Ferrari has promised to make its future products lighter and more mindful of the environment, and the first example of the Italian automaker's new direction will likely be the F430 replacement. This new Ferrari, code-named F142, is rumored to arrive towards the end of 2009 or early 2010. The vehicle will start out by weighing less than the F430, even the extra lightweight Scuderia model that tips the scales at 1250 kg. The Italian exotic could share technology and styling cues with the eco-friendly Mille Chili concept (above)from a year ago, which utilized lightweight and active aerodynamics to help reduce its CO2 emissions.

The F430's venerable 4.3L V8 is also rumored to be shrinking, but since it will still don the prancing horse, we're pretty sure it won't lose much in the way of power. CAR Magazine believes that Ferrari has turned to direct injection and turbocharging to make up for any loss in the new engine's displacement. The F142 also won't have a soft-top Spyder option, instead for a psuedo-convertible setup with hard panels. New Ferrari models don't typically decrease in price, and with all this added technology the price of the F142 is expected to easily exceed that of the F430. Ferrari wants to reduce emissions by 40% by 2012, and with lighter materials and a smaller engine, the F142 could be the Italian supercar the Sierra Club has been waiting for.

[Source: CAR Magazine]