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Ferrari F430 ScuderiaStory by Jeff Feldsher - October 10,2007 For those who find a regular production Ferrari too plain or not hard-core enough, your in luck - a new model based on the stellar F430 is scheduled for launch early next year. Just as its predecessor the 360 Modena was transformed into an ear piercing razor sharp instrument (called the Challenge Stradelle) so to the F430 receives an extreme makeover that even the king of pop can’t match.
To the delight of racing purists, the F430 Scuderia is a dedicated, lightweight attack machine. With its classic racing stripes and rear underbody diffuser proudly on display, the Scuderia simply screams performance. Instead of adding gobs of power, Ferrari has smartly chosen to tweak its existing platform that works so well. As any racer knows, weight is the enemy around the track, to this end Ferrari put the F430 on an extensive diet. Sound deadening is stripped out, even the floor mats are deleted; bare metal gleams from the floor revealing meticulous welds. Beautiful carbon backed racing seats complete with a 5 point harness restraint system replace the old heavy leathers. Exotic materials are used wherever possible; carbon ceramic brakes are now standard reducing unsprung weight, even the wheel nuts are made from titanium. The end result? An astonishing 100KG of mass was taken out, with the final tally coming in at a very lean 2975lbs.
 Ferrari then went to work on its high-revving V8. The intake and exhaust tracts were opened up in order to enhance breathing, as with the Challenge Stradelle, expect the exhaust bark to be significantly louder than normal. In an effort to squeeze every ounce of power possible from the 4.3L mill, a set of new 11.7:1 ultra-high compression pistons were installed. In total, these modifications are able to extract an additional 20 horsepower, bringing the total count to 503 shrieking Ferrari stallions at a dizzying 8500rpm. While the added power may seem rather miniscule, combined with the numerous other changes, the Scuderia is able to lap Ferrari’s own Maranello test track a full two seconds faster than the base F430, in fact even the mighty Enzo can only equal the Scuderia’s time. The many e-diff and suspension settings no doubt contribute to its searing pace. Ferrari claims 0-60mph in a blisteringly quick 3.6 seconds with a top speed just shy of the magical 200mph barrier. The only transmission offered is the lightning fast semi-automatic F1 paddle shift. Purists may resent the fact they cannot swap cogs through a conventional manual box, but will most likely find consolation in the fact that shift times hover just barely above pure racing cars.
Perhaps most impressive is the way this car comes together. Every modification and enhancement looks properly in its place. Ferrari’s attention to detail and refinement is top notch and makes the Scuderia a complete finished product. Expect no more than 250 units to be imported with official pricing to be announced shortly.
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