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www.QV500.com - Ferrari F430 Part 4: F430 Scuderia |
 F430 Scuderia |
Ferrari unveiled their most potent road-legal version of the F430 in July 2007. Lighter and more powerful than the standard model, it fills the gap left since 360 Challenge Stradale production ended in 2005. Thanks to a high compression motor with re-mapped engine management and a sports exhaust, output is up from 483 to 510bhp at an unchanged 8500rpm. The F1 transmission has also come in for attention, F430 Scuderia's using Ferrari's latest generation 'Superfast' software that cuts gearchange time to just 60 milliseconds. However, outside of the drivetrain, many other important developments have been made. |
| There's a new traction control system that combines the E-Diff electronic differential and the F1-Trac traction and stability control in a single integrated system; E-Diff-2. Ride-height has been dropped by 15mm, firmer springs and dampers being joined by bigger carbon ceramic brake discs. These measure 398mm front and 350 rear (compared to 380 and 330), the front calipers being uprated to 6-piston items. New 19-inch double spoke wheels come finished in gold as standard and there's a lightened power steering system. As with the Challenge Stradale, Ferrari have introduced a series of aero refinements that lend the Scuderia a more aggressive look. Restyled front intake grilles are larger and more angular, the back-end featuring a carbonfibre diffuser with centrally-exiting Challenge exhaust tips and new exhaust surround. A Challenge rear grille comes as standard. Carbonfibre is used for the wing mirrors, engine bay vents and strut supports, each Scuderia coming with a pair of matt-finish stripes. |
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| Inside, carbonfibre bucket seats embossed with the Cavallino Rampante have bolsters and backs trimmed in technical fabric, the seat centres being of meshed fabric-type upholstery. Elsewhere, a mixture of leather, carbonfibre, alcantara and technical fabric is used. The carbonfibre steering wheel with its shift indicator LED's comes in part leather, part alcantara, as does the handbrake lever. Meanwhile, the simplified door panels, instrument binnacle, shift paddles, centre console and air vents are all carbonfibre. Black alcantara is used to upholster the dash and rear bulkhead, technical black fabric for the transmission tunnel and pillars. No glovebox is provided although several cargo nets can be used for storage. The internal floor elements are fitted with cheap-looking patterned aluminium inserts painted Grigio Corsa and there are a few minor instrumentation changes too. |
 F430 Scuderia |
Customers can enhance their cars with a number of additional upgrades, these including a roll bar, fitted luggage, 'Scuderia' helmets, a radio and different paint effects for the wheels. At some point, Ferrari are reputedly hoping to offer a full carbonfibre body. Overall, 100kg of excess fat has been discarded from the standard F430, the new car weighing in at 1350kg. Combined with the additional 27 horses, this translates into a substantially faster proposition in every respect. Handling, braking and acceleration have all been improved, top speed rising to 197mph whilst 0-60 drops by a tenth from 4 to 3.9 seconds. |
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 F430 Scuderia |