Specifications

Engine Type: Quad-Turbocharged W16 Displacement cu in (cc): 488 (7993) Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 1001(736) / 6000 Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 923(1250) / 2200-5500 Redline at RPM: 6500 Brakes & Tires Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc Tires F-R: 265-680 ZR500A - 365-710 R540A (PAX System) Driveline: All Wheel Drive Exterior Dimensions & Weight Length × Width × Height in: 174.2 × 77.9 × 47 Weight lb (kg): 4162 (1888) Performance Acceleration 0-62 mph s: 2.5 Top Speed mph (km/h): 253 (407) Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a. (24.1)

Bugatti Veyron 16.4: Superior in Every Sense

After four years of development, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, as it will now be called, is ready for series production. The most exclusive sports car of all time is following in the footsteps of the legendary Bugatti, those universally-coveted limousines and unbeatable racing cars of the 1920s and 1930s which today are among the most sought-after creations from the early days of automobile construction.

This brings to an end the era of design models and concept cars which since the late 1990s have signposted possible paths to the Bugattis of the future. Design and technological concept have finally become reality in the Veyron model’s final form and will be available from the beginning of 2004 as a strictly limited edition of just 300 cars. Technologically futuristic and packed with creative engineering, the first Bugatti of the 21st century has arrived.

Merging the Past and the Future

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4’s home is in Molsheim-Dorlisheim, the French town where, almost 100 years ago, Ettore Bugatti began to realize his lifelong dream of being a car manufacturer.
The new workshop is not just where the engine and vehicle are assembled and tested, it is also the place where customers collect their Bugattis and drive them out onto the streets for the first time.

The aim is to turn Molsheim into an all-round Bugatti center once again. While up to 70 new vehicles a year are built by hand in the new facility, neighboring specially-equipped workshops are the scene of expert restoration work on historic Bugatti vehicles. Both past and future have found a new home here.

High Performance

The car’s safety systems have been designed to cope with its extraordinary performance, acceleration and speed. The single-piece carbon-fiber monocoque alone scores maximum points in crash tests, while airbags give the driver and passenger additional protection. The high-speed tires designed specially for the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 (for vmax. > 350 km/h), sizes 265-680 ZR500A (front) and 365-710 R540A (rear), incorporate a further innovative safety feature in the form of the PAX System fitted to the wheels and tires, ensuring safe handling even after sudden pressure loss. Another Bugatti Veyron 16.4 component with a safety element is the rear spoiler. As well as providing the necessary downforce during high-speed travel, it acts as a kind of ‘parachute brake’ during emergency braking. Once precisely-defined deceleration forces are registered the spoiler tilts and the additional air resistance this generates reduces the braking distance to that of a lorry.

The Art of the Machine

The W16 alloy engine developed by Bugatti for the Veyron 16.4 will have a special and absolutely unique place in the history of sports car construction. Its design employs the space-saving VR principle with two particularly slender eight-cylinder blocks arranged at a 90° angle to each other.

1001 horsepower equip the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 with a level of acceleration unheard of in the sports car segment, propelling it from 0 to 60 mph in just three
seconds and past the 200 mph mark in a mere 14 seconds. Thanks to its 923 lb-ft, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4’s enormous propulsive power is not exhausted until it reaches
252.3 mph (406 km/h): the maximum speed for which chassis and drive train have been designed. Any further performance escalation is limited by current design and construction.

Also unique is the power transmission via an innovative directshift gearbox. Without any interruption in the power flow, the sequential seven-speed gearbox transmits the engine’s power to the wheels via permanent four-wheel drive. Put simply, this means uninterrupted acceleration from a standing start to maximum speed: a feeling previously known only to jet pilots.

Exclusive, Classical, Functional

Both exclusive and highly ********al, the interior of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 will transport you to a world of your own. Superb leather, also two-tone if desired, quality metallic trim and beautifully designed and ergonomically laid-out controls characterize the Veyron cockpit.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 instruments, with a large central rev counter surrounded by four smaller additional instruments also conjures up memories of the marque’s legendary motor sport past. The deliberate avoidance of superfluous instruments and modern extras are an unmistakable statement of the car’s uncompromising sportiness.

