2003, Challenge Stradale (Elite, diecast)
The Challenge Stradale was developed to flank the 360 Modena and 360 Spider with the clear aim of providing drivers with the kind of performance that only a race-ready car designed for road use could deliver. The marque engineers’ experience in the international Ferrari Trofeo Pirelli Challenge and GT competitions meant that they were able to develop a plethora of solutions that made the Challenge Stradale truly unique. This close link to the track was clear not only in the drastic reduction in the car’s weight but also in major modifications to its engine, aerodynamics, set-up, brakes and F1 gearbox. Weight reduction work ensured that the Challenge Stradale was 110 kg 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, in fact, directly derived from the 360 Modena. That said, the technicians had removed anything that wasn’t strictly functional to performance or safety, resulting in a brilliantly light and fast berlinetta with a very definite racing set-up. To achieve that drastic weight reduction, the technicians worked on three overlapping areas: materials, construction technologies and overall optimisation of the design.
The main material used in the Challenge Stradale’s construction was aluminium, which has a specific weight a third of that of steel. It was used for details of both chassis and bodywork. Other new materials were also introduced: titanium, already employed for the con rods, went into the suspension, while carbon-fibre, a direct transfer from F1, was used for structural elements and the exterior and interior trim.
auto.ferrari.com