How the venue of speed starts...
In the sports car world, we can’t deny that the most iconic exotic
car is the Ferrari. The previous article talked about the German invention, BMW
i8. It soon will be available!!! In this article, I will go back in time to the
beginning of my obsession in sport cars. I believe everyone has dreamt to own
one of these wheels; just a look of it can stun you for a while. Why do these
gorgeous cars have so much power of attraction to me? Why are they so
expensive?
First let’s go back to my story how I start to love sport cars. When I was a kid, I got the model car of Ferrari 1984 Testarossa to play with. The bright flaming red color was so extravagance for kids. After my first hand-on experience with Ferrari as a model car, my dream comes true!!! In 2008, I have the first experience with the real Ferrari by one of my patrons who is extremely generous. Even though, it was not the 1984 Testarossa that I admired, but the Ferrari F430 SPIDER can stop my heart.
First let’s go back to my story how I start to love sport cars. When I was a kid, I got the model car of Ferrari 1984 Testarossa to play with. The bright flaming red color was so extravagance for kids. After my first hand-on experience with Ferrari as a model car, my dream comes true!!! In 2008, I have the first experience with the real Ferrari by one of my patrons who is extremely generous. Even though, it was not the 1984 Testarossa that I admired, but the Ferrari F430 SPIDER can stop my heart.
First debut of F430 SPIDER at Geneva Motor Show 2005
Ferrari F430 SPIDER is the latest model that has been added to the V-8 engine car. In the Geneva Motor Show (March 2005), the Prancing Horse made the press impressed with Italian innovation once again. This F430 carries the technologies of Formula 1 inside the hood. Traction control is more powerful than before with the technology that is developed by Scuderia division or the Formula 1 racing team. The wheel of the Spider has been added with commutator switch or known to F1 racing division as manettino, which promotes the car’s set up adjusting rate to be faster.
Picture from private collection shows the interior
with commutator switch (Manettino)
The design of the Spider’s body is not just for attraction, but it serves as the aerodynamics promoter as it directs the central air flow towards the flat underbody. With bigger rear intakes that connect to the front radiator, the engine produces more stances. The designer Pininfarina also put this engine under the glass cover to show off the mechanism inside the engine bay.
Picture from private collection shows the rear intakes
The engine bay of F430 SPIDER
With the Formula 1 gear box in the Spider, the 4,308cc V8 engine produces 490 hp, which can push the car to a top speed of over 310 km/hr. With F-1 gearbox, the Spider can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 4.1 seconds (ferrari.com) because of gear shifting times down to 150 milliseconds. According to the official Ferrari, this lightweight and highly compact power unit produces a specific output of 114 hp per litre with a weight-to-power ratio of 2.9 kg (6.4 lbs) per horsepower.
This car was debuted with the price range from $186,925 to $217,318 in the United States. It offers the default brake with carbon-ceramic disc co-developed with Brembo and Bosch. Moreover, the engine has been decreased in size to compact into the engine bay.
The Spider that changes everything...
Exotic car is like a fine art, that people willing to pay the price to appreciate it. Ferrari becomes the masterpiece that make track performance car available to the everyday road. It’s all about the story of the making, design, and performance of the car that can make people around the world fall for this Italian Innovation.