360 vs. Challenge Stradale

When I first saw that Ferrari was building the Challenge Stradale, I was very excited. They published the photos and a small blurb in Autoweek and I immediately thought the car was pretty cool. The author of the piece claimed that the car had significantly different feel than the 360 Modena.

I never believed it.

When Utkarsh first started talking about his driving the Challenge Stradale, he said very similary things than the Autoweek article. How it's a different car. How it feels remarkably more different. How it's much, much, much more of a raw sports car but not nearly as harsh as one would think.

I never believed it.

Yesterday I had the chance to drive the Challenge Stradale and, let me tell you something, it's completely different than driving a 360 Modena. Completely different. First, the brakes on the car are absolutely, absolutely amazing. Seriously hard core, probably the car's best feature. Astonishing. Second, here's something significantly different with the engine. It spools up much, much faster than a stock 360 V8. Maybe it's a lighter flywheel/clutch, but part of the reason the exhaust sounds "better" is that it gets louder faster. (Race mode, only). Next, suspension and steering response and road feel is much more crisp and precise. It's also not nearly as tooth-chipping as I would have expected it to be. This may be the result of dramatically lighter un-sprung weight and the 19" wheels. Finally, the car's weight makes it feel much more nimble. The Carbon Fiber in the interior and engine bay is hella cool.

Now granted, I've not spent massive amounts of time in a 360 like many of you daily-driving playas, but I've driven enough...

So, what's the friggin point of this post?

A couple of things:

- Utkarsh is great for letting me drive

- If the 430 feels this way, we all need one

- Is it better to buy a CS than a 430 (Will the CS hold value better?)

- In my opinion, this is the 360 Ferrari should have built

- Gotta get the stripe on the the Stradale ('nuff said!)

- Someone get 19" and Ceramic brakes installed so we can compare

- The F1 is, shall we say, growing on me significantly

That's all for now. Join us next time when I back up Rob Ferretti after I spend a few seconds crashing Roger's car into a parking meter.

 

I didn't forget.

Like I said, it's not news that Gene's car is the fastest thing on the board.

When's the roger, rob, & gene shoot out? THAT, I want to see...

 

Sorry, it's still early.

You said that Roger's car was insanely fast in the other thread. I figured I should have a chance to back up your claim but if I get behind the wheel of Roger's car, I'll probably crash it into something.

Now I definately need to see this race!