Ferrari F430 - model information

Introduction

The F430 hailed the arrival of a whole new generation of Ferrari V8-engined 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 characterised by cutting-edge technologies perfected for use on a road-going car. Two of these innovations were 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 optimise traction, and the handily placed steering wheel-mounted commutator switch (better known to the Scuderia's drivers as the manettino) which directly controls the integrated systems governing vehicle dynamics. The F430's light, compact 4,308 cc engine is completely new and gives the car its name. It punches out 483 hp and delivers a specific power output of 112 hp/l and 343 lb/ft of torque. Needless to say, performance is outstanding: acceleration from zero to�60 �mph in 4 seconds flat and a maximum speed in excess of 315 km/h.

Design

The F430's shape, created by Pininfarina in collaboration with Ferrari, is inspired by the car's exceptional engineering. Each and every styling cue highlights the aggression and performance of a thoroughbred Ferrari yet respects the functional demands of this kind of car. In design terms, little has been carried over from the outgoing 360 Modena with the result that the new berlinetta has an even stronger personality and more muscular stance.

The F430's nose is characterised by two distinctive air intakes that channel air into generously dimensioned radiators to cool the powerful engine. Their shape draws inspiration from the Ferrari 156 F1 that Phil Hill drove to his F1 World Championship title in 1961. 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. When the lights are on, the unique shape of the side light, which is incorporated into the outer edge of the headlight, emphasises the profile, making the car immediately recognisable even at night. 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 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. Ferrari's meticulous aerodynamic detailing is also reflected in the design of the nolder incorporated in the engine cover and the new rear diffuser integrated into the bumper which boasts race-derived dimensions. The F430's extreme performance capabilities are further underlined by such styling details as the exhausts with stainless steel ball-polished exhaust tailpipes.

Extreme care was also lavished on designing the exterior details. The wing mirrors, for example, have specially profiled twin mounting arms that channel airflow to the engine intakes. The F430 name has also been embossed on the back of the driver's side mirror. Even the finish of the engine bay is a work of art in terms of its distinctive shape and materials. The F430's interior is another area that boasts a truly sporting ambience. Instrument binnacle, dash, a slimmer central tunnel, seats and trim were all areas subject to in-depth studies to improve ergonomics and practicality while underlining the exquisite and unique sensation of being aboard a thoroughbred Ferrari.

Technical Features

The dry sump lubrication system comprises a series of external pumps (thus reducing the overall height of the sump) and a circuit that has been optimised by eliminating the oil radiator and introducing a water/oil heat exchanger mounted inside the engine vee. Three scavenge pumps guarantee that excess oil is drawn out of the bottom of the cylinder block under all driving conditions, creating a strong vacuum around the crankshaft and thus reducing power loss through attrition. The intake manifold features straight inlet tracts to the two central plenums which, in turn, have trumpets individually cast at the top of the tracts for each cylinder to ensure optimum air flow to the cylinder heads. A rotating drum - actuated pneumatically by the engine control unit' compensates for variations in the effective volume inside the two plenums to optimise the intake resonance characteristics and therefore maximise the torque curve throughout the rev range. The performance targets set were achieved also thanks to unrestricted intake and exhaust ducts for optimum gas flow efficiency and the high compression ratio (11.3:1). The painstaking care taken over optimising internal fluid dynamics and combustion efficiency has ensured a high specific power output despite conforming to Euro 4 and LEV2 emissions standards. Engine management is via two electronic Bosch Motronic ME7 control units with twin motorised throttles, single coils and active anti-knocking control throughout the entire rev range.

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.

Torque is continuously distributed between the wheels via two sets of friction discs (one for each driveshaft) controlled by a hydraulic actuator. The amount of torque actually transmitted to the driven wheels depends on driving conditions (accelerator pedal angle, steering angle, yaw acceleration, individual wheel rotation speed) and brings considerable advantages in terms of performance, direction stability, active safety and handling feedback. Again, F1 racing was a vital testbench that enabled Ferrari/'s engineers to develop a highly sophisticated system that perfectly matches the requirements of a road car designed to reach over 196 mph (315 km/h) and generate considerable cornering forces. The electronic differential actively helps reduce Fiorano lap times by 3 seconds compared to the 360 Modena. For the driver, the E-Diff increases handling balance and grip (which noticeably improves acceleration), improves roadholding on the limit and also guarantees even better steering feel.

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).

As well as increasing the speed of changes during hard driving, the new software improves smoothness in the fully automatic mode (actuated by a button on the central tunnel), making the F430 a true all-rounder. At the opposite extreme, the F430's Launch Control (not available in North America) gives maximum performance away from a standing start with suitable road conditions (for example, on the track). The shift paddles are fixed to the steering column in tried and tested Ferrari tradition (right-hand paddle to change UP and the left to change DOWN) but reverse is now selected by a button on the central tunnel for greater ease of use and the selection time is down by 50 % compared to the 360 Modena.

