Ferrari 849 Testarossa Styling

Jerry, in an interview with Auto&Design on January 7, 2025, about the F80, Flavio Manzoni was quite clear concerning the black visor containing the headlights, which debuted on the 12-cylinder. Manzoni explained, "We wanted to avoid the typical anthropomorphic effect whereby the headlights look like eyes, the grille like a mouth. The effect is perhaps less romantic but more sophisticated, and the result is more modern, futuristic, and simple." Manzoni continued, "This is when we went further: we surpassed our codes and created something unique that went beyond the typical aesthetic conics of cars and referred to futurism, speed, and elegance. To enable this transition, we moved beyond classic human lines to approach those of the most cutting aeronautics."

From Flavio Manzoni's words, one cannot deduce that he now hates seeing a face effect on the front of a car. However, he's been clear that the anthropomorphic effect is already somewhat old-fashioned and unsophisticated. The question Auto&Design didn't ask F.M., but which I would have asked him, is this:
F.M. have you lost track or forgotten that the Iconas have fronts with an anthropomorphic effect and they are by far, and by a huge margin, the best designs you've produced so far since 2018?

 

In fact, he considers that what dates a car and makes it not age well are the headlights ( and he s right ).
Hence the objective of making them disappear as much as possible, since it is now forbidden to make pop-ups, which remains an ideal (the SP3 pursues this objective of semi-pop-ups).

 

They all said that it induced immense emotions while driving it. Stop associating driving emotions just with sound. They also said that it sounds amazing inside, which is still besides the point, as sound is just one of the many factors that make a driving experience emotional.

 

I suspect that these black bars will age far less gracefully than, say, the 458's headlights. Which still look quite fresh, and will always look beautiful to my eyes.

Futurism rarely ages well.

I'd prefer he stick with the "typical aesthetic conics of cars" than seek inspiration from sources unrelated to Ferrari's heritage.

 

As far as sound goes. The Ferrari V12 is the iconic sound. The V8 is fine, but really it is the V12 howling that inviscerates everything else. So, if you’re going to complain about sound and losing “soul” (whatever the heck that means) then complain about V12 not being in every model. That is the heart of the issue. If it is not a V12, it is not a proper Ferrari.

 

I agree. What truly makes it a shame to me beyond the immediate aesthetic, is that I've driven home in the dark with 458s, 488s, LaFs in the rear view mirror and it left no doubt in my mind what was sneaking up on me - gives you a rush in the stomach waiting for them to pass. Seeing the new non-characteristic blackbarred headlights, I don't think I'd get it right within the first 5 guesses.

 

You're right, we're going to delete the whole history of music, from classical to pop rock, because ultimately music doesn't provide any emotions...and even less when you're the conductor yourself with the left and right steering wheel paddles instead of drumsticks...
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For whatever its worth, my own take it the sound is sadly a victim of the regulations. This has happened in the past as well. And that put the owners of these Ferraris in a position of having to modify them in some way or other, or live with the quiet exhaust. Compare a stock 250 GT ("SWB") to a stock 550 Maranello. Both front engine V12. By comparison the 550 is very quiet. And power to weight is probably not far off despite the 550 having considerably more power. Also, if you drive a 275 (Im picking this because of the independent rear suspension) against a 550, you might be surprised at just how modern the 275 feels in its handling/ or how the 550 doesn't seem like much progress was made in suspension technology in 30 years....

We were just lucky to live through a true golden age of automobiles- I will submit to you all, that while the 1950s-60s was truly golden, with the 70s and 80s being a real low point as a general rule (there were some amazing exceptions during these years); I would say from about 2005 through about 2019 was a true golden era, where all the stars aligned between engineeing, sound, styling, quality, drivability and livability.

We are now in the modern version of the 197s0-1980s; but, at least we are not having to live with cars that drive so much worse, as was the case then, including with considerably less power. Sadly, as has been the case when they went turbo, the sound has been sacrificed. And @REALZEUS , I think you are saying sound is not the only thing, to which I agree, but also sound is still important, as it has been noted many times before, put most succinctly by our very own @Traveller . Ferraris are about emotion, so they can't afford to lose the sound. And to that end, they have done an overall fantastic job on the 296 models. There is something about the V8s, though, that makes it difficult for them to obtain, at least for me, what I'd call a pleasant and engaging sound. This started with the 488, it's just a bit monotone, again, at least to me.

@MDEL Mario, I remember reading that interview, you might have been the one to originally post it, I have a little bit of a different point of view. I don't see Mr. Manzoni's words as saying he hates the "anthropomorphic effect", but rather, that he is moving on. That's what I mean when I say artists like to move forward, and push the boundaries. I also think his mission is to oversee a larger portfolio of cars, it's no longer 4 models and a supercar every decade. It used to be V8 GT, V8 Sports (Mid engine), V12 GT (4 seater) V12 sports, and the supercar. Now it's V8 GT (Amalfi), V6 mid engine, V8 mid engine, V12 4 seater, V12 sports (12 Cilindri), Icona, and the supercar. He's got to make it work amoung all of them. And I wonder how much input he has with the race cars. It seems like a lot to manage.

@day355 that makes perfect sense but if you disappear the headlights, then you are creating a look that, as @NGooding points out, will also be associated with this era, so isn't it too dated. The reality is they had to move past the look of the 458 era. And they do have Icona to be romantic- and they should! Note, I think they did continue this with the Roma, but also, my opinion, regrettably, moved past it on the Amalfi, which I really don't care for, though I have not seen it in person.

I am just a guy who loves cars, Ferrari, in particular, and even though I dont love everything Mr. Manzoni and his team have done, to me, overall, I think they've done a great job.