![Bugatti Bird-gate Followup: Driver identity revealed <b>[*UPDATE:</b> Now with actual crash video!]](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/bugatti-veyron-swim-1258147199_143x85.jpg)
Spy Shots: Ferrari F450 test mules caught undisguised
by Noah Joseph on Jun 23rd 2009 at 4:32PM 
Following hot on the heels of spy shots reportedly depicting a Ferrari 599 Spider, the boys over at CzechFerrari.cz have acquired a set of photos of what appears to be a government certification mule for the highly anticipated upcoming Ferrari F450.Typically, Ferrari test mules run with the previous model's body panels, hiding the shape from the public eye and leaving us guessing at what lurks underneath. These shots are a different story altogether. Although missing the front and rear fascias, these test vehicles show most of the body, the aluminum frame, a bit of the interior and the engine bay – complete with twin-clutch transmission and high-mounted exhaust outlets – giving us what looks to be our closest glimpse at the upcoming replacement for the F430 we've seen yet.
The new V8 supercar is expected to debut at theFrankfurt Auto Show this coming September, with a hybrid variant potentially popping up at the Los Angeles show a few months later. In the meantime, follow the link to check out the photos for yourself. Thanks for the tip, Patrick!
[Source: CzechFerrari.cz]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Lucas 4:42PM (6/23/2009)
Yawn… Yet another 360 derivative notchback blob!
The end of the 355 was the end of the *exotic* Ferrari V8.
Reply
Art 6:53PM (6/23/2009)
100% true. The 360 was nice, but the F430 was too enzo influenced, aesthetically
Flea 4:44PM (6/23/2009)
very nice and aggressive sides. Now just as long as they don't give it the California's led-cluster headlights, it's probably going to be the best looking entry-level ferrari in years.
Reply
Kill The Fanboys 10:20PM (6/23/2009)
agreed... i think this thing is gonna be a looker
jinsei888 4:59PM (6/23/2009)
When these side panel designs were seen in earlier, complete spy shots on autoblog, everyone doubted they were shots of the real final body.
So I guess you were all wrong? Yes.
Reply
sca 5:06PM (6/23/2009)
Note the Front half shafts, and the Quad turbos...
Reply
abbas350 5:58PM (6/23/2009)
you're joking right?
sca 5:11PM (6/23/2009)
Sorry.. those are Catalytic converters... but the front half shafts make it seem as though it is AWD..
Reply
adrenalnjunky 8:06PM (6/23/2009)
you're still joking right?
john.skalka 6:01PM (6/23/2009)
Those aren't half shafts, they're the steering endlinks
Reply
irmoroam 6:27PM (6/23/2009)
Why does the logo on the engine (side view) say Farrari (not Ferrari)? Look closely...
Reply
Protzenegger 12:40AM (6/24/2009)
I looked closely, and that definitely says Ferrari. Check your vision.
Lucas 8:52PM (6/23/2009)
The BLUE and YELLOW make the body look likes it's fiberglass. There's no way, right? Not even for a mule?
Reply
Adam Bruce 9:04PM (6/23/2009)
CORRECTION: Those are not high-mounted exhaust pipes. those are the INTAKES into the upper plenum. You'll notice that the exhaust is routed downward and will likely exit under the rear bumper. Sorry for nit-picking, great find!
Reply
sca 9:57PM (6/23/2009)
Yes... Those where jokes...just like stirring the pot :)
Reply
Vtecgreen 10:09PM (6/23/2009)
Seems unusual that a company that goes through such great lengths to keep mules from leaking would just keep it hanging around for public consumption (albeit illegal public consumption presumably)
Any chance we have a kit car? The thing is beat to hell on the body - i need to do more research on the engine and look at some pictures and see what we have in the back of that engine bay.
Reply
Matt 10:13PM (6/23/2009)
Rumor has it, those are crash test samples at the Fiat testing center.
Vtecgreen 10:18PM (6/23/2009)
Duh. crap, missed that, sorry.
I am excited to see the finished project now
havoc 11:51PM (6/23/2009)
looks like there could be room for shafts up front, possible aw variant...
those pipes out back are short as F. they must be using exhaust muffler tips (can't remember what to call them) because there is just no room there, even wit the flex pipe after the cats to send it out the center rear.
but it looks like a ferrari, the suspension is there, the engine and trans, the layout, etc etc. nothing about it really jumps out at me yet, camry's get updated too.
show me a AWD variant with hybrid electric fwd
Reply
krbanton 2:54AM (6/24/2009)
Is Chris Bangle moonlighting at Pininfarina...? It looks very "flame surfacing-y"...
Reply