Ferrari 430 Modena Takes Shape

The current Ferrari 360 Modena packed a 3.6-litre V8 outputting 295kW of power, yet it's successor will generate even more power.

When the 360 Modena arrived in 1999, there were far fewer supercars than there are today, and the increased competition has driven Ferrari to up the ante considerably.

The new Ferrari 430 Modena is being designed to take on cars like the V10-powered Lamborghini Gallardo, and will output somewhere in the vicinity of 350kW+ (475bhp).

Originally the new mainstream Ferrari - if you can call it that - was to be a refreshed 360 Modena, and nothing more.

But the new Lamborghini Gallardo sent Ferrari back to the drawing board.

Expected to be powered by a new 4.3-litre V8 (which our regular readers will note a de-tuned version is also being shoehorned into the new Maserati Coupe Cabriolet), the new engine is perhaps more intriguing than the new styling.

For starters, the all-new mid-mounted Ferrari powerplant is expected to make use of a lighter internals and a flat plane crankshaft among other things to help reduce reciprocating mass.

This means it will be able to rev higher (or have a higher rev ceiling), and the the higher an engine revs, the more power it can generate. More revs = more power.

Just look at any modern Japanese motorbike, like the 2004 R1. They rev to about 15,000rpm and Yamaha's bike in particular makes 180bhp/134kW from just 1.0-litre or 998cc of displacement.

Some sources are quoting a 9000rpm redline for the new 4.3-litre engine, which would be quite incredible for an 8-cylinder mill displacing upwards of 4,000cc.

A new air induction system has also been hinted at, which would make sense as you can see from the spy shots that the air intakes above the rear wheel arches are more exaggerated and bigger than in the 360 Modena.

When the next generation Modena launches, it is expected to do so with a 20-odd kilowatt power deficit compared to its main rival, the 306km/h Lamborghini Gallardo, but the Ferrari whitecoats are likely to shed as much weight as possible from the new car.

This will not only ensure that the 4.3-litre Ferrari brakes and handles like a Prancing Horse should, but that it accelerates just as quickly - if not quicker - than its 5.0-litre, 368kW Lambo rival.

The current 360 Modena has a 5-valve engine design, which is expected to continue with its 2005/2006 replacement, and it's 0-100km/h dash is likely to beat that of its predecessor.

While Ferrari is tight-lipped on all things Modena, a 12.0 second quarter mile time (compared to the 360's 12.8 seconds) would be more than achievable, and a top speed of beyond 300km/h is almost a given.

At the time of writing, the Ferrari 430 Modena has been spotted in various forms - some camouflaged, some computer generated images.

And while the differences between the 360 and 430 don't appear huge at this stage - new headlights bumpers/aprons, side skirts and interior - the camouflaged shots suggest that the body structure and chassis have more in common with the Enzo than with the 360 Modena.

The rear shots of the disguised red Ferrari show higher brake lights modelled after those of the Enzo, and the headlights have been given a more angular appearance as well.

The boot line is higher too, and the small segment between the brake lights could even be a speed-activated pop up rear wing.

But these Enzo-influenced aspects may have simply come from the Maranello-based automaker's spare parts bin to throw inquisitive types off the trail.

Then there's also the scenario where Ferrari has been using the new 430 Modena's chassis, powertrain and running gear in a 360 Modena bodyshell.

This last theory would allow the company to save the new design until it's good and ready, which is likely to be at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show in March of that year.

And as you can see in some of the shots, there are modifications made to the bodywork of the red mule, which are most likely to accommodate the upgraded air induction system, the larger engine and the ensuing exhaust system.

Pininfarina has long been the design house of choice for Ferrari's new models, and the 430 Modena won't be about to change this. A drop top version, or Spider, will also be on the cards shortly after the coupe's motor show debut in 2005, and there is already talk that a metal folding roof version may make the cut, like the upcoming Maserati CC.

Expect the new Ferrari 430 to top $400,000 when it eventually arrives in Australia, probably in 2006.

As Ferrari responds to new competition from both traditional and modern rivals, it's entry-level Modena range will move stylistically closer to big brothers Enzo and 612 Scaglietti, and also deliver a meatier kick. But will it be enough to keep the Prancing Horse at the pointy end of the exotic sportscar market?

Judging from the marque's recent form - yes, most definitely.