Autoblog

Rendered Speculation: Ferrari F142 taking shape

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Supercars, Ferrari, Rendered Speculation

CAR Magazine is running a new sketch of what they anticipate the newest V8 Ferrari will look like, and we have to say, we're a little disappointed. Internally dubbed the Ferrari F142, Maranello's replacement for the F430 is inching closer to its first public showing, and although we've seen some rather clunky test mules so far, we were hoping that the Italian firm would recapture its former sensual styling glory last seen on the 355 and Challenge Stradale. Some critics might even go back as far as the Dino.

If it ends up looking like the CAR rendering (admittedly renderings are almost always something of a crapshoot), we'd have to say Ferrari has missed the marque a bit. While modern and not unattractive, the car seems like it could just as easily wear a German or British badge.

To be fair, this is going to be the first completely new car since the 360 Modena was introduced in 1999. The F430 is basically a 360 evoluzione after all. Following up on the Mille Chili project, the car should shed some weight through the use of lightweight materials and possible a fixed seat system with manually adjustable pedals and steering wheel. So perhaps a new, more high-tech look is more fitting on the new model, but Ferraris are supposed to elicit "oohhs" and "ahhhs," not "ughs" - or worse, complete indifference.

We're still not certain what it will be called, but something between F400 and F500 is likely, depending on engine size. Some have said that the engine will be smaller, boosted to 500 horsepower or more via a pair of turbochargers. Others say it will just be a far more efficient naturally aspirated V8 that could grow to 4.5-liters or more. We hope it's not a 4.5-liter, as Ford might object to the resulting name. Expect the Bosch-developed direct injection system, low-friction super-polished camshafts, and the California's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission among other innovations. We might even get a version of the F1-derived KERS energy recovery system eventually.

Rumors had also suggested that Ferrari might be getting out of the manual gearbox game altogether, but recently it seems like they have decided to add a stick-shift to even the California, so the fabled gated shifter appears to be hanging around a little longer. In any case, we should know later this year when Ferrari finally reveals the car to the motoring world. Hat tip to Toss!

[Source: CAR]

Rendered Speculation: Ferrari F142 taking shape originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Ferrari F450 prototype widened and scooped

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Spy Photos, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Ferrari

The car codenamed F142 is going to be the Ferrari F450, successor to the current F430. Set on a modified F430 chassis with a wider front and rear track, the new car looks evolutionary but the changes aren't insubstantial. A 4.5-liter engine will be placed amidships, and its expected 500+ horsepower will need extra cooling. That means larger intakes, perhaps all around. In back, the exhaust could be routed through the large aperture in the diffuser. The car could be shown as early as this year's Frankfurt Auto Show, with the coupe going on sale as early as next year, with Scuderia and convertible versions following.

[Source: Global Motors]

Spy Shots: Ferrari F450 prototype widened and scooped originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill churnin' away on Ferrari F430 replacement

Noah Joseph — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Ferrari, Rumormill

Ferrari Ascari design study from 2005 "New Concepts of the Myth" design challenge

Details may be few and far between, but speculate is rampant on the upcoming successor to the Ferrari F430. The Prancing Horse rarely produces concept cars, but when it does, they make 'em count. So expect some of the green concessions from the Mille Chili concept to appear in the new mid-engine supercar, internally code-named project F142.

The car is likely to feature the direct injection and dual-clutch transmission which debuted in the California, coupled to a regenerative braking system which the company developed in partnership with sister company Magneti Marelli. The supercar, which could pick up the F450 or F470 nameplate depending on the displacement of its high-revving V8 engine (with the possible addition of a turbo or two) is expected to be even lighter than the 430 Scuderia's mill. However, don't expect a Spider version to follow: that mantle's been taken up by the front-engine California. That's about all we can say with or without any degree of certainty at this point, but reports peg the car's debut in October of this year - making the Frankfurt Auto Show a likely venue for the unveiling - with deliveries beginning at the start of next year.

[Source: FerrariChat via Jalopnik]

Rumormill churnin' away on Ferrari F430 replacement originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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F430 Replacement: lightweight with turbo V8

Chris Shunk — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Supercars, Ferrari, Rumormill

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]

F430 Replacement: lightweight with turbo V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy shots: Ferrari Dino and F430 successor

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 16:03:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Supercars, Maserati, Ferrari

It is official, at least from the pages of Car magazine: Ferrari's we-aren't-building-a-Dino Dino will appear at the Geneva Auto Show in March of '08. It arose from a stillborn Maserati that was to be a companion to the Granturismo. Maserati couldn't afford to make it, so the project became the Dino.

Internally known as the F149, the Dino will be a comfy, front-engined GT with a retractable hardtop. Car doesn't know what the Dino will look like, and oddly, they wonder if the Freitas exercise is an actual styling buck (don't they read Autoblog?). We just hope it doesn't look like Car's rendering, which is the 'shroomed-out offspring of a 612 and 599 wearing cheesy aftermarket rims. Production is slated for next summer.

The next F430 will be all new, not a continuing evolution of the current body style that began with the 360. It will be smaller, faster, lighter, harder, and come as a hardtop only. Instead of more bore, it will get the small displacement, direct injection, turbocharged V8 that's been rumored. Add to that some active aero, brake energy capture, pushrod suspension, and a ballistic valvetrain. It will bow in 2009 or 2010, for a hefty premium over the F430.

[Source: Car magazine]

Spy shots: Ferrari Dino and F430 successor originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Sep 2007 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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