Ferrari bringing folding hardtop to Detroit, set to do battle with V8 Vantage
During Ferrari's press conference in Detroit this January, the Italian stallions will be pulling the wraps of a new 2+2 coupe-cabriolet, complete with a folding hardtop.
Built off a stretched version of the next generation F430's aluminum architecture, the "F149" 430 GT California will have a 450 HP direct-injected 4.3-liter V8 mounted up front, sending power to the rear wheels via Fezza's F1 "Superfast" sequential gearbox. A six-speed manual will also be an option when sales begin in late 2008.
The setup is designed to take aim at Aston Martin's V8 Vantage, making it the least expensive Ferrari in the exotic automaker's stable – around €130,000.
This is not, however, the rumored "Dino" model, as that particular coupe will have a 3.5-liter V6 mounted amidships and will be priced around €100,000 when it goes on sale in 2009.
[Source: 4Car]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
iamhoff 2:10PM (9/21/2007)
Interesting. Beyond Lamborghini (and historically Ford, which coincidentally no longer owns AM), I've not ever heard of Ferrari acknowledging any manufacturer as a competitor. I suppose the words comparing the F430 California to the Vantage are Damon's, but it's an interesting observation.
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mk 2:12PM (9/21/2007)
ok, I'll bite...
Why stretch a mid-engine chassis for a front-engine car?
Especially when they have a front engine car, the 599.
Stretch that, and put a v8 instead of a v12.
430 GT California... ok. 2+2 Folding hardtop, interesting, but more of a Mondial, than a GT California, which I believe was a 2-seater convertible on the 250GT SWB, or other 250 variant.
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tristanhunt777 6:44PM (10/06/2007)
relevant trivia:
1. The 250 GT California Spiders were constructed, mostly from aluminium, by Scaglietti (total of about 100 built), a coachbuilder, so interiors varied a bit.
2. The 250 GT chassis came in two wheelbase variants, SWB (2400mm) & LWB (2600mm)
3. Scaglietti built 45 LWB Cali Spiders, most with a package shelf but a handful with vestigial bench seat, from 1957 into 1960, and about 55 SWB models from 1960 on
Ferrari Forum 2:12PM (9/21/2007)
Very interesting. Ferrari is expanding the line up quite a bit. I'm excited to see what the Dino looks like!
http://www.ferrari-talk.com
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Paul Burr 2:26PM (9/21/2007)
I for one will miss the look of a fabric convertible top.
That's half of what makes them special.
Also, these high tech folding hardtops will be a nightmare to repair when things go wrong.
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Sean Flanagan 3:56PM (9/21/2007)
Methinks if you have the cash to get your hands on one of these, you're not too concerned with what will happen if the hardtop malfunctions...
Yago Bal 3:18PM (9/21/2007)
This article is full of inconsistences and "rumours-turned-news". It couldn't be more wrong...
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Daniel 3:37PM (9/21/2007)
can someone explain this whole dino situation to me? I first remember spy shots popping up that brought about speculation that there would be a new dino. then, a ferrari spokesperson specifically said there will be no dino successor. a month later, everyone still thinks there'll be a new dino. did I miss an article in between that rekindled this whole speculation?
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Paul B 4:21PM (9/21/2007)
That might be true. But a hardtop stuck half open will P.O. any owner, no matter what the car cost. Hopefully they'll be more reliable than the old Ford Sunliners were.
Mike 4:41PM (9/21/2007)
Am I the only one that thinks Ferrari might want to solve their labor problems before coming out with two new models in the next 18 months, considering the waiting list for a Ferrari is pushing two years now?
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Steveash 1:10PM (9/22/2007)
It wouldn't be the first Ferrari hartop convertible so I expect it will use an innovative roof mechanism to keep the weight down as they did on the 575M Superamerica
http://www.convertiblecarmagazine.com/directory/ferrari-575m-superamerica.htm
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