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2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale

Lighter and More Powerful

Chances are you dont see too many Ferrari 360 Modenas trundling around your neighborhood. If you live in a major metropolitan area, you may occasionally catch a glimpse of some lucky sod zipping past, the snarl of a 400-hp 3.9-L V8 letting loose.

If the 360 Modena is rare, then the 360 Challenge Stradale is endangered. The special motorsport prepared edition builds on the production car with the addition of slippery aerodynamic aids and the reduction of weight. The result is a street legal racecar.

The aero aids include front bumper mods that extend the lower fascia below the

The special edition 360 Challenge is lighter and has 50% greater downforce than the standard Modena. (Photo: Ferrari)

air intakes to add load to the front without interrupting airflow to the rear. Balancing things out is an increase in rear height plus new longitudinal fins. Overall the improvements increase the Stradales downforce by 50 percent, assisted by an overall reduction in height via suspension tweaks. The modifications make the ride more rigid than the regular

To reduce the weight by 243 pounds, key body parts of the 360 Challenge were replaced with light weight materials. The new carbon-ceramic brakes improve stopping power and weigh 16% less than the stock ones. (Photo: Ferrari)

360, improving performance on smooth surfaces, like racetracks, especially.

To reduce weight, by a significant 243 pounds, Ferrari replaced key body, chassis and suspension components with carbon fiber, aluminum and titanium. Specifically the carbon-ceramic brakes, measuring 15.0-inches in diameter and 1.3-inches in thickness at the front and 13.8 in-inches in diameter with the same thickness at the rear, that incidentally incorporate

With a firm focus on the art of driving, the 360 Challenge interior is stripped down to only the most necessary parts which are remade out of lighter materials. (Photo: Ferrari)

6-piston calipers up front with 4-piston calipers at back, improve stopping distances by 15 percent while weighing 16 percent less than the conventional brakes on the stock Modena.

Similar in philosophy to the late, great F40 the Stradale cuts out the fat and leaves only the components essential to the art of driving. Even carpeting has been removed, while lightweight carbon-fiber sport seats replace the standard 360 buckets. Optional 3 or 4-point racing harnesses can be fitted as well.

The instrument package is made of carbon fiber as well, incorporating unique yellow on black gauges that are reportedly easier

The most powerful V8 Ferrari has ever offered, the 3.6-L Stradale engine produces 425-hp at 8,500 rpm. (Photo: Ferrari)

to make out in poor lighting conditions. Framing the dials is an F1 inspired steering wheel, complete with a flattened top section and standard paddle-shift actuators.

Carbon fiber is also the material of choice for door panel construction. The Stradales center tunnel, also made of the high-tech composite, incorporates the ignition button, reverse gear switch, dynamic vehicle settings - that include race, launch control and an ASR delete switch). The optional roll bar was developed for an owner wanting to race his Challenge Stradale on the weekend, said to be 40 percent lighter than a conventional roll bar.

The 360 Modena doesnt rely on sheer displacement to make power, but rather its 3.6-L V8 is diminutive compared to American iron, but produces 425-hp at 8,500 rpm in Stradale guise,

Lighter with more horsepower, the Challenge Stradale has been stripped down to perfection - shown here in competition trim. (Photo: Ferrari)

25-hp more than the standard car. Its 118.5 brake horsepower per liter makes it the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 Ferrari has ever offered.

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