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2008 Ferrari F430

The 2008 Ferrari F430 Challenge Stradale is a high-performance F430 derived from Ferrari's F430 Challenge series racecar. Compared to the standard F430 coupe, the Stradale features a more aggressive suspension, revised transmission, carbon-fiber interior trim and lightweight wheels — all of which are designed to give the Stradale a harder edge than the standard F430 coupe. According to our spies, the F430 Challenge Stradale will get a 30-horsepower boost over the standard model. This would be different from the race setup, as the official Challenge Series racecars use the same 483-hp V8 as the standard coupe. Regardless of its horsepower rating, we expect the street car to get the same F1 semiautomatic gearbox as its track-ready cousin. With quicker shifts and taller gears, the revised gearbox is specifically tailored for high-speed running. The F430 Challenge car rids itself of the stock F430's adjustable suspension in favor of a more one-dimensional track setup. It also uses a mechanical limited-slip rear differential instead of an electronic E-diff. We can't tell from the pictures if the Stradale will do the same, but new safety regulations restrict it from running with the same Lexan windows as the race version. It does look as though the Stradale will get a set of lightweight magnesium wheels, although they'll use a street-legal five-lug design in place of the Challenge car's center-lug race setup. One piece of hardware the two cars will share is a high-mounted exhaust, and from the looks of the measuring equipment attached it pushes the limits of legality. The F430 Stradale will also get a stripped-down interior. Carbon-fiber door panels can be seen on this prototype and previous Challenge Stradales have done without radios — or any other luxuries for that matter. More heavily bolstered sport seats are also fitted as standard.