Ferrari F430 Review

ON THE ROAD

Performance: The F430’s new 4.3-litre V8 delivers 483bhp and 343lb ft of pulling strength via a six-speed gearbox with either a conventional floor shift or paddles behind the steering wheel. It pulls effortlessly from 2000rpm, but it’s so fast from 4000rpm to the rev limiter at 8500rpm that it seems as if the world has suddenly speeded up.

Ride & handling: This is the first road car with Grand Prix traction aids, notably an electronic differential to inhibit wheelspin. You can adjust how much help it gives, as well as the degree of anti-skid control and suspension firmness, with a switch on the steering wheel. Its grip defies logic, while ride comfort is good.

Refinement: Part of the appeal of a Ferrari is the noise it makes and you hear it in surround sound with the roof down. When cruising, the F430 is quite subdued apart from some wind noise from around the mirrors. However, squeeze the accelerator and the engine gives an audible reference to your rate of progress. The paddle-shift gearbox is the smoothest yet.

OWNERSHIP

Buying & owning: Anyone who can afford an F430 won’t bat an eyelid at the high running costs. The painful bit is the two-to-three-year wait to take delivery. Resale values are hugely dependent upon mileage, which is why many Ferraris aren’t used as often as is good for them, but Spiders are more popular than closed coupes.

Quality & reliability: One of the great improvements at Ferrari in recent years is the quality of cars leaving the factory. The paintwork is superb and the fit and finish is close to the standards of German sports cars. The mechanical bits, especially, are a work of art and they should prove unbreakable as long as they are maintained properly.

Safety & security: Ferrari claims the F430’s structure is so strong that there’s no need to fit side airbags. The electronic safety aids do their job brilliantly so that even 483bhp and a greasy road is not a daunting combination. Deadlocks aren’t fitted but in the UK Ferrari adds a tracking device to help the police locate stolen cars.

IN THE CABIN

Behind the wheel: These days, you can tailor a Ferrari cabin any way you want. You sit well towards the centre in a snug seat but everything is adjustable and the view out is good for a low, wide, mid-engined car. The roof folds electronically into a tiny space between the passenger cell and engine.

Space & practicality: The F430 is a mid-engined two-seater but within the restrictions this configuration imposes, it does a good job. The central tunnel is slim and, even though the seats are mounted well away from the doors, there's good shoulder room. The front boot is quite small but there’s space for more luggage inside the cabin.

Equipment: The basic specification includes leather trim and electronic safety aids but you can personalise the car any way you want. Racing seats and belts, carbon or aluminium dash trim, a red or yellow rev counter and paddle-shift gearchanging are just some options.

source: whatcar