Rendered Speculation: Ferrari 458 "Scuderia"

The new Ferrari 458 Italia isn't even out on the street yet, but already the automotive rumormill is churning out speculation over a potential Scuderia version. When outlining the roll-out of upcoming Ferrari models for the near future, Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa dismissed any such speculation as premature, but that's not going to stop some. Hence the rendering you see above, courtesy of user DJ at Teamspeed.com.

Since this can of worms has already been opened, the first thing we can say is that, while Maranello will in all likelihood produce a lightweight, slightly more powerful version of the new 458, it's probably several years away. The Italia is already expected to eclipse any previous benchmarks set by previous "volume" Ferrari road cars. And when it does, it almost certainly will not be called Scuderia – based on the 360 Challenge Stradale and the 430 Scuderia, it appears Maranello's keen on changing up the naming scheme with each new model. One board member suggested 458 Tifoso in tribute to Prancing Horse's dedicated legions of fans, but whatever name Ferrari decides on, and whenever it makes its way into the limelight, expect the supercar to drop a little weight, gain a little power and wipe the smirk off of any competitor's mug.

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Ferrari California gets the Hamann treatment

Like their ever-tuning counterparts Edo Competition, Hamann Motorsport have got their hands on a 2010 Ferrari California and are working on an aftermarket program for the folding hardtop sportscar. Among the performance parts on the way are new exhaust system and a revised engine management program that the company says yields a 20% gain in horsepower from the 4.3-liter V8.

Until then, California owners can opt for Hamann's aerodynamic kit that makes extensive use of carbon fiber. The complete kit consists of a new hood, front spoiler, side skirts, a three-part rear diffuser, and a small rear wing. Other available components include Hamann's lightweight forged wheels and a range of interior accessories.

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Frankfurt 2009: Ferrari 458 Italia

Still not convinced that the 458 Italia is Ferrari's most beautifully-designed coupe ever? Perhaps these shots from Frankfurt will help you see the light.

As you can see, it doesnt matter if the 458 comes in red or yellow, it is gorgeous from every angle.


Even though it arrives in showrooms this Fall, dont expect to get your hands on a 458 Italia for at least another 2 years unless you are a previous Ferrari customer that has ordered directly from the factory OR you're a member of the Carlyle Motor Club. Sign up today!

Ferrari 458 Italia: Maranello releases more details, pics and video footage

The Frankfurt Motor Show is fast approaching, but rather than hit the brakes as they would for an approaching corner, Ferrari is pulling out all the stops. In gearing up to unveil their new 458 Italia at the show next month, Ferrari is giving us a little more each week. We've already seen the first batch of shots, downloaded the ringtone and heard the company's brand and technical directors talk about the car; now Maranello has released an additional video of Paolo Pininfarina of the eponymous design studio talk about the car's styling.

Officially Official: Ferrari announces the 458 Italia!

After months of speculation and spy shots, the crew from Maranello have finally revealed their new mid-engined V8-powered creation to replace the F430. The all-new 458 Italia won't be shown in public until September's Frankfurt Motor Show, but the details were released early this morning. A new direct-injected 4.5-liter V8 ups the power ante to 570 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. Eighty percent of that torque is now available at an impressively low 3,250 rpm, thanks probably in part to the 12.5:1 compression ratio.

Like last year's California, the 458 gets a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox to send power to the rear axle. A lot of work has been done on reducing the internal friction of the powerplant, in addition to work on reduced aerodynamic drag. The results help improve the 458's mileage to a combined 17.1 mpg (US) on the EU test cycle. No mention is made so far of incorporating any type of KERS hybrid system, something that has been entertained in a lot of rumors... perhaps it will come at a later date.

Like its predecessor, the structure is fabricated out of aluminum giving the 458 a dry weight of just 3,042 pounds. As this is a Ferrari, talk of fuel consumption really does seem a bit pointless. The real question, is how quick is it? Based on specs at least, this new coupe does not disappoint. Acceleration to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes just 3.4 seconds, and this will be the first volume production Ferrari V8 to top the 200 mph barrier, with a top whack of 202 mph.

Call us today to be placed on the waiting list for this awesome piece of Italian engineering! (888) 804-7852

[Source: Ferrari]

Michael Bay filmed Megan Fox washing his Ferrari as part of her Transformers audition?!

Michael Bay may never win the Best Director Oscar, but he sure does know how to get the most out of his actors during their auditions. U.K. broadcaster Jason Solomons wrote in a recent column that Bay had Ms. Megan Fox wash his (unspecified) Ferrari at his home as part of her audition for her role in the first Transformers movie. And since Bay was doing "official" auditions, he apparently recorded every minute of it.

Solomons reportedly asked Fox if she knew where the footage was, and he says she was unsure where the footage was, adding that she was "concerned" as to where it may be. According to Solomons, Bay all but confirmed the tape's existence, allegedly saying "Er, I don't know where it is either" when asked by the broadcaster. Hmmm. Bay may have just given us a grand idea for our next Carlyle model audition

Since the role of Mikaela Banes required Fox to act as sexy as she already looks, we can see why Bay chose for her to wash a Ferrari as part of the audition, but the fact that the 'audition' took place at his home and the tape has gone missing does seem a bit "casting couch" to us. That said, we can think of few things we'd rather see than Megan Fox, a Ferrari, and a bunch of suds. What we don't understand, though, is why this footage wasn't part of our bonus footage in our special edition Transformers DVD.

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The Blue Jean Ferrari 599

What do you do when you're heir to an enormous industrial empire? Well, pretty much anything you want. Like order up a Ferrari made to match your favorite pair of jeans.

Nope, this isn't the latest splurge by Paris Hilton; the car you see here is reportedly owned by one Lapo Elkann, grandson of the late billionaire industrialist and Fiat chairman Gianni Agnelli. Evidently not satisfied with a Diesel-edition Fiat 500, the notorious playboy ordered up his latest ride from the family-owned company decked out in a custom two-tone matte paint job. The body is painted in baby blue, the roof, mirrors and pentagram wheels contrast in a darker shade. Inside, the party continues with denim upholstery replacing the usual sumptuous leather. Yes, that's DENIM upholstery. Taste being subjective and all, if you're retching at the site of this kitchy ride, just remember: it could be worse. This guy could be running the company – and Chrysler along with it. Come to think of it, perhaps this is some sort of perverse keep-it-in-the-family nod to the AMC Gremlin X Levi's Edition?

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Spy Shots: Ferrari F450 prototype caught with native body

Ferrari normally tests its future supercars wearing body panels from the prior version, and so earlier spy shots of the upcoming F450 have all been of mules wearing F430 body panels. Today that ends, as our snoops have caught an honest-to-goodness F450 prototype in its own skin. While still covered in camo that obscures the details, it's evident that the body is taking shape and close to finalization.

While we've reported that the F450 may feature a turbocharged, direct-inject V8 engine and possibly a mild hybrid system based on patents filed by Ferrari, Autocar is reporting that the Prancing Horse intends to launch the F430 successor without those advanced technologies. While Ferrari may unveil a hybrid F450 concept at the LA Auto Show later this year in order to be the first to establish a road-going version of the KERS system used in Formula One, the thought is that customers might not be ready for such a green version of the exotic automaker's best-selling model and that new European emissions standards can initially be met by substantially cutting weight and further developing direct injection for its current crop of engines. Stay tuned as we inch closer to the F450's unveiling later this year.

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