Larry's Lotus Photoblog #3 - Page 13 - LotusTalk

LARRY · 06-25-2009, 09:48 AM

Brand new Sport 260.

What a beautiful car.

LARRY · 06-25-2009, 09:56 AM

The Perfect Exotic
Ferrari F430 Scuderia

Story Dustin A. Woods | Photos Joost Demunyck
Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine.

With less weight and more power than an F430, the Scuderia is civil on the road and can run lap times with an Enzo Ferrari.

FERRARI’S FASTEST SHIFTS YET

According to the statistics, Ferrari claims the Scuderia can do anything the F430 can do, only better. And it wasn’t long after I heard the bark of the engine and put my right foot down that I was in complete agreement.

In fact, the overall performance of the Scuderia is so impressive it has achieved a time of one minute, 25 seconds on the Fiorano test track – the exact same time as the Ferrari Enzo.

Behind the wheel it’s obvious that it’s faster, brakes harder, corners with more finesse and control and yes, even changes gears quicker than an F430. Oh, the gear changes! Equipped with an updated version of Ferrari’s F1-Superfast gearbox – the Superfast2 – the Scuderia changes gears in just 60 milliseconds – compared to 100 ms for the 599 and 150 ms for the F430. This is the fastest reacting gearbox in any Ferrari - or any road going car in the world for that matter - and while it sounds somewhat unbelievable, it really is possible to tell the difference between the 430’s shift times and the Scuderia’s. Ripping up through the gears, the Scuderia screams past 6000 rpm, alerting you that a shift is imminent. There may be 2500 rpm left to go, but in the blink of an eye you’re at 8500 and the steering wheel mounted shift lights have all lit up – signaling it’s time to make your move. Second gear and third gear fly by almost as quickly and already I’m stretching what can be done on the Sonoma roads – especially ones filled with wine connoisseurs after a long day of tastings.

While braking for a corner and flicking the left paddle to drop gears I am surprised. The rev match on the downshift seems much more tame than on the stock 430. One wonders if Ferrari engineered a little extra throttle on the 430 for show purposes, or perhaps the new Superfast2 gearbox is just that much more efficient. I have to say it’s a little disappointing, especially as you’d expect this more purposeful F-car to sound a little more purposeful too.

MORE THAN 500 HP

Sweeping out of a nicely banked corner it is really starting to sink in that the Scuderia vastly outpaces its sibling. While we can partly thank the gearbox, it doesn’t hurt that the Scuderia is powered by a massaged version of the same 4.3-liter engine that produces an extra 20 hp and four ft-lbs of torque thanks to reworked intake and exhaust systems as well as a boost in compression from 11.3:1 to 11.88:1. The new total of 510 hp comes on at 8500 rpm and 347 ft-lbs of torque are available at 5250.

The added horsepower is, however, a somewhat trivial reason for the Scuderia’s added gusto. One even wonders if it’s just a PR move so Ferrari can boast that their new car puts out over 500 hp. The real difference in performance comes as a result of a reduction in weight. In total 220 lbs of weight have been shaved off the car for a curb weight of just under 3,000 lbs.

This, I can tell you, made a big difference in not only the acceleration (with a 0-62 mph run achieved in just 3.6 seconds compared to the four second stat for the stock F430) but in the braking and especially the handling.

STRIPPED DOWN

Some of the weight reduction is thanks to the 19-inch magnesium wheels and the carbon ceramic brakes, which, by the way, feature ridiculously large 15.6-inch rotors in the front. In the engine bay, carbon fiber replaces much of the plastic including the bay liners and the air boxes. The signature crinkle-red-painted plenums are also absent and have been replaced by carbon fiber units – a particularly striking detail on this car which is now completely absent of red. To further reduce weight, particularly on the heavier backside of the mid-engine exotic, the engine cover is made of Plexiglas.

The weight reduction effort is most noticeable, however, in the cockpit, where there is neither carpeting nor floor mats. Amazingly, however, it all still feels very luxurious and sporty, thanks to a plentiful amount of Alcantara.

Jimenez took full advantage of Ferrari’s personalization program, opting to go with Alcantara on the sides of the seats (with well-matched neon yellow stitching) and what Ferrari calls “technical fabric” for the inserts. It certainly provides as much grip as Alcantara and it also breathes much better.

