From: http://www.worldcarfans.com/rsslink.cfm/article/6060424.003/ferrari/ferrari-f-430-challenge-stradale-spy-photos Ferrari F 430 Challenge Stradale Spy Photos Text by Hans G. Lehmann Copyright by Lehmann Photo-Syndication 04-24-2006 100 kg lighter Ferrari is preparing the launch of the super sports car F 430 Challenge Stradale at the Paris Motor Show coming fall. The car is set to rival Porsches upcoming GT3 RS, which is equally due for launch this year. The Stradale is about 100 kg lighter than the standard F 430. While the latter is powered by a 4.3 litre V8 engine producing 490 HP, the light weight Stradales performance is said to rate around 520 HP with the same engine. The photos are showing a prototype during road testing in Maranello. The pictured test car still has some tape at the front end for disguise. At the rear end clearly visible, the exhaust pipes are located further up in the middle and not on the side like in the F 430. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
If this is the roadcar, I wonder where theyre going to put the rear licenseplate and how big it will be.
This obviously is a Challenge car--fuel filler, wheels, etc. Ferrari may indeed be readying a 430 CS (and I'd love to see it) but anyone that thinks this is IT is dreaming.
IF this is a CS, it definitely is a mule. I hope there will be some nice bodymods on the final CS. I would like to make a photoshop-impression if there is more info.
If it took Ferrari four years to come out with the 360CS, (after the 360 was introduced) why do people think it will only take one year to come out with a 430CS (if at all)?
If it took Ferrari four years to come out with the 360CS, (after the 360 was introduced) why do people think it will only take one year to come out with a 430CS (if at all)? you are correct and historically Ferrari has introduced the Serie Speciale, Fiorano, Challenge Stradale, SuperAmerica at the end of a model run. however, there is speculation that an all new V8 is coming 2008. whether that is true or not, nobody knows. but if its true, it gives validation that we are seeing some sort of lightweight or special 430 in testing now!
The CS turned out to be a big hit, so no sense in postponing it's introduction in the 430. On the other hand, the F430 is selling pretty well as it is, so maybe they just hold it back to give the sales another boost when it is necessary.
Surely the best reason for them bringing out a CS is that they make more money. If Ferrari are limiting the overall production they might aswell build the highest margin car that they can. This is no different from the current 430 production. Ferrari are building more Spiders than Coupes. Sure they can sell both, but the more Spiders they build the more profit. I'm sure they will launch the 430CS and then most of the 430 production will be CS and Spider cars Now before anyone says this is wrong, just remember they are just running a business, nothing else, and it's exactly what you or I would do in their position
If I was running Ferrari I would produce more cars so there was only a one year wait and not 3-4 years. I would also capture the profits that are now realized by dealers reselling almost new cars now for more profit then they made on the original sales price. Ferrari has never operated with an effecient business plan. The current sales policy and production of Ferrari fosters the tremedous upcharge that dealers reap. This low production creates the monster that supply and demand dictates all to the benefit of the dealers, not the Ferrari factory.
Might I suggest you visit FinalGear.com & download last nights episode of Fifth Gear from their downloads page (09 x 03 about 350Mb). It has VBH (that blond bit of English totty) testing the F430 Challenge in Giallo Yellow. It might answer a few questions ... but then again it might stimulate even more. BTW in the pics of the Rosso car the factory taped the licence plate onto the rear of the car to take it onto the road. If it was the F430CS they would have to have a specific spot on the rear of the car that had ILLUMINATION for night driving and I cannot see anywhere on that rear they could do that in those rear end shots! SP
Might I suggest you visit FinalGear.com & download last nights episode of Fifth Gear from their downloads page (09 x 03 about 350Mb). It has VBH (that blond bit of English totty) testing the F430 Challenge in Giallo Yellow. It might answer a few questions ... but then again it might stimulate even more..... i wasn't able to download the 430 challenge video with Vicki. shame because i wanted to drool all over myself everytime i see or hear her! what conclusion of the 430 CS did you come to after watching the video?
Does Ferrari have the R&D budget to introduce a new entry level car after only four years of production (05,06,07 and 08 w/ a new "09" model intro. in 08)? And even if they did, why would they forego the profit of 5th year sales of their very successful F430? I read somewhere (couldn't find it though) that a 5th year production run of the F430 is already sold out. This makes me think a replacement model won't be introduced until 09 as a 2010 model. In regards to the "serie speciale" it seems that a 430CS (or whatever it'll be called), introduction in 2007 as a 2008 model would be premature based on when other "special end of the production" cars have come out. However, there could be two logical conclusions to this very interesting photo of whatever it is. It could be a testmule for a "430CS or whatever it'll be called" that will be introduced in 2008 as a 2009 model (a last year run). Or it could be a testmule for a "430CS or whatever" for a production that'll run more than only the last year. If porsche can produce the GT2 and GT3 for more than one year for each generation, I don't see why ferrari can't. Given the popularity of the 360CS it seems that a 430CS would do very well. Either way it makes for very interesting speculation. -Peter PS If the GT2 and GT3 to the TT analogy is a bit off, perhaps a TT S to the TT is a better aim in regards to the CS to the 360. In that case it seems that porsche nowadays is tacking on an S to every car in every production year. Even more reason for ferrari to increase the serie speciale to more than just one year.
acmartin, thanks for video link! i'm really wet with anticipation if they do a 430 Stradale! i just love the muscular presence of the 430 Challenge. low, squat, beefy tires, love the rims and i think i am one of the few that actually likes the rear challenge grid! i can go on and on....its time to sell my soul to the devil! please Ferrari, make a Stradale again!
No prob. And you best not sell your soul to the Devil because owning a roadcar that fast is sin enough!
Did anyone notice in the video...the paddle shifters were very large! seemingly nearly a half circle...as it should be!
With the 360CS gaining some horsepower from the revised exhaust, can we jump to the conclusion that the 430CS will have a revised exhaust different from the 430 Challenge for its horsepower boost? The sound of the straight through pipes on the 430 Challenge car in that video were not that impressive, what could you do to straight pipes to make the sound that different?
The reason the paddles are so large is that on the racecars the shifters do not spin with the wheel so the wheel can be removed. This allows you to still get the paddle when steering sharpley.-Bob
Ferraris with F1 tranny the paddles are fixed as well and do not turn with the steering wheel. The paddles are larger on the Enzo and the CS, not sure if they were enlarged in the new F430. I would have liked the larger shifters in my CS as the F430 Challenge car.
