360 Modena Challenge (Italy, 1999)

In 2003 Ferrari launched the 360 Challenge Stradale to join the 360 Modena and 360 Spider range. The goal was to offer a model that could provide racing performances in a road car. The car was developed with the help of all the experience collected in the Ferrari Challenge International Championships and the FIA GT races.

In this close connection with the track Ferrari engineers made drastic effort in reducing the car’s weight. It also made major modifications to its engine, aerodynamics, set-up, brakes and F1 gearbox. Thanks the work made on weight reduction, the Challenge Stradale was 110kg lighter than the 360 Modena. This fact, combined with its V8’s higher maximum power output, boosted its performance still further.

The Challenge Stradale was directly derived from the 360 Modena. Technicians worked on it to remove anything that wasn’t strictly functional to performance or safety in order to create a light and fast berlinetta with a racing set-up. Ferrari staff cut weight on materials, construction technologies and overall optimisation of the design.

The aerodynamic concepts featured in the 360 Modena received a further push in the Challenge Stradale. The new car featured a stiffer, lower racing set-up and specific solutions that increased downforce by 50% compared to the 360 Modena. Aerodynamic was revised to the very last detail, right down to the carbon-fibre rear view mirrors which derived from the 360 GT and the 19” Challenge wheels.

The Challenge Stradale had a 90° V8 mid engine mounted longitudinally behind the cabin and in unit with the gearbox and differential. Its maximum power was boosted to 425hp at 8.500 rpm.