The “Mondial de l’Automobile Paris 2004” [ fr . en (warning: annoying sound effects in both languages) ] kicked off this last Saturday and one the biggest pulls at this years event is the spanking new Ferrari F430 presented for the first time to the public. The F430 will replace the 360 Modena and comes with a 4.3 litre V8. There has been a lot of speculation concerning the name of this new model but Ferrari seems to have settled with F430 and moreover avoided indicating a type, such as Modena, Maranello or Scaglietti.

The “Mondial de l’Automobile Paris 2004” [ fr . en (warning: annoying sound effects in both languages) ] kicked off this last Saturday and one the biggest pulls at this years event is the spanking new Ferrari F430 presented for the first time to the public. The F430 will replace the 360 Modena and comes with a 4.3 litre V8. There has been a lot of speculation concerning the name of this new model but Ferrari seems to have settled with F430 and moreover avoided indicating a type, such as Modena, Maranello or Scaglietti.

The Ferrari F430 develops nearly 490-bhp — 90 more than its predecessor, and according to Ferrari that results in 114-bhp per liter (which puts it in supercar territory, oh wait, it already was.) As if the looks and the sheer power of this beast weren’t enough to impress the cognoscenti at traffic lights, it will take you from 0 to 100 km/h (0-60 mph for you American blokes) in a mere 4 seconds with a top speed of 315km/h (191 mph). Fasten your seatbelts! Um, and your regular belt too, because this bad boy will set you back a few hundred thousand dollars. The F430 is expected in 2005 and should be Ferrari’s answer to the Lamborghini Gallardo and the Porsche 911 Turbo.

Regarding other Italian car news from Paris 2004 we have the new Alfa 147, which received a consequential facelift and will be available in 3- and 5-door versions. So what changed? Alfa modernized the 147 by giving it a new nose with a larger grille and new headlights. Because the nose is now placed lower relative to the hood, the 147 sports a more aggressive look that’s sure to get policia attention. At the rear, the designers reworked the tailgate and made slight changes to the tail-lights to make them more stylish: the light clusters have now been lengthened into a more triangular shape emphasised by a chrome moulding. Oh, yes, please Alfa, give us a new 147 GTA!

French car manufacturer Peugeot [ fr . en ] presented the stunning 907 super-coupe at the Paris 2004 Motor Show. The bad news? It’s only a concept car. What is wrong with the Frenchies? We definitively want more of this on the roads, not just on display surrounded by hot chicks.

Anyway, the 907 concept is powered by a 6.0 litre V12 which develops 500-bhp. Styling features include a glazed panel set into the bonnet, enabling a view of the engine, a full-length glass panel in the roof meeting the front and rear windscreens, plus a retractable rear spoiler. Oh, and for the geeks: an analogue instrument panel with touch-screen controls and PC computer connection with sat-nav and MP3 player. Wicked!

Of course there’s much more to discover at the Paris Motor Show 2004 at Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles. The show runs from 25th of September to the 10th of October, every day from 10am to 10pm. An entry ticket will cost you 10 euro but if you can pretend to be age 7 you’ll get in for free, good luck!