Ferrari F430 Scuderia – what a star!

A new model from Ferrari is always an event, even more so when it’s launched by Michael Shumacher, which is exactly what happened at the Frankfurt Motor Show last week. And who was the biggest star? The car – by far!

The Ferrari F430 Scuderia is the long anticipated replacement for the 360 Challenge Stradale, that track-burning edition of the F430’s predecessor, the 360. Worth the wait? It would seem so.

Using what is probably the best car in class as a starting point is either mad or brilliant – I’m not sure which. How do you improve on the performance, handling and soul of the F430, without wrecking the car. With the 360’s morph in to the 360 Challenge Stradale it was easier because, great though the 360 was, it was actually quite flawed. But the F430 isn’t. It is as close to automotive perfection as it gets. So there’s a challenge!

At first glance it looks like Ferrari have just shoved a big stripe up the car. There are no other immediate signs; no wings or arches or big badges – just a great big stripe! But a closer look reveals something very special has gone on. Virtually every element of the car has been tweaked or lightened – or both. A complete under-body aero re-design; bigger wheels; beefier ceramic brakes and of course important tweaks to the engine & gearbox. This car now puts out 510bhp and hits 62mph in just 3.6 seconds. Ferrari even claim it’s as quick round their test track as the Enzo.! Mouth watering yet? It gets the e-diff from the 599 and a new enhanced version of the F1 superfast gearbox. Oh, I really can’t wait to play with this!

The Scuderia is already being built, and be in no doubt there will be lots of clamouring for this car. There are no shortages of customers for V8 Ferraris – ever – and this one will take some getting.

So if you do want one, let us know soon!