Ferrari Chief Designer Flavio Manzoni on the Inspiration Behind the F12 Berlinetta
Aug 18, 2014 19:44
Design Boom sat down with Ferrari's Senior Vice President of Design, Flavio Manzoni to talk about the inspirations behind the F12 Berlinetta. Here are some excerpts of the interview. Check out full article here.
DB: What was the inspiration for the F12berlinetta?
FM: The concept of the car is to be found in the essential values of the classic ferrari front-engined V12 2-seater coupé. pure, efficient, aerodynamic, lightweight. the fastback proportions with the rearward position of the cockpit work perfectly with the long bonnet and low overall height. the forward slant of several lines in the side view confer it additional purposefulness and character. There was no straight inspiration from the past when we set out to design the F12, but if there is one Ferrari Berlinetta which I admire and which helped us set the tone, it would be the 250 GT SWB. there is an unmatched balance in that car between a clean volume, elegant lines, simple yet full surfaces, pronounced muscle, fantastic stance and proportions which define an ideal formula still worth aiming for today.
DB: How would you describe the design process at Ferrari?
FM: The creation of a new Ferrari is always a very special occasion. We go searching after a shape which can capture and transmit the very essence of the brand. This represents a challenge to ourselves, while in doing this our mind is turned towards future scenarios. In practical terms, the design ideas are expressed very freely at first, then quickly we seek a first convergence with the aerodynamic engineers to select the concepts which seem to have more potential for development. The general design process is not dissimilar to that of other automotive design studios, but I would say the development of aerodynamic concepts takes center stage early on and on the F12 Berlinetta is an example of the positive effect this can have on the design. we are available to develop innovative and highly original solutions like the aero bridge (between the bonnet and wing) which add value to the overall design.
FM: The concept of the car is to be found in the essential values of the classic ferrari front-engined V12 2-seater coupé. pure, efficient, aerodynamic, lightweight. the fastback proportions with the rearward position of the cockpit work perfectly with the long bonnet and low overall height. the forward slant of several lines in the side view confer it additional purposefulness and character. There was no straight inspiration from the past when we set out to design the F12, but if there is one Ferrari Berlinetta which I admire and which helped us set the tone, it would be the 250 GT SWB. there is an unmatched balance in that car between a clean volume, elegant lines, simple yet full surfaces, pronounced muscle, fantastic stance and proportions which define an ideal formula still worth aiming for today.
DB: How would you describe the design process at Ferrari?
FM: The creation of a new Ferrari is always a very special occasion. We go searching after a shape which can capture and transmit the very essence of the brand. This represents a challenge to ourselves, while in doing this our mind is turned towards future scenarios. In practical terms, the design ideas are expressed very freely at first, then quickly we seek a first convergence with the aerodynamic engineers to select the concepts which seem to have more potential for development. The general design process is not dissimilar to that of other automotive design studios, but I would say the development of aerodynamic concepts takes center stage early on and on the F12 Berlinetta is an example of the positive effect this can have on the design. we are available to develop innovative and highly original solutions like the aero bridge (between the bonnet and wing) which add value to the overall design.
