RE: Driven: Ferrari 458 Italia

[Complex]

Stig said:

Am I alone in thinking this is proper fugly?

Nope, the rear tries too hard with it's sharp edges, and the rubber mouth looks out of place amongst an otherwise smooth and un-eventful bonnet. While it's obviously still a nice looking car, it's not in the same aesthetic league as a Maserati GT, LP560-4 or AMV, which you'd like to expect considering it costs far above what the competition of the next generation of mid-range supercar will (although admittedly we don't know what Lambo's competitor to this will be).

[300bhp/ton]

k-ink said:

Not bad. But you'd be crazy to buy a dancing donkey over the baby F1!

And you are basing this on .............

Exactly

[k-ink]

... based upon looks, exclusivity, brand ethos

[the_smalls]

k-ink said:

... based upon looks, exclusivity, brand ethos

Obviously looks are subjective, but to my eye the McLaren is 'generic'. Though the 458 is a little fussy, a least Ferrari are pushing the design envelope. However, I must agree on brand ethos - the McLaren video released recently certainly swung my lottery-car vote Woking-wards.

[PompeyM3]

Looking forward to seeing it in the flesh. It seems there are more and more choices on where to spend your money super/hyper car wise these days.

[william200mph]

Honda NSX!

[300bhp/ton]

k-ink said:

... based upon looks, exclusivity, brand ethos

[FestivAli]

It's been a few months and many pictures now, and I've been umming and ahhing about it, but I can't deny it. It's a hideous car. Functional, no doubt, and the interior works quite well, but I really really dislike the look of the thing, and no matter how well it drives. I don't fancy the Mclaren much either, but it's at least cleaner looking.

[Arun_D]

I'm firmly in the camp of it not being a 'beautiful' or 'stunning' car to look at by any means, personally. It's certainly too busy at the back for me to call it any of that.I'm sure if it was a fibreglass jobbie from a shed in eastern Europe it'd get slated, even if it was a capable steer.

However Chris Harris did a great job of demonstrating it's abilities in the EVO videos, it certainly looks like it drives like a dream!

Edited by Arun_D on Friday 20th November 08:44

[K50 DEL]

Snoggledog said:

Stig said:

Am I alone in thinking this is proper fugly?

Nope. You're not alone. To my eyes, it looks like a modified copy of the P4/5 and a badly done copy at that.

You can add me to that list as well, it does nothing for me at all.

I also understand that it's only available as an auto - WTF is that about, I don't care if it is 10ms faster at changing gear, surely half the pleasure of a sportscar is the control that the driver has, an automatic Ferrari leaves me cold.

Not for me... sorry.

[DanBMW]

Stig said:

Am I alone in thinking this is proper fugly?

No! I was going to post exactly the same thing!

I think the back is alright the front is ugly and the interior looks a bit stupid for a ferrari, I dont like the vents or the instrument cluster.

Edited by DanBMW on Friday 20th November 09:12

[traffman]

What ugly ? No !

I love it , looks like a Ferrari and should have been the natural replacement for the 355.

So the people that dont like it , what sort of machinery do you like ?

[Mr MoJo]

I wasn't 100% sure about the looks when I first saw the press photo's either. However the more I have seen of this car the more I have come to realise that it is actually stunning. Very very pretty car IMO. Can't wait to see it in the flesh, and hopefully one day get behind the wheel of one.

[Luca Brasi]

Incredible how they made a brilliant sportcar like the F430 better.

[aarondrs]

JTK said:

totally different category, 911 gt3 rs to 458 italia. That explains the diffrent price category...

But I'm not sure it does. In what way is it a different category? 2 seater car that has similar performance, equally practical, equally fast and with (if we are about such things) equal 'status'.

[Gridl0k]

Snoggledog said:

Stig said:

Am I alone in thinking this is proper fugly?

Nope. You're not alone. To my eyes, it looks like a modified copy of the P4/5 and a badly done copy at that.

I said I was unconvinced on the launch thread, and I remain so. I also hated that P4/5 thingy (why are there periscopes at the back?) but in the scheme of things my opinion is like a fart in a hurricane, and subjective.

[The Milfman]

aarondrs said:

JTK said:

totally different category, 911 gt3 rs to 458 italia. That explains the diffrent price category...

But I'm not sure it does. In what way is it a different category? 2 seater car that has similar performance, equally practical, equally fast and with (if we are about such things) equal 'status'.

I love the GT3 RS but

, probably more so the GT3, & .

The Ferrari is much quicker, and as great as the RS is I suspect from what's been written the 458 handles even better and is in a different league!

Having owned both Porsche & Ferrari, I can vouch for, as I'm certain others would too, the ownership experience being completely different and (IMO) in the eyes of those that care about 'status' there is a quantum leap between the 2 brands.

Edited by The Milfman on Friday 20th November 11:22

[DeltaEvo2]

Beautiful car!

Whoever says it isn't either needs:

1) Glasses
2) or just hates Ferrari.
The MCP12...xyznerd McLaren thing is WAY uglier, kit car like as I have said before.

Edited by DeltaEvo2 on Friday 20th November 11:36

[Dagnut]

aarondrs said:

JTK said:

totally different category, 911 gt3 rs to 458 italia. That explains the diffrent price category...

But I'm not sure it does. In what way is it a different category? 2 seater car that has similar performance, equally practical, equally fast and with (if we are about such things) equal 'status'.

Similar performance? Serioulsy doubt that..

[Stig]

Beefmeister said:

Stig said:

Am I alone in thinking this is proper fugly?

Alone? No.

Minority? Yes.

I've seen it in the metal, and it's stunning.

In my opinion, obviously...

I've seen it in the metal and in other colours - Press day at Frankfurt.

I made up my mind back then and it's yet to change.

It was interesting to see how Ferrari had arranged the cars on their stand to keep the rear out of sight. Once I saw it I could see why.