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.
October 25, 2006
10/25, 9:53 PM
posted by:
Don
ew.. ugly rims and the exhausts are too small now, and in the wrong place. No thanks
10/25, 9:54 PM
posted by:
British_Rover
I have been looking for a reason to say this for a couple of weeks now and I finaly found a topic that was relevant…
One of my clients came in a couple of Saturdays and let me drive his F430. Now I have driven a lot of hot cars but that was by far the most exciting car I have ever driven. Just totally amazing vehicle.
I can’t imagnie a track version of that car with more power and less weight.
10/25, 10:33 PM
posted by:
MyGodBeatsYourGod
Still believe those taillight nacelles are one of those details that look better in renderings than real life…
The 308-style black-out panel does not help to intergrate them in the least.
They are like that mole on Jessica Simpson…
10/25, 10:49 PM
posted by:
Renton
Very nice.
10/26, 12:42 AM
posted by:
Brendino
Sexy…
what’s that attached to the back of the car?
10/26, 12:48 AM
posted by:
A4
a microphone for the exhaust, as the article states
this car is awesome
id take it over a veyron anyday
10/26, 12:51 AM
posted by:
A4
and Don.. its obvious that finishing touches have yet to be put on the car. The exhausts will look better, and the rims will be more attractive with things like the ferrari emblem and such tacked on.
10/26, 5:18 AM
posted by:
Bertjan
Those Rims look pretty much as the ones at the previous CS, except for the Ferrari emblem as pointed out. And these more extreme versions are not in the first place made to be beautiful; those exhausts are located their not to look good, but for pure functional purposes. And to me, that makes it cool again
10/26, 5:44 AM
posted by:
megator
it really sucks they couldn’t use a center bolt. thoose look so good on cars like this
10/26, 9:53 AM
posted by:
hp44
The rims on this f430 CS are not the rims that are going to be on the production one (there just test wheels). The production ones are going to be the rims that are on the f430 challenge race car, only with the the 5 bolt design. And just like the other guy said, the f430 is a crazy fast and good car, so just imagine what this car is going to be like. As for looks, Its still a good looking car. Its all about the function, not how pretty it is.Cant wait to see the final production version.
10/26, 10:31 AM
posted by:
Sharif
with regard to the exhaust looking ugly the production version will probably/hopefully be in chrome and hopefully they will be larger
10/26, 10:55 AM
posted by:
Joey D
Very nice!
10/26, 11:30 AM
posted by:
doublearon21
Sharif, the exhaust won’t be chrome, chrome adds weight, the exhaust is ti for a reason, yes they will look better though. And don the exhaust is there because on the challenge race cars if the exhaust was where it normally is and somebody bumped the back corner of the car, which happens alot, the exhaust would get mashed up you would lose performance because it would get restricted. By moving it to the middle you get a more straight-through exhaust that you don’t have to worry about on the track. Function over form, the way it should be.
10/26, 1:32 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Lamborghini still looks better though…
10/26, 4:55 PM
posted by:
ironpony42
Gawd damn thats cool. I LOVE the f430, and this is a wet dream on wheels. Very cool.
10/26, 10:04 PM
posted by:
leviathan18
lamborghini is a lot more expensive than the f430
10/27, 3:41 PM
posted by:
Veda
“lamborghini is a lot more expensive than the f430″
Well equipped the Gallardo isn’t that much more than a F430 and since we’re talking about the Challenge Stradale, it’s probably more than the Gallardo. I gotta give props for Ferrari this time for continuing to make pure performance models like this.
10/28, 12:30 PM
posted by:
chevy490
yes another gt beater in the process! come on ferarri u can kick fomoco’s ass do do it now!!!!!
07/03, 1:31 PM
posted by:
LuckyLou
Probably all spoken for already
07/03, 1:56 PM
posted by:
bousbous55
I wish I had the job of testing that thing.
07/03, 2:57 PM
posted by:
meanpants555
It is too puffy and clumsy looking to be a Ferrari. I bet it’s the McLaren F2 test mule. Oh wait, the F430 is bland and awkward looking even with a 200 lb weight loss.
07/03, 2:59 PM
posted by:
Need for Speed
Corvette Z06 is faster and better than an F430.
07/03, 4:02 PM
posted by:
LP640
#
Corvette Z06 is faster and better than an F430.
Comment by Need for Speed, posted on July3 at 2:59 pm
^ ah i see we have another blind fool and a vette fanboy.
F430 is the best ferrari ever and thats saying something Ferrari are the kings and the vette couldnt even dream of becoming as legendary or with as much history as Ferrari.
the current F430 is much better to drive than pretty much anything else so i cant imagine what this thing is going to be like.
07/03, 4:59 PM
posted by:
TOZO
I am gonna buy like 10 of those.
07/03, 6:10 PM
posted by:
Wickedated
Belissima!
07/04, 12:21 AM
posted by:
mblommel
I’m sure it will be fast as hell, but I’ve never really like the styling of the F430. The F360 was beautiful. The F430 always struck me as the 360’s fatter, uglier, sister.
07/04, 1:29 AM
posted by:
buytheredcar
Nice rear diffuser. I would like to see the exhaust on the rear plexiglass.
07/04, 10:56 AM
posted by:
sik59rt
Need for Speed….get lost…how could you compare a Corvette to a Ferrari….thats like comparing Nattty Ice beer to Cristal….i mean the Natty will get you drunk for sure, but its no Cristal.
07/04, 5:12 PM
posted by:
jamaicandude
Corvette Z06 is faster and better than an F430.
Comment by Need for Speed, posted on July3 at 2:59 pm
Yeah yeah, you like Corvettes… but that’s the most stupid comparison I’ve ever heard.
07/05, 2:54 AM
posted by:
Saud
Now it’s gonna sound even more awesome… if I ever hear one that is
07/05, 11:30 AM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Z06 is a great car, but the Ferrari is a Dream car. Hell, give me one of each.