What was intended to be a unique revision of the 1999 360 Modena, the Ferrari F430 Spider ended up being a stand alone art form. Another spotless dream child of Pininfarina’s, The F430 Spider is a sleek, top of the line in a top of the class, registering one of the best reviewed new cars in the V-8 class of sports cars.
Her sleek yet muscular body frame is more than just teasing to the eyes, it was specifically designed using state of the art, knock your socks off, computer assisted imaging programs that are exclusively used by the F-1 team. Not a single detail of performance handling or speed inclination was overlooked, and the results stand high above the rest.
Starting out with what were supposed to be subtle adjustments in refining what was already considered a refined piece of machinery, the subtle was lost as the F430 took on a personality all her own. Her new high finish stainless tailpipes stare down at the competition as her 483 horses and 343 pounds per foot of torque leave her competition staring at her hindquarters.
What seems like a small 20% increase in the Modena’s original 3.6 liters of cubic capacity coupled with the larger displacement rumbling V-8 and the new and improved 4 valve cylinder heads adds up to an additional 91 horses and 67 pounds per foot of torque. For the mathematically challenged like myself that all adds up to a roaring 0-60 in just under 4 seconds and an enhanced top speed of 193 miles per hours. Quite a step 20% can provide.
The Ferrari F430 Spider was ceremoniously unveiled to enthusiasts and critics alike at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, under a cacophony of flash bulbs and of course a sense of breathlessness that matched an undescribed anticipation to get her out on the open highway.
The F430 Spider came with a new and improved wind deflection system, a little reworking provided a functionally revised convertible top, and of course the updated and more-than-ready-to-show-you-what-it’s-all-about instrument binnacle shone like a beacon from inside the vehicle. Tiny details created an obvious statement about the newest member of the Pininfarina family, right down to the embossed driver’s side view mirror shell telling curious onlookers that of course this is an original F430.
With a sleeker central tunnel and electronic differentials that screamed of creative innovation, everything from the basic lines and eye pleasing corners of the car to the traction and handling improvement aimed for all types of roadway conditions oozed out over the Ferrari F430 Spider’s sudden explosion onto the car scene.
Of course, onlookers marveled at the steering wheel mounted well thought out innovative design of the commutator switch allows for quick and easy set up of the car’s adjustment features.
The body shape underwent extensive testing to produce an all out hard to improve upon design that includes such features as a pronounced molder that is handsomely integrated in the engine cover, which is delicately covered in glass, giving it the appearance of a casing just for the heart of the beast. The larger rear intakes pronounce the vehicle’s muscular heart, belying its graceful pose. The rear valance cleverly incorporates a diffuser of high class, state of the art competitive nature. Derived from the best in racing, the 430 Spider is a conglomerate of high tech features that smooth into one easy to handle high test version of Pininfarina’s time tested performance cars. Unlike innumerable replacement models and redesign hot shots, the F430 Spider comes to the floor without redundancy.
At 177.6 inches in length and 75.7 inches wide, the F350 spider came with more punch for its size than all of her predecessors. The spoiler that gracefully meets both intakes handsomely and effectively drives the F430 toward the ground as she picks up speed, proving that functionality doesn’t have to state anything other than beautiful. The intakes themselves are naturally a continuation of the 1961 dream run in the F-1 Championship. Inspired by tradition yet reflecting a modern era of intensity, the effectiveness of these intense designs is a bit overwhelming in their strength and subtlety.
Just like every generation of Ferrari super creations, the F430 Spider has had every detail of performance, style and function considered, perfected, and reconsidered to produce what only the Ferrari name could produce. This $200,000 dream machine is untouchable by most standards but carries her grace just like the rest of the Ferrari family. Critics recently condemned Ferrari for their classical approach to innovative design, encouraging them to step outside the box. What these critics don’t realize is that the classical approach to innovative design is exactly what creates the Ferrari family, and to deviate from it would be blasphemous to the Ferrari principles.
The F430’s grace on the eyes translates equally to grace on the road way. With the sleeker and more aerodynamic suspension, the finely tuned body design, and the attention to every possible functional detail, the F340 glides over the roadway with an ease that is reminiscent to gliding on cloud fringed skylines. A driver can feel his own pulse throb through his chest as he cranks her over for the first time, the pulsing of the engine practically begs for attention. Her desire for heat flash speed can outweigh the driver’s, and in fact can intimidate those who have never felt the power of high class F-1 rumbles underneath their fingertips.
As is true to the Ferrari legacy and good name, with each new unveiling, there will be cars ahead of the F340 that will create an equal stir. But the F340 will fight to be unforgotten, and in fact will readily turn herself into one of those legendary classics that screamed onto the high performance car scene and refused to stop screaming ever since. She will be a perpetual delight and take her rightful place among the queens of the speedway, her pulsating thrum will echo for generations to lust after, learn from, and envy along the way.
