Ferrari F450 unveiling pushed back, hybrid F450 concept coming to LA in Dec.

Ferrari’s much anticipated successor to the F430 has been delayed from its original launch date at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September to the 2009 LA Auto Show in December. According to sources that spoke with AutoCar, Ferrari is now planning to reveal the F450 as a concept featuring a future hybrid powertrain.

However, don’t except the F450 to come to the dealerships in hybrid form anytime soon. Sources say that during initial launch of the F450 model, Ferrari won’t adopt any of the new patent technology that the Maranello automaker recently applied for, including twin-turbo technology, direct-injection V8 gasoline engines and all-wheel-drive hybrid technologies.

What’s the reason for the hybrid delay? Ferrari insiders say that buyers may not be ready for an eco-friendly Ferrari just yet. Also, the Italian company is confident that it can meet Euro emission standards at least until 2014. Nonetheless, Ferrari hopes that by showing a hybrid F450 in LA in December, it can gauge some interest for ‘green’ Ferrari.

Sources said that Pininfarina is also responsible for the delay as it works out technical aerodynamic details that Ferrari CEO Luca di Montezemolo ordered late as last month.

Unlike the Ferrari F430, the F450 will launch only as a coupe. Ferrari is hoping that will give the new California some time to better market itself before a harder F450 Spider arrives 18 months after the coupe is launched.

– By: Mo Eladawy

Source: AutoCar