CD01 F430 LAYOUT 2/9/05 5:55 PM Page 5

FERRARI F430 Vehicle type: mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe

Estimated price as tested: $190,500 (estimated base price: $167,000)

Options on test car: carbon-ceramic brakes, F1

Major standard accessories: power windows and locks, remote locking, A/C, tilting and telescoping steering wheel, rear defroster

Sound system: AM-FM radio/CD player, 4 speakers

ENGINE Type ...... V-8, aluminum block and heads Bore x stroke...... 3.62 x 3.19 in, 92.0 x 81.0mm Displacement ...... 263 cu in, 4308cc Compression ratio ...... 11.3:1 Fuel-delivery system ...... port injection Valve gear ...... chain-driven double overhead cams, 4 valves per cylinder, hydraulic lifters, variable intake- and exhaust-valve timing Power (SAE net) ...... 483 bhp @ 8500 rpm Torque (SAE net)...... 343 lb-ft @ 5250 rpm in our usual way, but we did see more than 1.05 Redline ...... 8500 rpm * g through some of the circuit’s corners. Put in CURRENT BASE PRICE dollars x 1000 Ford GT (5.4-liter, 550 hp, 6-sp man) DRIVETRAIN motion by a firm brake pedal, the carbon-ceramic Transmission ...... 6-speed manual with automated discs—an option expected to cost the same as a shifting and clutch Aston Martin DB9 (5.9-liter, 444 hp, 6-sp auto) Scion xB, or $14,000—performed four successive Final-drive ratio ...... 4.30:1, limited slip Gear Ratio Mph/1000 rpm Max test speed stops from 70 mph in fewer than 150 feet. Ferrari (5.0-liter, 493 hp, 6-sp auto man) I 3.29 5.5 46 mph (8500 rpm) claims they’re good for 350 laps at Fiorano without II 2.16 8.3 71 mph (8500 rpm) fade. They didn’t mention the moaning that the Ferrari F430 (4.3-liter, 483 hp, 6-sp auto man) III 1.61 11.2 95 mph (8500 rpm) ESTIMATED IV 1.27 14.2 120 mph (8500 rpm) huge carbon-impregnated silicon discs make when 0 45 90 135 180 225 V 1.03 17.5 148 mph (8500 rpm) they’re cold, or the wind whistle one of our sample *Base price includes freight, any performance options, and applicable gas-guzzler taxes. VI 0.82 21.9 186 mph (8500 rpm) F430s made at speeds above 60 mph, probably ACCELERATION seconds 0–60 mph 1/4-mile DIMENSIONS from an ill-fitting windshield gasket. Ford GT ...... 102.4 in Now that the beginner’s Ferrari has reached Track, front/rear ...... 65.7/63.6 in Length/width/height ...... 177.6/75.7/47.8 in supercar levels of performance, maybe it’s time to Ferrari F430 Ground clearance...... 4.9 in pump some excitement into the F1 program, too. Drag area, Cd (0.34) x frontal area (21.5 sq ft) ...... 7.3 sq ft Lamborghini Gallardo Curb weight (mfr’s claim)...... 3200 lb They could blow a few engines, maybe crash once Weight distribution, F/R (mfr’s claim) ...... 44/56% or twice. Then again, should Ferrari ever become Aston Martin DB9 Curb weight per horsepower (est) ...... 6.6 lb just a couple of offices in the marketing depart- Fuel capacity ...... 25.1 gal 0 3 6 9 12 15 ment of General Motors, we may all forget what CHASSIS/BODY perfection looked and sounded like. ■ BRAKING 70–0 mph, feet Type ...... aluminum space frame Body material ...... welded and riveted aluminum stampings Ferrari F430 INTERIOR C/D TEST RESULTS Ford GT SAE volume, seats...... 52 cu ft luggage ...... 6 cu ft ACCELERATION Seconds Lamborghini Gallardo Seat adjustments ...... fore-and-aft, seatback angle, Zero to 30 mph ...... 1.3 lumbar support 40 mph ...... 1.8 Restraint systems ...... manual 3-point belts, driver and 50 mph ...... 2.8 Aston Martin DB9 passenger front airbags 60 mph ...... 3.5 70 mph ...... 4.2 130 140 150 160 170 180 SUSPENSION 80 mph ...... 5.4 Front ...... ind, unequal-length control arms, coil springs, 90 mph ...... 6.5 ROADHOLDING 300-foot skidpad, g electronically controlled shock absorbers, 100 mph...... 7.9 Lamborghini Gallardo anti-roll bar 110 mph ...... 9.3 Rear ...... ind, unequal-length control arms, coil springs, 120 mph...... 11.0 electronically controlled shock absorbers, 130 mph ...... 13.0 Ford GT anti-roll bar Street start, 5–60 mph ...... 4.0 Top-gear acceleration, 30–50 mph*...... 3.6 Aston Martin DB9 STEERING 50–70 mph...... 5.6 Type . . . . . rack-and-pinion with variable hydraulic power assist Standing 1/4-mile ...... 11.7 sec @ 123 mph Ferrari F430 Steering ratio ...... 16.0:1 Top speed (redline limited) ...... 186 mph NOT AVAILABLE Turns lock-to-lock ...... 3.0 Turning circle curb-to-curb ...... 36.1 ft 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00 1.10 BRAKING BRAKES 70–0 mph @ impending lockup ...... 147 ft EPA CITY FUEL ECONOMY mpg Type...... hydraulic with vacuum power assist and Ford GT anti-lock control PROJECTED FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST) Front...... 14.2 x 1.3-in vented, cross-drilled ceramic disc EPA city driving ...... 11 mpg Rear ...... 13.8 x 1.3-in vented, cross-drilled ceramic disc EPA highway driving ...... 16 mpg Aston Martin DB9 WHEELS AND TIRES INTERIOR SOUND LEVEL Ferrari F430 Wheel size...... F: 7.5 x 19 in, R: 10.0 x 19 in ESTIMATED Idle...... 52 dBA Wheel type ...... cast aluminum Full-throttle acceleration ...... 94 dBA Lamborghini Gallardo Tires ...... Bridgestone Potenza RE050A; F: 225/35ZR-19 84Y, 70-mph cruising...... 74 dBA R: 285/35ZR-19 99Y *In 4th gear. The F1 gearbox won’t accept 6th at 30 mph. 0 3 6 9 12 15 Test inflation pressures, F/R ...... 33/36 psi Spare...... high-pressure compact on aluminum wheel

JANUARY 2005 www.CARandDRIVER.com 131