Incredible performance figures
In January 2005, Road & Track magazine tested a F430 at Fiorano, Ferrari's home test track. It recorded some astonishing figures: 0-60 mph took 3.5 seconds, 0-100 mph took 8.1 seconds. That's 0.45 sec and 1.1 sec respectively quicker than the official claim. That arouse my su****ion immediately. I remember Autocar once recorded a 360 Modena taking only 8.8 seconds to 100 mph, while other magazines found more than 10 seconds. The British magazine therefore suspected Ferrari provided a specially prepared test car.
In the same month, Car And Driver also tested the F430 at Fiorano. The figures are even slightly faster - 3.5 seconds and 7.9 seconds respectively. Car And Driver said their test car was not the same one as that tested by a "rival magazine" but the result was similar. It also revealed that both magazines tested the car at Fiorano's slightly downhill straight runway and not allowed to go in reverse direction. This may account for a few tenths for 0-100 mph, but cannot explain the big difference from the official figures.
Later, Italian magazine Quattroroute recorded similar figures again (3.55 sec for 0-60 and 8.1 sec for 0-100). Even the usually slow Motor Trend measured 3.7 sec and 8.3 sec respectively. It seems the F430 is really that fast !
In fact, the data reveals why it is so quick out of the blocks: its launch control (I think not available for US though!!) gives it a lot of advantage in standstill acceleration, eliminating initial wheelspin and optimize the rev at which gearchange is made. Take the Motor Trend's data for example:
Ford GT F430
0-30 mph 1.7 sec 1.3 sec
0-40 mph 2.4 sec 1.9 sec
0-50 mph 3.0 sec 2.9 sec
0-60 mph 3.6 sec 3.7 sec
0-70 mph 4.5 sec 4.5 sec
0-80 mph 5.4 sec 5.7 sec :thumbsup
0-90 mph 6.3 sec 6.8 sec :thumbsup
0-100 mph 7.8 sec 8.3 sec :banana
You can see F430 launched to 30 mph in an eye-popping 1.3 sec, quicker than Ford GT by 0.4 second. Once overcame the wheelspin, Ford GT used its power and torque advantage to strike back, levelling the Ferrari at 50 mph and pulling away from 80 mph. To the Ferrari, rolling acceleration from 50-100 mph is every bit reasonable for its power-to-weight ratio (which is lower than Ford GT's).
The main contributor to its astonishing acceleration is the super-responsive initial launch, which you don't have available in US territory destined cars... :frown
I thought this would be interesting. Any other comparisons available, e.g vs Corvette Z06 yet ?
In January 2005, Road & Track magazine tested a F430 at Fiorano, Ferrari's home test track. It recorded some astonishing figures: 0-60 mph took 3.5 seconds, 0-100 mph took 8.1 seconds. That's 0.45 sec and 1.1 sec respectively quicker than the official claim. That arouse my su****ion immediately. I remember Autocar once recorded a 360 Modena taking only 8.8 seconds to 100 mph, while other magazines found more than 10 seconds. The British magazine therefore suspected Ferrari provided a specially prepared test car.
In the same month, Car And Driver also tested the F430 at Fiorano. The figures are even slightly faster - 3.5 seconds and 7.9 seconds respectively. Car And Driver said their test car was not the same one as that tested by a "rival magazine" but the result was similar. It also revealed that both magazines tested the car at Fiorano's slightly downhill straight runway and not allowed to go in reverse direction. This may account for a few tenths for 0-100 mph, but cannot explain the big difference from the official figures.
Later, Italian magazine Quattroroute recorded similar figures again (3.55 sec for 0-60 and 8.1 sec for 0-100). Even the usually slow Motor Trend measured 3.7 sec and 8.3 sec respectively. It seems the F430 is really that fast !
In fact, the data reveals why it is so quick out of the blocks: its launch control (I think not available for US though!!) gives it a lot of advantage in standstill acceleration, eliminating initial wheelspin and optimize the rev at which gearchange is made. Take the Motor Trend's data for example:
Ford GT F430
0-30 mph 1.7 sec 1.3 sec
0-40 mph 2.4 sec 1.9 sec
0-50 mph 3.0 sec 2.9 sec
0-60 mph 3.6 sec 3.7 sec
0-70 mph 4.5 sec 4.5 sec
0-80 mph 5.4 sec 5.7 sec :thumbsup
0-90 mph 6.3 sec 6.8 sec :thumbsup
0-100 mph 7.8 sec 8.3 sec :banana
You can see F430 launched to 30 mph in an eye-popping 1.3 sec, quicker than Ford GT by 0.4 second. Once overcame the wheelspin, Ford GT used its power and torque advantage to strike back, levelling the Ferrari at 50 mph and pulling away from 80 mph. To the Ferrari, rolling acceleration from 50-100 mph is every bit reasonable for its power-to-weight ratio (which is lower than Ford GT's).
The main contributor to its astonishing acceleration is the super-responsive initial launch, which you don't have available in US territory destined cars... :frown
I thought this would be interesting. Any other comparisons available, e.g vs Corvette Z06 yet ?
