Ferrari's designs haven't been as impactful since its split with Pininfarina.

      Ferrari

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      Mention a beautiful Ferrari and there’s a strong likelihood it features “Pininfarina” on its side. The renowned Italian design firm began crafting Ferraris back in 1951, but the two surprisingly separated in 2013. In a conversation with Motor1, Ferrari’s design chief Flavio Manzoni elaborated on the rationale for going solo. While the decision makes sense from a business and technical perspective, it was disappointing for everyone involved: Ferrari, Pininfarina, and the enthusiasts.

      “Initially, it was very difficult for [Pininfarina] because, after over 60 years of partnership, they had to come to terms with Ferrari's desire to establish its own in-house design center,” Manzoni shared with Motor1. “However, it was essential, as Ferrari was the only car manufacturer worldwide without an internal design center, which was somewhat unusual and also risky.”

      Just this factor alone justified Ferrari's move to relocate its design team internally, rather than continue to outsource to Pininfarina. Design firms like Pininfarina aren’t nearly as prominent as they were during the 1950s and ’60s; thus, if Pininfarina were to unexpectedly shut down, Ferrari would find itself in a precarious situation. The ability to be flexible and develop its own designs without external dependency was crucial for Ferrari.

      More critically, Maranello required greater technological autonomy. Many of its modern vehicles feature intricate active aerodynamics and complex integrations between the bodywork and chassis, particularly as battery systems are increasingly being integrated. A more unified process is needed, with an internal continuity from initial sketches to technical development and the finalized product.

      “Another issue was that the technical complexity of the cars was significantly increasing,” Manzoni commented. “Thus, it was necessary to collaborate as a cohesive team, rather than having designers in one location and engineers in Maranello.”

      While I comprehend the reasoning behind this decision, it doesn’t mean I favor it. Most of my favorite Ferrari designs were crafted by Pininfarina. Granted, that’s somewhat expected considering the length of their collaboration. However, very few of Ferrari’s designs since parting ways with Pininfarina have truly captivated me in the same way. I do appreciate the Roma, which is an undeniably attractive coupe, and the 12Cilindri also has its charm. Yet neither of these models is as visually striking as the Pininfarina-designed 599. In comparison, most of Ferrari’s in-house designs have felt rather average.

      For me, the 458 Italia stands out as a turning point, as everything that followed seems to have aesthetically missed that quintessential Ferrari enchantment. Even the new 296 GTB, touted as the brand’s most attractive mid-engine vehicle since the 458, feels somewhat underwhelming. It lacks that uniqueness that made even its less appealing models intriguing, such as the 348.

      Nonetheless, this situation may not persist indefinitely. Ferrari has been designing its own vehicles for less than ten years, so its approach to creating designs that are safe, aerodynamic, and compatible with hybrid technology is still a work in progress. As Ferrari continues to refine its design process, its cars are likely to become more aesthetically pleasing. At least, that’s the hope. For now, I need to determine which of my organs I can forgo to afford a 458 Spider.

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