Spy Shots: Ferrari F450 prototype caught with native body
by John Neff on Jul 7th 2009 at 12:34PM 
Ferrari F450 spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery
Ferrari normally tests its future supercars wearing body panels from the prior version, and so earlier spy shots of the upcoming F450 have all been of mules wearing F430 body panels. Today that ends, as our snoops have caught an honest-to-goodness F450 prototype in its own skin. While still covered in camo that obscures the details, it's evident that the body is taking shape and close to finalization.
While we've reported that the F450 may feature a turbocharged, direct-inject V8 engine and possibly a mild hybrid system based on patents filed by Ferrari, Autocar is reporting that the Prancing Horse intends to launch the F430 successor without those advanced technologies. While Ferrari may unveil a hybrid F450 concept at the LA Auto Show later this year in order to be the first to establish a road-going version of the KERS system used in Formula One, the thought is that customers might not be ready for such a green version of the exotic automaker's best-selling model and that new European emissions standards can initially be met by substantially cutting weight and further developing direct injection for its current crop of engines. Stay tuned as we inch closer to the F450's unveiling later this year.
Gallery: Ferrari F450 - spy shots
[Photos: KGP Photography]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Wyatt Anderson 12:42PM (7/07/2009)
Aaaaah! Please tell me that hideous roof is going away!
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zamafir 12:45PM (7/07/2009)
it is, lmao. I like it, looks low, longer wheelbase should help acceleration (as if it was needed) and I'm loving the return of tripple tail pipes. I'd love it even more if it was a blown v8.
Tdogg 12:46PM (7/07/2009)
Agreed. That roof is hideous. And I hope in the end it looks more Italian than what the renderings show.
Bird 12:48PM (7/07/2009)
And grip in general, but that still depends mostly on where they put the engine.
Phil Perman 12:51PM (7/07/2009)
Thats camo on the roof, pic number 2 shows the car without it, looks much better
cm 1:52PM (7/07/2009)
It's the Jeremy Clarkson special edition :)
DayShifter 1:04PM (7/07/2009)
Ok, what the heck is going on with the roof line?!? LOL!!
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usingthelou 12:45PM (7/07/2009)
WHOA! Scary!
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abbas350 1:30PM (7/07/2009)
this is probably the best disguise job i've ever seen
RIFRAF 5:17PM (7/07/2009)
that is by far the ugliest ferarri I've ever seen..
dukeisduke 12:47PM (7/07/2009)
With a term like "native body", I was hoping it would look like some shapely Balinese woman. Oh well.
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Farris 3:16PM (7/07/2009)
When I saw "native body" I thought it was going to have huge nipples and a loincloth.
Taglane 12:48PM (7/07/2009)
lmaoooo
Look at that forehead. Looks like Rihanna.
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Andre 1:13PM (7/07/2009)
It's a camo panel, did you even look at the photos especially photo #2?
Taglane 1:32PM (7/07/2009)
Yeah I did. You'd have to be seriously daft to think ferrari would make a roof like that. I'm just laughing at the way it looks now.
DJ_Swammi 12:49PM (7/07/2009)
It's probably just me, but I really feel l that no Ferrari since the 360 has had any soul.
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Middle Aged 2:37PM (7/07/2009)
Yeah..............it's just you
IOMTT 10:23PM (7/08/2009)
Ferrari aesthetics have definitely gone down hill since the Daytona (early 70s), but then again that is true of most marques. Another good example is the 1973 Porsche Carrera RS...never a better looking 911.
jon 12:58PM (7/07/2009)
nothing gets me excited like a new ferrari!
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Andre 12:59PM (7/07/2009)
I am pretty sure that roof is a camo panel people..
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