Ferrari F430 F1 Coupe Road Test Report

Performance

With a quad cam 4,308cc V8 punching out 490bhp at 8,500rpm, and with a paddle-shift 6-speed sequential gearbox that can change gear in 0.15 of a second, the 430 F1 can do the 0-62 dash in 4 seconds dead and then scream all the way up to “over 196mph” if you can find the road, and the conditions to do it. Despite its massive performance, the 430 can also trickle about in town easily enough – in auto mode if you like – but faced with an open road it’s very hard to resist letting the free-revving V8 strut its stuff, accompanied of course by the one of most intoxicating soundtracks in cardom.

Ride & Handling

The fundamentals are all there, in abundance. The lightweight, ultra rigid all-aluminium chassis and body houses the motor amidships, while double-wishbone suspension, 19-inch road-roller tyres, giant Brembo brakes (carbon ceramic if you wish) and state-of-the-art aerodynamics all contribute toward making the 430 drive like a racer on the road with pin-sharp steering, impeccable manners and almost limitless grip. Additionally there are systems such as launch control, the electronically-controlled E-Diff differential and the wheel-mounted ‘manettino’ switch which can alter all sorts of chassis, gearbox and engine settings depending on your driving style. Okay, so the fidgety ride can never be described as plush, but you’ll suffer with a smile.

Build Quality & Reliability

Although certain manufacturing and assembly jobs are still done by skilled hand, engine assembly being one example, these days Ferraris are almost entirely made from parts made by hyper precise computer-controlled machines. This is why the doors shut with a reassuring thunk and nothing rattles or squeaks – and when you’re paying this sort of money, you expect nothing less. The 360 Modena was the first road Ferrari with a paddle shift gearchange and its automatic clutch could soon become hot and bothered. This problem was addressed and is solved on the F430.

Safety & Security

The Euro NCAP organisation hasn’t got its mitts on a 430 to crash test, so there are no star ratings to report. Driver and passenger airbags come as standard, as do seatbelt pretensioners, remote central locking and other high-end security systems. The 430’s central cabin structure does not absorb impact energy, that’s left to the front and rear crumple zones, but it is rigid enough to resist intrusion and rolling over. The 430’s doors are so strong that in Ferrari’s own crash tests the results were “so good that side airbags were deemed unnecessary”.

Space & Practicality

Obviously not the F430’s strongest point – this is after all a two-seater supercar – but assuming you don’t need to take the kitchen sink then you should manage okay. Soft bags (or fitted leather luggage) for two can be stowed in the nose section’s 250-litre boot, and if you anything longer but not too bulky then that can go on the flat floor between the bulkhead and the two front seats. There’s also a glovebox and a handy bin between the two front seats for a mobile phone or two. Anything else would have to go in the passenger’s footwell. Practicality aside, the full leather interior is so gorgeous that just sitting in a 430 while stationary is an unforgettable pleasure.

Ownership & Value

The 430’s current basic list price is £135,685 otr, although it wouldn’t be hard to find a previously cherished, low mileage example for substantially less. The combined mpg figure is 18.6 (manual or F1) with CO2 emissions at a lofty 345g/km (manual or F1). Unsurprisingly, insurance is group 20, but on the likely assumption that 430 owners can afford such things then such trivial expenditure shouldn’t affect an otherwise sublime ownership experience. The 430 is not exactly relaxing on a long distance trip, but for a high-speed blast it’s unbeatable.