Is the camera angle and distance from the car when pictures are taken. This is not a two-dimensional car and thus, does not like to photographed up close and in its personal space. If you cognoscenti notice, this trend of 3-dimensional shapes, and this less photogenic designs, began with the 360 and has continued through the Enzo, 430 and the upcoming 599. When I first saw photos of the 360 I thought it looked like a space ship or something. No other car looked even vaguely similar to it. Now, after everyone has expounded upon its theme, it looks ordinary, at least in pictures. The 612 is the latest to suffer from its more organic, sophisticated shape. The 456, Maranello and 355 were all 2-D, and this more camera friendly. The more recent shapes move, if you will, the lines move from concave to convex, from curve to plane, the way a sculpture in bronze or marble would move. This is why they are less photogenic but more stunning in person than the older designs, to my eyes at least, although I have yet to see a 612 or an Enzo. Please behold the shots of the 612 below to see the correct vantage points and distances from which the lines and proportions of it can be truly viewed and appreciated. They are all outdoors, in real light, from a distance. In these shots it looks sleek and aggressive but smooth. I have a few more shots that I don't know how to shrink for the space constraints. If someone could explain to me how to shrink them I would appreciate it. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I happen to find the 612 to be a gorgeous car when seen in person. Other than perhaps being a little conservatively styled (though you gotta note that 2+2 FCars have always been more conservative than their 2-seat stablemates), I dont see any reason to knock the thing. It has a sophisticated, classic beauty to it which reminds me of Ferrari's old GTs (250 GTE, 330 GTC, 365GT 2+2 etc).
I think the F430 is the opposite. It looks pretty good in pictures, but when I first saw one, I wasn't impressed. It looks so close to a 360 (I'm talking about a red/tan F430 Spider) that I actually had to think for a little over a second what I was looking at.
waht do you mean by ex-612 what have you done? and why? ( I mean...in F-chat terms not personally) you were my hero by having the balls to own such an unusual Ferrari.
I must admit, I was very VERY soft on the 612s older sibling, the 456 when I first saw it. I thought, "Okay...it's a softened 550M with flip-up headlights and a fat @ss." Yeah....THEN I saw the video of the F test driver flogging one until it blew up. Seeing a 456 cook its tires with what seemed to be effortless ease, I gained an ENTIRELY new wealth of respect for the capabilities of Maranello's 2+2 offerings. That said - and especially after seeing recent pics of the Novitec 612 - the Scaglietti gets the nod of my cap.
I think Ferrari did a great job with the mechanics and interior of the 612. The exterior is such a tough love, however. There have been cars that I didn't like at first, then the styling grows on me. The 612 still does not appeal to me, and it's been a long time since I first saw it at the NAIAS release. Pity, because I'm sure the car would be a joy to drive.
IIRC, he sold it and is on the F430 wait list. Definitely the best looking 612 I've seen. Hands down best interior (really like the quilted headliner).
When I first saw the 612 I was pretty turned off by it, but when I was in NYC with my girlfriend last week, we went to the Ferrari showroom and saw the TDF/tan 612, and I have to say that it is a really beautiful car. I would pbably get one in either grigio titano or rubino metalizzo (maybe rosso fiorano) which would be dark enough to really show the lines but not hide them. I had a similar response to the 360 when itfirst went public because it didnt look good in red and did not have the traditional smiling front grille, but after seeing mine in GT, I fell in love with it.
Well some of us buyers knew this but why should we go around blowing our own trumpet? Too many pictures of the 612 were shot from too close and look distorted. Many many many people who have commented on its looks have never seen the car in real life, or on the move. One of the best comments I read (before buying my 612) was that seeing it in motion it looked as though it was 'sucking up the tarmac in front of it', it looks surprisingly 'hunkered down' (for a GT) on the go. But then I'm honestly not that bothered what people who've not seen it in real life say about it because everyone who's ever seen mine falls in love with it.
LOL ... and so true. Lets see a 250SWB is far from 2D and looks awesome in just about every photo I have ever seen. Sorry the 612 is bland and yes I have seen one in the flesh ... wouldn't get my money (if I had any ). I do not think the styling compromise was worth it for the 2% handling improvement having the engine so far back (ie. behind the front axle) ... IMO they should have made a W12 engine or V8 to maintain styling balance. The V12 is a long engine and does not suit every application ... even F1. Actually to be honest I do not see a place for a car like the 612 in Ferraris line up. Pete ps: Just my opinion and I do hope that all that have made the plunge, enjoy so to the fullest
Sorry guys - we can spin ourselves into oblivion about how the 612 'might' grow on us in time, but the fact is it's a dog (IMHO). Love the interior and the mechanicals though - and if I was offered one at the right price in the right colour I would be tempted. However, I agree that the current fashion to take car photos from angles and distances that no body in the real world will ever see (e.g. front 3/4 view taken from 1 inch off the ground) are not representative and seeing the car in the flesh often leads to a different personal reaction. For example, the 430 looks great in photos, but when you see one for real, especially from a side on view, it looks like someone has picked up an axe and chopped half its ar*e off! In fact, I would go so far as to say that whilst the 430 is a phenominal machine in performance terms, its quirky curves/edges/enzoed styling has done wonders for the 360 which is now starting to look like a more cohesive curvascious and attractive design. What happened to the good old days when a new Ferrari was beautiful fresh out of the box? If Aston Martin can do it (every time) then surely Ferrari can... (All IMHO of course)...
Some folks like it. Some don´t. Just like the Daytona or the 308GT4. Let´s wait a few decades and see...
Yes, they can becuase they made a great design ten years ago and now they just repeat it. Nice cars, but... it´s a bit sad, isn´t it? Maybe we have lost new beautiful Aston Martins just because they don´t want to take risks.
Ohhhh no I firmly believe DONT fix what isnt broken. The DB9 is one of the most beautiful cars out there. Designs should "evolve" not just shift drastically. The best designers never loose original elements in their evolutions, therefore keeping the lineage of the car. Even if you look at an F430 as ugly as the front of it is you can still see 308 design cues in it, look at the way the front fenders arch up.
If you start cloning a beautiful girl,after a certain time ,with enough of them in circulation she will look just average in your eyes and boring to look at.
Personally, i think the main problem with the 612 is proportion. The bonnet is too long, the tail too round and fat. I know this was due to the constraint of engine in the middle and to accomodate four people and their luggage, but i still can't help wondering if there is a better way to package everything in.
