Ferrari F430 Challenge Stradale spyshots!

[UNiiQU3]

The images were taken at the challenging German Nürburgring – probably the best road or circuit the Stradale could be used on. The sportscar is Ferrari's answer to Porsche's RS-models, and both of them use almost the same recipe. While Porsche makes the RS-models lighter but keeps the same horsepower as the base GT3, Ferrari gives the CS not just a lighter body but also some more power.

The standard F430 delivers 490 bhp and the Stradale is believed to give away at least 520 bhp and about 100 kg less weight. The biggest visible change are the exhaust pipes that have moved up a bit. Due to safety regulations around the world the door windows are not made of plastic anymore like on the 360 CS and the wheels have five normal bolts instead of one centre bolt like on the Challenge cars.

The inside of the doors is completely made of carbon to keep the weight down. Another light weight trick are Magnesium sport wheels and the carbon grille in the back that also helps to better cool the engine. It looks like the brakes are upgraded with bigger discs, the soft Pirelli PZero give the car enormous grip, and the interior is completed with deep sport seats.


Source and more image: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/spyshots/209479/ferrari_f430_challenge_stradale.html

And by the way, do any of you guys know why they mask the cars off with what seems to be a stretched bin liner? I thought it was to conceal the identity a bit better but it’s done nothing for this Ferrari!

[ThePenguin]

Once the Challenge Stradale comes out it will probably be tested against the Porsche 911 GT2 and the Lamborghini Gallardo Superlegerra. That should be a good test as each of those cars is a special limited-edition car that is made for pure performance.

[JHamilton]

What's going on with the front valance? Something looks weird.

[johnh875]

It looks like the front is disguised. Is the F430 CS a rival for the Porsche GT2 or GT3?

[ThePenguin]

Originally Posted by johnh875

It looks like the front is disguised. Is the F430 CS a rival for the Porsche GT2 or GT3?

It will probably be a rival for the GT2, because it is in the same price range as the GT2. The performance of the GT2 will be a lot closer to the F430 Challenge Stradale, if not better.

[ThePenguin]

The official version of this car was revealed today, just a few days after the Porsche 911 GT2 was revealed. The car will be called the Ferrari F430 Scuderia, not the Challenge Stradale as originally thought. It will be lighter by about 220 pounds and will have 510 horsepower. The actual performance of the car is still not known. Here is the link to the page with some of the specs and stats of the car.

http://www.supercars.net/cars/3851.html

[Bullett]

Originally Posted by ThePenguin

It will probably be a rival for the GT2, because it is in the same price range as the GT2. The performance of the GT2 will be a lot closer to the F430 Challenge Stradale, if not better.

The 360 CS was pitted against the 996 GT3 RS though, not on price but equipment and what they are...so the 430 CS should be against the 997 GT3 RS and Gallardo Superleggera...?

[ThePenguin]

Originally Posted by Bullett

The 360 CS was pitted against the 996 GT3 RS though, not on price but equipment and what they are...so the 430 CS should be against the 997 GT3 RS and Gallardo Superleggera...?

The F430 Scuderia as it is called has a lot more horsepower than the 997 GT3 RS, and about the same weight. The GT2 will probably be the competitor this time because they have very similar horsepower numbers.

[johnh875]

I did not realise it had so much power, nor the standard 430 having 490hp - to go a bit "Top Gear", that's really quite a lot!