Spy Shots: Ferrari F450 mule spotted fresh off the truck
by Chris Paukert on Mar 27th 2009 at 1:28PM 
The long lenses over at Team Lehmann have just uncovered what looks to be the Ferrari F450, successor to the Italian marque's already legendary F430.
While just a prototype and not caught with full production bodywork, the mule does give us our best look yet at the coming V8 supercar, and while it looks evolutionary, the folks at AutoExpress also have a rendering that forecasts a markedly different Mille Chili/Enzo-esque appearance for the mid-engined coupe.
The F450 is widely expected to ring in with a larger 4.5-liter eight-cylinder packing upwards of 500 horsepower (hence its name), and the car is pegged to get the stonking seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox first offered in the company's California folding hardtop model, and AutoExpress figures it may even be the first production Ferrari to employ the company's Kenetic Energy Recovery System used in its F1 cars. The system takes advantage of energy stored under braking and translates it into extra power.
While Modena has yet to confirm when the car will make its debut, AE reckons it is due for the Frankfurt Motor Show this Fall. If the F450 follows company protocol, European sales will follow shortly thereafter, with U.S. sales commencing sometime in calendar 2010.
[Source: AutoExpress]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Alex 1:35PM (3/27/2009)
i'm not impressed.
I don't mean that like i think i could do better, i just expected something more stirring.
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Ligor 1:41PM (3/27/2009)
I 2nd that
definitely not as far out there as i was expecting
- from these pics the California is starting to look better
maybe it'll need time to grow on me, which is not something that should be said about a Ferrari. it's that C-pillar i think
superman211 2:04PM (3/27/2009)
Where have I seen those wheels before. The Audi R8!!!
WOW!
Slade 2:14PM (3/27/2009)
It's a mule. Don't expect that to be anywhere near done. Ferrari could change some of the esthetics before production. And they never mess around.
Dondonel 2:41PM (3/27/2009)
I hope they work the front some more, because the F430 style nostrils are still there.
Otherwise I kind of like it, it seems more streamlined, lower profile car than the current one.
taipeileviathan 4:47PM (3/27/2009)
uh, the R8 wheels are on the render, you can bet your balls they won't be on the real car. if you look at the actual photos the front and rear wheels aren't even the same... that's why this is called a "mule" and not a "prototype" or "production version".
i have to say tho... i dunno why ppl are hating on that render. i like it.
BigMcLargeHuge 1:37PM (3/27/2009)
Me likey!
I'm glad that the California is not indicative of the entire company's design theme, and that Ferrari can still build some eye candy.
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superman211 2:01PM (3/27/2009)
This is some news! Not KFC filling pot holes to keep from getting bored to death.
Aki 1:40PM (3/27/2009)
Doesn't look like a mule, but the actual car with some parts missing. From what little I see, not a fan. The rear looks awkwardly proportioned, and doesn't seem as aggressive as the F360/430.
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aj121489 6:58PM (3/27/2009)
I'm with you, not feelin the rear fenders. Idk I think they arch too much...maybe...I'm not sure it just looks weird to me.
Steve 1:49PM (3/27/2009)
I think I speak for all of us here when I say:
That thing is the most hideous Ferrari I've seen in years.
On a new note, it's Auto Express, so it may just be a Sultan car, and not really the new model. They tend to always get things wrong.
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graham 4:57PM (3/27/2009)
you do not speak for all of us. I for one am a fan.
Steve 5:06PM (3/27/2009)
Sorry Graham! It was the spur of a moment think, and from the comments above me, I had perceived that no one liked it, as I did not either.
Carlos 1:49PM (3/27/2009)
I like how Porsche and Ferrari evolve their cars to be at their highest performance irregardless of costs.
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Alex 2:26PM (3/27/2009)
So what you are saying is that they take full account of the cost?
Irregardless is not a word. The word you are looking for is regardless.
Sorry to be a grammar nazi, but that one drives me nuts.
Geekengineer 1:51PM (3/27/2009)
It looks like this might (might, maybe, possibly) have a removable (not stowable) hard top... I see a bit o' tape at the top of the A-pillar, and a cut line at the base of the B-pillar... That would be interesting.
I kind of like it. I prefer a bit more integration between the cabin and rear fenders ala' F430, but I wouldn't kick it out of bed for eating crackers, that's for sure.
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Flea 1:56PM (3/27/2009)
I definetly like the curves on the side. now they only need to make the front at least as aggressive as the Scuderia's and the ass a lot smaller than the Cali's.
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Mitchel 1:56PM (3/27/2009)
That third picture, if it's a rendering based on the first two pics, is pretty impressive. Which means the entire front could look different.
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jimmy glick 2:00PM (3/27/2009)
I like it. I see a little Zonda influence in the greenhouse which would be an interesting change for Ferrari. Good to see when car makers produce new designs rather than just slowly evolving the same ones over and over.
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Bill E 2:09PM (3/27/2009)
Wow, that is beautiful.
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