There's a rumour emanating from Maranello that Ferrari is developing a V10 engine to power the successor to the F430 -- just as the F1-inspired cachet of the V10 is about to disappear because of changes in FIA regulations resulting in next year's F1 series running with V8s.
According to AutoWeek, it'll be a four-valve-per-cylinder, 5.4-litre V8 based on the 90-degree block in the F430. The impetus for the move came from marketing comparisons with the Lamborghini 5-litre V10 in the Gallardo.
The V10 got a 10 per cent power boost when fitted to the Spyder and now develops 520bhp at 8,000rpm, punting the heavier soft-top to 62mph in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 196mph with the roof up. By comparison, the F430's V8 puts out 490bhp for a 0-60mph figure of four seconds and an identical top speed -- so it's no slouch.