Just like in Formula 1, the F430 driver can change the set-up of his car using the innovative selector set on the steering wheel. The manettino is a rotary switch that has been adopted directly from racing, where the driver/'s total commitment to driving requires maximum efficiency and speed in controlling the car's various functions. This switch quickly and simply controls the electronics governing suspension settings, the CST stability and traction control, E-Diff and the change speed of the F1 transmission, as well as the integration between each of these individual functions. The position of the manettino is an example of the rationalisation studies that went into the layout of all the controls inside the car.

The manettino enables car settings to be changed to suit the personal preferences of the driver, road surface conditions and available grip. The settings available to the driver have been concentrated in five different strategies.

The F430 features Ferrari's uncompromising forged aluminium, double unequal-length wishbone suspension set-up front and rear with anti-dive and anti-squat geometries. The F430 also introduces new-generation adaptive suspension for the first time on a V8-engined Ferrari to provide the perfect balance between handling and comfort. Two sensors are mounted on the lower front wishbones to read suspension travel, two on the upper shock absorber mounting points to measure body movement, one on a rear shock absorber mounting point to measure roll and yaw, and a last sensor on the steering column to measure steering angle. The control logic adjusts the shock absorbers' damping characteristics within a certain range based on the settings selected by the driver using the manettino on the steering wheel. The wheels are fitted with 19/'/' rims with 225/35 tyres at the front and 285/35 at the rear. There is also the option of run-flat tyres combined with electronic pressure control. When flat, these tyres can be driven for 70 miles at a maximum speed of 50 mph.

The power steering has a servo that adjusts the degree of assistance on the basis of engine speed. The ratio is very direct at 60 mm/rev and the turning circle is around 11 metres. The braking system of the F430 consists of powerful, all-round vented and cross-drilled cast-iron discs (330mmx32mm) with four-pot callipers and is integrated with all the car's electronic control systems (ABS, CST, EBD). Working in close collaboration with Brembo, Ferrari's engineers have developed a new cast-iron alloy for the discs which includes molybdenum for better energy/heat dissipation. This new alloy provides significantly improved braking performance without increasing the size (and therefore the weight) of the discs. The overall heat-energy index for the F430 under braking from 186 mph is one of the lowest among high performance cars with cast-iron systems. An outstanding alternative is the option of specifying the latest generation system based on carbon-ceramic technology that Ferrari developed for its F1 single-seaters. This technology has already been successfully employed on its road cars, starting with the Enzo Ferrari. Different diameter carbon-ceramic discs are mounted front and rear: 380x34 mm with six-pot callipers at the front, and 350mmx34 mm with four-pot callipers at the rear. The diameters of the hydraulic pistons are differentiated to distribute the pressure exerted on the discs and optimise performance. Pedal travel is constant even under repeated braking, and fade has been eliminated even under hard track use. The adoption of carbon-ceramic discs brings with it a significant increase in longevity the new brakes can in fact easily cover 350 laps at racing speeds on the Fiorano track.

Technical Specification

Engine: Rear, Longitudinal, 90 degree V8
Bore and Stroke: 92x81 mm
Unitary Cubic Capacity: 538.5
Total Cubic Capacity: 4308
Valve Gear: Twin Overhead Camshafts
Number of Valves: Four per Cylinder
Compression Ratio: 11.3:1
Ignition: Bosch Motronic ME7 Electrostatic
Coolant: Water
Lubrication: Dry Sump
Maximum Power: 483 bhp at 8500 rpm
Specific Power: 112.4 bhp/ liter
Transmission: Rear Wheel Drive
Clutch: Single Dry Disc
Gearbox: in Unit with Engine, Six Gears and Reverse, F1 or Manual
Body: Two Seater Coupe
Chassis: Aluminium Space Frame
Front Suspension: Independent, Double Wishbones, Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bar, Gas Dampers
Rear Suspension: Independent, Double Wishbones, Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bar, Gas Dampers
Brakes: Disc
Steering: Rack and Pinion
Fuel Tank: 25 gallons
Front Tires: 225/35 ZR 19
Rear Tires: 285/35 ZR 19
Wheelbase: 102.4 in.
Front Track: 65.7 in.
Rear Track: 63.6 in.
Length: 177.6 in.
Width: 75.7 in.
Height: 47.8 in.
Curb Weight: 3196 lbs
Top Speed: over 196 mph

Interior

The F430's interior features optimum driver ergonomics. The layout of the dashboard and instruments 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 metal surround, the digital readout of the gear ratio selected (F1 version) and a multi-function 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 features a flattened upper rim 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 personalised with carbon-fibre or aluminium inserts. The cockpit is roomy and there is plenty of space behind the rear seats, with an electrically operated compartment for oddments storage and catch netting to the rear fire wall. The seats offer considerable lateral containment and the standard electric seats can be substituted with more sporting items with four-point harnesses to order (depending on markets).

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