Have you heard of the Ferrari Challenge Championship one make, one model race series for its fans? Ferrari’s 360 Challenge are factory produced race versions of the 360 Modena with FIA approval. Its engine is rated conservatively at 400 bhp as is the 360 Modena. However, the Challenge weighs only 1,160 kg compared to the Modena’s 1,290 kg. Ferrari has also come up with the 360 GT for the FIA GT Championships – a more extreme version – which is rated at 430 bhp and weighs only 1,100 kg. However, compared to Porsche GT and the soon-to-be-launched Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari’s Challenge and the 360 GT are not for sale to the general public. Thus, the Stradale is a street version of the combined technology of the 360 Challenge, 360 GT and F1. ‘Stradale’ means ‘street’ or ‘road’ in Italian. It is a dream come true for Ferrari customers.
The Stradale weighs 1,180 kg, just a little more than the Challenge cars, while its 3.6 litre V8 develops 25 bhp more than the standard car. The car accelerates and brakes like a dream due to its lighter mass. Car owners can choose between luxurious leather-wrapped seats and electric wind-up windows, or the extreme variant with race seats and Lexan sliding windows. It comes with standard air-conditioning, air bags and a stereo system. The Stradale is selling fast; despite its elitist and specialist features, some 400 Stradale units have been purchased and orders have been made well into next year.
If living the Ferrari dream is your mission, the 360 Stradale Challenge is an invitation you cannot refuse.
Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale
Engine capacity: 3586 cc
Cylinder layout: V8 90 degree
Valves: 5-valve heads; 40 valves DOHC perbank
Bore x stroke: 85 x 79 mm
Compression ratio: 11.2:1
Maximum power: 425 bhp at 8500 rpm
Maximum torque: 373 Nm at 4750 rpm
Transmission type: 6-speed F-1 electro-hydraulic control
Driven wheels: Rear
Top speed: 300 km/h
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h – 4.1 seconds
Suspension: Double wishbones (forged aluminium) front, double wishbones (forged aluminium) rear
Brakes: Front 380 mm carbon ceramic discs, rear 350 mm carbon ceramic discs
Tyres: Pirelli P-Zero Corsa (ront 225/35 ZR 19, rear 285/35 ZR 19)
Safety: ABS, 2 airbags and ASR traction control
Measurement: Length 4477 mm, width 1922 mm, height 1199 mm, wheelbase 2600 mm, dry weight 1180 kg, turning circle 10.8 m