Unchanged on the series version of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is the classical two-tone paintwork. The designers have selected five separate color combinations for the car: Each of the combinations features the bonnet, roof and rear in the darker of the two colors, with the sides and front wheel arches in the lighter color.

Specifications

Engine Type: V6 Displacement cu in (cc): 194 (3179) Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 290(213) / 7100 Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 224(304) / 5500 Redline at RPM: 8000 Brakes & Tires Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc Tires F-R: 215/40 R17 - 255/40R17 Exterior Dimensions & Weight Length × Width × Height in: 174.2 × 71.2 × 46.0 Weight lb (kg): 3152 (1430) Performance Acceleration 0-62 mph s: 5.0 Top Speed mph (km/h): 165 (270) Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): 17/24 (12.0)

Acura NSX: Timeless Performance and Style

The Acura NSX supercar exemplifies the precision crafted performance that lies at the heart of every Acura vehicle. Developed out of years of racing experience, the NSX sets the benchmark for Acura technology, combining world-class performance and styling with exceptional drivability and refinement.

The Acura NSX offers two distinct, mid-ship mounted powertrains. The first is a lightweight, all-aluminum 3.2 liter, DOHC, 24-valve, 90-degree V-6 engine coupled with a 6-speed, close-ratio manual transmission producing 290 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque. The second is a 3.0 liter DOHC, 24-valve V-6 engine with a 4-speed Sequential SportShift automatic transmission that generates 252 horsepower and 210 lb.-ft. of torque.

Both Acura NSX engines are equipped with Acura's patented VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control), a Variable Volume Induction System, direct ignition and a computerized Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) system pioneered in Formula One racing. The NSX engine also features titanium connecting rods, which are stronger and lighter than comparable steel connecting rods.

To complement these innovative powertrains, the Acura NSX chassis features an all-aluminum unit body construction that is 40 percent lighter, yet has the rigidity of a steel structure. The 4-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension features aluminum-alloy control arms and hub carriers that minimize unsprung weight and provide optimum handling. The suspension also features aluminum subframes for the front and rear suspension to further reduce weight. Forged-aluminum alloy wheels reduce unsprung weight while super high performance tires - 215/40 R17 in front and 255/40 R17 in the rear - provide maximum traction and handling.

The NSX's braking system features large-diameter, ventilated four-wheel discs and an advanced 4-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) for confident braking. A sophisticated Traction Control System (TCS) helps limit wheel-spin and enhances control.

The 2005 Acura NSX features a removable roof panel for open-air driving. A sculpted, wedge-shaped body and forward canopy design clearly communicate the car's high performance personality. Additional features include a body integrated rear spoiler and airfoil, power operated sideview mirrors and Xenon High-Intensity Discharge projector-beam headlights. The NSX comes in seven exterior colors, which can be ordered with a matching or complementary interior color.

Inside, the hand-stitched, leather-trimmed interior of the NSX is designed to evoke the image of a jet fighter cockpit, providing excellent visibility, easy-to-read instrumentation and supportive, power operated seats. For 2005, the NSX receives a redesigned meter panel surround, a new shifter knob and a keyless entry system. As with all Acura models, the NSX comes with a long list of standard equipment and comfort and convenience features including an Automatic Climate Control System, power windows and door locks, cruise control and a theft deterrent system with electronic immobilizer. For 2005, the premium Acura/Bose Music System has been enhanced with a trunk-mounted 6-Disc CD changer.

Specifications

Engine Type: V8 Displacement cu in (cc): 254 (4163) Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 420(313) / 7800 Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 317(430) / 4500 Redline at RPM: 8250 Brakes & Tires Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc Tires F-R: 235/35 R19 - 295/30 R19 Driveline: All Wheel Drive Exterior Dimensions & Weight Length × Width × Height in: 172.8 × 74.1 × 48.8 Weight lb (kg): 3434 (1558) Performance Acceleration 0-60 mph s: 4.4 Top Speed mph (km/h): 187 (301) Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.

