CS Vs. Standard 360

Hello James - Not trying to be glib, but I had no interest in the 360 until the Challenge Stradale was released and I have no intention of letting mine go! By all measures the 360 is a great car and was revolutionary for Ferrari, but I never warmed to the styling which got worse on the 430, and it had further diluted the concept of a nimble and light sports car. The CS brought the 360 much closer to the sports car look and feel albeit still too large to be a traditional sports car.

 

I'm planning on going to Fuel Coffee the weekend of Concours, June 12th. Will give you a ride if you are interested.

 

This topic has been done many times before. Try doing a search.

In summary. The CS is a much more handling focused road car than the 360, at the expense of some luxuries and comfort. Its an evolution of the Fiorano handling pack that was an option on the 550, 575 and 599 models made into its own model on the 360 and taken further. In terms of comparison to the Porsche 911 it is the difference between the standard Carerra and the 911 GT3 RS. If you've driven these models the concept will be very familar to you. Both cars are for different types of customers.

Obviously going hardcore effects the handling and the road NHV (Noise, Harshness and Vibration) characteristics. In the CS you feel and hear the stones clip up against the bottom of the car (no sound deading to mask it), in the Modena you do not.

You corner with more conviction because the rolling pitch of the car is significantly stiffer setup on and uprated stiffer springs and rear roll bar (20% infact) with more aggressive sports modes on the dampers and slightly wider (but much sticker) tires. You can brake much later into corners too because of the larger diameter discs which are fade resistant due to being made from CCM.

You have no carpets, no radio, very little in the way of sound deading and alcantara replaces leather on most surfaces (some cars still where optioned with leather and a radio) with standard fitment carbon seats hugging you with more conviction than the regular armchairs of the Modena (even if you buy a Modena its worth holding out for a car with the optional carbon seats, they are fantastically supportive).

Sticky tires, higher sound levels, faster shifting, lower weight combined with higher power to transform the car into a true drivers car from merely a fast well handling sports coupe. Everything is turned up a notch.

Contrary to the messages on enthusiast forums this recipe is not for everyone. Not everyone buys into the idea that their car should have no carpets, no sound deading material and no extra fripparies.

 

dr. jekyl......mr hyde

 

Weather permitting- I will be the corsa CS w stripe. IMO, the CS is great, but I think a GT3 or GT3RS is as or more track capable, with the ability to easily add a roll bar. And much cheaper to track... if you are looking for a regular track car.