THE ENTICINGLY ILLEGAL DRIVE

Inside the Scuderia it is such a race-like environment that it’s easy to forget you’re on public roads. The driving position makes it feel like you are seated ahead of the front wheels and because of the massive power, screaming V8 and perfect handling, you may find yourself explaining your forgetfulness to the police.

As this is a road test, I’m not pushing the car to its limits. Regardless, there isn’t even a hint of understeer, and the car reacts to quickly to the steering inputs and just darts wherever I point it.

As with all modern Ferraris, the Scuderia is equipped with a Manettino, however, there are some important differences to point out. There is no “Ice” or cold weather setting on the car. Instead it has been replaced with a CT or, “traction control off” setting, which allows for some tire shredding fun while still retaining the safety of stability control. Both systems can be shut off simultaneously by flipping the little red toggle to the “CST-off” setting.

Don’t be fooled, however. You don’t need to turn the traction control off to get performance out of the Scuderia. It is equipped with E-DIFF2, an electronic differential that works with Ferrari’s F1-TRAC traction control system, allowing you to put down 40 percent more power out of the corners.

Another unique attribute is that Ferrari has allowed drivers to adjust the shock settings independently of the Manettino settings.

You don’t have to wind the car up to enjoy it either, as the airbox design produces an incredible note with throttle input at even low rpm. But wind it up to that 6000-rpm sweet spot and prepare for sound that will leave you with no doubt why this car was named after the Ferrari racing team.

THE VERDICT

In many ways, the Scuderia is barely a road car, with no floor mats and a Plexiglas engine cover. And yet, with a stereo, power windows, a surprisingly smooth suspension and an engine that can operate with incredibly civility, it honestly feels like it would make a better daily driver than most cars that were designed for commuting. That, however, would be sacrilegious – like making Albert Einstein recite his multiplication tables, or forcing Tiger Woods to play mini-put.

As the Scuderia does practically everything the stock 430 does but better, and as the stock 430 is just about the best car money can buy, it’s not much of a stretch to conclude that this light-weight Ferrari might just be the perfect exotic. It’s not the best performance value on the road – a Porsche would be a far-wiser economic decision – but there is something (actually, a lot of somethings) that the Scuderia provides that can’t be found elsewhere.

During my all-too-brief stint behind the wheel, I drove the Scuderia, perhaps, a little too respectively. Considering the sticker price, the fact that it was just three days old and that the car’s owner was sitting next to me, I think I should be forgiven. However, for those who plan on getting a Scuderia (something I highly recommend), I suggest doing so on one condition; that you drive it often, and drive it hard.

LARRY · 06-25-2009, 10:14 AM

For all of our Subaru friends...

YouTube - Subaru Rally Team and new STI compilation

LARRY · 06-25-2009, 10:46 AM

2009 Ferrari 599xx

MNlotus · 06-25-2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LARRY

Brand new Sport 260.

What a beautiful car.

is the rear clam and the rear hatch carbon fiber on those? or how did they get that look

LARRY · 06-25-2009, 02:32 PM

Carbon fiber, yeah.

Meet Lotus' big brother...

LARRY · 06-25-2009, 03:05 PM

Michael Jackson has died here in Los Angeles.

I will miss him and his talent.

LARRY · 06-25-2009, 03:26 PM

A Lotus flower for Michael Jackson.

His music helped shape our world.

And my life.

LARRY · 06-25-2009, 03:49 PM

Monterey Historics

LARRY · 06-26-2009, 08:56 AM

White Lotus.

LARRY · 06-26-2009, 08:59 AM

Lotus racing...

LARRY · 06-26-2009, 10:12 AM

Exige.

Most excellent.

LARRY · 06-26-2009, 10:49 AM

YouTube - Lamborghini

AnsisK · 06-26-2009, 12:52 PM

Is that a Chasecam on white #29?

LARRY · 06-26-2009, 03:43 PM

AgentTripleX posted this picture of a LP640. Beautiful.

LARRY · 06-29-2009, 08:24 AM

YouTube - Top Gear - Mclaren F1 vs Bugatti Veyron

LARRY · 06-29-2009, 09:30 AM

Lamborghini of Bellevue.

LARRY · 06-29-2009, 09:34 AM

And elsewhere...

LARRY · 06-29-2009, 10:02 AM

NASCAR At Infineon.

LARRY · 06-29-2009, 10:06 AM

The only yellow Vector W8.

