As Ferraris have achieved progressively higher performance, the automotive world has been rife with speculation about a new, smaller model from Maranello. All the while, Ferrari has continuously thrown cold water on the idea, saying that such a new model would push production volumes beyond where the company wants to go. Never content to let official denials ruin the party, auto writers continue to press ahead. Autoweek is reporting that the new sub-F430 model is code-named F149 internally at Ferarri and that it may break out into the open as early as the Paris Motor Show in September. The speculation is that the F149 will be the first Ferrari (if it even carries that badge) to feature a direct-injected engine -- a 4.3L V-8 based on the F430 block -- and a folding hardtop. The new model is expected to be based on the Maserati GranTurismo platform. If the F149 joins the party as a new model, it could push Ferrari volumes up from the current 6,000 to 10,000 annually.
[Source: AutoWeek]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Quattrofan @ Mar 4th 2008 8:26PM
Anyone needs a kidney, type B+?
easyrider425 @ Mar 4th 2008 8:43PM
I really don't understand this move (if true). Isn't a V8 tourer Maserati's job? I'd rather see a smaller mid-engined v6 car. But it guess that would dilute the brand, just like the Dino did. *sarcasm*
Rick @ Mar 4th 2008 10:58PM
The Dino diluted the brand? Far from it. It was an exploration into alternative engines and chassis design, for Ferrari's future. The 'mass produced' mid-engined 308 launched not long after, and how successful was that? It did take many years, but the shriek from a Dino V6 hitting almost 9K RPM did win over it's detractors in the end. Ferrari's future is undoubtedly smaller bore higher RPM engines.
garlinski @ Mar 4th 2008 9:54PM
As sexy as it is... still need to buy a used Prancing Horse just to get in the door. But oh boy, i want one so bad!
Richard @ Mar 4th 2008 9:59PM
"The new model is expected to be based on the Maserati GranTurismo platform."
Badge engineering @ Ferrari?
Torrent @ Mar 5th 2008 2:11AM
http://italiansupercars.blogspot.com/2007/10/ferrari-f149.html