Is the 430 a stop-gap model

Is Ferrari going soft ala Mercedes SL? I don't think so.

 

Considering the 430 is quicker in accelerating to 60mph than a F40....makes me think it is a very strong 'stop gap' model. Honestly...considering the technology (advanced differential settings), performance figures (0-60 than F40/F50) and BHP i think Ferrari have positioned the F430 to last longer in production in order to compete effectively with the competition.

Personally i dont think the F430 is a stop gap model at all, but instead a massive improvement (in terms of performance) over the 360 i think what your friend simply meant is that Ferrar will be introducing the Spider version then..quite possibly with a folding roof similar to the 575 superamerica.

 

Nope, haven't heard of it.

That would necceitate a move from the mid-engine configuration as I cannot see how they would solve problem with storing the folding roof.

Sounds strange.

/Peter

 

I'd suspect no. Doing away with a coupe and adding a fold-away roof (ala SL) would only add weight and reduce torsional strength. Something I doubt Ferrari would do.

 

yes i believe it is a stopgap. they had to answer the gallardo in a hurry, so they did. but now that the gallardo will get 600hp pretty soon, they need to respond as well. and the folding hardtop is long overdue. they can place it vertically in back of the seats like that chevy truck, so no issues with the rear engine placement.

 

I too think it is a stop-gap model until they can get an ebtirely new model designed, tested and in production . The 430 is to the 360 like the 355 was to the 348.

 

Folding top with no true coupe option? I certainly hope not, what a waste of time. I wouldn't even consider the car that way, with all that extra weight and complexity. I would be looking to another manufacturer at that point. But I'm not worried, I think Ferrari is a very smart company, so it won't happen.

Gary

 

I posed this questions several months ago in a thread "Will the F430 have a short production run? Do a search to see some of the answers. Anyway, no one here wanted to believe it. My information came from a dealer who heard directly from the factory. More than one dealer has heard this information. My information agrees with yours somewhat. The F430 is a "stop gap" model. There is a new car already to replace to the F430. The spider will have a folding roof. I have not heard that there will be only one model in the form of a coupe/spider.
However, if the F430 is the success everyone thinks it will be then I'm sure Ferrari will not be in any hurry to replace it.

 

The 355 was a complete rebuild compared to the 348 and an enormous improvement.

70% of the F430 is not common with the 360 and the engine is almost entirely new.

Also, the factory has already announced that F430 Spider will be introduced in 2005.

Perhaps people are hearing about the new Maser Spyder
The new Maserati Spyder will come with a folding hardtop and will come out as a 2006 model.

 

Our local dealer expects the usual 5-6 year production run. Considering Ferrari already has about 4 years worth sold out I don't thin they arte too worried about competition. From a business standpoiint, it would be wise to let production run as long as possible to amortize design costs.

Dave

 

I don't buy it.

The 430 is simply a beefed-up 360. It's NOT a NEW car. It's a revised 360!

The F355 was a beefed-up 348. The 348 was inadequate, so when Luca di Monetzemolo came in (in 1993 I think), he decided that the 348 had to be re-worked; and so the F355 came out VERY quickly. Yes, the F355 is very different from the 348, but they saved mucho time by using the same body as the 348. They switched a few rocker panels, bumpers, and hood/decklid pieces, but the car itself is the same exact shell.

That's what Ferrari did with the 430. They were able to save a lot of time by using the 360 body and just giving it a few physical tweaks. The car has many changes over the 360, but it's not an entirely new car like the 348 was over the 328 or the 360 was over the F355.

I saw in a Ferrari book design sketches of the 360, which came out in 1999. The sketches were dated 1993! That just goes to show you how long in advance a new model is contemplated.

So yes, the 430 is a stopgap model just as the F355 was. You can be sure that Ferrari is working on an entirely new V8 model, which I hope they will introduce not longer than two years from now. That car is going to knock our socks off, just as the 360 did.

 

i think folding hard top is great idea. canvas top with plastic rear window would be rediculous in 2010. theyll just have to figure other ways to keep weight down.

 

The 430 is essentially a 360 with more motor and some different body pieces. It might smoke an F40 in a drag race (then again, maybe it won't), but will it out-run your dentist's wife in her SL65 (quick, grab that magazine!)? Anyway, wouldn't be surprised if a "new" car is forthcoming.

 

LOL "quick, grab that magazine". Funniest thing I've heard today.

 

2 years? Not a chance. Not even a 430CS in 2 years I suspect. 3-4 years from now the CS will come out.

Like the 430 or not, it came out roughly according to their normal schedule. The V8's last about 5 years - both the 355 and 360. I'm pretty sure the 430 will be the same.

The V8 will be a new design - yes - but this one will last it's time. Get used to it.

 

I highly doubt it. It would be a significant precedent for a company that is traditionally very consistent with their model rollouts.

I also doubt the folding top theory, unless it was based on a monocoque tub, because a true convertible is far too compromised for the track duties required of the modern Dino cars.

 

The 70% new figure is from factory releases and is repeated in any number of trade periodicals.

While the body has clear similarities (deliberately for continuity), most of the mechanicals are new. Both the engine bore and stroke are different from the 360. The head is different (4 valves / per cyl vs 5 for the 360). Intake header is drawn from the Enzo, not the 360.

The drive train is new...double-disc clutch to new fully electronic differential. The 360 has a single disc to the older semi-electronic diff.

The interior is re-designed with more controls on the steering wheel, including the new switch that sets stability control, ride stiffness, E-diff traction, engine mangement.

 

If you were the head of Ferrari and the 430 has been received as well as it has (US sales rumored sold out for almost 4 years) would you introduce a new model in 2 years? Think about it..regardless of what the competition has to offer the bottom line is sales. You can take performance, styling and any other factor you like and none will trump sales.

This not to say that you do not follow your business model and change every 5 years or so. So if your wondering whether the 430 is a stop gap model I suppose in an unique it is. They will replace it in 5-6 years.

 

Sure hope you're right. But I doubt it.

 

Any car that is largely based on a previous model's chassis is a stop-gap model. Porsche has the 997 and 987 which are also the same. But, so what? The F430 appears to be leaps and bounds ahead of the highly successful 360, stop-gap or not. To me, it is a new model with enough new engineering and improvements.

So, for those of you who have a problem with stop-gap models from Maranello, you might as well just wait for the next all-new car.

 

as of late, the 8 cylinder model range of Ferrari has lasted a life span of 5 years. as previous posts have explained, the 430 is to 360, as the 355 to the 348 and 328 to the 308. i would expect an entirely new car in 2009/2010.

even if it were a stop-gap model...who cares? if you are one the fortunate few in this world who is privledged to afford and be allocated on, get it, enjoy it and never feel guilty of explaining why you have a grin from ear to ear!!

 

I wouldn't think it is a stop gap as 430, although looked much the same, is very different to 360 as Ferrari has put a lot of effort into it.
Rcently, Ferrari changes models every 5 years anyway so you can expect 430 replacement to be out in 08, 09.

 

Great post. Ferrari has once again mastered marketing 101 again. Why should they come out with a new model to replace the F-430 when future production is sold out several years in the future?