Ferrari's Design Studio includes two ateliers where customers can personalize their new car
After decades of outsourcing for car bodies, Ferrari now has over 100 in-house designers to cope with rapidly changing demands.
Last year, Ferrari finally opened its own design center, for many years has seen the design of houses, the most famous Pininfarina atelier, lead the style of their models.
Ferrari head of design Flavio Manzoni told the car that big teams are now essential because of the complexity of the design process and the need for multiple designs to be integrated into the architecture from the start. Days the automaker supplies the chassis to the bodywork for more styling.
“One of the main reasons for the in-house design team was the growing complexity of our vehicles,” Manzoni noted. “Technology and aerodynamic requirements are growing day by day. Interaction between different areas.
“With a different system, you now couldn't imagine shaping the new Ferrari to the top of the mechanical parts it's designed before. You have chassis and then urban. The bodywork design dresses on top.”
When Manzoni joined Ferrari in 2010, there were only a handful of designers. Today there are more than 100 workers in the 1400sqm Design Center in facilities that cover everything from clay modeling to two workshops where more than 200 clients annually meet designers and individually personalize their new Ferrari.
Manzoni also talked about his desire to give each model their own look, rather than a Russian doll-style approach.
“We never follow a strategy to effect kinship in the range,” he said. “You consider the form, and which should reflect the essence of each project. This is a very difficult thing to do, but each car must also still be recognizable without a badge. But it makes the job more fun. It's tricky because every time you have to be new but consistent.”
The SUV will be the most "different" Ferrari yet, but it's a Manzoni challenge and savored. “We are very lucky,” he said. “We've done a job to start with the idea that Ferrari's wealth consciousness is: shape, fiefdom.
“But at the same time, we are not slaves in history. We have beautiful architecture. Our work lies between the prudence of tradition and the boldness of innovation. This expresses our approach. There is a lot of responsibility for the brand, but the courage to develop in different directions, and break many rules. The SF90 breaks a lot of rules. We didn't use round taillights, but we're glad we did something different.
“You have to start with great curiosity, a desire to do something really strong and unique.”
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