Once you’ve earned the title "Fastest Man Alive", of course car companies want a piece of you. Usain Bolt got a dream opportunity to put a Ferrari 430 Spider though its paces in Monaco on its F1 city circuit. Bolt was already in Monaco for the World Athletics Gala, promoted by the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations), where he received the "Athlete of the Year" award.
Ferrari was not his only test drive. Bolt was also in Germany for some track time with the BMW M3. Since his record run of 100 meters in 9.69 seconds gives him an average of about 23.1 miles per hour, he should feel right at home in a car that is limited to 155 mph.
Companies like Pininfarina have been doing it for decades. There are multiple examples of Ferraris with complete custom bodywork for extremely well-off customers (Pininfarina has made some exotic one-of-a-kind car including a wagon based on its own design of Ferrari 456 GT for the Sultan of Brunei.) Now Ferrari wants to get in on some of the mega-bucks by making official custom cars.
The program is called "Portfolio", and Ferrari officially keeps the program somewhat of a secret to everyone but its best customers. The cars are still designed and built by Ferrari’s long established houses such as Zagato, Fioravanti and Pininfarina, but now with Ferrari’s blessing and possible hand in their pocket.
The first customer to benefit from it is June Chiro Hiramatsu, a Japanese customer who is already known for an impressive Ferrari collection. His car, the Ferrari SP1 (Special Projects 1) is based on the Ferrari F430 and is a design by Leonardo Fioravanti. The bodywork is mostly new - only the A-pillars, windshield and doors are the same to the factory model. The 490 hp 4.3-liter V8 engine went unchanged.
As we expected from rumors back in September, Ferrari chopped the top off the F430 Scuderia. The latest prancing horse is called the Scuderia Spider 16M in honor of it’s 16th constructor’s championship win in F1 racing. Originally the car was rumored to be limited to 300 units, but it seems Ferrari has upped that to 499 (they must have determined demand to be 500 cars.)
The Scuderia Spider 16M is powered by a naturally-aspired V8, 4308 cc engine that delivers 510 hp at 8500 rpm and about 350 ft. lbs. of torque at 5250 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed F1 style gearbox. The 0 to 60 mph sprint takes 3.7 seconds and tops out at 195 mph.
Original rumors pegged this as a retractable hardtop. Not only is this a story we cannot confirm, but it also would not make too much sense on a car that is supposed to be ultra light and race-ready. What we do know is Ferrari is not letting this horse out of the stable without a little Italian style. It will be available in a choice of two new signature color schemes: black with grey trim and a tricolor scheme.
Not many people would have predicted that the Ferrari Enzo would be the guideline for the whole Ferrari line, but it seems the aerodynamic wedge shape will find its way onto the replacement for the F430. Internally known as the F142, the next Ferrari will likely borrow styling cues from the Mille Chili concept and should be revealed in late 2009 or early 2010. The F142 will be lighter than the F430 Scuderia (around 2750 lbs.) and will be powered by a mid-engined turbocharged V8 engine, with small displacement.
A convertible version is set to follow shortly after the coupe’s debut. Taking a cue for the California, it is rumored that Ferrari is working on an ultra-light folding metal roof.
When a Ferrari crash, that’s more than a crash! Is the death of a part of history, so you need to treat that car with respect, no matter it is destroyed!
Call me crazy, but the way this F430 is treated after the crash, I will call it abuse!
There is a reason Ferrari offers a driving school. It may cost a few thousand dollars, but these pictures prove that it’s worth the price. This Sunday driver lost control of his Ferrari F430 Spider in the Netherlands.
In the drivers defense, it was a particularly rainy day. Speed may not have even been as issue, as this accident happened when someone was actually trying to pass him. The driver said the car broke loose "without any reason" and smashed into the guardrail. He is ok, but the car may need some serious time in recovery.
First rumors about a spider version of the F430 Scuderia appeared few weeks ago. At the official unveiling of the Ferrari California, the company also sorta confirmed the existence of a spider version for the Scuderia: the first image of the car appeared in the background of the California’s unveiling video.
The Scuderia Spider will be limited to only 300 units. Like the coupe version will be powered by a 510hp 4.3-liter V8 power unit mated to the new 7-speed dual clutch transmission system, which will debut in the brand new Ferrari California. Official unveiling will be made on November 5th at the Ferrari Challenge at Mugello.
As you know there are rumors saying there will be a Spider version of the F430 Scuderia by the end of the year. And according to Jon Sibal it will look like this.
The Spider version will be produced as a limited edition, likely destined just for the collectors. Ferrari will only create about 300 units and will unveil it at the end of World Ferrari Challenge at Mugello, scheduled in November.
Design notes:
These renderings were relatively simple as I just made sure that all the distinctive F430 Scuderia markings were applied to the Spyder version - ie. front and rear bumpers with updated diffusers, rocker panels, rear engine vent panel, wheels, emblem and that $8,000 stripe.
Like the California, it will feature a retractable hard-top roof adding an extra 70kg to its kerb weight. The Spider version will be produced as a limited edition, likely destined just for the collectors. Ferrari will only create about 300 units and will unveil it at the end of World Ferrari Challenge at Mugello, scheduled in November.
It’s hard to make sense of a Spider version of the F430 Scuderia. After all, the extreme nature of the sportscar where amenities are deleted for the sake of weight savings is not suitable for the glamour and style of the spider version. Then again the raw nature of the car may be one reason Ferrari is building a version that brings you even closer to the elements.
The Spider version will be produced as a limited edition, likely destined just for the collectors. Ferrari will only create about 300 units and will unveil it at the end of World Ferrari Challenge at Mugello, scheduled in November.
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