Latest word on the replacement for the NSX is that it's going to target Ferrari and Lamborghini, likely the F430 and Gallardo. So we're talking somewhere well north of $150K.

The car will have a V10 and Acura's SH-AWD. 4WS was also considered, but that idea appears to have been shelved. The car is also likely not going to use the label "NSX," which is why all reports on it so far have been calling it a NSX "replacement."

Full story here.

Or... maybe not. Autoblog is saying it aint so (here), as they've interviewed Mike Spencer from Acura's press corp, who denies the car will ultra-expensive. So, as always, stay tuned...

Beginning next year F1 will be phasing in the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), resulting in hybrid race cars; and by 2013, all F1 racers will be hybrids.

The KERS works by storing energy expelled under braking, which can then be used via a "push-to-pass"-style button mounted on the steering wheel that drivers can employ for an extra power boost.

Full story here.

Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

Ferrari has taken a decidedly low-key approach to its stand at the New York auto show. Those things sell themselves anyway, right? But come on. You couldn't even hang a sign? Or maybe set up an espresso machine for needy journalists? This is more extreme than Aston Martin's unmanned rocks-and-murals display at the Detroit auto show a couple years ago. -- Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit

UPDATE: The fine folks at Ferrari dropped us a line yesterday disavowing all credit/blame for the sad display pictured above. "The Ferrari vehicle displayed at the show is not part of the Ferrari Marketing fleet, nor was Ferrari informed that such vehicle would be displayed at the auto show," wrote a staffer. The staffer notes that Ferrari is not officially taking part in the 2008 New York show. Maybe the organizers of the show couldn't stomach not having a Ferrari there.

Tell you what, guys: In the name of reconciliation and peace among the car-loving peoples of this world, we, Inside Line, will rescue this F430 from its little unmarked cubby-hole and add it to our fleet as a foil for our 308. That's just the kind of stand-up guys (and girls) we are. 

 

The 1960s are all over the 2008 Geneva Auto Show.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Ferrari 365 GTB4, or Daytona as it is more commonly known. To celebrate the occasion, Ferrari is displaying this black example alongside the new 612 Scaglietti.

Also 40 years ago, ItalDesign opened its doors. It celebrates with the display of the Manta, penned in 1968, a midengine beauty with a center driver seat.

 

This is a 1967 Monteverdi High Speed 375 S Prototype. It was displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show that year and is powered by a 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) Mopar V8.

This 1970 midengine Monteverdi is called the Type 450 GTS. It's also powered by a big 440 Chrysler, but here it's backed by a five-speed manual transmission. -- Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief

Like fake Rolexes, etc., there are those out there who build fake cars. And as such, are subject to getting caught—which is exactly what happened here. In this case we're talking about Ferraris—yep, fake Ferraris.

Italian cops confiscated 21 cars, 14 of which had already been sold, and seven in production in Sicilian garages. The odd thing is that a number of buyers knew these were fakes, and yet still bought them. Well, I guess a fake Ferrari is still better than a Zimmer.

Full story here.

Biofuel, indeed. --Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit

The Ferrari Millechili Concept may well look like an Enzo, but rest assured, it's not. What it is—is a look into Ferrari's future. The Millechili is really sort of a 7/8-scale Enzo, in that it weighs 200 pounds less than a Miata!

In fact the word "Millechili" is Italian for "one thousand kilos." Compared to the Enzo, its has a shorter wheelbase (93.69 inches, vs the Enzo's 104.33) and a reduced overhang at the front (43.3 inches from the bumper to the top of the windshield vs the Enzo's 49.1).

So, will we actually see this car hit the streets? Hard to say, but it clearly hints at where Ferrari is going.

Full story here.

Here's Inside Line's take:  Ferrari Reveals Its Strategy for Fuel Efficiency

Galleria Ferrari awards day at the works and on the race track to 200,000^th visitor in 2007

Record-breaking year for the Galleria Ferrari in Maranello: two million visitors since the Galleria opened its gates in the year 1990 and 200,000 visitors in 2007.

To celebrate this important result the Galleria Ferrari offers to the visitor, who’ll buy ticket number 200,000 a really special prize: a whole day at the works in Maranello, lunch at the Ristorante Cavallino and some lap on the Fiorano circuit with one of the test drivers.*

Part of the Galleria’s success are also the extraordinary results of the company in the year 2007, celebrated at the Galleria Ferrari in Maranello: 60 years of history and success. A whole exposition has been dedicated to the 60 years’ celebration of the House with the Prancing Horse, with numerous cars from the Granturismo, Sport e F1 sections, production cars and Scuderia, with the contribution of many collectors and museums from all over the world.

The 260 models produced by Ferrari – from the 1947 125 S to today’s 430 Scuderia – are represented by Sante Lusuardi’s paintings.

In the Galleria’s Formula One section, where the cars are exposed, which formed the history of the Scuderia, 15 Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Champion titles and 201 GP victories are celebrated.

During the Christmas period the Galleria will remain open every day (except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) from 9.30 through 18.00, waiting for the visitors to live a real Ferrari day.

For more info click here.

* for two adults of full age

We wouldn't be surprised if the crowd that was circling the Ferrari stand had been following the 2008 430 Scuderia since it made its worldwide debut at the Frankfurt auto show. It's just that kind of car.

At 2,975 pounds, the 430 Scuderia cranks 503 horsepower from its 4.3-liter V8.

During the press conference, Maurizio Parlato, president and CEO of Ferrari North America, boasted that Ferrari's production volume is now at a whopping 6,000 cars per year worldwide, with many thanks going to the wealthy auto aficionados in the Far and Middle East.

Several of whom are likely waiting to take delivery of a new limited-edition Scuderia next year. -- Kelly Toepke, News Editor

Fortunately Fiat's CEO Sergio Marchionne, nor the driver of the Renault that caused the accident, were not hurt. Regardless, it's always painful to see such a gorgeous vehicle wrecked.

Full story here.