Autoblog

Spy Shots: Ferrari F450 prototype caught with native body

John Neff — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:34:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Supercars, Ferrari

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]

Spy Shots: Ferrari F450 prototype caught with native body originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Spy Shots: Ferrari F450 test mules caught undisguised

Noah Joseph — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Supercars, Ferrari

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]

Spy Shots: Ferrari F450 test mules caught undisguised originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rumormill: More details leak out about new Ferrari F450

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Supercars, Ferrari

We know that Ferrari is working on turbochargers and all-wheel-drive hybrids, and the hybrid portion of that equation could show up as soon as this year's Los Angeles Auto Show. If so, Autocar supposes the car in question will be the new Ferrari F450. As Jaguar has reportedly planned with the XE, Ferrari could show off a hybrid F450 first in order to make an even bigger splash.

Yet even if the production model doesn't show up on dealer floors with some alternative energy system, it is still expected to show off plenty of top tier technology. A "lightweight aluminum structure" will house a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox, traction control and programming to eliminate understeer, and radiators forward of the front wheels.

The KERS system employed by the Ferrari F1 team and being trialled on that ludicrous 599XX are also slated for the F450, but that will apparently come with the hybrid car and Ferrari thinks customers might not be ready for that yet. For now, the Prancing Horse is said to be working on direct-injection evolutions of its current engines, which it feels will meet Euro emissions standards until 2014.

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: More details leak out about new Ferrari F450 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Ferrari F450 test mule caught in two-minute spy footage

Noah Joseph — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Videos, Supercars, Ferrari

Ferrari F450 spy video - Click above to view the video after the jump

Catching a glimpse inside Ferrari's top-secret Fiorano test track in Maranello is a rare treat. Catching a developmental test mule for an upcoming supercar on video is another matter entirely. But as Ferrari prepares for the anticipated debut of the successor to its F430, the proverbial cat was bound to leap out of the bag.

You'll find the full video after the jump, where you'll be able to discern a few key differences between this and the F430 it replaces. We won't speculate on the cosmetics, as those will all have changed by the time the veil is lifted in Frankfurt, but there are a few mechanical giveaways worth noting. The big air intakes protruding from the rear end, along with the larger exhaust pipes, should help the enlarged, direct-injection V8 eclipse even the 430 Scuderia's 520-horsepower output. A redline approaching 10,000 rpm should also help the cause, which could be managed by the California's seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox to replace the F1-style robotized manual. Follow the jump to watch the footage for yourself.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ferrari F450 test mule caught in two-minute spy footage

VIDEO: Ferrari F450 test mule caught in two-minute spy footage originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments