Ferrari 360 CHALLENGE STRADALE
Believe It Or Not, There Exist Those Who Feel That Ferraris 360 Modena Is A Little Soft. The 360 Challenge Stradale Offers A Deafening, Battering, Teeth Shattering Riposte. Andy Enright Reports
Ferrari have released data showing that the average Ferrari driver spends ten per cent of their time on race tracks. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that ten per cent of their cars mileage is devoted to track use, but when I tried the 360 Challenge Stradale at a windswept Silverstone, I could confirm these figures. Ten per cent of my time was spent on track, the other ninety per cent involved summoning a
Land Rover to drag the beached Ferrari from the Luffield corners deepest gravel trap. For some time, serious customers have clamoured for a Ferrari that bites back.
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This is it.
Effectively a road legal version of the
Ferrari 360 Challenge race car (Stradale means road compatible in Ferrari-speak) and weighing in at a hefty £133,025, the Challenge Stradale is a lightened, toughened, lower and faster version of the 360 Modena for which Ferrari will expect an additional £30,000 or so. A huge 110kg has been shaved from the Modenas performance on the scales, most of it through the use of lightweight body panels and glazing, but a few kilos have also been shaved from the braking system and the even the engine. Despite this, the Challenge Stradale doesnt feature the sort of stripped-out interior that had Ferrari F40 owners pulling a wire to open the doors. The leather trim, air conditioning, electric windows and suede-covered dashboard are all still included, although there is no stereo.
With an engine as loud as the Challenge Stradales, youd need at least 100kg worth of amplifiers before any stereo system had a chance. The engine noise is an all-pervasive accompaniment. Twist the key and you get the usual furtive whine of the starter motor before the engine explodes into life with the sort of riotous, fruity bark that you thought European bureaucrats had legislated out of existence years ago. This normally aspirated 3.
5-litre engine has been teased out to give a
Porsche 911 Turbo-matching 420bhp and the Challenge Stradale holds the distinction of being the most powerful production Ferrari V8 ever produced that did without a turbocharger.
"The engine explodes into life with the sort of riotous, fruity bark that you thought European bureaucrats had legislated out of existence years ago."
The bucket seats can be specified in one of three sizes and Im acutely aware that my long and involved relationships with the product range of Colonel Harland Sanders may have both done for my chances of fitting into the medium berths fitted to our test car. Constructed from finely weaved carbon fibre and trimmed with leather, the seats give plenty of support. The carbon theme continues on the centre console where the buttons for Sport and Race modes and the Launch Control system live. Theres a conspicuous absence of gearstick, the Challenge Stradale being offered solely with the F1 sequential paddle shift transmission.
The most uncanny thing about the Challenge Stradale more so even than the astonishing soundtrack is the cars poise. True, a Formula One racetrack isnt the most detailed inquisition into how a car rides on a typical British B-road, but its the Stradales home turf and the results are impressive. Barrelling into Stowe corner at the end of the Hangar Straight sees the speedometer topping 160mph but a hefty stamp on the carbon-ceramic brakes sheds speed with eye watering efficiency. Too efficient in fact.
Making a mental note to brake later is one thing, actually having faith in the car as it sails past what every instinct screams is the final possible braking point is quite another. Even when the car is loaded up on the brutally effective stoppers, theres not the ponderous dive at the front you get from many supercars. The Challenge Stradale brakes flat, corners flat and then accelerates flat with a genuine absence of dive, roll and squat. Much of this is due to the titanium springs and the beefier rear anti-roll bar plus the extra 50 per cent downforce afforded by the deeper front spoiler, re-sculpted sills and smooth undertray.
Despite this implacable poise, the car signals its intentions when it reaches the limits so clearly that only a ham-fisted idiot will be caught out. At least thats the theory. In reality, it has quite the opposite effect. You begin to have such faith in the car and such a malformed appraisal of your own skills as you slide the Stradale about that eventually your ego will swell, dwarfing the available talent pool and youll make an excursion into the scenery.
This is not a cosseting boulevardier laden with safety net electronics. This is the real thing and deserves a little respect. The options list gives some indication of the cars intent, featuring items such as a roll cage, three or four point racing harnesses, racing stripes (£3,643 if youre interested) and even sliding Perspex side windows to trim the weight still further. A lot of attention to detail has been lavished on the Challenge Stradale.
The racing style squashed-top steering wheel features lengthened shift paddles for easier upchanges when exiting tight corners all crossed up. Mats and carpets have been junked to cut weight and to punch up the enveloping noise levels. The tyres are Pirelli P Zero Corsas: this super-low profile tyre adopted specifically for the Challenge Stradale measures 225/35 at the front and 285/35 at the rear and is fitted on 19" Challenge-style wheels secured by titanium bolts. Despite its high-tech approach, the philosophy of the 360 Challenge Stradale is a throwback to illustrious Ferraris of yesteryear. It follows in the tyre tracks of cars like the 166 or 250 GT and, somewhat later, the GTO or F40. With cars like these, gentleman customer-drivers like Chinetti, Marzotto, Gregory and Guichet won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 12 Hours of Reims and the Mille Miglia and drove to victory in international championships.
The Challenge Stradale may have some hallowed forebears but its a car thats a credit to its lineage. Ferrari is a marque defined by competition. The Challenge Stradale never tires of reminding you of that fact. Forcefully.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale
PRICES: £133,025 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 20
CO2 EMISSIONS: 440g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 3.9s / Max Speed 186mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (average) 16mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags/ ABS/ ASR
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4477/2050/1214
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