Le Mans Racer for the Street

Audi has incorporated the name and the genes of the five-time Le Mans winner, the Audi R8, into a spectacular sports car. Three years after the unveiling of the Audi Le Mans quattro concept car, the production version will be making its debut at the Paris Motor Show in the guise of the new Audi R8 mid-engined sports model. It is a fascinating driving machine and the sporty pinnacle of the Audi brand. The mid-mounted 420 bhp V8 FSI engine, quattro permanent four-wheel drive and Audi Space Frame aluminum body form the basis for truly outstanding driving dynamics. The Audi R8 will be available to order from 28 September 2006; first deliveries will be made in the first half of 2007.

As the first Audi mid-engined sports car, the R8 combines Audi's experience gained from numerous motorsport triumphs with groundbreaking design and the acknowledged technological expertise of the brand. This expertise has led to the slogan 'Vorsprung durch Technik' becoming a byword for leading-edge technology both on the race track and on the road.

Audi R8's Exterior

Even at first glance, the caliber of the Audi R8 is plain to see. The car sits broad and squat on the road, the strongly accentuated rear end appearing to flex its muscles like a sprinter ready for the off.

The characteristic proportions of the vehicle are dictated by the location of the engine behind the cockpit. This layout is a typical feature of race cars. One of the most striking examples of this design – and as such one of the legitimate antecedents of the Audi R8 – was, and still is, the Auto Union Type C Grand Prix car. The central position of the engine is above all a boon to driving dynamics, as it allows for a weight distribution, as on the R8, of 44 percent to the front and 56 percent to the rear.

The car's body is highly compact in appearance. The front end and the gently curved roof arc are drawn in a sweeping line; a line which immediately marks the two-seater out as an Audi.

The side view also reveals familiar contours. The dynamic line above the wheel arches and the shoulder line interlink the front end, side and rear, imbue the doors and the transition to the side air vent with a strong presence, and even more emphatically highlight the typical Audi rounded wheel housings accommodating the big wheels.

The cabin of the Audi R8 is pushed far forward – a typical feature of a mid-engined sports car, and as such a visual cue linking it to the race car of the same name. Behind the cabin, positioned in front of the rear axle, is the V8 FSI engine, a sculptured piece of engineering visible both through the large, shield-shaped rear window and from inside the car.

The full aluminum body is constructed in the Audi Space Frame (ASF) design. Its perfect synthesis of minimal weight and maximum rigidity provides the ideal foundation for optimum driving dynamics, as well as delivering an outstanding power-to-weight ratio of just 8.18 pounds per bhp.

The Interior

The sporty interior is dominated by a totally driver-oriented cockpit architecture, integrating the driver between the dashboard and the high centre console. The instrument panel above the console is angled slightly towards the driver. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is a typical feature of the sportiest Audi models, and also enables comfortable sports car entry and exit.

Form follows ********: this design principle is implemented throughout the Audi R8. Alongside the driver-oriented architecture, also reflected in the styling of the side window sills, the choice of materials also makes for a highly ********al look and feel. Looking around when in the driving seat makes one thing clear: just like in the R8 race car, the styling and placement of all the elements in the cockpit of this driving machine is focused on the essentials. The center point of everything is the driver.

The Drivetrain

Turbine-like power up to the highest rev ranges, a high maximum torque, all combined with a fascinating sound, are the characteristics of a perfect sports car engine. An engine that is fascinating both in terms of its enormous power potential and its suitability for everyday use.

In the high-revving 420 bhp eight-cylinder engine, the evolution of FSI petrol direct injection technology has reached a new high. This technology has also enjoyed many triumphs in the Audi R8 race car.

