Think the Ferrari F430 is too tame? Then the Ferrari 430 Scuderia is for you!

Introduced in 2004 to replace the Ferrari 360 Modena, the F430 has a more than respectable 4.3-litre V8 engine delivering 490 hp. However, when it came to developing an even more compelling version of the F430, Ferrari called on none other than Michael Schumacher. The result was magnificent, with optimised aerodynamics producing more downforce (with features taken from the FXX project), powerful braking (carbon ceramic discs and calipers) plus highly-responsive steering wheel controls clearly influenced by seven-time F1 champion Schumacher, well known for getting involved in the technical side during his driving career.

Although the Ferrari 430 Scuderia “only” gained 20 hp, for a total 510 hp, it was 100 kg lighter, weighing in at 1,350 kg. The Ferrari engineers paired the engine with a F1-SuperFast2 automated gearbox with gear-shift responses that are twice as fast as on the standard F430. On the outside, the deep scoops, new exhausts, carbon inserts and 19” rims are unmissable pointers to the car’s sporty personality, while two black racing stripes add to its assertive stance. Inside, there is carbon everywhere: the 430 Scuderia clearly thinks it is a race car and certainly wouldn’t look out of place at Le Mans.

The speedster powers from 0 to 100 km/h (0-60 mph) in just 3.4 seconds, compared to 4 seconds for its the original F430. Although a lot of its technology has its roots in F1, the Ferrari 430 Scuderia is definitely of the same breed as the GT version of the F430 that enjoyed an impressive racing career, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans where the Italian marque triumphed in the GT2 class in 2008 with Gianmaria Bruni, Mika Salo and Jaime Melo in the cockpit of Risi Competizione's Ferrari F430 GT2. The same team repeated the feat the next year, with German driver Pierre Kaffer standing in for Bruni.

Geoffroy Barre | Translated from French by Clair Pickworth

Photo: The Ferrari 430 Scuderia, successor to the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale, showcased technology developed by Ferrari in Formula 1. Its top speed comes close to that of the F430 GT2 seen at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.