UPDATED WITH NEW PICTURES...

Feast your eyes on Ferrari's all-new F430 replacement! Spied being rolled onto the back of a truck in Italy, these are the first pictures of the Prancing Horse's new entry-level model – the F450.

As you can see, the new model looks very different to the current car with a pair of sweeping side air vents, which have been enlarged to cool the improved engine and brakes.

In a bid to compete with the Lamborghini Gallardo, the new car will get a larger 4.5-litre V8 engine – hence the name – putting out around 500bhp thanks to modified mechanicals including a higher rev limit.

It will also get a new gearbox too, in the shape of the California’s seven-speed double clutch unit. This is likely to modified to suit the mid-engined car’s sportier demeanour.

The F450 may even be the first car to incorporate KERS. Used on Formula One racers, the kinetic energy recovery system turns energy saved from braking into extra power.



Expect the F450 to make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September with UK sales starting in 2010.

Looks like its set up for offroading.  Wheel gap looks like two-fist.

If you don't want us critiquing the appearance of the car, don't post pics.  There's no stats or anything and even the KERS isn't official, so we can only comment on the appearance of it.   Don't get all defensive and dismiss criticism just because you're in love with Ferrari.

Besides, it as a comment aimed a noting that its a marked difference from the F430 which was much lower to the ground, not that it was a ricer thing.

luckily some of us size our tires as so there is no difference in overall diameter after a wheel change

I hope you do understand there's a limit to that.  You can't fit 24"-26" in a G35 so that overall diameter is unchanged from stock, you won't find the required super ultra low profile tire sizes...unless you make it so that the wheel/tire intrudes the engine bay, like some do...then you can fit 30" if that's your thing.