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My dream is to have a Ferrari … Really multiple Ferraris.  I drive past the Ferrari of Seattle dealer every day and drool in their window.  Keeping my fingers crossed that the F450 delivers on its styling the way other Ferraris have done in the past.  I do hope that they keep the production numbers down, however, as the current F430 is produced in such a high volume that it will never become a collector car.  Perhaps the Scuderia - but not the F430.  In a way that’s almost better, so you can drive the crap out of the car without feeling guilty for putting miles on it and potentially ruining an investment!

Ferrari will unveil its F430 replacement at Frankfurt in October, giving its biggest-selling model a life of just five years.

Code-named Ferrari F142 and expected to be christened Ferrari F450 in production, the new V8-powered car will be largely new, with few carryover components in the chassis or bodywork.

While it was only released in 2004, the Ferrari F430’s chassis was heavily based on the 360 Modena whose parts dated back to 1999.

The new Ferrari F450 will also be the first production Ferrari to reflect the ethos of green materials and weight reduction first seen on the Ferrari Mille Chili eco-concept (pictured) in 2007.

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 Ferraris in years.

While details on the car are scant, it will run an enlarged version of the F430’s V8, equipped with direct injection giving an output of more than 500bhp from its 4.5-litre capacity, hence the F450 moniker.

The transmission will be a variant of the seven-speed dual-clutch system shared with the new California.

Linked to Ferrari’s steering-wheel mounted ‘manettino’ control, the dual-clutch transmission promises drivers a choice between quick sporty changes and relaxed automatic operation.

Ferrari has been working hard on weight reduction with its suppliers and the F450 is expected to take Alcoa’s advances in aluminium chassis technology to new heights.

Sources also suggest the F450 is already as fast around the Fiorano test track as the compromise-free F430 Scuderia.

But it will also ride more firmly than the Ferrari California, leaving buyers in no doubt about the focus of either car.

European Ferrari F450 sales are expected to begin late this year or early in 2010.

M3 Addict Automobile Press Ferrari

The Ferrari California has been in the press for a while now.  I have to say I love this car!!  I think I may need to own one someday.   Originally it was talked about that it would be an “entry level” ferrari, priced to compete with the Porsche GT3.  It sounds like it will be more of an entry level GT car from Ferrari though.  The Ferrari 599 GTB is their current lowest level GT car, but with a base price of $265,000 and options putting it north of $350,000 - it’s not exactly obtainable.  Not that Ferraris are ment to be obtainable, but $350,000 is a lot to pay for a car.  Plus, I think Ferrari was probably reading the direction of the economy (read: tank), and wanted to put something out that would be $100,000 to $150,000 cheaper  - a car that would be more obtainable to their customer base after their stock portfolio had tanked by 50%.

At any rate.  The Ferrari California is a beautiful car. A fantastic reproduction of their 1960’s car whose value is now soaring into the millions of dollars.  This new Ferrari California is an instant classic and I would be thrilled to have one in my garage.  It has been fitted with a front engine version of the V8 from their fantastic F430.

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M3 Addict Automobile Press Ferrari