It was reported last year that the F430′s replacement was on the way and it now appears that Ferrari has chosen where they will preview the latest addition to the Prancing Horse stable. Autocar magazine is reporting that the Italian automaker is preparing to show the successor to the F430 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in October and will be called the F450.
The F430 is approaching five years on the market and its chassis was heavily based on the 360 Modena whose parts dated back to 1999. With the green theme Ferrari is planning, it’s believed that the F450 (previously codenamed F142) will share few parts with its forebear. The V-8 Ferrari will use “green materials” and weight reduction techniques inspired by the Mille Chili eco-concept design study. The car is expected to make extensive use of aluminum chassis technology advances by Alcoa to new heights. There will be other advanced production materials and techniques in an effort to reduce the car’s carbon footprint.
An enlarged and tweaked version of the F430′s V-8 will reportedly be the heart of the F450. The 4.5liter V-8 (hence the name) with direct injection will give an output of more than 500bhp and don’t be surprised that Ferrari’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission will make an apperance on the F450. The car will also reportedly be available with a hard top convertible system along the lines of the California.
Linked to the Ferrari’s steering-wheel mounted ‘manettino’ control, the dual-clutch transmission promises drivers a choice between quick sporty changes and relaxed automatic operation.
Production of F430s has slowed recently, ahead of the F450′s start-of-production in July. Insiders who have seen the F450 insist it is one of the most beautiful Ferrari in years.
Despite Ferrari’s green intentions, the F450 will most likely be a world-class performer. Autocar sources claim the F450 laps the automaker’s Fiorano test track as fast as the current 430 Scuderia. European Ferrari F450 sales are expected to begin late this year or early in 2010 and U.S. sales won’t likely begin until sometime in 2010.
With Frankfurt only some six months away, expect to see the F450 surface in camo garb before too long if the Autocar report proves accurate.
Sources: autocar.co.uk and printthis.clickability.com
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