Ferrari F430
The Ferrari F430 is Ferrari’s latest mid-engine V8-powered sports car, available as both a coupe and an open-top Spider, replacing the 360 Modena. It continues the extensive use of aluminum for the chassis, body and suspension, which began with the 360 Modena.
For the F430, Ferrari placed the rear-mounted engine as low as possible in the chassis and increased its displacement to 4.3 liters from 4.2, in order to handle increased torque. The company also tuned it to rev higher than it does in the Maseratis, because delivering power at high engine speeds is a Ferrari trademark.
With a gear-change time of 150 milliseconds, the F430’s transmission provides for faster shifts than that of the 360. The average Formula 1 gear change time is between 60 and 80 milliseconds, but the F430 has the same gearshift time as the Enzo and the 360 Challenge Stradale, both of which are street-legal race cars.
An optional braking system with carbon-ceramic discs will be available. The overall design of the F430 is very aerodynamic and includes elements used in racing, such as a flat underbody and a large diffuser that dominates the rear view of the car. The diffuser creates downforce and eliminates the need for a large rear wing, although the body does include a small lip at the center of the short rear deck.
The F430 also features a world-class suspension, whose dampers are continually adjusted to suit the road, and world-class steering, which is well hefted, smooth and precise. The ride and handling are superb. In a turn at medium acceleration, you can feel the car under-steering–a condition in which the front tires slide before the rear, and a feeling that sports car enthusiasts like. But the handling is neutral at the end of a curve, without over-steering.
The F430 is much more aggressive than the 360 Modena - with sharper, chiseled lines and a less organic shape. Ferrari shared its wind tunnel testing methods and aerodynamic design methodologies with its Formula 1 division, a group that has won six consecutive world championships.