As we are used by now, the logical order for the Ferrari models is: simple model, challenge model and challenge stradalle model. It was like this for the 360: first 360 Modena, then 360 Challenge and then 360 Challenge Stradale, so will be like this for F430 too: first F430, then F430 Challenge and the next on the list is of course the F430 Challenge Stradale. The new model will go on sale in early 2007 and will be the main competitor for the Porsche's RS models.

ferrari-f430-challenge-stradale

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: ferrari-f430-challenge-stradale

2008 Ferrari F430 Challenge Stradale

Specifications
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 520
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Comparing to Porsche that makes the RS models lighter but keeps horsepower the same, Ferrari is giving its CS not just a lighter body, but also more power. As the history tells the F430 CS will have a more powerful V8 engine than the F430 Challenge. For example, for the 360, both Modena and 360 Challenge were powered by a V8 engine with an output of 400 hp and the 360 CS got a more powerful engine: a 325 hp V8.

The F430 and F430 Challenge are powered by a 490 hp V8 engine and we expect the new F430 CS to get by the same V8 engine, but with bigger output: 520 hp. The standard F430 has a curb weight of 3196 lbs and it is expected that the new F430 CS to be 220 lbs lighter.

What will be the difference between 430 Challenge and 430 CS? The biggest changes are the exhaust pipes that got moved up a bit and are producing a lot of great music to all Ferrari fans out there. The F430 uses aluminum extensively, so carbon-fiber components will be used in the quest for reduced mass: the inside of the doors for example will be made of carbon fiber.

Also, in order to reduce the weight, the 430 CS will feature Magnesium sport wheels and the carbon grille in the back (also good to better cool the engine) and the door windows won't be made of plastic like on the 360 CS. The exhaust pipes are located further up in the middle and not on the side like in the F 430. The brakes are upgraded with bigger discs, the soft Pirelli P-Zero tires give the car enormous grip, and the interior is completed with deep sport seats.

A successor for the F430 it is expected to debut around 2010 that will be powered by a 5.4 liter V10 engine with an output around 550-600 hp. The new model will be called F540.

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History

The Ferrari Challenge Series was founded in 1993 as a way for Ferrari owners to enjoy their sports cars to there fullest potential. As stated by Ferrari, the series was created "to allow Ferrari customers to enjoy their cars in a structured, competitive environment, racing against other Ferrari owners on some of the great racetracks of North America."

The first model with a Challenge Stradale version was the 360 Modena.

From 360 Modena to 360 Stradale and then to 360 Challenge Stradale

In 1999 Ferrari launched the first model from a 3-models series: the 360 Modena. The car is powered by a 3.586cc V8 engine with an output of 400 hp at 8500 rpm. The car has a curb weight of 3064 lbs and with the 400 hp it was easy to reach the 60 mph just in 4.3 seconds. The 360 Modena has a top speed of 185 mph.

The 360 Modena was designed as an interpretation of the Ferrari berlinetta with a V8 engine for the 21st century, radically innovative features such as significant weight reduction, a larger body and a higher level of equipment. One extremely important element, which is new on a Ferrari road car, is the use of aluminium to build the entire frame, combined with the bodyshell and chassis components which are also fabricated in aluminium.

In 2000 Ferrari introduced the 360 Challenge Series which gave privateers an opportunity to race modified Ferrari's in a regulated environment. The Challenge version was created to compete in the Ferrari Challenge Championship.

The car was powered by the same 3586 cc V8 engine with an output of 400 hp. The car has a curb weight of 2550 lbs and makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 4 seconds and has a top speed of 183 mph.

The Challenge Stradale version was launched in 2003. It is powered by a more powerful V8 engine and has a bigger top speed.

Careful project development has led to a Challenge Stradale car weight that is fully 242 lbs less than the 360 Modena (2822 lbs), achieved by concentrating on three complementary spheres: materials, construction technology and project optimization. The basic material used to build the Challenge Stradale is aluminium, as was already the case for the 360 Modena and Spider. Aluminium has a specific weight one third of that of steel. This initial approach already made it extremely competitive (compared with the 360 Modena).

Reducing a car‘s weight means a reduction in its inertia. The main effect of this on the Challenge Stradale, together with the peak power increase provided by the V8 engine, is a considerable increase in performance, particularly as regards pick-up and acceleration. The car accelerates from 0 to 60 in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph.

The Challenge Stradale is equipped with the previous 360 Modena 90° V8 engine mounted centrally behind the cabin in a longitudinal configuration as a single block together with the gearbox and differential. Peak power output of the V8 engine has been raised to 425 bhp at 8,500 rpm to give an exceptional power rating that exceeds 118.5 bhp/litre.

Next step: from F430 to F430 Challenge

In 2004 a more powerful Ferrari was launched: the Ferrari F430. It is powered by a 4,300 cc 90° V8 engine, which punches out 490 hp to achieve a specific output of 114 hp/litre. The car makes the 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 4 seconds flat and has a top speed of 196 mph.

The aerodynamic design embodies the very latest competition technologies, specifically the flat underbody and large rear diffuser to increase downforce.

The car offers a series of extremely significant innovations directly derived from the Ferrari Formula 1 single-seaters. Two of these innovations are world firsts for production cars: the electronic differential (E-Diff) and the steering wheel-mounted switch (better known to the Formula 1 Scuderia’s drivers as “manettino”), which manages the integrated systems governing vehicle dynamics.

The next step was the F430 Challenge launched in 2005. The car is specifically designed to meet the expectations of its sportier clients. The F430 Challenge retains the same general look and 490 hp engine as the F430 and it also incorporates a large number of significant track-oriented modifications and a host of new features not seen in the car currently used in the series, the 360 Challenge.

The F430 Challenge boasts a kerb weight of just 2700 lbs (1,225 kg), excluding petrol. Weight has been reduced in every area of the car, from the engineering to the bodywork. Of particular note are the Lexan windscreen, the all-carbon fibre intake plenum cover, and the specific exhaust system. It has a top speed of 198 mph.

The next step is the F430 Challenge Stradale.

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Competitors

Porsche GT3 RS

The Porsche GT3 RS it is powered by a 3.6 liters Flat-6 engine that generates 415 bhp at 7,600 rpm. Maximum revs are reached at 8,400 rpm. The power output per liter of engine capacity is 115.3 bhp. These figures correspond to the present GT3. But the RS puts in an even better performance.

Thanks to a close-ratio six-speed transmission with a single-mass flywheel and the 20 kg lower vehicle weight, the engine revs up even more freely, thus enabling the 911 GT3 to sprint from zero to 60 mph per hour in 4.2 seconds. That’s one tenth of a second faster than the GT3. It takes just 13.3 seconds to hit to 200 km per hour (124 mph). Maximum speed is 310 km per hour (192 mph).

Chevrolet Corvette Z06

The 2007 Z06 has a visual attitude that always looks ready to demonstrate Corvette’s winning attitude to any challenger around the globe.

The Z06’s LS7 7.0L engine delivers 505 horsepower (377 kW) in a 3,132-pound (1,421 kg) package – a combination that delivers 0-60 performance of 3.7 seconds in first gear, quarter-mile times of 11.7 seconds at 125 mph and a top speed of 198 mph (as recorded on Germany’s Autobahn). It also provides maximum lateral acceleration of 1.04 g and 60-0 braking in 111.3 feet; it also circuited Germany ’s famed Nurburgring in a time of 7:43. Along with astounding performance, Corvette Z06 also returns surprising fuel economy of 26 mpg on the highway and avoids the gas guzzler tax common on the world’s supercars.