The figures illustrate the outstanding potential of the eight-cylinder unit. At 7,800 rpm the 4.2-liter engine delivers 420 bhp of power output. Peak torque is 317 lb-ft from 4,500 to 6,000 rpm. And no less than 90 per cent of this maximum torque is maintained consistently throughout a wide engine speed range from 3,500 all the way to 7,600 rpm. As a result of these qualities, the eight-cylinder power unit provides maximum thrust in virtually any driving situation.

The performance figures are equally impressive: the R8 accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 187 mph.

Two transmissions are available: a manual 6-speed gearbox or optionally the Audi R tronic sequential-shift gearbox. Here, too, the influence of the motorsport world is clearly evident, with a joystick gear-shift on the centre console and, most especially, the paddles mounted on the steering wheel, which are a long-established ergonomic feature in motorsport. The best illustration of this is once again the Le Mans winning Audi R8, which also enables the driver to change gear on the steering wheel.

The Audi R8 is being built on a small-lot production line in a specially constructed new block at the Audi plant in Neckarsulm, Germany.

Specifications

Engine Type: V8 Displacement cu in (cc): 427 (7011) Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 505(377) / 6300 Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 470(637) / 4800 Redline at RPM: 7200 Brakes & Tires Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc Tires F-R: 275/35 ZR18 - 325/30 ZR19 Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive Exterior Dimensions & Weight Length × Width × Height in: 175.6 × 75.9 × 49 Weight lb (kg): 3132 (1420) Performance Acceleration 0-62 mph s: 3.7 Top Speed mph (km/h): > 198 (> 318) Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): 16/26 (n.a.)

Covette Z06: The Fastest, Most Powerful Production Corvette Ever Built

By winning every race in the 2004 season, the Corvette C5-R racing team wrapped up the most successful era in Corvette’s 50-year racing history. In its five years, the C5-R racing program took 35 victories in 55 races, four American Le Mans Series championships and three double victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Corvette Z06 sparked the second half of the C5’s life span with a Corvette model for the extreme performance enthusiast. Now, Team Corvette combines the numerous attributes of the sixth-generation Corvette with the technology and winning determination from the C5-R program to take the new Corvette Z06 to the next level in total performance.

Chevrolet introduced the Corvette Z06 at the North American International Auto Show. It is the fastest, most powerful car ever offered by Chevrolet and General Motors. It is comprised of an unprecedented level of capability and technology, making it one of the greatest performance values on the market. And with an unmistakably muscular appearance, the 2007 Z06 has a visual attitude that always looks ready to demonstrate Corvette’s winning attitude to any challenger around the globe.

New For 2007

• The safety and security of OnStar is now available on the Z06 when the 2LZ package is ordered.
• Because air bag technology advancements allowed engineers to remove the old passenger-side air bag on/off switch box, Corvette designers were able to provide a roomier glove compartment.
• New exterior color: Atomic Orange Tintcoat Metallicreplaces Daytona Sunset Orange Metallic. The specific tintcoat adds depth to create an exciting new color.

LS7 Engine

The all-new LS7 of the 2007 Z06 reintroduces the 427-cubic-inch engine to the Corvette lineup. Unlike the previous 427 engine, which was a big-block design, the new 7.0-liter LS7 is a small-block V-8 – the largest-displacement small-block ever produced by GM and a tribute to its 50 years as a performance icon.

With 500 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, it also is the most powerful passenger car engine ever produced by Chevrolet and GM. The LS7 is easily identified under the hood by red engine covers with black lettering.

The LS7 shares the same basic Gen IV V-8 architecture as the Corvette’s 6.0-liter LS2, but the LS7 uses a different cylinder block casting with pressed-in steel cylinder liners to accommodate the engine’s wide, 104.8-mm-wide cylinder bores; the LS2 has 101.6-mm bores. And when compared to the LS2, the LS7 also has a different front cover, oil pan, exhaust manifolds and cylinder heads.

Internally, the LS7’s reciprocating components make use of racing-derived lightweight technology, including titanium connecting rods and intake valves, to help boost horsepower and rpm capability. The rpm fuel shut-off limit is 7000 rpm.

