Ferrari has its work cut out for the next two years as it plans to replace two of its five core models – the Ferrari 430 Spider and the 599 GTB Fiorano.

According to a report by Automotive News, the replacement for the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano will be totally redesigned. Internally known as the F152, the new car will remain a two-seater coupe with rear-wheel-drive and a direct-injected V12 longitudinal engine mounted in the front.

Ferrari plans on showing the model in March at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, with sales to begin in Europe by summer U.S. shipments by end of 2012.

Other than that, we know that the Ferrari 599 GTO Roadster is pinned for a Pebble Beach debut later this month and that Ferrari is also working on its first hybrid supercar for sometime in 2013-2014.

Ferrari 599 GTO:

-By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News

Using a Ferrari F430, Turkish pop-singer Metin Senturk became the world’s fastest unaccompanied blind driver hitting a top speed of 182 mph. Senturk broke the previous record of 176 mph held by a British banker.

Senturk, who has been blind since the age of 3, wept tears of happiness as he came out of the F430 at Urfa airport in eastern Turkey to learn from Guinness World Records officials that he broke the record.

“I don’t think there are any words to describe this feeling. I am really happy. It was really hard, like a dance with death,” said Senturk.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Reuters

The supercar accident loving folks at WreckedExotics.com have posted this picture of a wrecked Ferrari F430 which blew a tire at 120 mph.

The driver was originally traveling at 180 mph when he heard a weird noise and immediately stared slowing down. After reaching 120 mph his right-rear tire blew out causing the rear quarter panel to be completely destroyed.

Check out more photos at WreckedExotics.com.

- By: Kap Shah

Alright, so to change the pace a little with our ‘Miscellaneous Thoughts’ posts, we thought we’d put together a full video edition. So here you go…

Ferrari F430 catches fire after accident: A Ferrari F430 went up in flames after an accident in Sibiu, Romania. No one was seriously injured but the car was a total loss. – WCF

Tesla Roadster Rally: Tesla Motors hosted a road rally this past weekend to commemorate the company’s 500th Roadster delivery and the one-year anniversary of its first retail store. You can check out photos from the rally over at Speed and Motion.

Edmunds drives the Hennessey Camaro HPE550: The folks over at Edmunds took a spin in the 562-hp Hennessey Camaro HPE550. Check out the video after the jump. – Edmunds

- By: Mo Eladawy

In a partnership with Novitec Rosso, Unique Sportcars has unveiled their first design concept based on the Ferrari F430. The Ferrari F430 Clavaera also features work by airbrush artist Knud Tiroch, who has previously designed for David Coulthard, ZZ Top and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

After Unique Sportcars and Tiroch finished adding their visual touches, Novitec added twin-superchargers to the 4.3L 8-cylinder engine allowing for a total of 707-hp. 0 to 62 mph comes in just 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 216 mph.

Unique Sportcars is hoping that customers that want more than just an off-the-shelf product, will opt for some custom-tailoring done by their team. The customizer said that all work takes about 3 months to complete.

Make the leap for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

Unique Sportcars/Novitec Rosso Ferrari F430 Calavera:

Press Release:

Ferrari F430 “CALAVERA” by Unique Sportcars and Novitec Rosso

Calavera “where performance meets design”

Using 11 months of design and development, the bavarian design house “Unique Sportcars” has completed their first design concept: A Super Sports Car for the streets.

Limiting the series to the number of 11, the unique “Calavera” design is based on the Ferrari F430, collaborating exclusively with Ferrari Specialist Novitec Rosso and Airbrush Artist Knud Tiroch.

The “Calavera” concept (Spanish: Skull) is the brand of Unique Sportcars, mother of future design implementations.

In touch with modern fashion, Unique Sportcars has combined “whats hot” with a luxurious sports car, the “Calavera”.

All involved create an inspiring team. For over 20 years, Novitec is well-known on the tuning scene. In the early 90s, Novitic received attention and recognition for their Turbo- and Supercharged motors for Alfa Romeo. 2003 was the year of the first Novitec Rosso twin-supercharger engine for Ferrari, making a statement to professionals worldwide.

Knud Tiroch is one of a kind. He belongs to Europe`s finest Airbrush artists and is responsible for creating the exclusive designs on chassis and interior. His finesse was of great use to David Coulthard, ZZ Top, Arnold Schwarzenegger and many more.

Unique Sportcars develops exclusive designs for customers wanting more than off-the-shelf. Custom-tailoring individual ideas and customer’s wishes, we are on the look-out for partners to make these come to life. Idea, Concept and Implementation, all from one source!

Besides design composition and project engineering, these Bavarians have developed a few special extras. “Calavera’s” front is suited with daytime lights, creating a more agressive look, but not impeding on it`s aerodynamics.

A real eye-catcher is the illuminated engine compartment. This non-standard gimmick puts the “Calavera” in spotlight, setting the tone for the brute rear and 707 HP engine.

The finishing touch is given through its interior. The “Calavera” design continues. Embroidered seats and a modified, extended middle console, leaving room for conventional functions and extensions like the new generation Apple iPod.

The whole procedure of tuning includes completely dismantling the vehicle`s frame. The modifications of engine, aerodynamics, rims, tires and sports exhaust system are done by Novitec.

All custom work is completed within about 3 months.
A bolide, right on schedule for the last series of the Ferrari F430; creating a new sensation.

Summary…a brilliant combination of exclusive design and modern technology. Truely, a “Unique Sportcar”.

Technical Details

707 hp / 520 kW, 712 Nm, 0 – 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, a top speed of 348 km/h and extremely sporty interior appointments. At the heart of the CALAVERA lies the NOVITEC ROSSO twin-supercharger engine in its latest evolutionary stage. Up to now, the eight-cylinder, four-valve engine with a displacement of 4,308 ccm and mechanical NOVITEC ROSSO twin superchargers produced 656 hp / 482 kW.

