The Geneva Motorshow this year was a pretty big one, companies and brands usually hold out for this gig in particular due to the respect and air of professionalism connected it, It's usually big brands big model releases and big surprises. As apposed to some other cities who focus on aftermarket, gimics or facelifts... HOWEVER this year was something special. We had the brand new hypercar from 'Ferrari' the 'La'ferrari' (yes... that is the officical model name ...'shakes head in shame') which has had well marketed sneak previews and press releases for the last 6 months building, the new 'Mclaren' 'P1' which car and driving enthusiasts everywhere have eagerly awaited as Mclaren are known for their thorough bread racers this being no exception, and to everyone's Pre-ejaculatory surprise a new VERY limited run Lamborghni hypercar known as the 'Veneno', the release of this does make me laugh. I read a month or two ago in a press statement the head design chief of lamborghini stated in a fatherly tone (i'm paraphrasing) "don't worry we have something planned for the future for lamborghini" in respect to the new Mclaren and Ferrari hypercars due for official release at Geneva, then they only went and tried to steal the show by sneakily bringing her straight out. Now i'm not going to analyse the specs just the design.
Straight of the bat there's kind of a theme here with these uber-modern hypercars, it's the influence of genuine race engineering, specifically active aerodynamics, or at least aerodynamic lead aesthetics notice the lack of obvious spoiler on the Ferrari, it's only an active one which deploys above a certain speed or under breaking. This is due to the well though out intakes on the front grill and sides of the car, the air flows through the body work creating as much downforce (i'm sure more) than a spoiler ever could which is all well and good. but I and a lot of enthusiasts I've asked think that Ferrari have missed a bit of a trick here, the sketch and renders show a type of aesthetic progression, which moves from the standard elegant curved form of usual ferrari's, to a slightly more angular accent on the lines which I think couldn't have done any harm on a flagship model like this. It might just be me but I think with something as big as a new hyped flagship they need to show influences of design styling that could filter down to lower models, innovative not inclusive.
One of my friends pointed out quite rightly that the wheels on this are dragging it down a lot, which is true I think i can understand why they probably chose them, they're the classic thin 5 spoked ferrari design to attempt to pull the design back to reality, but it's down the opposite it brings the eyes focus straight to them, they should have gone with something that plays off the sleek multi-directional lines of the body, something more modern with a complex form on each spoke perhaps.
But it was always going to be difficult for Ferrari as the following they've attributed to their brand is... lets be honest. Usually purists and people who like Red. Do not get me wrong I love Ferrari as a company especially their quest for beautiful form. but i feel after the hype this may have been a bit too restrained for me.
Now then the 'Veneno' This as i'm sure you can is a extravaganza of aggression, I don't think I can spy one angle or line which doesn't shoot downwards faster than a plumitting f22 raptor into the mouth of that great killer worm from star wars. It is possibly the most angry male based aesthetic I have or ever will see on a car. I can tell why they've made it a limited run to under 10, the machinery would probably blunt quicker than they can produce them with all these sharp angles. There are a lot of nice form ideas on here but it is WAY too much for me. Also I've noticed a common theme here of Triangles, almost every facet, intake or feature is one. A possible design language for future lamborghini's. This is what I'd expect from an attention stealer but it's too much for me, no restraint just all out pencil numbing design fury.
I do like the rear lights however and possibly an aspect of the gill-like aesthetic seen on the roof.
The Mclaren P1, the awaited Older (yet newer) brother to the MP4-12c, in as far as I can tell bigger and more refined in all aspects. Which will be part of Mclarens attempt to enter and dominate the sports car market, they pretty much nailed the supercar, now they cornering the hypercar competitors with a well thought out beast. It's more powerful, better grip, more torque, more exciting form... and it's two tone... Active aerodynamics, similar moulded carbon chassis complimentary line and composition all round on this beauty, rear especially shows a bit of daring for Mclaren, with these flowing LED rear light is not like them to go out on a random design limb like but it works well.
The side profile is pretty stunning, and a good example of a side cavity working well, as apposed to the La'ferrari making it seem a little stagnant and interrupting the form of the car, it helps the hip line flow into the rear well.
All in all, I think the possibly rushed design of the Lamborghini 'Veneno' has shown through a little here, as it's not a new car there's no real unique engineering as it's primarily just built onto an 'Aventadour' chassis with different styling, whereas the Mclaren and Ferrari are two new cars. With real focus on performance, flowing down from their formula 1 pedigree. Overall the I think the 'P1' Mclaren's achieved the most successful design all round, and they have been the most honest with releases over the last year, giving away signs of the form very early on... so well done them... and without sounding too patriotic well done England.
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