Is this the New Ferrari

[Roadster2]

Is This The New Ferrari?

This is the strongest hint to date of what a new topless Ferrari 550 will look like. The eagerly awaited supercar seems set to follow a number of design cues from the Pininfarina-penned Rossa.

Revealed at this week's Turin Motor Show, the Rossa uses the 550M's mechanicals but is clad in very different bodywork. Company boss Andrea Pininfarina explained: "We wanted something to show the history of Ferrari. The front intakes are reminiscent of the 360 Modena, while the front wings are from the 1958 250 Testa Rossa."

The designers have also followed the tradition for having part of the engine exposed. But where old Ferraris had the carburettor stacks sticking out, the Rossa has intake ducts. This allowed the stylists to incorporate a lower bonnet line. With the 550M's V12 5.5-litre engine and a lightweight body built from aluminium and composite panels, the new car will be capable of more than 200mph.

The cabin has been penned as an extension of the exterior. As a result, the bottom of the tiny aero screen disappears into the body so that it doesn't disrupt the line of the car. Ferrari is currently considering building a barchetta (roofless) version of its 550 Maranello, but it has not yet been given the go-ahead. A source confirmed: "If it does build the car, Pininfarina will design it and it is bound to feature some elements shown on the Rossa."

[YellowMaranello]

Very nice indeed, but I don't know about those headlights. Got any better pics of the headlights?

[ac427cpe]

here's another pic

[MBTN]

Dude, that was a concept car. The 550 Barchetta is already being built. They even tested it in Car & Driver and Road & Track.

[a007apl]

http://www.concorso.com/2001/CI2001features.asp
"Featuring Pininfarina concepts, based on Ferrari mechanicals.
Special guest, Sergio Pininfarina.
"Technology & Beauty -- 50 years of Ferrari & Pininfarina" is the Concorso's main feature, celebrating the half century collaboration between two of the world's greatest automotive names.

Pininfarina concepts based on Ferrari mechanicals and one-off show cars will make up the "Centerpiece Display" and will feature seven awe-inspiring examples from the Pininfarina private collection in Turin. They are the '67 Dino 206 Competizione, the '68 Ferrari P6, '69 Sigma Grand Prix, '70 Ferrari Modulo, '71 Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer Prototype, '89 Mythos and, making its California debut, the sensational 2000 Ferrari "rossa."

Shown below are two of the seven concept cars that will make up the "Centerpiece Display,"
compliments of the Pininfarina Private Collection in Turin, Italy.
Click on the images to view at full size.

These special Ferraris will be presented at the stage beginning at 2:00 p.m. during the "Drive-By Presentation," a Concorso Italiano signature feature in which cars are driven onto the stage for commentary by the special guest. Mr. Sergio Pininfarina will take the stage and discuss design cues and reflect on his memories of each model. He may even take a few questions from the audience, something he has done in the past to the delight of his fans who pack the bleachers.

Special guests will include Mr. and Mrs. Sergio Pininfarina, Lorenza Pininfarina, Director of Communication and Corporate Image, Pininfarina SpA; Andrea Pininfarina, Managing Director of Pininfarina Studi e Ricerche SpA.

"We will be very honored to have with us Mr. Piero Ferrari (Vice President of Ferrari S.p.A.) and his wife Floriana and Mr. Stuart Robinson (President and CEO of Ferrari North America Inc.)," said Lorenza Pininfarina. "