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

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.

The Ferrari 500 XX is based on the Ferrari GTB Fiorano. It has the same transaxle and engine type, which classifies it as an extreme track car. Modifications on the engines’ combustion chambers, exhaust tracts and inlets helped the car reach its target power of 700 HP at 9,000 rpm.

The car also comes with slick tyres which were developed to increase lateral acceleration and maximize stability while cornering. F1 engineers also used Ferrari “doughnuts” to protect the brake discs and wheel rim.

I usually rent a ferrari 360 modena in Las Vegas – Can’t wait to rent a 599XX!

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.

Fuel economy without sacrificing power is not new in Ferrari with direct injection technology being used for the Ferrari California and possibly for other models as well.

A V6 Ferrari discussion will not be complete without mentioning the Dino 206 and the Dino 246 designed by the son of Enzo Ferrari. The Dino 206 was able to output 160 horsepower while sporting a 2.0L engine while the 246 was able to jack it up at 175 horsepower in the United States. The European version of the 246 was able to bring out 195 horsepower.

Ferrari may not go towards the Dino direction but if ever it will, it might be through the its mother company Fiat.

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.

The original Viper V10 was derived from the results of cooperation with Lamborghini. Another tie up with an Italian car maker like Ferrari may help to light the way to better sales figure for the Dodge Viper.

What the current Dodge Viper has in its engine bay is no joke at all. It has a 600hp V10 with 8.4L displacement. The SRT10 ACR runs around the Nurburgring 4 seconds faster than the Nissan GT-R or Corvette ZR1.

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.

The next car after the F430 is in the works and will be dubbed the F450. The production version of this new car from Ferrari will take the spotlight during the motor show in Frankfurt Germany this coming September. The official launch will soon follow.

The next F450 will be powered by a V8 4.5L engine which has an output between 550 and 585 horse power. The powertrain will be coupled with a seven speed transmission with dual clutch. It will also make use of energy recovery through its brake system.

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.

The second 599 is the super high-tech 599XX, which is designed to be the extreme track race Ferrari car. The 599XX debuts Ferrari’s most advanced technologies from leisure driving to Formula One capacities. The modified 6.0-liter V12 engine—adjusted combustion chambers, raised redline to 9,000 rpms, improved intake and exhaust systems, and relatively light-weight parts. The improved V12 now produces 700 horsepower while the new transmission can change gears in a matter of 60 milliseconds.

It is expected that only twenty to thirty 599XXs will be built and offered to a selected group of Ferrari loyalists. The 599XX’s assumed price range is about $1.2 million.