Ferrari unveiled the new F430 to the public at the Paris Motor Show in autumn 2004 and the F430 Spider in Geneva Motor Show in spring 2005 - both cars are said to be sold out until 2007. Ferrari’s presence at the Paris Mondial de l’Automobile 2004 came at an important moment for the company in what has been an extraordinary year in terms of sporting achievements. The important news was that Ferrari won the Formula 1 Constructors’ World title for the sixth consecutive year and the Formula 1 Drivers’ World title for the fifth consecutive year, courtesy of Ferrari racing driver Michael Schumacher. Ferrari has achieved these results thanks to its enormous, ongoing commitment to R&D, allowing continuous technological transfer from Formula 1 to road cars. And this technological innovations provide another leap forward with the new F430, setting new benchmarks in the sports car industry.
The Ferrari F430 signals the arrival of a brand new generation of Ferrari 8-cylinder models. This new car takes Ferrari’s extraordinary achievements with aluminium technology, begun with the 360 Modena predecessor, to a whole new level, and offers a series of extremely significant innovations directly derived from the Ferrari Formula 1 single-seaters. Two of these innovations are world firsts for production cars: the electronic differential (E-Diff) and the steering wheel-mounted switch (better known to the Formula 1 Scuderia’s drivers as “manettino”), which manages the integrated systems governing vehicle dynamics for 5 different driving styles from "ice" to "race". The F430 Spider’s sinuous lines, designed by Pininfarina, were fine-tuned using state-of-the-art computer aerodynamics simulation programmes usually employed exclusively by the F1 team. The F430 Spider’s shape is the result of lengthy testing and features a pronounced nolder which is integrated into the end of the engine cover, new bigger rear air intakes that emphasize the car’s muscular stance, and a new rear valance that incorporates a diffuser of competition derivation.
The main characteristics of the new F430 are its light, compact 4,300 cc 90° V8 engine, which punches out 490 hp to achieve a specific output of 114 hp/litre, also providing the new Ferrari berlinetta with a weight-to-power ratio of 2.8 kg/hp (dry weight). The engine itself is attractively set below a glass cover. Other optional top features are: a braking system with carbon-ceramic discs for optimal efficiency under extreme use as well as a Formula 1-derived gearbox that cuts gear shifting times down to 150 milliseconds allowing the driver to make the very most of this truly high performance car: 0-62 mph acceleration in 4 seconds flat, a top speed in excess of 196 mph. This all comes with an aerodynamic design that embodies the very latest competition technologies, specifically the flat underbody and large rear diffuser to increase downforce.
Engine: F430: 4.3L V8 / F430 Spider: 4.3L V8 Horsepower: 490 bhp / PS
Top Speed: 196 / 193 mph (316 / 310 km/h)
Peak torque: 465 Nm (342 lb ft)
Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 3.8 / 3.9 sec (0-100 km/h in 4.0 /4.1 sec)
Retail Price: starting at 120,000 pounds (150,000 euros or 190,000 dollars MRSP)
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