FERRARI INTERIORS DESERVE RECOGNITION

Ferrari is more than Formula 1, small-displacement V8 engines, and sonorous V12s. In fact, Ferrari is more than just red paint and Magnum P.I. As years have passed by, Ferrari design has seemingly become more and more controversial. The debates haven't hindered Ferrari's success, not in the manufacturing volume of its cars or sales of merchandise. Ferrari is a company which introduces new products we automatically assume to be right, properly done, executed to impeccable standards. Yet there isn't one automotive enthusiast on the planet who takes for granted the design clarity of Ferrari's next car.

The Ferrari 456M was the proverbial striker of the nail's head. Simplistic exotica, we'll call it. With the right wheels and a good colour, the Ferrari 550 Maranello and Ferrari 575M Maranello fit right in with the 456M. These cars came along after the Ferrari F355, an outdated design now but a gorgeous car at the time. The F355's replacement was the Ferrari 360 Modena. To me, the 360 Modena and its siblings, the 360 Spider and 360 Challenge Stradale, were knock-me-out-good-looking. Others hated the huge front air intakes and busy headlights. True, the Ferrari F430 wasn't as smooth as the 360 Modena, but it was just a bridge anyway; a bridge to the heavenly Ferrari 458 Italia.

In between, we were supplied pictures of the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, the worst Ferrari in recent memory. Conjuring up memories of a famous coachbuilder - Sergio Scaglietti - in the naming of a horrific car tragically insults his memory. To many eyes... well, some eyes, the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano redeemed Ferrari's V12 heritage. Then Ferrari's first front-engined V8 was a hardtop convertible, not the easiest stylistic feat to pull off. From some angles the Ferrari California is superb. Seen with its roof down from the rear, the California can be placed in the same group as the 612 Scaglietti.

And what's the point? Ferrari's exterior designs always generate conversation. They stir up opinion, helping to keep Ferrari at the forefront of our minds when talk turns to supercars. Meanwhile, Ferrari almost never messes up an interior, yet we pay little attention to the company's excellence in that arena. After the jump, you'll find images of the current Ferrari range, but only the insides. You'll enjoy the California's uniquely perforated seats. Your eyes will linger on the 612 Scaglietti's wicked dash-mounted vents. Take note of the 599 GTB's perfectly placed carbon fiber. And soak up the ambience of the 458 Italia's one-track performance-oriented mind.
You don't need to spend more than $200,000 to enjoy beautiful interior decor. Ward's Auto recently named its Interiors Of The Year. Hop in a new Subaru Outback, Chevrolet Camaro, or Volvo XC60. Have more to spend? One of the world's ugliest cars, the Porsche Panamera, has one of the world's best interiors. After all, you'll spend more time looking at the inside of the car than concentrating on its profile view.




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