Mega Thread: The 430 Replacement (F450, F500, etc)

First picture there is an air intake scoop on the front lid.

Third picture it's not there!

 

Saw that too. "Scoop" looks to be a refelction of the round traffic sign behind the car.

Speaking of scoops, interesting that the cabin ventilation (?) air intake at the base of the windshield faces aft (Chevy cowl-induction style) - don't remember ever seeing this on a Ferrari before.

Also, the two large scoops on the rear deck are in-line with what look like rear-exiting electric fans. These are more noticeable on some of the other pics (choose hi-res) available on Worldcarfans.

 

This happens a LOT with any auto manufacturer when test drivers/engineers are being photographed. It is not uncommon to see the old bird make an appearance.

 

Did anyone else noticed that the center scoop in the lower front bumper is not functional, there's no gap for air to go under the car.

 

I hear the 430 replacement is gonna get the scud owners pissed, with being much more aggressive than 360-430 change, to make up for California.
I started saving..

 

Lighter,faster,more powerful, in words of an insider :"will make Scuderia look tame"...

 

I agree; his face shouldn't be fuzzed out either.

 

rear tail lights, one big one small

 

Great news if true.

 

+1

 

IMO - I think the red car is the mule for the new super car engine. The double air inlets are for a twin turbo engine setup. The 430 shell has nothing to do with the body of the car. The guy driving it is a subcontractor not a Ferrari employee. Who cares..... There was a show about it on Top Gear awhile ago how all the manufactures go to this town at the top of the earth and test these cars.

The yellow car at the factory is the complete test mule for the new 450. It will be a larger engine only. Engine design is so expensive so I don't think much will change with the engine.
I do think everything around the engine will be upgraded. The new double clutch system will be installed. A faster shifting then the Scuderia or the same.
I think the real design improvements will be in the design of the shell. Ferrari is hinting at designing lighter cars. The problem with Ferrari's are the weight. If they can reduce the weight of these cars they would really have something.

I think these are the improvements!
1 - A little more horsepower.
2- Faster shifting
3 - double clutch
4. - new electronics
5. - New tub design
6. lighter materials
7. More user friendly. Nav, blue tooth stuff
8. You will see more parts sharing with Maser and Alfa on the new car. via Audi. yes audi

I think you will see the car in October 09 if ready. This is Italy!

 

Undoubtedly the mule for the F450 - F430 replacement. There was an earlier thread showing a pic pf the codename for the car on the side window.

 

Once again, this is typical engineer behavior. They do NOT like being photographed (even though it is perfectly legal). I have seen a Chrysler MINIVAN test driver flip the camera man the bird. What do you say to that? Typical Chrysler Caravan ingorance?

see:
http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/gallery/10923_FBUICTDIHVXZN.jpg

 

well, nothing wrong with calling rude behavior rude but i agree labeling all engineers or all Ferrari workers in a certain stereotype because of one idiot is reaching.

 

Regardless, back on topic...I'm pretty excited about the next car! I'm very excited about the lower weight, if it is indeed true.

 

In Ferrari terms that would be:
500 hp,
same shifting as scud,
no heavier than 1300-1350kg, dead between 430 and scud,
scuds ipod thing will definitely be an option, imo.

Oh, and hopefully i'll look like a sick b@st@rd..

cheers

 

500 hp will be not enough, even if they will make the car lighter.

 

I would have thought so too, but that particular car (with F142 sticker) didn't have the two scoops on the rear deck. Also, that car had scud wheels, this one has prototype wheels and the fenders are cut away fairly radically.

They could be testing different things, but it could make sense they are testing a supercar engine based on the NA engine of the 450 (or whatever the 430 replacement is called).

As I mentioned previously, the two scoops are in-line with two rear-mounted electric fans. Is this a temporary solution to get more engine compartment cooling? Not sure they would have fans drawing air through intercoolers.

 

In issue 3 of the Ferrari magazine they featured some of the mules used previously by Ferrari. It's worth noting (and I think someone may have already mentioned this previously) that these is a pic of a slightly elongated 348/355 which was actually the mule for the Enzo engine. They go on to explain in the article that different mules test different things - and most actually look nothing like the cars they are testing for!

Reading this thread is so confusing - one minute the F430 replacement is due at Frankfurt October 09 (5 years since launch), then it's 12-24 months. Unless Ferrari has a secret plan to shift most of its F430 Spyder buyers to the California (who knows?), why would they let their biggest seller of all time cease production in July, not to be replaced for some time?

 

I hear that the base price of the new coupe will be around 50k more than the California...

 

Very probable,loaded car might be over $300k .

 

I agree. If you look at most F430 spiders sold now, they come pretty close to that price after all the options. So, logic would say that there is still a market for the right car at this price.

I think this is the main reason for the California. They need something at the $200K price point so they have more freedom with the F430 replacement to go even more exotic... and higher in price... on the new car. At some point, they do risk pricing themselves out of the market. The California is a bridge in regards to both it's price point and in attracting some Aston Martin, AMG, and BMW M owners over.

Also, I expect F430 spiders to RISE in price from where they are today. Why? Well, for one reason, in 2009 they will not make many as they cut production for both the economy and ramping up for the California and F450.

Second, the new spider will be significantly higher in price and perhaps not available until 2011, not to mention the waiting list. For those wanting a true Ferrari sportscar, the F430 may be as high as most are willing to reach. The difference in price could be well over $100 grand or more given the market today. That's a lot between the two models. A person's choice will be a new California, a used F430 spider or wait (and wait and wait) for a new F450. Given these three choices, the F430 looks like a logical decision.

But, I don't speculate so I leave that to the real gamblers in this forum.

 

has anyone left a deposit at their local dealer for the 430 replacement? If so for a coupe or spyder?

 

Stabilize at best, but no way will they go UP. In fact, I still predict downward pressure despite the reasons you pointed out.
They made enough where they are not in limited supply.
People are willing to wait.
They are used - either that turns off some potential owners, or it's just "not the new thing".
Most people who will spend $200K+ on a used F430 will consider an F450 @ $300K.
Fewer buyers than there were 2 years ago.

Etc etc etc...

 

They will NEVER go up over the next 20 years or so, just like all the rest of the F-cars since the 308.