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Ferrari has taken the wraps off the 430 Scuderia, a new lightweight variant of its V8-engined coupe that brings even more of Ferrari's Formula One technology into its road-going range.
The new model is a special edition based on the F430 and is aimed specifically at Ferrari's most passionate clients.
Ferrari says it focused on developing a car with light weight, minimum trim and innovative technology for maximum driver participation.
The 430 Scuderia weighs 1250kg - 100kg less than the F430 - and its naturally aspirated 4.3-litre V8 engine produces 380kW (510bhp) at 8500 rpm.
The same engine in the heavier F430 coupe develops 360kW. The power boost and the lighter weight of the Scuderia should ensure a zero to 100km/h time of around 3.7 seconds.
The engine is mated to the latest Formula One gearchange software - Superfast - which reduces gearchange times to just 60 milliseconds, faster than an Enzo, 599 GTB Fiorano, or even a track-only FXX.
For the first time in a road-going car Ferrari combines the E-Diff electronic differential and the F1-Trac traction and stability control unit in a single integrated system.
The 430 Scuderia will be officially unveiled by former Formula One champion Michael Schumacher at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
It is expected to go on sale in New Zealand in June next year, when pricing and specification will be announced.
There was much speculation about the name of the new lightweight Ferrari leading up to its unveiling.
It was rumoured that it would be called Challenge Stradale, or Pista. But the Scuderia moniker evokes Ferrari's Formula One team.
"We don't repeat the same chapter in the book," said Amedeo Felisa, Ferrari's deputy-managing director.
To save 100kg in weight, Ferrari replaced aluminium and steel bits in the cabin with composite materials.
Many of the F430 coupe's luxury touches and power accessories have gone. There is no radio or carpeting. Carbon fibre replaces leather trim and lighter racing-style bucket seats replace the coupe's heavier units.
Carbon ceramic brake rotors (optional on the F430) are standard and shave weight by around 3kg on each corner. Gold, 10-spoke wheels are exclusive to the Scuderia.
Other visual pointers include the replacement of the F430's standard dual-quad exhaust pipe with two large pipes exiting below the rear cooling screen and above the rear diffuser panel. Both the screen and diffuser are now made of carbon fibre.
