Ferrari F430 and F430 Spider

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)

 

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia

Exterior and Interior

Designed by Pininfarina, the 458 Italia features compact and aerodynamic lines. There is a single opening for the front grille and side air intakes, with aerodynamic sections and profiles designed to direct air to the coolant radiators and the new flat underbody. The nose also sports small aeroelastic winglets which generate downforce. The car’s rear is defined by triple exhaust tail pipes, a styling cue that recalls the legendary F40.

The interior combines leather for the upper and lower surfaces of the dashboard with aluminum insertions for the instrument binnacle. The original shape of the air vents was inspired by the design of Formula 1 exhaust chimneys in use up until a few years ago. The console includes two Alcantara-trimmed storage trays for small oddments.

Ferrari is offering its clients the "Carrozzeria Scaglietti Programme" that allows them to personalize their car to suit their own tastes and requirements. As with the rest of the range, there are four main personalization areas dedicated the 458 Italia: Racing and Track, Exterior and Colors, Interior and Materials, Equipment and Travel.

The Engine

The Ferrari 458 Italia is powered by a 4,499 cc V8 engine that delivers a total of 570 HP at 9,000 rpm and a peak torque of 540 Nm at 6000 rpm. The engine delivers an outstanding power output of 127 HP/liter and 120 Nm/liter. All this while delivering only 307 g/km of CO2 and a fuel consumption of just 13.3 l/100 km.

The engine is mated to a F1 dual-clutch gearbox and sprints the sports car from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.4 seconds while top speed goes up to an impressive 201 mph.

The Competition

The 458 Italia takes on models like the Audi R8, Aston Martin DBS, and Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. While the R8 is no doubt the cheapest one, the 458 Italia features a fresher design, and it comes with the glorious Ferrari name.

When it comes to power, the 458 Italia also has a huge advantage. By comparison the DBS goes to 510 HP, the Gallardo Lp560-4 at 560 HP, and the 458 Italia delivers 570 HP.

New ferrari 458 challenge front angle view

 

The 458 Challenge boasts a host of upgrades over its road-legal sibling to make it race worthy when it hits the grid in Ferrari’s one-make race series from 2011. The Ferrari 458 Challenge will make world premiere at the 35th edition of the Bologna Motor Show in Italy, which runs for the public from December 4 to 12.

Ferrari is also displaying a variety of other racing models from the past and present at its Bologna Motor Show stand, including a 430 GTC owned by the AF Corse team Ferrari and an F1 model.
Ferrari’s engineers have made modifications to the gear ratios and calibration of its dual-clutch F1 gearbox to further improve torque at lower revs. While the Challenge keeps the 458 Italia’s direct injection 4.5-liter V8 with an output of 570 hp at 9,000 rpm intact.

he Ferrari 458 Challenge is equipped with the E-Diff electronic differential already employed on the road-going version, a first for Ferrari’s track-only cars. Another first for a Ferrari Challenge model is the adoption of the firm’s F1-Trac traction control system. The race-spec model also gets a specific suspension set-up with steel uniball joints, stiffer springs, single-rate alloy dampers and a ride height lowered by 50mm all round.

Stopping power is provided by the new generation Brembo CCM2 brakes integrated with the latest ABS system which debuted on the 599XX, Ferrari’s experimental laboratory car, while it rides on centre-nut 19-inch forged rims wrapped in larger dimension Pirelli slicks.

Result of combined is the improvement of the car’s lap time at Fiorano by two seconds over that of its predecessor, resulting in a new record of just 1’16.5”. According to the Italian company, the amount of lateral grip the new car generates is 1.6G.

Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M Gets 696 HP Courtesy of Novitec Rosso

Maranello’s Novitec Rosso is offering an performance upgrade for the already blessed Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M. The company’s RACE Bi-Compressor engine upgrade offers 696-hp with a maximum torque of 503 lb-ft. That allows the open-top Scuderia Spider 16 M to go from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 205 mph. The upgrade gives subtle visual enhancements as well, but we’re really intrigued by the adjustable hydraulic lift, which enables you to raise the front by 40 millimeters. The front axle goes back to a normal position at a second push of the button or automatically once the car reaches a speed of 49 mph.

 

2011 Ferrari 458 Italia [Goodbye F430]

Ferrari’s finally unveiled the replacement for the legendary F430. It’s inspired a generation and will truly be missed. The 2011 458 Italia is a beauty, and makes saying goodbye to the F430 a little easier. Although it’s going to make its world premiere in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show, egmCarTech‘s given us all the details (inside and out) for Ferrari’s latest stallion. Power comes from a 4.5L V8, which is the first Ferrari direct-injection engine to be mid-rear mounted. It delivers a total of 570-hp at 9,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 398 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm – over 80 percent of which is available from 3,250 rpm. Mated to a dual-clutch 7-speed F1 gearbox, 0 to 62 mph comes in just 3.4 seconds with a top speed of over 202 mph.

