21 Sep 07 16:43
Ferrari F430 Spider
Ferrari is to launch a 2+2 coupe-cabriolet with a folding hard-top roof at the Detroit Motor Show next January, according to Italiaspeed.com.
The 'F149' 430 GT California, styled by Pininfarina, has a 450bhp version of the direct-injection 4.3 V8 engine, and the F1 'Superfast' sequential-shift gearbox as in the F430 Scuderia launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show, although manual transmission will be optional.
It is thought to have a new-generation version of the F430 family's aluminium spaceframe, updated and strengthened to accommodate the roof structure and to provide optimum rigidity roof-down, and to even have a small pair of rear seats, thanks to repositioning of the engine - this model is front-engined, says Italiaspeed.
The 430 GT California will be marketed as a rival for the likes of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and will be significantly cheaper than the F430 Berlinetta and Spider - prices will start from €130,000.
Italiaspeed says that this model is not the so-called 'new Dino', however: it predicts that this 2+2 coupe model, to be the cheapest upcoming Ferrari yet, will follow in 2009, with a 350bhp mid-mounted 3.5-litre V6, and a price tag from around €100,000.
