Ferrari F430 Challenge Stradale Getting Closer

The Ferrari F430 Modena is in the twilight of its life, with a temporary waiver to U.S. federal government advanced airbag requirements expiring in two years, but that doesn't mean it won't go out in style.

The substance to rumors of an F430 Challenge Stradale has been confirmed, and the timetable is uncertain but likely to happen quickly.

"It is obviously a project that is on the drawing board," admitted a high-level company source.

The only question is when the car will arrive, considering that time is running short for the F430. But the previous incarnation of the car, the 360 Challenge Stradale exploded onto the scene with little notice, the source said. "The 360 Challenge Stradale really snuck up on us a little bit," he said. Despite the low profile of that car's development program, the result was a car with 70 percent different components, according to Rowley.

So despite the fact that the new F430 Challenge Stradale will arrive late in the car's life, it could still be thoroughly tweaked for improved performance. "The last one was so good, I'll expect it to be improved as much," the source said.

What kind of improvements can we expect? The 360 Challenge Stradale, you'll recall, did not have a re-tuned, more powerful version of the standard car's engine, for example. "The two big differences on the 360 Challenge Stradale were that it was lighter, and that it was lower," observed Allie Ash, owner of the Ferrari of Washington racing team. For track duty "adding lightness" is even better than adding horsepower, and doesn't require recertification of emissions compliance.

The F430 uses aluminum extensively, so perhaps carbon-fiber components will be used in the quest for reduced mass.

How customers will get their hands on one of the new cars is another question. Ferrari of Washington has a six-year waiting list for F430s, so the customers who are on the list already know they will be getting the car's replacement, not the current car, said Ash. But considering that list, how will orders for the Challenge Stradale be filled?

With no official announcement from Ferrari, dealers can not begin accepting orders for a non-existent car. That hasn't stopped customers from offering deposits, though, said Ashe. "I've got several customers who want to leave deposits for the car."

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