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| Road Test: Ferrari F430 (2005-) |
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| Exotic Sports |
by: John Simister |
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Ferrari F430 Gallery
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| PERFORMANCE RATING: |
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Not only does the 'baby' Ferrari have more power than an F40, it also comes close on maximum speed: Ferrari claims over 196mph (by which time the differential is solidly locked), suggesting it could crack the double-ton with a favourable following wind and a suitable venue. It also shoots to 60mph in just under four seconds, helped by a rather plumper torque curve than that of the 360.
This torque part is the biggest change in the on-road performance compared with the F430's predecessor. The engine lights up over 5000rpm and revs on to 8600rpm, true, but at lower crankshaft speeds it still pulls firmly and can accelerate meaningfully from under 2000rpm, emitting a throaty gurgle from its eight intake trumpets as if it were running on a quartet of twin-choke Webers. Variable cam timing and a variable-volume intake plenum chamber are the keys here. The throttle response is electric - literally, thanks to two drive-by-wire throttle bodies under the control of a 'master and slave' pair of Bosch ME7 Motronic management systems. And the F430 sounds just fantastic, like two snorty four-cylinders screaming in unison and helped by a valve which bypasses part of the silencer system above 3600rpm. You'll be searching out every tunnel.
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Introduction Can the Ferrari 360 Modena really be five years old? The first all-... |
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