IAA 2007, Frankfurt: Ferrari 430 Scuderia
Tuesday September 11, 2007
Ferrari's latest track-focused road car, the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, has been launched at the 2007 Frankfurt show. The spiritual successor to the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale, it represents Ferrari's application of racing technology to a road-legal vehicle.
At the heart of the 430 Scuderia is the 4.3 litre 90 degree V8, evolved from the unit found in the base Ferrari F430 model. Compression is raised to 11.88:1, the inlet and exhaust systems have been tweaked, the ignition process is monitored and adapted individually per spark detonation, allowing for faster and more optimal detonation, and the pistons have been redesigned. The intake manifold and filter housing have been made from carbon fibre to reduce weight. Ferrari also took particular care in tuning the intake and exhaust systems to get the sound of the engine just right.
The transmission system is equally technology-driven, with Ferrari's F1 technology being incorporated into the gearchange mechanism, differential and gearbox. Ferrari claims the lowest gearchange times of any current automated manual gearbox, at 60ms. The electronic diff, called E-DIFF2, utilises a hydraulic actuator to control the distribution of torque continuously between the driven wheels via two sets of friction discs. It varies the amount according to various factors including the amount of grip each wheel is getting and other driving conditions. Traction control, similar to the F1 Ferraris, allows drivers to exploit maximum potential out of the handling in all situations. Called F1-TRAC, the system is said to offer 40% more acceleration out of corners than traditional traction and stability systems.
The Scuderia also features a version of the racing manettino - allowing the driver to select various setups according to conditions and use. Michael Schumacher was crucial to the adaption of the system to the road car.
The front brakes are 18mm larger than those on the F430, and both front and rear discs are made of CCM (carbon ceramic material) to match the car's enhanced performance. Special care was taken to dissipate the extra heat generated, and are more durable, designed to give efficient braking over prolonged track use.
The aerodynamics too have been honed for track use. A revised rear spoiler and enhanced diffuser are utilised, giving increased aerodynamic efficiency, improved downforce and whilst still maintaining the F430's drag values. Twin venturis run from the front wheel houses to the rear bumpers, a system termed "Base Bleed", first seen on the FXX track-only Enzo derivative. This decreases the aerodynamic pressure at the rear and improves downforce.
Weighing only 1350kg at the kerb, and with power up to 510 PS at a screaming 8500 rpm, the Scuderia can hit 100 km/h from standstill in a scant 3.6 seconds, according to Ferrari. It has a maximum claimed speed of 320 km/h, and is said to deliver times around Ferrari's test track, Fiorano, in a time "comparable to that of the Enzo" - whatever exactly that may mean. Whatever the claims, it's clear that Ferrari have developed something special, something that takes the F430's potential further than the 360 Challange Stradale did for the 360 even. Worthy indeed, then, of the "Scuderia" tag.
At the heart of the 430 Scuderia is the 4.3 litre 90 degree V8, evolved from the unit found in the base Ferrari F430 model. Compression is raised to 11.88:1, the inlet and exhaust systems have been tweaked, the ignition process is monitored and adapted individually per spark detonation, allowing for faster and more optimal detonation, and the pistons have been redesigned. The intake manifold and filter housing have been made from carbon fibre to reduce weight. Ferrari also took particular care in tuning the intake and exhaust systems to get the sound of the engine just right.
The transmission system is equally technology-driven, with Ferrari's F1 technology being incorporated into the gearchange mechanism, differential and gearbox. Ferrari claims the lowest gearchange times of any current automated manual gearbox, at 60ms. The electronic diff, called E-DIFF2, utilises a hydraulic actuator to control the distribution of torque continuously between the driven wheels via two sets of friction discs. It varies the amount according to various factors including the amount of grip each wheel is getting and other driving conditions. Traction control, similar to the F1 Ferraris, allows drivers to exploit maximum potential out of the handling in all situations. Called F1-TRAC, the system is said to offer 40% more acceleration out of corners than traditional traction and stability systems.
The Scuderia also features a version of the racing manettino - allowing the driver to select various setups according to conditions and use. Michael Schumacher was crucial to the adaption of the system to the road car.
The front brakes are 18mm larger than those on the F430, and both front and rear discs are made of CCM (carbon ceramic material) to match the car's enhanced performance. Special care was taken to dissipate the extra heat generated, and are more durable, designed to give efficient braking over prolonged track use.
The aerodynamics too have been honed for track use. A revised rear spoiler and enhanced diffuser are utilised, giving increased aerodynamic efficiency, improved downforce and whilst still maintaining the F430's drag values. Twin venturis run from the front wheel houses to the rear bumpers, a system termed "Base Bleed", first seen on the FXX track-only Enzo derivative. This decreases the aerodynamic pressure at the rear and improves downforce.
Weighing only 1350kg at the kerb, and with power up to 510 PS at a screaming 8500 rpm, the Scuderia can hit 100 km/h from standstill in a scant 3.6 seconds, according to Ferrari. It has a maximum claimed speed of 320 km/h, and is said to deliver times around Ferrari's test track, Fiorano, in a time "comparable to that of the Enzo" - whatever exactly that may mean. Whatever the claims, it's clear that Ferrari have developed something special, something that takes the F430's potential further than the 360 Challange Stradale did for the 360 even. Worthy indeed, then, of the "Scuderia" tag.
