2003 Ferrari 360

Review

Lighter and More Powerful

Chances are you dont see too many Ferrari 360 Modenas trundling around your neighborhood. If you live in a major metropolitan area, you may occasionally catch a glimpse of some lucky sod zipping past, the snarl of a 400-hp 3.9-L V8 letting loose.

If the 360 Modena is rare, then the 360 Challenge Stradale is endangered. The special motorsport prepared edition builds on the production car with the addition of slippery aerodynamic aids and the reduction of weight. The result is a street legal racecar.

The aero aids include front bumper mods that extend the lower fascia below the air intakes to add load to the front without interrupting airflow to the rear. Balancing things out is an increase in rear height plus new longitudinal fins. Overall the improvements increase the Stradales downforce by 50 percent, assisted by an overall reduction in height via suspension tweaks. The modifications make the ride more rigid than the regular 360, improving performance on smooth surfaces, like racetracks, especially.

To reduce weight, by a significant 243 pounds, Ferrari replaced key body, chassis and suspension components with carbon fiber, aluminum and titanium. Specifically the carbon-ceramic brakes, measuring 15.0-inches in diameter and 1.3-inches in thickness at the front and 13.8 in-inches in diameter with the same thickness at the rear, that incidentally incorporate 6-piston calipers up front with 4-piston calipers at back, improve stopping distances by 15 percent while weighing 16 percent less than the conventional brakes on the stock Modena.

Similar in philosophy to the late, great F40 the Stradale cuts out the fat and leaves only the components essential to the art of driving. Even carpeting has been removed, while lightweight carbon-fiber sport seats replace the standard 360 buckets. Optional 3 or 4-point racing harnesses can be fitted as well.

The instrument package is made of carbon fiber as well, incorporating unique yellow on black gauges that are reportedly easier to make out in poor lighting conditions. Framing the dials is an F1 inspired steering wheel, complete with a flattened top section and standard paddle-shift actuators.

Carbon fiber is also the material of choice for door panel construction. The Stradales center tunnel, also made of the high-tech composite, incorporates the ignition button, reverse gear switch, dynamic vehicle settings - that include race, launch control and an ASR delete switch). The optional roll bar was developed for an owner wanting to race his Challenge Stradale on the weekend, said to be 40 percent lighter than a conventional roll bar.

The 360 Modena doesnt rely on sheer displacement to make power, but rather its 3.6-L V8 is diminutive compared to American iron, but produces 425-hp at 8,500 rpm in Stradale guise, 25-hp more than the standard car. Its 118.5 brake horsepower per liter makes it the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 Ferrari has ever offered.

And how does that power translate into acceleration? From 0 to 60 mph takes only 4.0 seconds, while only 13.9 seconds is required for 124 mph (400 m). The quarter mile takes a mere 12.1 seconds while 0.62 miles (1000 m) arrive at 22.0 seconds. Quick enough?

With power must come control, in this case managed on the Stradale by specially developed 19-inch Pirelli P Zero Corsa performance tires, each wrapped around a gorgeous 14-spoke alloy rim - exclusive to the limited edition Ferrari.

In the end the Challenge Stradale embodies the less is more philosophy close to perfection. Theres no secret formula, no hidden agenda, its as simple as losing weight and upping performance, a win-win proposition. And winning is something the prancing horse team is familiar with.