Ferrari F430
Thursday, October 12th, 2006
Ferrari is consider a leader in automotive styling and technology, and its new F430 will not be an exception. A replacement for the 360 Modena. This Ferrari F430 had its debut in a Paris Motor Show.
It continues the “new” Ferrari look that began with the Enzo, and incorporates multiple design elements lifted from its big brother. The F430 also boasts a new 4.3-liter, 490–hp engine, a unit based on the 4.2–liter V8 now found in all Maserati models.
STYLING—The basic look of the 360 Modena, itself an evolution of the F355, has further evolved in the F430, though it is less of a styling leap than the 360 was when introduced for the 2000 model year.
In the front, the F430’s Enzo–esque headlights are near vertical, while the 360’s are horizontal. The F430’s front air intakes are larger and feature a small splitter in the middle, again, like the Enzo. The 360’s small, sculpted “nose” in the center of the bumper has been eliminated for a cleaner look, and the air duct on the trailing edge of the F430 front spoiler is also much larger than the one on the 360.
At the back, the F430’s rear air intakes and lower air intakes continue the Enzo influence, as do the taillights, mounted high on the rear fascia. The F430 has five cutouts on each side of the engine cover, compared to none on the 360 (though there are four on the 360 Challenge Stradale). The rear air diffuser is more prominent on the F430, with vertical canes similar to those found on the Enzo. The rear bumper is much more cleanly integrated into the rear body than on the 360.
HARDWARE—While the F430 has an aluminum spaceframe similar to the 360, its engine is a Maserati–based, 4.3–liter, 90–degree V8. It kicks out 490 hp and 343 lb–ft of torque, an increase of 90 horses and 68 lb–ft over the 360 Modena. This boosts the power–to–weight ratio significantly, even though the F430 grew to 3,197 pounds, from the 360 Modena’s 3,064. Each of the F430’s horses has to move just 6.52 pounds, compared to 7.66 pounds/hp in the Modena, and 6.64 pounds/hp in the Challenge Stradale. Ferrari claims the F430 can reach 62 mph in 4.0 seconds, with a top speed north of 196 mph.
The F430 is the first V8 Ferrari to feature driver aid controls on the steering wheel, as seen previously on the Enzo and 612 Scaglietti. A knob on the right—known to Ferrari F1 drivers as the manettino—controls the car’s dynamic modes (sport, race, etc.). The now de rigeur paddle shifters bang off shifts in as little as 150 milliseconds, transmitting power through Ferrari’s new electronically controlled differential, another technology lifted from its F1 team. Dual–spoke, 19–inch wheels similar to the Enzo’s are fitted, and carbon–ceramic brakes are a reported $20,000 option.
NEW AND OLD TOYS—When the F430 first arrives in the U.S. in late March or April, MSRP will be in the $200,000 range. Of course, like all new toys for rich boys, it will sell for far above window sticker on the immediate secondary market. If you are not near the top of the list with your local Ferrari dealer and want to be the first on your block to own an F430, plan on spending $245,000-$250,000 to put one in your garage.
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