A new prancing horse has bolted from Maranello’s famous gates, and it looks set to be a true thoroughbred.
We have the first official pictures of the Ferrari F430, which debuts at September’s Paris Motor Show. It replaces the 360 Modena and is a technical tour de force, with a number of innovations lifted from Michael Schumacher’s all-conquering Formula One racer.
Auto Express readers will, of course, already be familiar with the car after our world exclusive story gave a highly accurate sneak preview in Issue 815. The F430 has been penned by Pininfarina, under the watchful eye of Ferrari’s design chief Frank Stephenson. Many cues are taken from the race-tuned 360 Challenge Stradale, with a deep front spoiler, low side panels and a louvred rear end. Four individual lamps are integrated into the tail and the F430 badge is engraved into the door mirrors.
In true Ferrari style, as much prominence is given to the engine as to the model’s looks. At the back, a huge see-through cover gives a clear view of the all-new 4.3-litre V8 - complete with its bright red cylinder heads. The unit offers 490bhp, enough to propel the car from 0-60mph in less than four seconds, and on to an estimated 196mph top speed.
The F430 bristles with new technology. Two world firsts on a production model are the electronic differential (E-Diff) and the steering wheel switch, which allows drivers to manage the vehicle dynamics system. Both are taken from the F1 racer. Also borrowed from Schu’s car are the carbon ceramic brake discs and auto gearbox, complete with steering wheel-mounted paddles. The cabin has a minimalist look, with the centre tunnel trimmed in hand-stitched tan leather and the dash coated in soft black hide.
Only one version of the F430 will be available at launch, but Ferrari is said to be working on a drop-top Spyder and a stripped-out Stradale. The newcomer is due on sale here next summer and is likely to cost slightly more than the 360 Modena, which starts from £103,275. Craig Cheetham