"F142" launch - confirmed by my dealer

I have just finished phone talk with my dealer in Germany. I can say that he always was very reputable and always had all fresh news from F-factory. He told me about 430 Scuderia launch back in April, when I have not heard even not a word from any mag or web. All that he said was confirmed only in July, when first offical reviews showed up in press. So I called my dealer to discuss my December 430 Scuderia colours and selected options and we had 2 hours phone talk regarding my 430 Scuderia specs and about Ferrari new models adding to Ferrari model range in 2008/2009. And so what he told me about Ferrari future models:

1) "F149" or so called 430 California GT will be launched next Spring, during Geneva auto show (similar information from his F-dealer have F-chat member "icemanbops" who posted thread about "F149" launch in 599/612 section: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=169681&highlight=f149). This car will be equipped with more than 500 HP engine and will be priced aproximatly same as current F430 Berlinetta. Only thing my dealer in not sure is if 430 California GT will be hardtop convertible, but told me that this scenario is quite expected.

2) "F142" will be launched in September 2009, during Frankfurt auto show, Spider will be launched in January 2010, during Detroit auto show. So Ferrari will continue their FIVE YEARS PRODUCTION CYCLE:

F355 - 1994
360 Modena - 1999
F430 - 2004
"F142" - 2009

So this seems quite logical and possible scenario. My dealer told me that "F142" will feature completely new style, chassis, engine, interior - everything. My dealer told that with "F142" Ferrari is now focusing not on HP amount, but more on horsepower/ton ratio and that "F142" probably will be equipped with monocoque chassis and full carbon body. "F142" will be to the 360 Modena/F430 range, like what the 360 Modena was to the 348/355 range. So it will next step in F-supercars developement.

May be my other news and information is not so important for 360/430 section but still I will post it down here:

1) SLR Roadster's big market success inspired Ferrari to launch 599 Spider sooner as expected. This Ferrari convertible will be launched next Autumn or at least during Detroit auto show in January 2009. Now Ferrari is working on some extraordinary roof construction to make car totally unique. 599 Spider will have 640 HP engine, 20 HP more than 599 GTB. That is all information my dealer have as for now, but he promissed to keep me updating, because I really want to order one and put down my name for it.

2) Ferrari is continuing F40 - F50 - Enzo - F70 SEVEN YEARS PRODUCTION CYCLE. Year 2009 will be the year of NEXT Ferrari HYPERCAR launch. My dealer do not know any tech details of F70 as for now.

That is all I know from my dealer about Ferrari new models. I hope so much that my given information is fresh and true. Best.

 

thanks for the update...very interesting all the way around....i am very curious about the calif. gt....hardtop conv. by ferrari...should be very interesting...also, it will be interesting to see the production numbers of these various models....and the 599 spider should be a work of art, and with640hp, a monster...i would like to be on the waiting list for all three models........time to call the Fcar dealer!!!!!!

 

Is this F142 going to be a 430 replacement or an additional model to join the current lineup?

 

Very nice of you to share so many details here about new Ferrari products. Thank you supraman55. Ferrari seems to be going from strength to strength. I wonder if the F142 styling will be better received than the other controversial designs introduced lately?
CH

 

Very interesting info! Thanks!

What I don't understand, though, is why (if your info is correct) anyone would want to buy an F430 from the time the F149 is released to the time the F430 is finally replaced by the F142, considering price and HP figures are pretty much identical. It seems like Ferrari is shooting itself in the foot...

 

Thanks for sharing mate!

 

"F149" or so called 430 California GT will be an additional model.

"F142" will be current F430 range replacement.

You are welcome. Best.

 

i dont think f149 will be named 430

it is a 4 seater car and not related with 430 totally

 

So the 430 Cali. GT (F149) wont be a derivative of F430 like superamerica to 575, but it will be a new car just before launch of 430 replacement!!!

+, i've heard that (might be completely rumor), the new car wont excess 1200kg and will have 420 hp (surely direct injection), and a sportier model like scud will have 450hp and 1150kg which will be out on 2011.





Dont flame me, im just the messenger..

 

This aligns with info I've received as well. One addtional data point that I've heard is the GT car will be a front engine, 8 cylinder car, like the Alfa 8C platform.

 

The "F149" will be total new car and new model, not reworked F430 with engine in front and no way with 420 HP engine. At least 500 HP and no less. Remember that Ferrari is never going downscale.

And please mind that "F149" and "F142" will be two different model ranges not to compare but complete each other. Best.

 

The F149 may be hard to get and not everyone necessarily wants a front engine car as traditionally with F (550/575) they depreciate quicker.(that may not be the case with the 599) Also, we're not talking that long for them both to be out. I think that F149 will be a hard top convertible.

