THE trouble with producing the best is that, at some point, you are going to have to replace it with something even better. Ferrari’s 360 Modena was a winner from the moment it turned a wheel and the car has gone on to be the most popular the famous company has produced with about 1,000 in the UK alone.
But the charismatic 360’s time has come full circle and Ferrari this week announced the model that will take over its place as the pre-eminent car in its class. The F430 will be unveiled next month at the Paris Motor Show, where visitors will see a car that has many of the gorgeous curves of the 360, only more so. The low, sleek shape is familiar and the interior will not spring any great surprises.
Ferrari is instead keen to play up the technological improvements to the car in an arena where the competition raises the bar with each new model. The traditional V8 architecture of the engine, so familiar to Ferrari fans, remains but now gives 490 horsepower and is mated to the company’s Formula One-derived paddle-shift gearbox. The aerodynamics, also pioneered by the Formula One Scuderia, means a flat underbody and larger rear diffuser to increase downforce and, therefore, road grip. Top speed is 196mph and the zero to 60mph time an impressive four seconds.
The company has given F430 drivers a little slice of Schumacher by adding a button to the steering wheel that controls the vehicle’s dynamics, in addition to offering an electronic differential. Ferrari drivers who like their cars traditional will be swamped by all the new gizmos but where Formula One strides, the road cars follow.
No news of prices yet when the car arrives next year but £106,000 is likely to be in the ball park.