People from Maranello hinted that the 458 Italia Spider from the stable of the prancing horse marques will come with a folding hardtop! You read that right and that will be a feature similar to its sibling, the Ferrari California.

Ferrari lovers though might be wondering how the mechanism for the hardtop will be installed since unlike the California which has its engine in front, the 458 Italia has its engine mounted in the rear.

We are pretty sure though the designers and engineers have all it figured out so we leave it all to them. With the California, the hardtop was made from aluminum panels with a supporting structure also made from cast aluminum which decreased its overall weight. Press the switch and the roof will close or open in 14 seconds.

The 458 Italia Spider will make use of a V8 4.5L engine that can give out 578 horsepower. This Ferrari can zoom from 0 to 100 km/h in a matter of 3.4 seconds with its max speed pegged at 325 km/h. This new model will be a bit slower compared to the coupe as the mechanism for the mechanism of the folding hard top will add some pounds to the car.

Photo via teamspeed

So what record did that Ferrari car break again? When the Italian maker came out to announce Ferrari’s record breaking drive down the Nurburging track, a lot of people had question marks on their faces. This is probably due to the fact that the Ferrari 599XX is track-centered and is not available, legally, for city-driving. No matter, the car still broke the lap record for production derived sports cars in Nurburginring, reinstating Ferrari’s top spot in terms of engine performance.

Apparently, it broke the 7-minute barrier on the 20.832 km track, leaving behind the Dodge Viper ACR and the Corvette ZR1 in its dust. The Viper finished the ring in 7:22:10, while the Corvette wasn’t too far behind with 7:26:40. Unlike the Ferrari, though, both of these car models are street legal, leaving most consumers with a “So what?” thought bubble.

Still, watching the Ferrari 599XX finish a lap on the Nurburging track is well worth 7-minutes of any car lover’s time. Never mind that you’ll probably never get to own one.

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There is a loud buzz going around that Ferrari is looking again into using V6 engines for their future productions. Hints went into the mill after the interview of Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa with Autocar. Before, Ferrari was looking into using V6 to maximize its fuel economy and performance, the V6 plan looks definite but how Ferrari will approach the change is not that clear.

According to Felisa, the use of V6 powerplants on the stallions from the Ferrari stable was not viable even a year ago but their customer base has a change of attitude making the use of V6 possible in 20 years.

A lot of people might think the a V6 cannot deliver a supercar performance, just like how the engine of a Nissan GT-R is incomparable to the V8 4.5L engine of the 458 Italia. Nonetheless, Ferrari has superb engineering and a twin-turbo V6 may just give you the zoom and broom you are looking for from a supercar while being more fuel efficient.

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The association of Chrysler to Fiat brings some rumors that it might be using a V10 Ferrari derived engine for the next generation of the Dodge Viper. It will definitely be a welcome

Just a few months back, Chrysler was trying to get rid of the Dodge Viper brand as bankruptcy loomed dark on its future. The attempt to sell the brand only got a single bid from the low end amounting to $5.5 million. The top executive of Chrysler wants the brand to live on and run on a Ferrari power plant.

The reports are unofficial still though but the Dodge Viper getting more raw power might transform the brand into a powerhouse which can redefine the lineup of Dodge in the current competitive market.

The V10 on the drawing boards will be an extension of the V8 from the Fiat line up. The Viper will be having a crossbreed with cylinder banks on 90 degrees, valves actuated by pushrods, but not having the same flat crank like that in the Ferrari.

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After five years, the last of the Ferrari F430 will be sold throug an auction for charity which aims at helping the victims of the recent Abruzzo earthquake.

The rights for the last Ferrari F430 that will roll out from the assembly line was conducted last May. The unit will be customized with a two tone paint in the color shade of Aquila, the most devastated city during the last earthquake.

The winning bidder will be getting a signed certificate and a dedication plate. The owner will also have the privilege of choosing from the catalogue of Carrozzeria Scaglietti to further customize the Ferrari. The last F430 is due for release before the end of 2009.

The F430 was born in 2004 and served as the DNA for derivatives like the Spider convertible and the Scuderia. There were also race versions of the Ferrari F430.

It succeeded the 360 Moderna which reigned the Ferrari garage since 1999. The F430 and the 360 Modena shared several components including its aluminum body.

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Great news to all Ferrari fans! The Ferrari 599 GTB can now be modified with the brand new Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione package. The new system boosts the suspension set up with the addition of new springs, readjusted shock absorbers, and antiroll bars. The height has been lowered and the famous Ferrari-exclusive 20-inch matte silver wheels are protected by tires that are more forceful.

Minor adjustments to improve the throttle response have been done to the speed demon’s V12’s software with its 611 horsepower. The retuned F1 transmission is now capable for even faster shifts.

To elevate the new kick-ass 599s with its GTE package, the modified 599s bear new grilles, special wheels, and a matte black rear diffuser. Of course, even the interior has been improved with its two-tone seats and carbon fiber trims.

The Handling GTE Package is expected to add $25,000 to the 599’s base price.

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