Is Instagram driving vulgar specifications?
Discussion
I can't help but notice in the last few years that particularly 'hypercars' paintjobs have become more and more edgy, to say the least.
For example, early Zondas came in solid colours and the brightest was a Lamborghini-type orange. Latterly, a good majority of Huayras are in seemingly Instagram-friendly specifications with bright colours with contrasting paint and panels everywhere. The designs seems more 'patchy' in my mind.
Koenigseggs follow a similar trend with some of the latest being garrish to the point that you could almost imagine that they are being specified in a manner that nobody else would (dare to) choose.
Similarly, Enzos were provided in a choice of a handful of colours (Red, Black, Yellow and Blue?) whereas the LaFerrari has a far more diverse range.
Even P1s have gone from 'safe' paintjobs at the start to 'interesting' ones towards the end of production. A few cars have been bought in sedate combinations and resprayed in more daring ways.
Could it be the Instagram effect of people choosing their car's exterior options to ensure maximum internet exposure? I feel there is an awareness that did not exist in the same way 10 years ago: a red Enzo was unique enough then but now you need a blue LaFerrari with white pinstripes and carbonfibre roof to stand out.
I know some manufacturers push for customisations to increase profit margins but surely that cannot explain the change between the Enzo/Carrera GT/SLR/Zonda/CC* generations to the LaFerrari/918/P1/Huayra/Agera generations.
For example, early Zondas came in solid colours and the brightest was a Lamborghini-type orange. Latterly, a good majority of Huayras are in seemingly Instagram-friendly specifications with bright colours with contrasting paint and panels everywhere. The designs seems more 'patchy' in my mind.
Koenigseggs follow a similar trend with some of the latest being garrish to the point that you could almost imagine that they are being specified in a manner that nobody else would (dare to) choose.
Similarly, Enzos were provided in a choice of a handful of colours (Red, Black, Yellow and Blue?) whereas the LaFerrari has a far more diverse range.
Even P1s have gone from 'safe' paintjobs at the start to 'interesting' ones towards the end of production. A few cars have been bought in sedate combinations and resprayed in more daring ways.
Could it be the Instagram effect of people choosing their car's exterior options to ensure maximum internet exposure? I feel there is an awareness that did not exist in the same way 10 years ago: a red Enzo was unique enough then but now you need a blue LaFerrari with white pinstripes and carbonfibre roof to stand out.
I know some manufacturers push for customisations to increase profit margins but surely that cannot explain the change between the Enzo/Carrera GT/SLR/Zonda/CC* generations to the LaFerrari/918/P1/Huayra/Agera generations.
I tend to think it's the nouveau riche effect as well. Social media has made millionaires out of people who quite frankly would never have made the sums of money they have back in the day with more traditional skill sets. These people, already predisposed to narcissism anyway, need to be able to stand out from the "crowd" of other "normal" supercars, etc.
I think it has permeated everywhere really. Manufacturers aren't shy about accommodating it either, from grotesqueries like Overfinch "London Edition" Range Rovers to various unrestricted personalisation programmes provided to those people for whom regular supercar ownership is too anonymous.
Tough to know who to blame really, it's all pretty horrific.
I think it has permeated everywhere really. Manufacturers aren't shy about accommodating it either, from grotesqueries like Overfinch "London Edition" Range Rovers to various unrestricted personalisation programmes provided to those people for whom regular supercar ownership is too anonymous.
Tough to know who to blame really, it's all pretty horrific.
I've often wondered about whether or not there's an element of insecurity among the very wealthy, comparable to the fear of going to a social event wearing a certain outfit and seeing someone else wearing the same one. So, if you spec a car something fairly standard, then somewhere out in the world, there'll be others superficially similar. If you frequent places where supercars are common (like Monaco, London every summer etc), then who's going to care about something in typical 'resale red'?
On a related note, I suspect that the manufacturers saw the aftermarket vulgarities available from Mansoury etc, and so decided to muscle in themselves by really ramping up their own scope for personalisation. So, if somebody has the money, manufacturers don't seem to care how awful the cars look. I wouldn't necessarily blame social media for this, but I think it's more to do with (as others have already remarked) the profile of those with the ability to buy supercars / hypercars these days.
Anyway, footballers and rappers have been wallowing in bad taste for a long time, they're just not alone any more!
