Ferrari unsheathes F430 Scuderia

19 July 2007 :: Filed under Mid / rear engine sportscar, Ferrari, Ferrari F430

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Challenge Stradale by any other name

First things first, folks. This is definitely not the F430 Challenge Stradale. A lightweight, battle-ready F430 with a dose of extra power might sound an awful lot like an F430 Challenge Stradale. But it ain’t. It’s the new F430 Scuderia, ummm-kay?

Ferrari says the focus for the F430 Scuderia has been threefold: reduce weight, improve handling limits and increase performance. Can’t argue with that.

The big news, therefore, is a weight loss programme to the tune of approximately 100kg and an increase in power to 510hp (at a slightly zany 8,500rpm). The subsequent 1,250kg kerb weight translates into a frightening power to weight ratio of 408bhp per tonne.

Much of the weight loss has been achieved courtesy of defenestrating power accessories and replacing various metal appendages with carbon fibre items. Kiss goodbye to the stereo and carpets. Say hello to racing style carbon thrones, in other words.

The Scuderia’s vanishingly small compsite brake disk…

Further aiding the F430 Scuderia acceleration times is a massaged variant of Fezza’s flappy-paddle robot gearbox. The time taken to swap cogs has been cut to just 60ms. Also worthy of mention are the monumental composite brake disks visible behind the rims.

It all sounds like a recipe for performance that might just make the Enzo uber Ferrari look just a little overpriced and silly.

Chintzy!

A certain M. Schumacher has been pencilled in to unveil the car at the upcoming Frankfurt auto show in September.

Prices and official on sale dates have yet to be announced. But if you’re genuinely in the market for a F430 Scuderia, we doubt you’ll need guidance on the matter.