One of the clearest examples of the LS7’s race-bred technology is its use of titanium connecting rods. They weigh just 480 grams apiece, almost 30 percent less than the rods in the LS2 V-8. Besides being lightweight, which enhances high-rpm performance and rpm range, titanium makes the rods extremely durable.

Drivetrain

The Corvette Z06’s powertrain and drivetrain systems are matched to the LS7’s performance capability. The light, four-into-one headers discharge in to new, close-coupled catalytic converters and through to new “bi-modal” mufflers. The mufflers each feature a vacuum-actuated outlet valve, which controls exhaust noise during low-load operation but opens for maximum power.

At the rear of the LS7 engine, a single-mass flywheel and lightweight, high-capacity clutch channel torque to the rear transaxle. The six-speed manual transmission has been strengthened to handle the LS7’s increased torque load. The transmission includes a pump which sends transmission fluid to the front radiator for cooling. Upon its return, the fluid removes additional heat from the differential lube before returning to the transmission.

Distinct Design

The aerodynamics of the Z06’s exterior were shaped by the experiences of the Corvette racing program, where high-speed stability and cornering capability are paramount. And while the racecars use large rear wings, the Z06’s elevated spoiler provides sufficient downforce to balance the road-worthy front splitter without adversely affecting aerodynamic drag. The Z06’s Cd is 0.31.

Uncompromising Amenities

For all its race-inspired ********ality, the Z06 is designed to be a daily drivable high-performance vehicle. To that end, comfort and convenience are held to a very high standard. HID lighting, fog lamps, leather seating, dual-zone air conditioning, cabin air filtration and Head-Up Display (HUD) with track mode and g-meter are standard.

The Z06 also has a revised gauge cluster that displays the Z06 logo on the 7000-redline tachometer and has a new readout on the oil pressure gauge to reflect the higher standard pressure of the dry-sump oiling system. And, like other 2007 Corvettes, the Z06 has a new, smaller-diameter three-spoke steering wheel that provides a more agile, performance-oriented feel. The seats feature two-tone leathering surfaces, with Z06-logo embroidery and contrasting stitching.

Z06 options include a Bose audio system with an in-dash six-CD changer, polished wheels, a telescoping steering wheel, heated seats, side air bags, a navigation system with GPS, Homelink and XM Satellite Radio.

Specifications

Engine Type: V10 Displacement cu in (cc): 510 (8354) Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 600(450) / 6100 Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 560(760) / 5000 Redline at RPM: 6250 Brakes & Tires Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc Tires F-R: 275/35 ZR18 - 345/30 ZR19 Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive Exterior Dimensions & Weight Length × Width × Height in: 175.6 × 75.2 × 47.6 Weight lb (kg): 3450 (1565) Performance Acceleration 0-60 mph s: n.a. Top Speed mph (km/h): n.a. Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.

Viper SRT10 Coupe “Tops Off” Viper Line

The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 boasts more of what performance aficionados crave: kick-in-the-pants, throw-back-in-the-seat power, combined with benchmark braking, world-class ride and handling, a race-inspired interior and bold exterior styling.

While every SRT vehicle offers balanced, overall performance, the heart and soul of the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is its standout powertrain. For 2008, SRT ups the ante with a new, 8.4-liter aluminum V-10 engine that produces an astounding 600 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque.

Standout Powertrain

Working with specialists from McLaren Performance Technologies and Ricardo, Inc., SRT engineers began by following the racer’s basic formula for more power: bigger displacement, more efficient breathing and higher engine speed.

The new Dodge Viper SRT10’s deep-skirted V-10 aluminum engine block was revised for a 1-millimeter larger bore, raising the displacement to 8.4 liters from 8.3 liters. The two-piece intake manifold combines a cast aluminum lower with smooth runners for better air flow, bolted to a die-cast aluminum upper plenum. A revised air-cleaner box with a low-restriction filter sends air through a dual electronic throttle control into the intake module.

