GM did it for a pickup truck, so Ferrari ought to be able to do it for a mid-engine car! They'll probably have to kick out the golf clubs...
Clever aren't they Why not just slide the roof back over the engine cover, using the buttresses as the guides. Piece of cake and while not hidden would look great. Archaic is the wrong word ... belts were a move forward not backwards, which is what chains will be ... the only plus is that uncaring or tight arse owners can miss services, etc. Pete's opinion
Secret New Ferrari Breaks Cover uto Express has done it again! Weeks before Ferrari's sensational F360 Modena replacement is secretly unveiled to senior staff at the firm, the current issue of the magazine can reveal world exclusive pictures of the 200mph-plus machine. Christened the F430, a name Ferrari trademarked for use across the world in March and April this year, the car will debut a radical new look penned by Pininfarina, under the watchful eye of Ferrari design chief Frank Stephenson. The newcomer is expected to make its public debut early next year at the Detroit Motor Show in January, before going on sale in the summer. Based on the same aluminium chassis as the acclaimed F360 Modena, the F430 will be powered by a new 4.3-litre, 500bhp V8 designed to see off competition from the Lamborghini Gallardo and new Porsche 911 Turbo. Inspired by the Enzo supercar and 612 Scaglietti, the F430 could keep the Modena name, but has also been linked with a new Monza badge. It sports a body that's far more dramatic than the current machine. Sacrificing flowing curves for aggressive lines and angles, the car is fitted with bigger 19-inch alloys, larger, functional air intakes and a new rear diffuser to aid downforce. Auto Express's sources have suggested there's even a possibility that the new F430 will get active aerodynamics, including a rear spoiler that lifts at speed - similar to the new 911 Carrera. At the rear, the car's looks are particularly dramatic, with circular rear lights, similar in style to those fitted to the Enzo and 612. The engine, the centrepiece of any Ferrari, will still be visible under a perspex engine cover. The unit is a development of the 4.2-litre V8 that debuted in Maserati's Coupé and Spyder. Ferrari has raised capacity to 4.3 litres and revised the engine management and exhaust system to improve the engine's torque output. Although standard cars will offer a manual gearbox, Ferrari's F1-style sequential box will also be available. It's thought the six-speed unit has been further developed to improve the speed and smoothness of the change. The new machine will also feature carbon ceramic brakes, as seen on the F360 Stradale. As well as offering incredible stopping power, the lightweight composite discs are much harder-wearing than steel items. Prices are still to be confirmed, but the F430 is expected to cost slightly more than the current Modena, which starts at £103,275. A drop-top Spyder version of the new car is under development, alongside a stripped-out Stradale variant. Both of these cars are likely to hit the road in mid-2006.
Here's where I saw the cover shot.. http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/?http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/ae_news_story.php?id=48297
This might give you the cover photo.. http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/?http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/ae_news_story.php?id=48295
ER Hello Lapeter & paulieb, this is what i was talking about yesterday. Auto express, exclusive pics, 360 modena,.........
One look at the rear end tells me this can't be it -- it looks unfinished, as if they ran out of time. fwiw, I think we've been seeing lots of decoys -- the real 430 will surprise...
I shamelessly ripped this pic from a post by 'Farina' over on Rennteam. He's a clever guy- looks like a photoshop and he's found the donor 360 Modena publicity shot. You have to register to view pics. http://www.rennteam.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=41228&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1 Image Unavailable, Please Login
There is a weorld pre-view of the car on Tuesday. This is not a release but a way for the factory to get some real feedback from dealers and 'top' customers. From what I hear, the car they are going to be steared towards will see is most like the pictures that were on the cover of the Japanese magazine, wide intakes, but it seems that other ideas will also be presented. As a pre-view there is no reason why the final car will look like the pictures we have seen etc
A retractable top is possible if they use a solution similar to the Fioravanti Vola concept....is the only reatractable hard top system that is compatible with a mid-engined car...and for what i know ferrari was interested in this system in the past months...but i'm not sure that we will see a similar solution in the 430 Spider that is a redesign of a existing car the 360 Spider but more likely in the future completely new V8 Ferrari towards the end of the decade..
Personally i find the 612 long way the best Ferrari design in proportions for the last 3 decades....the proportion reminds me concepts of the past years and the Ferrari models of the 50s and great part of the 60's with long wheelbase and short front overhang.Like all ferraris the looks have to do also with technic and the architecture of the 612 with short front overhang and long wheelbase is a result of the decision to have more weight in the rear axle to improve the performance. p.s. the photo in autoexpress is a photoshop.
Hi! 5 minutes ago i visite the spanish web www.elenaferrari.net with pictures of the next Ferrari Modena in Mexico. www.elenaferrari.net
The front is very ugly, the rear is just ugly imho. The side airintakes seem bigger. That looks ok. More 250 LM like.
Maybe this is just a "trial balloon". If this is the real thing, it's very disappointing. The 360 is a much cleaner design.
That's a pretty busy rear. It's not too bad though. Thanks for the pics. Anyone have any idea at why this was in Mexico?
i hope it looks better in person as they usually do. but from the pics that is just plain bulbous and ugly.
