What is it?

Only the car that caused the biggest commotion at the Frankfurt show. We've known about the 430 Scuderia for a while, and it was on display all day at the Frankfurt event before being officially 'unveiled' at Ferrari's press conference. Not to take away from the car itself - which promises to be absolutely phenomenal - but the vast crowds of journalists and photographers on the Ferrari stand were there to see a certain Mr Schumacher introduce the new car. Basically it's a lighter, faster and more focussed F430.

So much faster and sharper that Ferrari claims it goes around its Fiorano test track in a time comparable to the Enzo's. Oh my...

How is it different?

Outwardly, if you ignore the stripe over the bonnet and roof there's little to distinguish the Scuderia from the standard F430. But take a closer look at the details. The exhausts have been raised as part of the extensive under-body aero tweaks, and there are more serious carbon-ceramic brakes hiding behind the 19-inch alloy wheels. Very little hasn't been tweaked, lightened or enhanced, ensuring the Scuderia offers a proper racecar-for-the-road feel.

Obviously the revisions include the engine and transmission. The engine now develops 510bhp, allowing the Scuderia to reach 62mph in just 3.6 seconds.

Engine modifications include revised inlet ducts, a special ignition system derived from the FXX and new pistons. All these components not only provide a more responsive and more powerful engine, but enhance its aural appeal, too. Controlling the noise, and the gearshifts, is an enhanced F1-Superfast2 gearbox. It shifts in just 60 milliseconds, which is 40 quicker than the already lightning-quick 599.

Transmitting all that power to the road is a new E-Diff with the 599's F1-Trac; integrated, these two developments allow the Scuderia 40% more acceleration out of corners than traditional traction and stability systems. They're controlled by a 'Racing Manettino', which for the first time allows separate suspension adjustment from the traction and stability systems. All in, it promises to be a quite sensational driving experience.

Who's going to buy it?

Anyone who has got the means to. V8 Ferrari customers like to have the latest model when they can, so Ferrari will have absolutely no trouble selling its new Scuderia. There's already a list of eager customers, and there's no doubt a good number of people who will pay over the odds to get their hands on one of the early cars. Like its 360 Challenge Stradale predecessor the Scuderia is likely to appeal to the sort of Ferrari drivers who really relish the driving of their Ferraris rather than merely the obvious pose value.

As such expect the Scuderia to go down particularly well with wealthy track day attendees. So expect to see a few in the Nurburgring car parks and around the track itself dicing with Porsche 911 GT3 RSs.

When are they going to make it?

The Scuderia is already rolling out of the factory in Maranello. We'll be driving it in the next few weeks to give you our verdict, and customers will be getting their hands on cars soon after. Expect a bun-fight for the first cars to arrive here, particularly as the Scuderia has been so long in arriving. It promises to be worth the wait though, and the extra money that it'll cost over the standard car.

More pictures

Latest Videos