Ferrari takes new design line with 456 replacement

Ferrari has revealed the highlight of its stand at next January's North American motor show in Detroit.

It's a new two-plus-two, which will replace the 456 in the Italian company's line-up.

True to Ferrari tradition, it is being styled by Pininfarina. But the sketch released the other day shows that the design house is taking a different line on the new car.

There's a rounded overall shape that incorporates sharp panel lines to define the top of the wings and a cut-out to the rear of the front wheels.

At the rear of the car, rounded taillights are reminiscent of the Enzo for Ferrari enthusiasts and General Motors' Corvette for American muscle car fans.

Inside, the seats have been designed to make the car a legitimate four-seater. Slim backs to the front seats with deep depressions give more knee-room for rear passengers.

Power will comes from a V12 engine, mounted at the front and driving the rear wheels.

But the engine will sit well back, making weight distribution close to the ideal 50:50 front/rear split.

There are rumors coming out of Ferrari headquarters at Maranello that the engine will be based on the Enzo's power unit and will produce over 400kW.