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| Maranello's finest |
What I have here are the predecessors of the 458 but they're just more than that. They're just the first steps to become a fan of the Prancing Horse, something to respect Enzo for. First up is the F355 Berlinetta...
F355 Berlinetta
Launched in 1994, the Ferrari 355 was the successor of the 438, continuing the evolution of mid-engined, rear wheel drive V8 Ferraris. Unlike the 348 it replaces, the F355 has its engine capacity increased from 3.4 to 3.5L, generating 380PS of power while mated in either a 6-speed manual or the Formula One style paddle gear shift electrohydraulic manual transmission (in 1997).
The Ferrari F355 has a steel monocoque frame with tubular steel rear sub-frame ith front and rear suspensions using independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs over gas-filled telescopic shock absorbers with electronic control servos and anti-roll bars. Most F355 models, from the Berlinetta, GTS targa top, and the Spider (in 1995) are armed with Pirelli tires, size 225/40ZR 18 in front and 265/40 ZR 18 in the rear.
VERDICT: You don't need to go back in the 1990's to try out the F355 because of its unique characteristics. This Ferrari is all about style and finesse in every corner and in my point of view, driving the F355 feels like playing a classic video game and you wanna know what? It's called Ridge Racer. This guy really looked like the Ridge Racer car and might be best to listen to the Ridge Racer theme song while driving this.
The F355 Berlinetta I've just bought did it in 1:26.001
360 Modena
Launched in 1999 and produced up until 2005, the 360 Modena continues the mid-engined V8 Ferrari evolution and it served as the successor of the F355.
To create the 360's all aluminum space-frame, Ferrari collaborated with Alcoa and as a result, it is 40% stiffer than the 355 and it's 28% lighter despite a 10% increase in overall dimensions. In terms of body design, Pininfarina did the rest of it to make the 360 more attractive and more aerodynamic.
Powering the 360 was its 3.6L V8 engine that generates about 400 bhp (300 kW) of power, does 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds, and top speed of 189 mph (304 km/h).
This model is available as a two-door coupe called the Modena, a convertible model called the 360 Spider, and a high-performance version called the Challenge Stradale. Little known fact that Ferrari made a one-off 360 Barchetta as a wedding present to Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.
In classic Top Gear, Tiff Needell visited Maranello to review the 360 Modena.
In the Supercar World Cup episode of Top Gear Season 2, the Ferrari 360 Modena was one of the competitors as well as the Porsche 996 Turbo, Honda NSX, Chevrolet Corvette C5, Venturi, and a nitrous-powered, stripped-out Jaguar.
VERDICT: As a kid, I admired the 360 Modena's cleverness and finesse and when I tried this one in a video game I remember (think of NFS Hot Pursuit II since 2002), this one's an animal. I just love this kind of Ferrari. I like it more than the F355 or even the 458. Sure, the 458 may be quick but for those who love the blast to the past might consider the 360 as a preferability even by today's standards.
That's a 1:24.337 for the 360 Modena
F430
Following the evolution of Ferrari's mid-engined V8 sportscar since the F355 and the 360, the F430 was launched at the 2004 Paris Motor Show and it was made to be one of the sportiest V8 Ferraris ever made. Prices start at around $186,925 to $217,310 in the United States, £118,500 in the United Kingdom, €175,000 in the European Union and $379,000 for the base model to $450,000 for the Spider F1 in Australia.
Thanks to Frank Stephenson at Pininfarina, the F430's design provides enhanced aerodynamic efficiency while retaining the same drag coefficient of the 360 Modena it replaced.
Powering the F430 was its 4.3L V8 engine derived from the shared Ferrari and Maserati design, generating 490PS of power and 465Nm of torque. This can go 0-100kph in 4 seconds and achieve a top speed of 196 mph (315 km/h).
It is available in coupe, spider, hardcore Scuderia, and the Scuderia Spider 16M.
Jeremy Clarkson reviewed this on Top Gear in coupe and spider variants and when handed to The Stig, it set a lap time of 1:22.9, faster than the Lamborghini Murcielago and the Pagani Zonda.
James May drove a 430 Spider at the Supercars do France episode of Top Gear while Jeremy Clarkson's in the Ford GT and Richard Hammond's in the Pagani Zonda.
It is believed that James May owns a F430 and Jeremy Clarkson borrowed May's F430 for a drag race against its successor, the 458 Italia, after messing it up with some Doritos and some chocolate bars Jeremy ate. With the Stig in the F430, Jeremy and the 458 defeated its predecessor on a quarter mile drag race at the Top Gear Track.
VERDICT: What I like about the F430 was its performance thanks to its 4.3L V8 engine and its aerodynamics because of its Pininfarina credentials. Sadly though, I don't like this car because...well, as Jeremy just said, James May has one...the idiot...Sorry...But still, the F430 is definitely one of the best looking V8 Ferraris ever and that magnificent noise really made no excuses here. Compare the 4.3L V8-powered Ferrari F430 to the 5.0L V10-powered Lamborghini Gallardo and this really is a no holds barred fight. You'll never know which one really cut the mustard but hey, the war between the raging bulls and the prancing horses is still Italy's big topic for the car enthusiasts...
The F430 done it in 1:20.685.