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Coupes & Convertibles Ferrari Ferrari-the Ultimate classic (Ferrari Lovefest Topic)
729 messages, Last post on Nov 01, 2008 at 8:45 AM
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This is from the Ferrari Owner's site press release regarding the new car. Sorry, can't capture the pictures, but it's very 360 like. "The F430 hails the arrival of a new generation of Ferrari 8-cylinder engines. The new model takes Ferrari’s extraordinary achievements with aluminium construction technology, which started with the 360 Modena, to a whole new level and offers a series of extremely significant innovations directly derived from the Prancing Horse’s Formula 1 single-seaters. Two of these innovations are world firsts for production cars: the electronic differential (E-DIFF) initially developed by Ferrari for its F1 single-seaters but now adapted to the needs of a high performance road car, and the steering wheel-mounted commutator switch (better known to the Scuderia’s drivers as the “manettino”) which the driver uses to select the integrated systems governing vehicle dynamics. The other main characteristics of the new Ferrari F430 are its light, compact 4,300cc 90° V8 engine which punches out 490 hp to achieve a specific horse power of 114 bhp/litre, guaranteeing the new Ferrari berlinetta a weight-to-power ratio of 2.8 kg/hp (dry weight); a braking system with optional carbon-ceramic discs for optimal efficiency even after severe and prolonged braking; a Formula 1-derived gearbox that cuts gear shifting times to 150 milliseconds, allowing the driver to make the very most of a truly high performance car (0-100 km/h acceleration in four seconds flat, a top speed in excess of 315 km/h); and lastly, sophisticated aerodynamics that adopt the very latest racing developments, especially in terms of the flat underbody and big rear diffuser to increase downforce. " |
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Indeed very 360-like.... http://autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=100673 |
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Well, considering that people are still lining up for 360's and 360 CS models, I suppose you could make the case for not making dramatic changes in a winning design. As always, I'll reserve final judgement for when I see it in the flesh. A friend should be taking delivery of his CS this week. I wonder if he thinks he should have waited? Would you? |
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Sometimes cars continue to sell despite not necessarily being at the top of their class. The F360 in recent years hasn't lost any of its gloss, but it does appear to have lost some of its class-leading verve. It's a Ferrari so it makes great Ferrari noises, but by seemingly all accounts the Gallardo is simply the better car on the race track. The Ford GT also offers an elevated performance envelope, and there's a brand new 911 showing up and, presumably, the revised Turbos to follow. I recently saw a video pitting a 360CS against a Gallardo, a M3 CSL, a NSX Type R, and a Murcielago on a curvy race track in Japan, and the 360CS came in last. So in that sense I think the Modena replacement is needed. I also think that its power output is incredible. 114hp/L (or whatever it is) may not necessarily be the highest specific output in the land, but it's truly extraordinary when you consider that this is a big honkin' V8. Looking at 2005 in my mind I clearly see the S2000 having the top 4-banger, the M3 with the top 6-banger, and the Carrera GT with the top V10. I haven't been sure about eight-cylinder engines but after reading the design on this new powerplant, I think Ferrari has a lock on the V8 with the new Modena. |
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It's been another extraordinary season for Ferrari in F1. If any of you watched the race at Monza, it's perfectly obvious as to why they are sop dominant, best cars, both in speed and reliability, and the best drivers. Schumacher is unquestionably head and shoulders above the rest and Rubens' drive on Sunday showed how well he can do when he puts everything into it and is out of Schumi's shadow. As the season winds down, Luca Di M., is again making noises about the financial in equities in F1 and how Ferrari might pull out. Obviously, this is posturing, but, if they were to quit F1 altogether, where would you like to see them put their emphasis. What racing form or series would either benefit from Ferrari involvement or best be enlivened by direct factory involvement of the kind Ferrari has in F1? |
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NASCAR? Just kidding. I can't imagine Ferrari pulling out of F1. If my memory serves, they have NEVER missed an F1 season since the company began. |
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Oh, agreed. I can't imagine Ferrari out of F1 or F1 without Ferrari. Obviously, this is all part of the constructors posturing which has been on going for the past two seasons as they try and get Bernie to loosen the purse strings. But their commitment to F1 has meant that they no longer have factory participation elsewhere. Frankly, I miss them in sportscars, I'd love to see them in ALMS prototypes, especially if Porsche would get off their butts and rejoin as well. Although it never went well for the Scuderia, I miss that rivalry and would love to see a rematch!
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Replying to: tsaupe1 (Sep 15, 2004 9:07 am) Aston-Martin is going for the GT class next year with their beautiful DBR-9. Prodrive will run 575 Maranello GTCs in a quasi-factory effort. Hopefully they'll step up to LMP and tackle w Audi and Porsche. |
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Speed Channel's subject in Behind the Headlights tonight was the 166 MM (Barchetta) which Luigi Chinetti convinced Ferrari to enter in the 1949 LeMans 24 hour. Ferrari wasn't much interested because he preferred building Grand Prix racers but Chinetti convinced him to do it, Chinetti drove the little 2-liter V12 to victory, Ferrari's first major victory, and it occurred before the advent of Formula One in 1950. |
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