With more than 100 added horsepower over the 360 Modena, the new Ferrari F430 will likely fly down the highway despite the weight gain. The 4.3-liter V8 engine, fired by a red “start” button located on the steering wheel, is a larger-displacement version of the 4.2-liter V8 that Ferrari developed for Maserati, generating 490 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 343 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,250 rpm. Not only is this power output rated significantly higher than the outgoing 360 Modena, but it also bests the Ferrari F40 supercar of the late 1980s. Power flows to the massive 19-inch rear wheels through a six-speed sequential manual transmission, operated F1-style via paddles mounted to the steering wheel. In the Ferrari F430, shifts take just 150 milliseconds, which should result in a far more satisfying driving experience. At this writing, it is not known whether a traditional manual transmission will be available for purists who shun the advance of technology. Ferrari says acceleration from zero to 60 mph will take less than four seconds, and that the new F430 can reach a top speed just shy of 200 mph thanks in part to its aerodynamic underbody design and carbon-fiber rear diffuser panel which produce plenty of downforce at higher speeds. Special launch control software for the standard traction and stability control system helps to maximize the ratio of tire grip and wheelspin to produce the quickest acceleration possible. Above 3,600 rpm, a special valve bypasses a portion of the exhaust silencer, amplifying Ferrari’s signature howl as the driver winds through the gears.
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