Oh!, the Ferrari is definitely the better looking of the two (the Evora looks a bit too "dumpy"), but the styling cues are definitely there!
Now that is just crazy-retro cool! (But I also think the Pink Panther car is one of the coolest cars ever as well!)
agreed re: PF. most of Ferrari in house work (ie, the Speciale, etc.) looks like Novitec kit add ons vs. high quality design additions....
the J50 and other one offs are a reminder that the 458 is the purest of reference points - Ferrari's mona lisa...these other examples just do not favorably compare to the clean lines of the 458.
I agree. IMHO, history will judge that the 458 design being timeless in automotive aesthetics. e.g., the treatment of the air vents without cutting holes everywhere is masterful, so much so that it remains the only mid-engined sports car without a body side vent. There's nothing particularly offensive about side vents, they just need to be an integrated part of the design and not just 'lazy' engineering requirement for more air (for the misguided need of turbo?) The FJ50 is another example of design is what sells exotic cars. The FJ50 design should have been applied to the 488 - signaling a clear aesthetic and mechanical departure from the 458.
You both took the words right out of my mouth. Personally, I'm underwhelmed by the FJ50. First thing I think of when I see the photos is: "Pininfarina is sorely missed". The same when I think of the 488, although between the two the 488 is the best looking car by a countrymile. And the 458 head and shoulders above the two, as only a masterpiece can: the influencer of things to come, a worldwide acclaimed design that sets the trend for a decade. Kind regards, Nuno.
Not only are 8 out of 10 chat members disagreeing with your view on the styling of the J50 ( which is fine) but you are also stereotyping the Japanese with bad taste with your last comment which is uncalled for and in bad taste.
The J50 is designed specifically for the Japanese market and it looks accordingly. Market specific design is inevitably controversial as preferences do different among different cultures. Personal dislike does not necessarily mean a bad design. Uniqueness matters more. The J50 certainly is unique among the modern Ferrari designs and is probably the best work coming from Centro Stile so far. I do like one feature of the removable CF roof panels -- less weight, fewer motorized parts to fail, and cleaner engine bay treatments. The 488 spider should have had it as well. All things manual are endearing on sports exotics...transmission, seats, roof, exhaust valves, etc., as simplicity is a prerequisite of reliability and often times of beauty as well.
I'm not a track guy so would definitely take the little bit of extra weight in lieu of jumping through hoops to take roof on and off and especially since you would not be able to do it while moving. I actually paid the $300 so I can move my roof while going at slow speeds with added 1 touch operation for roof and windows. My windows stay down now when the roof goes down as well. As a spider guy......this roof would be a deal killer for me. That's the other side of the coin. This video shows the mod for a 360/430 but I obviously got the one for the 458 but I could not find the video if they have one. You can also open/close roof from outside the car with it on or off. I'm very lazy when it comes to roof operations. In my opinion.....ALL Spiders should have all these features as stock.....1 touch, open from inside or out, and operate while moving so you don't look like an idiot holding up traffic at a stoplight or unable to start process while parking. End of point/counterpoint on removable roofs. https://youtu.be/oKIIeV3Z_YM Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Absolutly reason... 458 is one of the best Ferrari ever made, Pininfarina make one of these last works a Masterpiece. With 458 and F12 as if to sign his ultimate Masterpiece as a great painter Sure that its rating will be positiv affect
J50 Race car Render https://scontent.fsst1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15622298_1248709351856435_2974348957975929170_n.jpg?oh=e0cc122ea1d730fc48dd22bc236b2f7c&oe=58DF8C57 It would look great on Super GT GT300
I'm left wondering about Pininfarina - they did some great designs over the years but my question would be going forward do they still have the same DNA? They were bought out and I'd be interested to see what of their original flair has been maintained.
Rear looks good. The front looks like any production Japanese car. I don't think Ferrari when I see this. Take the badge off, and it could be from any manufacturer. Beginning to think Ferrari in house design has a lot of work to do.
Front of the J50 looks simply lifted form Lamborghini's Centario. http://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/lamborghini-centenario-geneva-motor-show-2016-designboom-04-818x462.jpg
For a purist, first time F owner, your first car has to be a 458 Italia or spider. Those two cars represent the apex of Ferrari design and they are naturally aspirated. One's first F car SHOULD be naturally aspirated.