Spent gases exit through tubular air-gap headers, which not only improve exhaust flow, but also ensure quick catalyst light-off for improved emission control. The headers’ stamped stainless-steel outer shell acts as a thermal heat shield for the individual stainless-steel runners that contribute to better flow separation and exhaust tuning.

World-class Ride and Handling

The ride and handling of the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is defined by a race-bred, fully independent, four-wheel suspension featuring lightweight, high-performance aluminum control arms and knuckles, damped by lightweight coil-over shock absorbers.

Where the power goes right to the road, SRT engineers retained the tried-and-true Dana M44-4 rear axle and outfitted it with a new GKN Visco-Lok speed-sensing limited-slip differential for improved traction.

The Dodge Viper SRT10 rides on polished, forged aluminum, 18 x 10-inch front and 19 x 13-inch rear wheels now available in three styles: the five-spoke, the H-spoke and the all-new Razor wheel with five U-shaped spokes. The wheels are clad in Michelin® Pilot® Sport PS2 tires. The four-groove tread-design tires provide maximum grip, reduced road noise and superior handling in both wet and dry conditions.

Bold Exterior Styling

The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 remains available in two body styles – Roadster and Coupe. Both feature a dramatic new hood with a larger, more efficient hood scoop for air induction and larger, ********al hood louvers to facilitate a greater cooling effect for the more powerful 8.4-liter, 600-horsepower V-10 engine underneath.

The Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe’s hard top with its “double bubble” styling makes it even more torsionally stiff than the Roadster. The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe offers increased downforce and high-speed stability with its sloping roofline and deck-lid spoiler. Plus, the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe has an additional 6.25 cubic feet of trunk space than the Viper SRT10 Roadster, for a total of 14.65 cubic feet. The roof and headliner structure offer more room to accommodate a safety cage, while maintaining as much headroom as possible.

Race-inspired Interior Design

The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 cockpit retains its characteristic red push-button starter and performance-oriented, highly ********al instrument panel with center-mounted tachometer and 220-mph speedometer.

The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 will arrive in Dodge showrooms in North America this summer with a new level of customization options, including five new exterior colors, four new interior color combinations and a new wheel design.

Specifications

Engine Type: V12 Displacement cu in (cc): 365 (5988) Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 660(485) / 7800 Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 484(657) / 5500 Redline at RPM: 8200 Brakes & Tires Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc Tires F-R: 245/35 ZR19 - 345/35 ZR19 Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive Exterior Dimensions & Weight Length × Width × Height in: 185.1 × 80.1 × 45.2 Weight lb (kg): 3009 (1366) Performance Acceleration 0-62 mph s: 3.65 Top Speed mph (km/h): 225 (362) Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a. (23)

The Fastest Ever Road Going Ferrari: Enzo

In celebration of its continuing domination of Formula 1 and in memory of the Ferrari founder, the super car is called the Ferrari Enzo. It is the ultimate modern day embodiment of the marque’s passion for performance, technology and dramatic style.

Never before has the styling of a Ferrari by Pininfarina been so directly derived from its ********. The nose section of the Ferrari Enzo is heavily influenced by Formula 1 and the entire body is shaped to ensure optimum airflow for cooling the engine and brakes, while generating unprecedented levels of grip-enhancing downforce with minimal aerodynamic drag.

The under-car ground effects are so efficient that the large rear wing required by many supercars is not needed on a Ferrari Enzo. The aerodynamic balance of the car is maintained at speed by automatic adjustments to the position of twin front flaps and a single rear spoiler.

The Enzo is powered by a new, ultra-light, 6.0-litre V12 engine, which has a number of unique technical features. The performance goals for the engine were very high power – 110 bhp per litre – with generous torque from low revs and a driveable nature. More than 383 lb-ft of torque is generated at 3,000 rpm and variable inlet and exhaust valves, together with electronic management for each row of cylinders and a drive-by-wire throttle, ensures that the engine is extremely responsive.

