Amedeo Felisa to Car :
What do you think of the new McLaren MP4-12C? It’s lighter, more powerful and potentially cleaner and more economical than the 458 Italia?
'We like the challenge. It is important to have the competition. But we are not worried about it – our culture is to do our own development.'
What about future variants of the 458 Italia? When will we see the Spider version?
'First we must launch the 458. Then I expect we will see a Spider in early 2011.'
And what about a Scuderia version?
'The Scuderia was a special version, a new concept. For the new 458 there are not yet any plans for a new concept. It is too early.'
Felisa also confirmed that although Ferrari recently filed patents covering turbocharged and hybrid powertrains, such applications in road-going cars were still at least four years away. As such, a successor to the Enzo wouldn't use the technology, though a new supercar was confirmed for 'around 2012'. New cars to replace the 612 Scaglietti and 599 Fiorano are further away, with replacements due between 2012 and 2015.