Ferrari is to unveil the F430 at next month’s Paris Motor Show, signalling the arrival of a brand new generation of 8-cylinder models.

The car will feature two innovations: the electronic differential (E-Diff) and the steering wheel-mounted switch (better known to the Formula 1 Scuderia’s drivers as "manettino"), which manages the integrated systems governing vehicle dynamics.

The other main characteristics of the new F430 are 4,300cc V8 engine, which produces 490bhp to achieve a specific output of 114 bhp/litre, a braking system with carbon-ceramic discs, a Formula 1-derived gearbox that cuts gear shifting times down to 150 milliseconds and the car reaches 0-62 mph in 4 seconds - and has a top speed in excess of 196 mph.

The UK price and specification for the F430 will be announced prior to its UK launch in 2005.