Like an F1 car, the gearbox in the Enzo is coupled directly to the rear of the engine by a casting that doubles as the engine oil tank. The six-speed gearbox adopts triple cone synchronizers on all ratios to ensure smooth changes, which are entrusted entirely to an electrohydraulic system activated by the driver using paddles behind the steering wheel. A fully automatic option is not offered.

The new three-spoke, 350 mm diameter steering wheel has a flat-top complete with a row of LEDs indicating engine revs and three controls each side of the air-bag linked to the main car control ********s. Grouping essential controls around the steering wheel grip leaves more room for the twin paddles behind the wheel, which operate the electronic gear selection. The view through the wheel is dominated by a central rev-counter, flanked by the 250 mph (400 km/h) speedometer and a graphic screen on which a variety of displays can be called up.

Buyers will be invited to the Ferrari factory to have the cockpit of their car tailored to their specific needs. There will be a choice of four width fittings for both the cushion and backrest of the leather trimmed multi-adjustable Sparco seats. The position of the accelerator and brake pedals can be adjusted fore and aft – and sideways to accommodate drivers who prefer to use left-foot braking.

Specifications

Engine Type: V8 Displacement cu in (cc): 263 (4308) Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 490(360) / 8500 Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 343(465) / 5250 Redline at RPM: n.a. Brakes & Tires Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc Tires F-R: 285/35 ZR19 - 335/35 ZR19 Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive Exterior Dimensions & Weight Length × Width × Height in: 176.6 × 75.7 × 47.8 Weight lb (kg): 3196 (1450) Performance Acceleration 0-62 mph s: 4.0 Top Speed mph (km/h): >196 (>315) Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): 11/16 (n.a.)

The 360 Modena Successor: Ferrari F430

The F430 signals the arrival of a brand new generation of V8-engined Ferrari berlinettas. Every inch of the car was inspired by the engineering research carried out at Ferrari’s Gestione Sportiva F1 racing division. The result is a highly innovative design, characterized by cutting-edge technologies perfected for use on a road-going car. Two of these innovations are world firsts for production cars: the electronic differential (E-Diff) initially developed by Ferrari for its F1 single-seaters and designed to make the most of the engine’s torque to optimize traction, and the handily placed steering wheel-mounted rotary switch (better known to the Formula 1 drivers as the manettino) which directly controls the integrated systems governing vehicle dynamics. The F430’s light, compact 4308 cc engine is completely new and gives the car its name. It punches out 490 hp and delivers a specific power output of 114 hp/l and 465 Nm of torque. Needless to say, performance is outstanding: acceleration from zero to 62mph (100 km/h) in 4 seconds flat and a maximum speed in excess of 196 mph (315 km/h).

Every area of this latest Prancing Horse car has been influenced by Formula 1. For instance, owners can order a braking system using carbon-ceramic discs which offer superior stopping power and give the driver the satisfying feeling of being in complete control of the vehicle even in the most demanding situations. The F430’s aerodynamics are also highly innovative for a road car: its shape has been honed to generate special flows to increase downforce and improve cooling. Every last component of this new Ferrari has been perfected to deliver outstanding performance and maximum driving pleasure.

Style

The F430’s nose is characterised by two distinctive air intakes that channel air into generously dimensioned radiators to cool the powerful engine. The two intakes are linked at their lower edge by a spoiler that directs the air towards the car’s flat underbody. The F430’s vertically stacked headlights are extremely compact thanks to the use of Bi-xenon technology. Large air vents just ahead of the front wheels channel the air out of the radiators and along the car’s flanks. Generous scoops at the top of the rear wheelarches channel air into the engine. The side view is completed by the new 19" wheels with the 5 twin-spoke layout that combine classic Ferrari design flair with exceptional levels of structural rigidity combined with light weight.

The Enzo Ferrari was the inspiration for much of the rear styling of the new F430. The type and arrangement of the lights are the same with the latter protruding quite prominently from the bodywork. Another similarity is the shape of the air vent for the engine with the chrome Prancing Horse at its centre.

