Ferrari F430 replacement coming to Frankfurt in September

[MarinaDiamandis]

Ferrari will unveil its F430 replacement at Frankfurt in October, giving its biggest-selling model a life of just five years. Code-named Ferrari F142 and expected to be christened Ferrari F450 in production, the new V8-powered car will be largely new, with few carryover components in the chassis or bodywork.

While it was only released in 2004, the Ferrari F430’s chassis was heavily based on the 360 Modena whose parts dated back to 1999. The new Ferrari F450 will also be the first production Ferrari to reflect the ethos of green materials and weight reduction first seen on the Ferrari Mille Chili eco-concept (pictured) in 2007. Production of F430s has slowed recently, ahead of the F450’s start-of-production in July. Insiders who have seen the F450 insist it is one of the most beautiful Ferraris in years.

While details on the car are scant, it will run an enlarged version of the F430’s V8, equipped with direct injection giving an output of more than 500bhp from its 4.5-litre capacity, hence the F450 moniker.

The transmission will be a variant of the seven-speed dual-clutch system shared with the new California. Linked to Ferrari’s steering-wheel mounted ‘manettino’ control, the dual-clutch transmission promises drivers a choice between quick sporty changes and relaxed automatic operation. Ferrari has been working hard on weight reduction with its suppliers and the F450 is expected to take Alcoa’s advances in aluminium chassis technology to new heights.

Sources also suggest the F450 is already as fast around the Fiorano test track as the compromise-free F430 Scuderia. But it will also ride more firmly than the Ferrari California, leaving buyers in no doubt about the focus of either car. European Ferrari F450 sales are expected to begin late this year or early in 2010.

Taken from Teamspeed.com

Sounds exciting. Apparently there are also Challenge and Scuderia versions of the 'F450' planned.

 

[JohnBM01]

You know, I saw the episode of "Fast Lane Daily" on YouTube ( http://www.youtube.com/user/FastLaneDaily ) when word of this car was released. You can see the rendering concept in this episode of "Fast Lane Daily":


(watch between 4:06 and 5:00)

If the artist renderings are true, then this could be one beautiful Ferrari.

 

[Jim Prower]

Pah. those are some ugly renderings.

 

[Prosthetic]

Pah. those are some ugly renderings.

+1 Reminds me of the Gallardo.

 

[Philly]

Sounds exciting. Apparently there are also Challenge and Scuderia versions of the 'F450' planned.

Not surprised at all. A little funny though, considering that it feels like the super fast F430 versions could have come out last month.

I'm betting it'll be a striking car to look at. It is a Ferrari after all, and people buy them half because of looks, half because of the badge/image and half because of the performance.

 

[DaddyVDUB]

BAAH, I gotta wait to see more.

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

Anyone else thinking that it might use a 4.7L V8? Surely a 4.5L won't be a big enough jump...

 

[ExigeEvan]

Anyone else thinking that it might use a 4.7L V8? Surely a 4.5L won't be a big enough jump...

With the addition of DI and weight reductions it shouldn't be a big issue.

It's good to see Ferrari atleast talking about making efforts to increase efficiency. Hope it all comes together though.