06-25-2009, 09:48 AM	#241 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,162	Brand new Sport 260. What a beautiful car. Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T) Last edited by LARRY : 06-25-2009 at 10:08 AM.

06-25-2009, 09:56 AM	#242 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,162	The Perfect Exotic Ferrari F430 Scuderia Story Dustin A. Woods \| Photos Joost Demunyck Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine. With less weight and more power than an F430, the Scuderia is civil on the road and can run lap times with an Enzo Ferrari. FERRARI’S FASTEST SHIFTS YET According to the statistics, Ferrari claims the Scuderia can do anything the F430 can do, only better. And it wasn’t long after I heard the bark of the engine and put my right foot down that I was in complete agreement. In fact, the overall performance of the Scuderia is so impressive it has achieved a time of one minute, 25 seconds on the Fiorano test track – the exact same time as the Ferrari Enzo. Behind the wheel it’s obvious that it’s faster, brakes harder, corners with more finesse and control and yes, even changes gears quicker than an F430. Oh, the gear changes! Equipped with an updated version of Ferrari’s F1-Superfast gearbox – the Superfast2 – the Scuderia changes gears in just 60 milliseconds – compared to 100 ms for the 599 and 150 ms for the F430. This is the fastest reacting gearbox in any Ferrari - or any road going car in the world for that matter - and while it sounds somewhat unbelievable, it really is possible to tell the difference between the 430’s shift times and the Scuderia’s. Ripping up through the gears, the Scuderia screams past 6000 rpm, alerting you that a shift is imminent. There may be 2500 rpm left to go, but in the blink of an eye you’re at 8500 and the steering wheel mounted shift lights have all lit up – signaling it’s time to make your move. Second gear and third gear fly by almost as quickly and already I’m stretching what can be done on the Sonoma roads – especially ones filled with wine connoisseurs after a long day of tastings. While braking for a corner and flicking the left paddle to drop gears I am surprised. The rev match on the downshift seems much more tame than on the stock 430. One wonders if Ferrari engineered a little extra throttle on the 430 for show purposes, or perhaps the new Superfast2 gearbox is just that much more efficient. I have to say it’s a little disappointing, especially as you’d expect this more purposeful F-car to sound a little more purposeful too. MORE THAN 500 HP Sweeping out of a nicely banked corner it is really starting to sink in that the Scuderia vastly outpaces its sibling. While we can partly thank the gearbox, it doesn’t hurt that the Scuderia is powered by a massaged version of the same 4.3-liter engine that produces an extra 20 hp and four ft-lbs of torque thanks to reworked intake and exhaust systems as well as a boost in compression from 11.3:1 to 11.88:1. The new total of 510 hp comes on at 8500 rpm and 347 ft-lbs of torque are available at 5250. The added horsepower is, however, a somewhat trivial reason for the Scuderia’s added gusto. One even wonders if it’s just a PR move so Ferrari can boast that their new car puts out over 500 hp. The real difference in performance comes as a result of a reduction in weight. In total 220 lbs of weight have been shaved off the car for a curb weight of just under 3,000 lbs. This, I can tell you, made a big difference in not only the acceleration (with a 0-62 mph run achieved in just 3.6 seconds compared to the four second stat for the stock F430) but in the braking and especially the handling. STRIPPED DOWN Some of the weight reduction is thanks to the 19-inch magnesium wheels and the carbon ceramic brakes, which, by the way, feature ridiculously large 15.6-inch rotors in the front. In the engine bay, carbon fiber replaces much of the plastic including the bay liners and the air boxes. The signature crinkle-red-painted plenums are also absent and have been replaced by carbon fiber units – a particularly striking detail on this car which is now completely absent of red. To further reduce weight, particularly on the heavier backside of the mid-engine exotic, the engine cover is made of Plexiglas. The weight reduction effort is most noticeable, however, in the cockpit, where there is neither carpeting nor floor mats. Amazingly, however, it all still feels very luxurious and sporty, thanks to a plentiful amount of Alcantara. Jimenez took full advantage of Ferrari’s personalization program, opting to go with Alcantara on the sides of the seats (with well-matched neon yellow stitching) and what Ferrari calls “technical fabric” for the inserts. It certainly provides as much grip as Alcantara and it also breathes much better. THE ENTICINGLY ILLEGAL DRIVE Inside the Scuderia it is such a race-like environment that it’s easy to forget you’re on public roads. The driving position makes it feel like you are seated ahead of the front wheels and because of the massive power, screaming V8 and perfect handling, you may find yourself explaining your forgetfulness to the police. As this is a road test, I’m not pushing the car to its limits. Regardless, there isn’t even a hint of understeer, and the car reacts to quickly to the steering inputs and just darts wherever I point it. As with all modern Ferraris, the Scuderia is equipped with a Manettino, however, there are some important differences to point out. There is no “Ice” or cold weather setting on the car. Instead it has been replaced with a CT or, “traction control off” setting, which allows for some tire shredding fun while still retaining the safety of stability control. Both systems can be shut off simultaneously by flipping the little red toggle to the “CST-off” setting. Don’t be fooled, however. You don’t need to turn the traction control off to get performance out of the Scuderia. It is equipped with E-DIFF2, an electronic differential that works with Ferrari’s F1-TRAC traction control system, allowing you to put down 40 percent more power out of the corners. Another unique attribute is that Ferrari has allowed drivers to adjust the shock settings independently of the Manettino settings. You don’t have to wind the car up to enjoy it either, as the airbox design produces an incredible note with throttle input at even low rpm. But wind it up to that 6000-rpm sweet spot and prepare for sound that will leave you with no doubt why this car was named after the Ferrari racing team. THE VERDICT In many ways, the Scuderia is barely a road car, with no floor mats and a Plexiglas engine cover. And yet, with a stereo, power windows, a surprisingly smooth suspension and an engine that can operate with incredibly civility, it honestly feels like it would make a better daily driver than most cars that were designed for commuting. That, however, would be sacrilegious – like making Albert Einstein recite his multiplication tables, or forcing Tiger Woods to play mini-put. As the Scuderia does practically everything the stock 430 does but better, and as the stock 430 is just about the best car money can buy, it’s not much of a stretch to conclude that this light-weight Ferrari might just be the perfect exotic. It’s not the best performance value on the road – a Porsche would be a far-wiser economic decision – but there is something (actually, a lot of somethings) that the Scuderia provides that can’t be found elsewhere. During my all-too-brief stint behind the wheel, I drove the Scuderia, perhaps, a little too respectively. Considering the sticker price, the fact that it was just three days old and that the car’s owner was sitting next to me, I think I should be forgiven. However, for those who plan on getting a Scuderia (something I highly recommend), I suggest doing so on one condition; that you drive it often, and drive it hard. Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T) Last edited by LARRY : 06-25-2009 at 10:07 AM.

