Ferrari F430 Challenge

• Competes with: Other F430 Challenges, out on the track
• Looks like: The stock version, with sponsor
• Drivetrain: 490-horsepower, 4.3-liter V-8 engine with six-speed paddle-shift transmission
• Hits dealerships: By April 2006

As if the stock 430 model isn't dynamic enough, Ferrari has crafted it into a new iteration of the Challenge, or racing, series. Same as the standard machine, this track-ready ride features a 490-horsepower, 4.3-liter V-8 engine — the engine Ferrari originally developed for corporate stablemate Maserati.

The 430 Challenge does include new components, including a carbon-ceramic braking system, 19-inch Pirelli racing tires, a Formula-One-style sequential gearbox, a quick-release steering wheel to allow for easier extractions, and built-in pneumatic jacks to allow for faster tire changes in the pits. The car will ultimately replace the Ferrari 360 Challenge; drivers will use it to participate in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli amateur racing series, which begins in April in South Florida.

Exterior
Take away the race ephemera, and the vehicle looks similar to the existing Pininfarina-designed F430, that squat, sculptural vehicle with the long rear window (good for peering in at the drivetrain). The car is 177.6 inches long, 75.7 inches wide and 46.6 inches tall, and weighs a race-appropriate 2,695 pounds. (The window helps keep the body weight off.) Two fat central pipes look dramatic in the rear, and 19-inch tires are new to the model. The L.A. Auto Show version was red with white racing stripes and sponsor logo decals.

Interior
The F430 is a Spartan one-seater, as befits the car's purpose. The rest of the car is mostly devoted to producing high performance and low weight. The functional dashboard prominently features bulky controls that read "pit speed" and "radio."

Under the Hood
The 4.3-liter V-8 cranks out 490 horsepower and 343 pounds-feet of torque at 5,250 rpm. The sequential-shift transmission includes modified fifth and sixth gear ratios that allow for more responsive shifting at high speeds.

Safety
The main safety feature is that not too many drivers will crash one of these, because not too many drivers can afford to purchase their own, private racecar. That said, roll bars, a new braking system and the new 19-inch tires contribute to a safer fast ride. A five-point racing seat belt and that quick-release steering wheel are added safety features.
source : car