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Ferrari testing 458 successor in the snow?

It may not seem so long ago that Ferrari introduced the 458 Italia. But it's been on the market a solid 5 years since its launch in 2009, which makes it not only the oldest model in the company's lineup, but one of the oldest in its segment, the Lamborghini Huracan and McLaren 650S just having been launched in the past couple of months. So while a solitary Ferrari playing in the snow might otherwise seem like little more than an unlikely place for it to be, its chronology suggests the crew from Maranello could be up to something more.
The white 458 captured by our spy photographers in Northern Sweden appears to have something going on around its wheel arches. Aside from the panel gap that's taped up between the quarter panel and rear fender in front of the rear wheel arch, there appear to be some modifications around the front wheel arch. Just what they're for, we don't know, but their presence suggests something's up.
The test mule pictured here could be simply testing some new components, for whatever application, but if this is indeed a prototype for the 458's replacement, we'll probably start seeing more of these from here on in before the finished product comes around within the next couple of years - by which time the 458 will be a good seven years old, longer than the F430 or 360 Modena before it were on the market.

Top tier supercars go for top dollar at RM Sotheby's Pinnacle Portfolio auction

Ferraris continue to rake in money during classic car auctions, and the sale of RM Sotheby's Pinnacle Portfolio collection during Monterey Car Week is only further proof of that. The Prancing Horse grabbed four of the top five spots among the 25 vehicles crossing the block. The leader among them was a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM with an extensive racing history that went for $17.6 million, according to the company's unofficial numbers sent to Autoblog. The only vehicle to keep Ferrari from locking out the top five was a 1998 McLaren F1 LM-Specification that went for $13.75 million. It's claim to fame included being the second-to-last road version of these famous supercars built. Plus, the coupe is only one of two with the LM spec package, which included the 680-horsepower racing version of the V12. Showing more modern Ferraris are also appreciating, a 2005 Enzo went for $6.05 million, taking third place. This example was the last one ever made and was originally gifted by the company to Pope John Paul II. However, he had the car sold for charity. Similarly special, fourth went to a 1994 F40 LM racecar for $3.3 million. Finally, a 1967 275 GTB/4 rounded out the top five also at $3.3 million. Amazingly, the vehicles in the Pinnacle Portfolio came from just one person who the company only identified as a "private US-based gentleman collector." Check out the gallery to see all 25 rolling across the block, including a Toyota 2000GT, Porsche 959, and Jaguar XJ220.

Ferrari to reveal California-based 149M on February 12

The updated, turbocharged Ferrari California might be the Prancing Horse's worst-kept secret ever. The long-rumored car was spotted testing last summer at the Italian dreammaker's Fiorano test track with the unmistakable whistle of a forced-induction engine, and Ferrari is now teasing the reveal of its "149M Project" on February 12. Because that the original codename for the California was the F149, the new car is almost certainly the refreshed version.
The exact engine under the hood is still a mystery, but it is rumored to be a tuned version of the 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 found in the Maserati Quattroporte with 523 horsepower and 524 pound-feet of torque, an engine that is already a significant upgrade over the 483 hp and 372 lb-ft in the current California. Other reported upgrades suggest there is the possibility of revised exterior pieces to make the new model look more like the F12 Berlinetta, along with an improved interior featuring a more modern infotainment system. As expected, Ferrari has no plans to drop the California's retracting hardtop for the updated model.
While Ferrari will debut the new car on February 12, the public will probably not get its first chance to check out the brand's entry-level sports car until the Geneva Motor Show in March.