Ive just bought a maserati GT very recently having had an Aston for 8 years. So still relatively new to the brand. Just wanted to ask, what is the fascination with adding carbon fibre bits on your car? Carbon door handles, side mirrors, trim etc etc. I mean I get it, when you have a lotus and you need to save weight and construct most of the bodyshell in carbon fibre, but dont really get this desire to add randon CF bits. I also think it looks a bit naff to be honest. Apologies if Ive offended anyone as I know everyone has different tastes. Is it meant to make thr car look more sporty, and less of an elegant cruiser. Are there other factors im not considering?
Carbon fibre bits, why??
- Thread starter scotpak
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sionie1
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Horses for courses, you could add loads to a list - why change the exhausts, why ceramic coat, why add wheel spacers to name a few. The carbon packs from factory attracted a premium price, so perhaps that has something to do with it, or maybe some people just like carbon. I have noticed over on the BMW forum there's not a lot of love for it strangely given the M cars have often featured it.
Chrisb2015
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Does your car have lots of carbon?
Tallman
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Maserati's come with a huge number of trim colour combinations - some absolutely stunning but also some initial owners had a highly offensive taste.....
I can imagine adding carbon trim might neutralise some of the initial offending taste. Also it's personal, for some, wood is a bit old hat so they prefer something a bit more modern. Also carbon (or actually Titantex) was an original trim option - at least inside. Outside...I think I'm with you, the cars are elegant and don't really need spoilers/additions/modifications
PaulCambio
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When I bought my GranTurismo it had carbon packs both interior and exterior that were fitted when new. Rather like them myself. Actually, it was the carbon that drew me to the purchase along with the colour and interior.
CatmanV2
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Certainly my short list MC was white with carbon in and out but each to their own.
For my Continental it was basically no footballers, no hearses. That reduced the choice a lot
C
tasnam
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I agree with your post and the question about the "big deal" of carbon....taste of course but more importantly likely just a decade long "fad".....
Hurricane52
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Phil H
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Chrisb2015
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Dont think so. I did see a few cars on sale that were loaded with the full assortment of carbon fibre interior and exterior bits, but had zero interest to be honest.
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Not to worry then and at least you won’t have to remove it and fit silver or black in its place. Sounds like you have one in the spec you like.
midlifecrisis
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Carbon fibre bits for bikes have been round for years. Some of it was useful, such as huggers and exhaust silencers, which actually save a huge amount of weight over OEM and sound a lot better.
For cars, it's clearly to enhance the look of a vehicle to make it look lighter/racier but with some stuff you're actually adding weight. My old 4200 had the carbon pack but when i removed it to clean the leather underneath, the carbon strip was very heavy as it was backed with cast iron!
You can buy a rear diffuser for the GT but it has no/or little aerodynamic performance so is just extra weight. If you look at the Le Mans Aston Martin Vantage, their diffusers are massive but to have them on the road would make look a bit 'Halfords'.
I would buy CF if it did add lightness or performance but most of it is Emporer's New Clothes.
For cars, it's clearly to enhance the look of a vehicle to make it look lighter/racier but with some stuff you're actually adding weight. My old 4200 had the carbon pack but when i removed it to clean the leather underneath, the carbon strip was very heavy as it was backed with cast iron!
You can buy a rear diffuser for the GT but it has no/or little aerodynamic performance so is just extra weight. If you look at the Le Mans Aston Martin Vantage, their diffusers are massive but to have them on the road would make look a bit 'Halfords'.
I would buy CF if it did add lightness or performance but most of it is Emporer's New Clothes.
c4sman
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Think as others have said it’s very personal, just like colour, wheel design, ride height etc. For me I think CF is a cool material, but doesn’t do a lot for me to look at unless it was replacing something heavier and or weaker. In the case of the GT carbon bits, that is definitely not the case (and probably the opposite) so won’t be adding any bits to my GT, But don’t hate it either. The one exception is I think carbon exterior bits work really well on white GTs (normal and Strads) just to add a bit of that unsponsored race car look and breaks things up nicely. Only need to look at how good the sportsmaserati logo car looks to know that would work well in carbon!
midlifecrisis
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Which was my point, a carbon fibre only bonnet, replacing the existing bonnet would save a huge amount of weight and would look good but not it is was a dip or a wrap and don't get me started on wrapped engine covers...
midlifecrisis
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I like the wet look too!