F430
The F430 hails the arrival of a whole new generation of Ferrari V8-engined berlinettas. Every inch of the car was inspired by the engineering research carried out at Ferrari's Gestione Sportiva F1 Racing Division. The result is a highly innovative design characterised by cutting-edge technologies perfected for use on a road-going car.
Two of these innovations are world firsts for a production car: the electronic differential (E-Diff), initially developed by Ferrari for its F1 single-seaters and designed to make the most of the engine's torque to optimise traction, and the handily placed steering wheel-mounted commutator switch (better known to the Scuderia's drivers as the manettino), which directly controls the systems governing vehicle dynamics.
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The F430's light, compact 4,308 cc engine that gives the car its name is completely new ; it punches out 490 hp and delivers a specific power output of 114 hp/l and 465 Nm of torque. Needless to say, performance is outstanding: acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in four seconds flat and a maximum speed in excess of 315 km/h.
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Every area of this latest Prancing Horse car has been influenced by Formula 1. For instance, a braking system using carbon-ceramic discs has been installed within the car as standard. The discs offer superior stopping power and give the driver the satisfying feeling of being in complete control of the vehicle even in the most demanding situations. The F430's aerodynamics are also highly innovative for a road car: its shape has been honed to generate air flows to increase down-force and improve cooling. Every last component of this Ferrari has been perfected to deliver outstanding performance and driving pleasure.