Engine

The F430 is powered by a new 90° V8 featuring Ferrari’s traditionally uncompromising design approach with a flat-plane crank (180° between throws). This is an all-new unit that does not share any components with the 360 Modena’s engine. The improvement in terms of performance, weight and reduction of overall dimensions is the result of applying Ferrari’s wealth of F1 experience to its road cars. Despite a 20% increase in engine displacement (from 3586 cc to 4308 cc), engine weight has grown minimally by just 4 kg, while performance is considerably improved across the board. Torque increases by 25% (343 lb-ft at 5250 rpm, 80% of which is already available at 3500 rpm) and power by 23% (490 bhp at 8500 rpm). The engine is extremely compact with a cylinder spacing of just 104 mm. Similarly, Ferrari’s engineers integrated the sump and main bearings in a single casting which, along with a smaller diameter twin-plate clutch and flywheel, has reduced the engine height between the bottom of the oil sump and the crankshaft to just 130 mm (from 145 mm on the 360 Modena power unit).

E-Diff Electronic Differential

One of the technical features that sets the F430 apart is the E-Diff or electronic differential. This solution has been used for years in F1 single-seaters and has been continuously developed and refined, effectively transferring massive torque levels to the track under extremely high cornering g-forces. The E-Diff is now standard equipment on the F430 - the first time that a production car has been equipped with such a sophisticated system for high-performance roadholding. On the track, the E-Diff guarantees maximum grip out of bends, eliminating wheel spin. On the road it is a formidable technological refinement that improves roadholding. This system is available both on the F1-paddle shift version as well as on the manual gearbox model and consists of three main subsystems:

• a high-pressure hydraulic system, shared with the F1 gearbox (if present);
• a control system consisting of valve, sensors and electronic control unit;
• a mechanical unit housed in the left side of the gearbox.

Transmission and F1 Gearbox

The F430 features a new cast-aluminium transmission casing that houses the gearbox in unit with the electronic differential and bevel type final drive, as well as the engine oil tank. The 6-speed gearbox incorporates multicone synchronizers, while both the 6th gear and the final drive have been lengthened to make the most of the greater power and torque of the new engine. The F430 is available with either the classic Ferrari open-gate manual gearbox or with the F1 paddle shift that Ferrari has continuously developed and refined over recent years for its road-going berlinettas. Thanks to that ongoing development, Ferrari’s F1 gearbox for the F430 is state of the art, introducing a number of important modifications: thanks to inputs from the engineers on the Gestione Sportiva racing side, the F1 gearbox management incorporates a new control strategy which further perfects gearchange speed and smoothness under hard use. Changing gear takes just 150 milliseconds, as measured by the ‘hole’ in acceleration during the change (intended as the overall time from declutching, changing gear to releasing the clutch).

Interior

The F430’s interior has been re-designed for improved driver ergonomics. The instruments are housed in a new binnacle, and this design together with the layout of the dashboard underlines the care that has gone into grouping all the major controls in front of the driver within easy reach. In the driver’s direct line of sight are the rev counter, which features new graphics with a choice of either a red or yellow background and a new metal surround, the digital readout of the gear ratio selected (F1 version) and a multi-******** display. The same uncompromising approach to driver control was the inspiration behind mounting the starter button and manettino on the steering wheel. The wheel itself is new with the upper rim flattened to improve visibility in the straight ahead position, and the horn pushes are integrated into the inner rim where they can be easily actioned. The interior reflects the advanced technology and materials employed in the car’s construction, and can be personalized with carbon-fibre or aluminium inserts. The cockpit is noticeably bigger and the already excellent passenger comfort is subsequently increased thanks to a slimmer central tunnel which houses the gear lever turret on the manual version and the F1 console on the paddle-shift version. There is plenty of space behind the rear seats, with a new electrically operated compartment for oddments storage and catch netting to the rear fire wall. The seats have been redesigned for greater lateral containment and the standard electric seats can be substituted by more sporting items with four-point harnesses to order (depending on markets).