Kyle's Corner (FYI) Ferrari - What Will Change and What Will Stay the Same

The marque automakers
have been somewhat slow
to update their vehicle of-
ferings. After all, they
guilt cutting edge auto-
mobiles that were very
good in the first place.

The competitors had
to work very hard for a
number of years to even
keep seeing the rear bum-
pers of these manufacturers.

However, the automotive environment has changed and every automaker
is pulling out all the stops.

Mercedes and Audi are really pushing advanced fuel efficient petrol
and diesel engines (see my upcoming article). And even Ferrari
is stating there will be substantial and regular updates to their sports
car offerings.

Ferrari intends to update its four main model lines every four years.
To start, an M or what the company calls a modificato model will
replace the original offering with updated design, powertrain and
chassis improvements. And a completely new model will come
four years after that.

Considering there are four models in the Ferrari range, one completely
new model or M model will be launched every year as well as variants
as a Scuderia or Spyder. And there will be new top-end Enzo sports
car about once a decade.

Ferrari informs that its four model range will continue with two GT
models (currently the convertible California and the four-seat 612)
and two high performance cars (currently the 458 and 599).

The future 612 Scaglietti replacement is codenamed F151 and it is
due to be available in the first half of 2011. It will be a 2-door with
an aluminum body and the engine in the front. Furthermore, it will
be more practical with additional interior and luggage space. And
the price will be slightly less expensive than the 612.

The 599's replacement is codenamed F152 and the car will be
available in 2012. It will be a more extreme performance sports
car than the 599 GTO. It will have a front V12 engine, rear
transmission (currently a twin-clutch unit), aluminum structure
and two seats.

Up until 2014, none of these sports cars are placed to be available
as hybrids, however, the company showcased a hybrid Ferrari at
the 2010 Geneva Auto Show.

Ferrari stated that that although the company will eventually offer
hybrids, the essential character of Ferrari will not change. Thus,
future Ferraris will not forgo the company's performance tradition.

So some things will change such as new Ferrari sports car offerings
and other things such as stunning Ferrari performance will not.

Have an auto question or comment? You can email it to me at
Kbusch3@verizon.net. Kyle Busch is the author of "Drive the
Best for the Price..."www.DriveTheBestBook.com.