On a related note, I suspect that the manufacturers saw the aftermarket vulgarities available from Mansoury etc, and so decided to muscle in themselves by really ramping up their own scope for personalisation. So, if somebody has the money, manufacturers don't seem to care how awful the cars look. I wouldn't necessarily blame social media for this, but I think it's more to do with (as others have already remarked) the profile of those with the ability to buy supercars / hypercars these days.
Anyway, footballers and rappers have been wallowing in bad taste for a long time, they're just not alone any more!
cc8s said:
Behemoth said:
Almost entirely to do with factory processes being computerised through to the dealer. Simple as that.
In what way do you mean?
Durzel said:
I tend to think it's the nouveau riche effect as well. Social media has made millionaires out of people who quite frankly would never have made the sums of money they have back in the day with more traditional skill sets. These people, already predisposed to narcissism anyway, need to be able to stand out from the "crowd" of other "normal" supercars, etc.
I think it has permeated everywhere really. Manufacturers aren't shy about accommodating it either, from grotesqueries like Overfinch "London Edition" Range Rovers to various unrestricted personalisation programmes provided to those people for whom regular supercar ownership is too anonymous.
Tough to know who to blame really, it's all pretty horrific.
That is a fantastic summary, very nice.I think it has permeated everywhere really. Manufacturers aren't shy about accommodating it either, from grotesqueries like Overfinch "London Edition" Range Rovers to various unrestricted personalisation programmes provided to those people for whom regular supercar ownership is too anonymous.
Tough to know who to blame really, it's all pretty horrific.
Durzel said:
I tend to think it's the nouveau riche effect as well. Social media has made millionaires out of people who quite frankly would never have made the sums of money they have back in the day with more traditional skill sets.
You mean like being quite good at kicking a ball around? Or thinking up a few nice pop tunes? Or featuring in a popular tv/film series? The groups you describe have been around for quite a few decades and have been chased by paps for just as long. About as long as supercars have been around come to think of it I don't see how social media has much to do with it except being another avenue for fan worship.Behemoth said:
You mean like being quite good at kicking a ball around? Or thinking up a few nice pop tunes? Or featuring in a popular tv/film series? The groups you describe have been around for quite a few decades and have been chased by paps for just as long. About as long as supercars have been around come to think of it I don't see how social media has much to do with it except being another avenue for fan worship.
True, but social media gives you a platform to voice your opinion on everything, or to tell the world how wonderful your dinner is. You can show you unique/wonderful/how much of a tosser you are. How you created the perfect pink and yellow Lambo. I don't see how social media has much to do with it except being another avenue for fan worship.30 years ago most folk wouldn't have been able to see what cars footballers drive (certain high-profile exceptions, like George Best etc). Now we all know about Stephen Ireland's horrific taste in customisation
mon the fish said:
True, but social media gives you a platform to voice your opinion on everything, or to tell the world how wonderful your dinner is. You can show you unique/wonderful/how much of a tosser you are. How you created the perfect pink and yellow Lambo.
30 years ago most folk wouldn't have been able to see what cars footballers drive (certain high-profile exceptions, like George Best etc). Now we all know about Stephen Ireland's horrific taste in customisation
Not sure about "tell the world" or "we all know". Personally, I've never heard of Mr Ireland. I've literally no idea who you're talking about. People often think that what they see on their social media feeds is what the whole planet sees. Dead wrong. I very much get your point, though 30 years ago most folk wouldn't have been able to see what cars footballers drive (certain high-profile exceptions, like George Best etc). Now we all know about Stephen Ireland's horrific taste in customisation
Behemoth said:
Not sure about "tell the world" or "we all know". Personally, I've never heard of Mr Ireland. I've literally no idea who you're talking about. People often think that what they see on their social media feeds is what the whole planet sees. Dead wrong. I very much get your point, though
I don't use social media Mr Ireland is an average footballer, earning far too much money, who has/had Bentley Continental GTs with various bodykits/pink horrendousness
Camlet said:
_Leg_ said:
You think some wealthy people didn't buy tacky s
te before Social Media appeared?
Have you seen ancient Egyptian decor?
Bingo.te before Social Media appeared?Have you seen ancient Egyptian decor?
Even on a site full of people who absolutely loved carriages some utter t
ts would be along within seconds of the new owner posting the pic to tell them how much the spec they had chosen had fked the depreciation and then the second set of utter tts would have told them that even though it was impossible to use all the horse power of the one they had ordered the new one, with 2 more horses, was better, even though the turbo strapped to the extra horses made it sound st. ;-)
Edited by _Leg_ on Thursday 6th October 22:56
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