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

Don't think it's anything that we didn't already know but still... it's a little update on whats going on.


The Ferrari F430 replacement has been spied testing again, with the latest photos clearly showing the car's radical front headlight styling.

The car, a disguised prototype of the so-called F450, was spotted undergoing handling tests in northern Italy. It is only the second time the prototype has been spied testing - previously only Ferrari F430-based test mules have been spotted running.

The Ferrari F450 will feature a massively enhanced technical spec compared with the outgoing F430.

The F450 will feature engineering ideas from Ferrari’s F1 and GT racing programmes, including radiators ahead of the front wheels, a double-clutch seven-speed transaxle gearbox, understeer-cancelling software and an upgraded version of the Scuderia’s traction control.

The lightweight aluminium structure of the new car will also bring gains over the F430’s rigidity. It is said to reflect Ferrari’s dream of cutting weight to improve handling and emissions, while negating the need for more power.

The F450 may be revealed at December’s LA motor show as a concept featuring a future hybrid powertrain.

But the launch decision is pending while Ferrari fine-tunes the styling of it best-selling model ahead of the sales launch early in 2010.

The supercar was scheduled for an unveiling on 9 September, and its engineering was finished some time ago. But sources say the Pininfarina styling had to be adjusted for aerodynamic reasons and that Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo ordered tweaks back in May.

Unlike the launch of the F430, when both Spider and coupé broke cover at the same time, the F450 will make its debut as a tin-top only. This is partly to give the California more time to establish itself in the market before the harder-edged F450 Spider arrives 18 months after the coupe.

Although the F450 will employ cutting-edge tech, it won’t initially adopt any of the new patents that Ferrari recently applied for, including twin-turbo, direct-injection V8 petrol engines and all-wheel-drive hybrid technologies.

Insiders say that’s partly because buyers might not yet be ready for a hybrid Ferrari with eco-friendly features such as stop-start and energy recovery technology, and partly because the firm is confident it can meet European emissions standards by further developing direct-injection technologies, at least until 2014.

However, Ferrari may unveil a hybrid concept F450 at the LA show. Ferrari feels that it needs to unveil its hybrid concept as quickly as it can to claim road-car ownership of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) from Formula One. That would give it a head start over Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Toyota and Renault and buy it time to develop road-going versions.


http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/241830/

 

Bravo!

 

Quick sketch of the rear incorporating newly visible diffuser details...
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Very cool.

Maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me because of the camo-body over the "real thing", but the bottom of the rear quarter panels seem to flow much lower than previous models?

 

Very nice, man!
Are you a designer?
From Ferrari?

Again, very cool and you are very good in design.

Thnx

 

you are skilled mate. good work...

 

Yeah, very racecar-aero - from the skirts along the rocker panel to the cut-in at the front lower fender behind the front wheels (reminiscent of GT2 version), looks like they created the car considering the conversion to GT2.

BTW, I drew the rear deck too low, should be at the same height as the fender peeks...

 

Just not patient enough to wait for the official pics

 

Looks neat but isn't it inpractical with about only 1/2 the width available for two abreast seating or is it a single seater ?

 

You are one seriously skilled guy. Wouldn't mind getting a friend who is a photoshop genius to skin your sketches if OK by u.

 

BTW, I drew the rear deck too low, should be at the same height as the fender peeks...[/QUOTE]

Well then whip out the pad and pencil, raise the back deck lid, expand the drivers compartment and lets see it!!! Yes I am also getting anxious to see the next car...
Tony...........

 

Was at Fiorano for the Pilota course last week - many people talking about the 450.

Some of the instructors had seen the mules being tested at Fiorano - they said the driver is definitely further forward that in the 430 (seems to be some of the concepts from MilleChilli coming through). Also said it's very low and has a much higher rev limit - at least 9,000rpm.

 

first offical pictures will be relased tomorrow July 28th.

 

As a matter of interest, where'd you get that from?

All this buzz must definitely point to a Frankfurt launch (15th Sept) - especially with the 9th Sept event. Almost exactly 5 years since the F430 debuted in Paris Sept 04.

 

Thats what I being told as well.

 

everyone put the millechilli in front when talks about new f-cars.But the millechilli is just a "thing" we saw on pictures, a scale down version of enzo, that isn't a car, but more like a toy.That toy did not have a thing that was functional.There are scale models that are more realist than that.Even the wheels were drawed. No doors no bonnet no nothing. So stop talking about millechilli because is nonsens!!!!!!!!

 

With respect, it's you who is talking nonsense.

I know the MilleChilli isn't a car - I never said it was. It was a concept that showed a new line of thinking about lightness how when applied to an existing car - in that case an Enzo - could significantly reduce the weight by doing things - like making the driver stationary and the pedals/steering etc mobile. This would reduce the size of the driver impact protection zone - shorten the car and make it lighter.

Having been told by people who've seen it that the 450 appears shorter and the driver more cab-forward - that was a reference to what was talked about on the MilleChiili. We will wait to see when the pics and specs are revealed whether any of the conceptual thinking makes its way into this car, or the next Enzo replacement.

 

Are the Ferrari people calling it 450?

 

I meant to mention that - everyone I spoke to referred to it as the 450.

However perhaps it's just become generic that people are referring to it that way (4.5 litre capacity - so 450) - on the Cali production line all parts bins say F149 not California.

 

The Importer for sweden and Norway will post first pic of the new 450 on their site july 28th says the latest news on the site.

 

You dont know all that from millechilli.You know that from what ferrari told us, and from the tech' docs they released.The Millechilli hadn't pedals, steering etc...so you dont know that from millechilli.And you sow that the driver is moved forward from spy pictures not from that toy.

If they replaced millechilli with a egg it was the same thing....


In the press you heard "inspired from millechilli"....NONSENS!!!!!

 

If the egg was to embody the thoughts of ferrari on weight reduction and size cutting then a new car by ferrari which has its focus on these matters could well be a car "inspired by" that (the egg if you want), since its referring to those ideas which were first shown on the concept and its making those ideas become reality. I'm with cesman on this one

 

Again....if that thing with 4 wheels that were drawed ...is: 1st named a car.......and 2nd embody something to do with future cars for you...then sure you are right!!!

But if Audi came with a 1/2 R8 named "1000kilo" that is one-piece plastic, and 1000pages talking about size-cutting, emissions etc...you will say "the next r8 will follow "1000kilo" concept principles"....You are very naive!

 

better be naive than rude

 

LOL

The wait is getting people on edge!

We're all here for the same reason, let's enjoy some good spirited car talk