Ferrari hasn’t released any interior shots of the 458 Italia but Omar and company from egmCarTech did manage to catch a glimpse of it during a flash video over at the new 458 Italia site.

1967 Ferrari 275 GTB 4 Berlinetta

Last week at the RM Auctions Amelia Island event in Florida, three classic Ferraris over 40 years old each went off and fetched over seven figures a piece. The most-beloved of the three is undoubtedly this 1967 275 GTB 4 Berlinetta. This beauty was amazingly restored and exceeded estimates as the finally selling price was $1,650,000.

 

Ferrari 612 GTO by Sasha Selipanov (Concept)

Berlin automobile designer Sasha Selipanov cooked up this 612 GTO Concept leaving us hoping and praying the boys from Maranello pick this up someday.

More images after the jump. 

Oakley Design Ferrari 458 Italia

Tuning firms have made a business out of taking supercars and making them even more… super. Take UK-based Oakley Design and their rendition of the Ferrari 458 Italia. They’ve upped some of the 570-hp monster’s aerodynamic and visual aspects while also inserting a remapped engine computer. The car’s horsepower output is increased to 618 while 0-60 time is improved by .4 seconds to 3 seconds flat. Wow.

Oakley Design will be delivering a limited run of only five individually-numbered units. Look for it to be on display at SEMA 2010 in Las Vegas this month.

Ferrari 575 GTZ Zagato

Yoshiyuki Hayashi is a famous Japanese car collector, who owns numerous cars of great historical value, including several Ferraris such as the 166MM, the 250 Spider California, two Daytonas - a coupé and a spider - and the Ferrari Enzo.

In the classic tradition of the keen purchaser of exclusive cars who stimulated the creativeness of Italian coachbuilders in the 1950s and 1960s, Yushiyuki Hayashi asked Zagato if it would be possible to create a body for his Ferrari 575M, in the style of the famous 250GTZ berlinetta.

When Zagato received this request, it informed Ferrari of the project, which would be a good opportunity to celebrate the model's anniversary, and then created a car that harked back to the 250 GTZ, built around the Ferrari 575.

Like its forebear, the Ferrari 575 GTZ Zagato has an all-aluminium body, and, as a tribute to Ferrari and to two-seater Italian sports cars, it has joined the exclusive group of cars that are the fruit of the tradition of custom-built cars.

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

When it first debuted, the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano set a new standard in terms of performance that remains a benchmark for new sports car development to this day. Now Ferrari is introducing the new Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE (Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione) package for the model to further underscore its sportiness and handling.

The package includes a modified set-up with stiffer springs and rear anti-roll bar as well as new calibration settings for the magnetorheological shock absorbers when the manettino is at its sportier settings. The ride height has also been lowered which in turn lowers the car's centre of gravity. This combined with the new set-up helps improve body control. The package also includes specifically optimised tyres featuring a compound that offers even better grip.

The car's electronics have also evolved to ensure even more prompt response to driver commands. The F1 gearbox's shifts are now even faster in high-performance settings, while a new engine software strategy has improved accelerator response.

Ferrari 430 Scuderia

The new Ferrari 430 Scuderia will join the road-going V8 line-up alongside the F430 coupe and the F430 Spider. The 430 Scuderia is a truly high-performance 2-seater berlinetta which demonstrates how Ferrari's Formula 1 know-how is carried across to its production cars.

The new model is a special series based on the F430 and is aimed specifically at Ferrari's most passionate and sports-driving oriented clients. Development focused on light weight, minimum trimmings and innovative technology. All this to exalt the car's extremely high-performance and ability to thrill the driver.

The new car can count on an extremely low weight-to-power ratio of just 2.45 kg per bhp thanks to a low dry weight of just 2755 lb - 220 lb less than the F430 - and to the naturally-aspirated 4308cc V8's 510 bhp at 8500 rpm.

Superb performance both on and off the track is assured by a series of cutting-edge solutions. There is the latest software - F1 Superfast - which reduces gearchange times to just 60 milliseconds, and new traction control which, for the first time, combines the E-Diff electronic differential and the F1-Trac traction and stability control in a single integrated system.

Vehicle dynamics, control and performance thus represent the zenith of Ferrari's achievements in terms of developing road-certified sports cars.

The 430 Scuderia will be officially unveiled by Michael Schumacher at the IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt in September 2007.