BTW, the 599 was designed to incorporate a retractable roof right from the start.

 

I hope so much it will be so. If Ferrari will be going hardtop convertible way with the "F149", this car will be unique and have NO competitors at all.

+1

Absolutely true. This is why they are able to launch it so fast. Add 20 HP + unique construction retractable roof = success of this car is guaranteed. Best.

 

Like 599?

 

Thanks for sharing very interesting info !!

 

So from what i hear the F149 will have 4 seats,weight 1200 kg,have 500 HP and be priced as the F430 coupe as well as being more comfortable than the F430.wow that means that it will be faster than the F430 and be pretty close to scud. estimating from the power to weight ratio,sounds like the perfect car i can't wait for it,i hope that it would look better that the F430 as well.

 

It will be interesting to see how they will achieve the 1200 kg. goal... Like if they haven't tried to push the weight of the F430 down before putting it into production...

 

If all information I have now is true, than we can expect this car very hot, because my dealer told me that he knows that this car will be designed in new way, revolutionary way. Best.

 

LET see what i have learned here....a 4 seater, front engine Ferrari, with over 500hp and weighting under 1200kg, which is 2640lbs!!!! Thats over 300lbs lighter than the scud and it has two extra seats!!That is 5.2 lbs per hp, vs 6.5 lbs per hp on the 430 and 5.8 lbs per hp on the scud.....sign me up!!!!

 

I actually was talking about F142 when i said it will have 420hp, the car i had been informed which will be the new entry car. They will try to reduce the emission on their flagship (most producd and sold), to decrease overall Ferrari consuption figure.

As Ferraris tactic looks like less weight to meet the new emissions and power/weight more than max hp output, and unless they invent a new technology or produce and sell lots of hybrid kinda very low emission cars, the only way out is same output lower weight for more performance and lower emissions.
So they may downscale on power but not on performance imo.

In an interview, i remember that the weight loss is important to get the maxium performance from the same engine capacity/output without increasing size and consequently consumption/pollution, so..

And for the F149, i have to say that if its going to be a totally new car, with 4 seats and front engine, GT, they shouldnt have to call it 430 Cali. GT because thats wrong, maybe F530, especially if its going to top 599 they may as well call it F630, ain it..

 

Please mind few things:

1) "F142" is code name of F430 model range replacement, not of entry level Ferrari.

2) "F149" was firstly expected as enrty level F-car. But now we all can see that "F149" or so called 430 California GT will be neither cheap, nor "entry level" Ferrari, but will complete the range of great F-cars. True F-cars. Best.

 

my only concern is will this decrease price of f430?

 

usually the previous model increases in price right after the hot new model launch, due to the new model being unavaible and people being forced to buy the older model second hand....also, if Ferrari goes green and makes a wimpy horsepower or hybrid type car I am out!!! Give me a good old 599 or 430 any day..light weight is great, but with hp also...for ferrari to be worried about comsumption with the limited number cars that they make is ridiculous and illogical...its like us ferrari owners being worrried about gas mileage on a 200k plus supercar that is usually driven under 5k miles a year..........sorry, my rant for the afternoon!!!!

 

1: Didnt F430/360 modena entry level? By entry level i mean the cheapest, dont you? Or am i totally missing something?
2: All i'm trying to say is, if the ""F149" or so called 430 California GT will be neither cheap, nor "entry level" Ferrari," as you have said (and if stats are true, definitely), marketing vise they should not mention the "430" name, as its their previous smallest/cheapest car name. Its like naming 599 or 550 "360 Modena Exceptionale", just a thought..

cheers..

 

From a conversation with local dealer who had visited the factory recently and talked to some engineers, Ferrari is now focusing on weight reduction. Supposedly they don't think there is much left to wring out of naturally aspirated motors power wise. Direct injection is supposed to achieve some more power but mostly will be employed to help fuel efficiency. It sounds like Europe will be getting very serious on having car manufacturers improve mileage a lot. I read a similar account in some mag, can't remember which.

I expect it will be the 430 replacement to feature all they weight saving stuff, not the so called California, but, who here knows?

Here's a theory: the California will be roughly 360/430 size and the next 2 seater will be significantly smaller, lighter, sportier than the 430. Personally, I was disappointed when the 360 came out that they used the weight savings from all that aluminum to make a bigger car. My biggest complaint about the 430 is it's overall dimensions are bigger than I would like. However, Ferrari obviously knew their market and that a larger car would sell big, hence the great success for the 360/430 models.

Dave