06-25-2009, 10:46 AM	#244 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,162	2009 Ferrari 599xx Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

06-25-2009, 02:32 PM	#246 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,162	Carbon fiber, yeah. Meet Lotus' big brother... Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T) Last edited by LARRY : 06-25-2009 at 02:38 PM.

06-25-2009, 03:05 PM	#247 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,162	Michael Jackson has died here in Los Angeles. I will miss him and his talent. Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T) Last edited by LARRY : 06-25-2009 at 03:15 PM.

06-25-2009, 03:26 PM	#248 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,162	A Lotus flower for Michael Jackson. His music helped shape our world. And my life. Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T) Last edited by LARRY : 06-25-2009 at 03:32 PM.

06-25-2009, 03:49 PM	#249 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,162	Monterey Historics Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

06-26-2009, 08:56 AM	#250 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,162	White Lotus. Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

06-26-2009, 08:59 AM	#251 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,162	Lotus racing... Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

06-26-2009, 10:12 AM	#252 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,162	Exige. Most excellent. Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T) Last edited by LARRY : 06-26-2009 at 10:26 AM.

06-26-2009, 12:52 PM	#254 (permalink)
AnsisK Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,457	Is that a Chasecam on white #29? __________________ Cut me I'd bleed Lotus. -Gordon Murray Quiet Noises

06-26-2009, 03:43 PM	#255 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,162	AgentTripleX posted this picture of a LP640. Beautiful. Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

06-29-2009, 09:30 AM	#257 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,162	Lamborghini of Bellevue. Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T) Last edited by LARRY : 06-29-2009 at 09:35 AM.

06-29-2009, 09:34 AM	#258 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,162	And elsewhere... Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T) Last edited by LARRY : 06-29-2009 at 09:41 AM.

06-29-2009, 10:02 AM	#259 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,162	NASCAR At Infineon. Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

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06-29-2009, 10:06 AM	#260 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,162	The only yellow Vector W8. Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T) Last edited by LARRY : 06-29-2009 at 10:19 AM.