Enter the Ferrari F430. The latest evolution in Ferrari’s line of sport coupes, the F430 is a no-holds barred speed machine, a vehicle which is equally at home on a Formula One race track as it is on the street. Ferrari’s racing heritage is evident in every example of every car to leave their shop, and the F430 is no exception. An upgrade over the Ferrari 360 it replaces, the F430 is powered by a 4.3 liter V8 that produces a scintillating 483 horsepower and 343 lb-ft of torque. The engine revs up to a redline of 8,500 rpm, allowing it to share the same exotic exhaust sound as the race cars upon which is based. In terms of transmission choices, a 6-speed manual transmission is standard equipment, but buyers in the know can opt for a 6-speed F1 sequential transmission that uses the same hardware and software as Ferrari’s Formula One race car. This allows for shifts that occur faster than the blink of an eye, along with excellent engine management when downshifting.
The Ferrari F430 has a top speed of just under 200 miles per hour, making it virtually unbeatable on the highway. Not only that, the coupe can accelerate to 60 miles per hour from a standing start in only 3.5 seconds – shorter than the time it takes to read this sentence. A computer-controlled rear differential helps to keep the vehicle’s prodigious power firmly applied to the pavement, and the suspension system is driver-adjustable. This lets the car be fine tuned to handle the specific situation it will find itself in, with 5 settings ranging from mild to wild. Other features such as the traction control, transmission and throttle response are also configurable.
A true champion stemming from a long line of champions, the Ferrari F430 is a suitable car for anyone finding themselves at the top of the food chain – vampires, human or otherwise.