The sprint from rest to 100 km/h is shortened by half a second to 3.5 seconds. After just 10.5 seconds the car reaches 200 km/h. The 300-km/h barrier is shattered after 29.9 seconds. In combination with longer gear ratios available upon request the top speed grows from 315 km/h to 348 km/h.

20-inch wheels instead of the standard 19-inch wheels: The three-piece NOVITEC ROSSO NF3 double-spoke wheels in sizes 8.5Jx20 in front and 12Jx20 on the rear axle fill out the F430 wheel houses perfectly. High-performance tires in sizes 235/30 ZR 20 and 325/25 ZR 20 come from technology partner PIRELLI.

Like all other body components the NOVITEC ROSSO front spoiler was developed in the wind tunnel. It is attached to the underside of the production front apron. It lends the F430 an even more aggressive frontal appearance and reduces lift on the front axle Agile, safe handling is one of the strengths of the NOVITEC ROSSO sport suspension for the Ferrari, optimized everyday use the other. Contrary to the production suspension the front can be raised by 40 millimeters at the push of a button to safely navigate past curbs, driveway entries and speed bumps. Once the car reaches a speed of 80 km/h the suspension automatically lowers itself back to normal position, about 35 millimeters lower than the production car.

NOVITEC ROSSO sport stabilizers reduce body roll and provide even more direct turn-in. To be able to safely control this enormous performance potential at all times NOVITEC ROSSO also modifies aerodynamics, tires, suspension and brakes.

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Ferrari announced today that it will be auctioning off the very last F430 at the RM auction due to be held this coming Sunday. The last unit of the Ferrari F430 will leave the production line at the end of this year and will be auctioned off to raise money for rebuilding the Abruzzo, Italy area which suffered significant destruction by the earthquake on April 6.

The last Ferrari F430 will feature a two-tone body that pays tribute to the colors of Aquila, the city most hit by the earthquake. It will feature a certificate signed by Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo with a dedicated plate to commemorate the donation.

The winner of the auction will be invited to Maranello to choose the final specs.

Click through for the press release.

Press Release:

Ferrari contributes to rebuilding the Abruzzo region after the devastating earthquake

Ferrari has announced that it will offering a very special car at the RM Auction due to be held this coming Sunday. The car, the very last F430 to leave the production line towards the end of this year, will be auctioned to raise funds for rebuilding in Abruzzo, central Italy, which was devastated by the earthquake on the 6th of April. Ferrari will liaise with the local authorities to ensure that the funds will go towards the most needy.

The F430 will feature a special two-tone livery which recalls the traditional colours of Aquila, the city most hit, and will be consigned with a certificate signed by Ferrari Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo, with a personalised dedication plate to commemorate the generous donation.

The client adjudicating the car will be invited to Maranello to choose the final specifications and Ferrari has also offered to equip the car with a number of options from its extensive Carrozzeria Scaglietti catalogue.

The F430

First launched in 2004, the F430 represents the peak of Ferrari’s development of the mid-engined V8 berlinetta. Every inch of the car was inspired by the engineering research carried out at Ferrari’s Gestione Sportiva F1 racing division. The result is a highly innovative car that offers outstanding performance thanks to cutting-edge technology, such as the electronic differential (E-Diff ), initially developed by Ferrari for its F1 single-seaters, and the manettino switch on the steering wheel which directly governs the vehicle’s dynamic set-up.

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

After just five years, Ferrari will be replacing its best selling model – the Ferrari F430. Internally known as the Ferrari F142, the car will make its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in October. Sources had told AutoCar that the new V8 Ferrari will be mostly knew with a few components being carried over from the F430.

Insiders say that the new Ferrari 142, which may carry the Ferrari F450 badge when it enters production, will be the first production Ferrari to use lightweight materials first seen on the Ferrari Mille Chili concept. Those who have seen the car say it is one of the most beautiful Ferrari in years.

Rumors suggest that the car will carry a 4.5L V8 with output of more than 500-hp. The engine will be mated to the same 7-speed dual-clutch transmission from the Ferrari California. Sources say that the Ferrari F450 is already returning lap times similar to the F430 Scuderia around the Fiorano track.

Ferrari F450 sales are expected to kick off in early 2010.

Source: AutoCar

Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world and 100 and 200mm Olympic Champion at Beijing 2008, fulfilled his dream of driving a Ferrari F430 Spider at Monte Carlo on the Formula One city circuit. It may be time to purchase yourself a very fast car Bolt.

Bolt is attending Monaco for the World Athletics Gala, promoted by the IAAF where he will receive the “Athlete of the Year” award.

We’re just wondering when Bugatti will sponsor Bolt. The faster man in the world meets the fastest car in the world.

Usain Bolt Drives the Ferrari F430 Spider:

Source: Ferrari (Via AutoBlog)

As we reported earlier this month, Ferrari is planning on redesigning and replacing the current F430 in the second half of 2009. Unlike the current model which is built off of the 360 Modena, the next-generation F430 will be built from the ground up with a brand new design inspired by the 2007 Millechili concept.

The next-generation Ferrari 430 will get a new aluminum chassis that will make it lighter than the F430 Scuderia, a new direct-injection V8 from the California along with the new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

According to CAR, rumor has it that the California’s direct-injection V8 will be turbocharged for the next F430. Also like the Ferrari California, the next F430 will be a hard-top coupe-convertible – that means no more soft-top Spyder anymore.

Internally known as the F142, Ferrari has yet to decide on the production name for the next F430. Pricing wise, the next F430 will be more expensive.

Source: CAR