Special Edition Version of Last Ferrari F430 to Aid Abruzzi Quake Victims

Ferrari is showing its support to the residents of the Italian region of Abruzzi that was struck by a devastating quake on the 6th of April by auctioning a one-off F430 with all proceeds going towards the Abruzzo Earthquake Fund. The special edition model that will be the very last F430 to roll off the production line towards the end of the year, will feature special two-tone livery recalling the traditional colors of Aquila, the city most hit, and will come with a certificate signed by Ferrari Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo and a personalized dedication plate to commemorate the donation.

The one-off F430 will be auctioned by 'RM Auction' due to be held this coming Sunday, March 17, 2009. According to Ferrari, the winning bidder will be invited to Maranello to choose the final specifications while the Italian firm has also offered to equip the car with a number of options from its extensive Carrozzeria Scaglietti catalogue.

VIDEO: 2010 Ferrari F450 Mule Caught Testing

Looks can be deceiving. What appears to be a modified F430 in this video is in fact a test mule of Ferrari's forthcoming F450 supercar sporting new hardware under the current generation model's bodywork. The F450, which is set to be revealed at this fall's Frankfurt motorshow, will be powered by a direct-injection V8 engine producing somewhere north of 500 horsepower. Get a taste of the new Ferrari revving its V8 powerhouse on the track and on the road in the two-minute-long video after the jump or click here to read more details on the new Prancing Horse model.

Via: Worldcarfans

2010 Ferrari F450 Rendered - Set to be Unveiled at Frankfurt Show this Fall

As Ferrari is in the final development phase of the F430's successor, French car magazine Auto Plus decided to prepare an artist's impression of the new Prancing Horse supercar compiled from various spy shots of the prototype model. The rendering suggests a more modern design language with heavily concaved surfaces on the side panels. Up front, the styling looks less exciting, but let's not forget that this is an unofficial design proposal, nothing more, nothing less.

The Italian carmaker has been quite secretive about the details surrounding the F430's heir, but sources speculate that the supercar will most likely get a F450 badge reflecting the displacement of the mid-mounted V8, which will grow from 4.3- to 4.5-liters and feature a Bosch developed, direct-injection system. This also means that the F450's V8 will potentially be more powerful producing over 500HP, up from the F430's 490HP.

We've also heard through the grapevine that the F450 will be the Prancing Horse's first production model to feature an array of eco-friendly materials as well as several weight reduction measures, many of which were first seen on the firm's 2007 FXX Millechili concept (pictured above), a scaled-down version of the Enzo that weighed in at just 1,000kg / 2,204 lbs, or 366kg / 807lbs less than the model it was based upon.

According to out information, the F450 will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Show in September. Those interested in buying one, will probably have to wait until early 2010 to see it in Ferrari's dealerships.

Photo via: Autoplus

NOVITEC Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Ferrari-Like TuLesto Supercar

Famed Deutsch tuner of all Prancing Horse models, Novitec Rosso, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the creation of an extremely limited production supercar that will be built in a mere 11 units called TuLesto - now you know why we prefer that German makers stick to alphanumeric names. In its official release, Novitec Ross makes no mention to Ferrari but we cannot help but notice the similarities in the design with the F430. Still, it remains to be seen if the TuLesto is actually based on the Italian supercar.

The TuLesto's chassis and the integrated safety cell are made entirely from aluminum, helping keep the weight low. According to Novitec Rosso, the extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum construction results to a power-to-weight ratio of just 1.62 kg/hp.

The TuLesto is powered by a mid-mounted 4.4-liter dual-supercharged V8 engine producing 777HP at 8,200 rpm and a peak torque of 727 Nm at 6,300 rpm, launching the car from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in less than 3.4 seconds and to 300km/h or 187mph after just 22.6 seconds. The supercar's top speed is said to be in excess of 350 km/h or 218mph.

Power is channeled to the rear wheels through a six-speed semi-automatic gearbox with carbon-fiber paddles behind the steering wheel and an integrated anti-slip differential An adjustable traction control system with launch control is also included in the package.

The TuLesto features double-wishbone suspension front and rear, height-adjustable struts with various selectable damping rates, and adjustable sway bars plus a system that allows the front to be raised 40mm at the push of a button to help the car tackle everyday situations like parking ramps.

Stopping power is provided by an anti-lock braking system that features ceramic composite discs and six-piston fixed calipers front and back.

Measuring 4,620mm in length, 2,040mm in width and 1,220mm in height, the TuLesta is slightly bigger than the F430 (4,512mm, 1,923mm and 1,214mm respectively). The design of the sports car is the result of a cooperation between NOVITEC and the Italian design studio Luca Serafini Stile in Modena.

There are no photos of the supercar's interior but Novitec Rosso claims that the cabin has a "decidedly sporty nature but also offers creature comforts such as a climate-control system and a high-end sound system".

Via: Autoblog.it

Novitec to introduce Supercharged Ferrari F430 Scuderia Spider 16M with 700HP

You would think that tuners wouldn't bother wasting their time with an extremely limited production model like the commemorative Ferrari F430 Scuderia Spider 16M which will be built in a mere 499 examples. Well, think again. As these leaked photo reveal, Novitec Rosso is getting ready to introduce a souped-up version of the Scuderia Spider 16M.

Though no official details have been released yet, word has it the Novitec Rosso has fitted a pair of twin superchargers to the Scuderia's V8 boosting output from 510HP to close to 700HP. Luckily, the German tuning house has limited the exterior changes to a set of black and yellow alloy wheels and the firm's trademark blacked out tail lights.

Via: Worldcarfans

Rumorville: Ferrari to Unveil New F450 in Frankfurt this October

Even though we're still months ahead of the Frankfurt International Motor Show, Britain's Autocar magazine has learned that Ferrari will take the wraps off its F430 replacement. Expected to be named F450, the new V8 Prancing Horse is said to be for the most part new, with only a minor components in the chassis or bodywork coming from the current F430 that was introduced back in 2004.

Autocar claims that the F450 will be the first model to come out of the Maranello factory to feature eco-friendly green materials and several weight reduction measures that were first seen on the firm's 2007 Mille Chili eco-concept that is seen in our image gallery.

Ferrari has not disclosed any information of the F450's engine, but it is said that the sportscar will benefit from a updated version of the F430's V8 with an enlarged capacity of 4.5-liters delivering somewhere north of 500-horsepower.

Via: Autocar

Ferrari Recalling 1,950 F430 Spiders over Roof Top System Leak

It's not often that we hear about recalls from exotic marques like Ferrari, not because they don't have problems, but simply due to the fact that there aren't many out there. In one of those rare 'occasions', Ferrari is getting ready to send a letter to 1,950 MY 2005-2007 F430 Spider owners in the U.S. over a problem with the hydraulic hoses for the convertible top that are located inside of the engine compartment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) said that the engine heat could cause cracks to the hoses leading in fluid leakage.

In this case, the fluids may leak into the engine compartment causing smoke and quite possibly, a fire. Ferrari's U.S. dealers will install protective heat shields over the convertible top hydraulic lines to insulate them from the heat of the engine compartment. Understandably, this service will be performed free of charge.