Ferrari 430 Scuderia

Why it matters

Presented by Michael Schumacher at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, the 430 Scuderia applied Ferrari's racing knowledge to a road-legal berlinetta with remarkable thoroughness. Extensive use of carbon fiber, titanium, lighter glass, simplified trim and reduced sound insulation cut approximately 100 kg compared with the F430. Revised intake and exhaust systems raised the 4,308 cc V8 to 510 hp at 8,500 rpm, giving the car an exceptional power-to-weight ratio. Its F1-SuperFast2 transmission reduced gear changes to just 60 milliseconds, while the E-Diff electronic differential and new F1-Trac traction control were integrated for the first time through a more sophisticated steering-wheel manettino. Stiffer springs, a lower ride height, specially developed Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires and standard carbon-ceramic brakes sharpened every response. The front fascia, side skirts, rear diffuser and high-mounted twin exhausts increased aerodynamic efficiency and visually separated the Scuderia from the standard F430 without resorting to a fixed rear wing. It accelerated from rest to 100 km/h in approximately 3.6 seconds and reached 320 km/h. Production is generally estimated at roughly 1,800 examples. As the direct successor to the Challenge Stradale and predecessor to the 458 Speciale, the 430 Scuderia cemented Ferrari's modern tradition of track-focused special-series V8 road cars.