Ferrari 458
I must be one of the few who DON'T like the design. Ever since they started doing this sharp headlight crap, imo, visually they've gone downhill. For example the Maranello is sleek, streamline, and overall looks gorgeous. These new Ferrari's are too busy, have no flow, and imo, are offensive looking.
I must be one of the few who DON'T like the design. Ever since they started doing this sharp headlight crap, imo, visually they've gone downhill. For example the Maranello is sleek, streamline, and overall looks gorgeous. These new Ferrari's are too busy, have no flow, and imo, are offensive looking.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: A better place
I must be one of the few who DON'T like the design. Ever since they started doing this sharp headlight crap, imo, visually they've gone downhill. For example the Maranello is sleek, streamline, and overall looks gorgeous. These new Ferrari's are too busy, have no flow, and imo, are offensive looking.
458 still looks goofy to me. This spyder looks slightly better than the coupe, but not a big difference.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,285
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From: NV
I don't get the fascination or obsession with hard tops. I figured that was something that would just be on the California. It seems every gen Ferrari is making the convertible more and more poser, which a roadster doesn't have to be.
It's on the F430 and 360 as well... I was actually hoping that since they removed the rear scoops that they would go back to a flat deck like on the 355. I think it would look better that way.
No, you're definitely not alone. There has been grumbling even on fchat since release about the looks. It's just way too busy. The headlights are godawful. There are only a 2 angles that I think this car looks OK from. I also think the 458 looks even worse in person than in photos. And it already looks awful in photos.
Based on these photos, I will say the convertible looks better than the coupe... but that's not saying a lot.
It's on the F430 and 360 as well... I was actually hoping that since they removed the rear scoops that they would go back to a flat deck like on the 355. I think it would look better that way.
I must be one of the few who DON'T like the design. Ever since they started doing this sharp headlight crap, imo, visually they've gone downhill. For example the Maranello is sleek, streamline, and overall looks gorgeous. These new Ferrari's are too busy, have no flow, and imo, are offensive looking.
Based on these photos, I will say the convertible looks better than the coupe... but that's not saying a lot.
Driver
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 93
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From: ON
After continued speculation, an excessive number of artist renderings and then leaked photos last week, Ferrari has now officially revealed the 458 Spider with a retractable hard top.
A world’s first for a mid-engine car, the hard top is made of aluminum and fits just in front of the engine compartment without affecting performance or aerodynamics. Ferrari even claims it weighs less than a traditional folding soft top (55 lbs to be exact), and takes just 14 seconds to open or close.
The stunning look of the car is even functional, with the new rear design helping to direct air towards to engine intakes, as well as to the clutch and gearbox oil coolers. In addition, the Spider comes with an electrically-deployable wind screen to reduce turbulence in the cockpit and allow “normal conversation” at speeds of up to 124 mph.
Powering the Spider is the same 562-hp 4.5-liter V8 engine as the coupe, although Ferrari has made adjustments to the suspension setup, throttle mapping and exhaust to deliver an optimized top-down experience.
Ferrari will officially reveal the car on September 13th at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Look for plenty more pictures then.
A world’s first for a mid-engine car, the hard top is made of aluminum and fits just in front of the engine compartment without affecting performance or aerodynamics. Ferrari even claims it weighs less than a traditional folding soft top (55 lbs to be exact), and takes just 14 seconds to open or close.
The stunning look of the car is even functional, with the new rear design helping to direct air towards to engine intakes, as well as to the clutch and gearbox oil coolers. In addition, the Spider comes with an electrically-deployable wind screen to reduce turbulence in the cockpit and allow “normal conversation” at speeds of up to 124 mph.
Powering the Spider is the same 562-hp 4.5-liter V8 engine as the coupe, although Ferrari has made adjustments to the suspension setup, throttle mapping and exhaust to deliver an optimized top-down experience.
Ferrari will officially reveal the car on September 13th at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Look for plenty more pictures then.
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,268
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From: Canada
I must be one of the few who DON'T like the design. Ever since they started doing this sharp headlight crap, imo, visually they've gone downhill. For example the Maranello is sleek, streamline, and overall looks gorgeous. These new Ferrari's are too busy, have no flow, and imo, are offensive looking.
With that being said, for my weekend Ferrari, I do prefer having a soft top like the 16M so it can keep the clear engine window.
Hard top vs. soft top, major pros and cons on both. But hard top got more pros. If they can manage to have a hard top and still keep the clear engine window, I would prefer having a hard top.
No, you're definitely not alone. There has been grumbling even on fchat since release about the looks. It's just way too busy. The headlights are godawful. There are only a 2 angles that I think this car looks OK from. I also think the 458 looks even worse in person than in photos. And it already looks awful in photos.
Last edited by BNR34; Aug 23, 2011 at 12:08 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,285
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From: NV
Honestly I would love to see Ferrari go back to making real roadsters, even going back to barchetta tops. That's a way to give up very little for those who insist on not having a roof. They showed with the 550 that they can do it with no weight gain and minimal structural deficit. But the absurd fascination with hard top is just going too far away from the enthusiast, although I guess it just shows the direction Ferrari continues to move in.
In my opinion every car costing more then $100k is a poser car. Performance wise, you can always find an under $100k car that can match or smoke any exotic cars in all performance categories. The sole purpose of any exotic car is for looking and sounding cool = total posing.