is a guy who loves extreme cars. Who would you entrust with the job?
And yet, that styling convention, the “whiskers” was subsequently copied by several others, not the functionality, just the looks…. And how about other examples, such as the 599? He wanted the badge in the side air vent, but Pininfarina said it messed up the aero… Maybe these sorts of things were responsible for LDM being badgered and tickled into creating the FDC? Pushing the boundaries is great, but, for me at least, a Ferrari without an engine isn’t a Ferrari. A Ferrari should always have a fairly obvious connection to racing. That is the engine. I realize there is an all electric race series, Formula E (if it is still around), but Ferrari is not an entrant. And yes, the modern F1 and WEC cars are hybrid. However, they have to find new clients, in the past they’ve sold Ferrari cologne, mouse pads, they have a fashion line now, none of this really hurts the brand. I don’t think the EV will do any meaningful damage. But its not for me. My own take is the EU automotive industry was really scared by the EU (and some USA) regulations and also appreciating the rise of China and other markets where supposedly EV sales are important, and they must have said they need to have this. I think many of those decisions were made about 10 years ago. The world has changed, I would suggest to not sell the car, but rather, use it as a study for what a Ferrari EV could be. However, this approach results in all cost and zero revenue. They are still a company that needs to sell cars…. They seem to be taking a sensible and cautious approach, and the brand will continue, which is also what they couldn’t sell it as a Dino or any other subbrand.
I was not aware of this anecdote about the 599, but what I can confirm is that LCDM always had the last word on the design of each of the cars produced under his mandate. He had a very clear vision of what a Ferrari should be. When people deviated from this vision, he could be harsh, but always with a lot of humor.
I'm not sure why we should particularly particularly care about his background. What matters are the designs he produces. And, I love most of his designs. I think the SP1/2, SP3, the Roma, the 296 and others are absolute knockouts. Unfortunately for me, I'm not a fan of some key elements of the new design language. But, that's just one opinion.
