BY JAKE HOLMES
It’s no secret that we like Ferrari’s F430—in three comparos, it has won three times—so when Ferrari confirmed a newer, lighter version, we got very excited, indeed, as this is in fact the replacement for what we thought would be called the Challenge Stradale. As we cool our heels awaiting the eventual F430 replacement, a lightweight F430 sounds just fine.The 430 Scuderia takes all the best parts of a regular F430—the screaming 4.3-liter V-8, upped 20 horsepower to 503, a quick-shifting sequential-manual, and carbon-ceramic brakes—and
subtracts 220 pounds. We’re not exactly sure how Ferrari cut the weight, but we assume it involves lots of carbon fiber.At an expected 3100 pounds, this lightweight version of the already-fast car will carry just 6.2 pounds per prancing pony, and that’ll make for a seriously quick ride. By comparison, a stock F430 weighs in at 6.9 pounds per horsepower and an Enzo has just 5.0 lb/hp. It also appears to be Ferrari's response to Lamborghini's Gallardo Superleggera, which also dropped weight to gain track supremacy.
But wait! Ferrari has more tricks in its scuderia (or stable, for you Anglophones). With a software update called “F1 Superfast,” the six-speed sequential manual can knock off gearchanges in 60 milliseconds. And the F430’s electronic rear differential has been coupled with the F1-Trac stability system for goof-proof handling.Ferrari says the car shows how the automaker’s Formula 1 racing expertise can be applied to road cars. To make sure we get the connection, Michael Schumacher is set to unveil the Scuderia at the Frankfurt auto show in September.
