This stunning Ferrari 458 Italia has gone on sale for just £35,000 – because underneath it is a humble FORD COUGAR.
The 202mph 458 Italia, which was launched in 2009, is regarded as one of the finest and most desirable Ferraris ever built.
But most people have absolutely no chance of stumping up the cash for the £170,000 Italian supercar.
However, one UK dealer is offering a cut-price alternative in the shape of this 458 replica.
On first impressions the bright white motor looks almost identical but it hides a dirty secret – it started life as Ford Cougar.
It was then fitted with a bodykit to make it look like the Italian supercar which is capable of 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 202mph.
The Ferrari has a rear-mounted V8 engine but the replica has a 2.5-litre front-engined V6 which boasts just 168bhp.
As a result it will accelerate from 0-60mph in just 8.6 seconds and top out at just 140mph.
The car prompted a debate on the Pistonheads website with opinionated car fans sharing their view on the copy.
One user, who owns the predecessor to the 458 Italia – the F430 – said the copy actually looked BETTER than his personal Ferrari while others questioned the point of a fake supercar.
The car is up for sale with Bradford dealership SD Prestige and Performance, which is asking £34,950 for it.
Ford Cougar v Ferrari 458 Italia
Engine: 2.5-litre V6 with 168bhp / 4.5-litre V8 with 560bhp
0-62 mph: 8.6 seconds / 3.4 seconds
Top speed: 140mph / 202mph
Cost new (from) £21,995 / £170,000
Used price (from) £500 / £135,000
Jeremy Clarkson on the Ford Cougar: “It’s not a bad looker, it’s a tarted up Mondeo and at the right time it absolutely flies. The V6 engine is an absolute barnstormer, it’s an out-and-out sports car.”
Jeremy Clarkson on the Ferrari 458: “It’s a heptathlete with the lungs of Pavarotti and the face of an angel.”
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