Spied: Ferrari F430 Challenge Stradale

A prototype for the Ferrari F430 Challenge Stradale has hit Germany's Nürburgring race track for its final stage of development. The Challenge Stradale is the most stripped-down version of the F430, ditching unnecessary luxuries like leather and sound-deadening material to save weight.

This most-focused of F430s gets some new body modifications, including larger front intakes an aggressive
diffuser at the rear. Carbon-fiber will be in use on the doors and other assorted body panels, and the wheels are likely lightweightmagnesium to result in a weight savings of more than 200 pounds. Unlike the earlier F360 Challange Stradale, which had fixed Perspex side windows with a reach-through slot, the F430 CS will retain its normal roll-down side-glass.

The F430 CS is expected to get a massaged version of Ferrari's 4.3-liter V8, generating 525 hp at 8500 rpm and 350 ft-lbs of torque. In this strata of performance car, the combination of less mass and additional power is a costly one. The hard-edged F430 ChallengeStradale may cost somewhere north of $260,000, and is expected to debut this Fall.

The shots of the red F430 are from October 2006. Although the black car spotted today is somewhat camouflaged, it gives us an idea of how the black diffuser trim in the back will look on darker colors. Not all Ferraris are red. We can also make out a potential air inlet between the side doors and the rear wheels.

July 3, 2007