| PERFORMANCE |
| Acceleration, sec |
| 0-30 mph | 1.3 |
| 0-40 mph | 1.9 |
| 0-50 mph | 3.0 |
| 0-60 mph | 3.9 |
| 0-70 mph | 5.2 |
| 0-80 mph | 6.5 |
| 0-90 mph | 7.8 |
| 0-100 mph | 9.7 |
| Standing quarter mile, sec/mph | 12.2/113.5 |
| Braking, 60-0 mph, ft | 117 |
| Lateral acceleration, g | .0.90 |
| Speed through 600-ft slalom, mph | 69.0 |
| EPA fuel economy, mpg, city/hwy. | 11/16 |
| Est. range, city/hwy., miles | 276/401 |
| PRICE |
| Base price | $154,429 |
| Price as tested | $154,429 |
| www.ferrari.it | |
An Even Tastier ChallengeFerrari's 360 Modena had yet to roll a wheel when racers began asking about a Challenge version. It's here, it's hot-and don't dare call it a "boy racer."
The 360 Modena Challenge is constructed around the same formula as have been the previous 348 and F355 Challenge cars: a mildly modified, spec-series racer that stems from the street version, not a purebred race chassis-though the hardware has gotten a bit more purposeful with each generation.
All 360 Modena Challenge cars will feature the F1 gearbox exclusively. Race trimmings include a 100-liter fuel cell, Perspex sliding side windows, even-beefier-than-stock Brembo brakes, Pirelli PZero racing slicks, gorgeous BBS wheels, hood pins, and other miscellaneous safety bits.
The interior also gets the racer treatment. Cloth trim and carbon fiber inserts replace the standard leather and alloy accoutrements. There's a lightweight three-spoke steering wheel, a racing seat, six-point harnesses, and an on-board fire system. The Magnetti-Marelli digital dash display and on-board data acquisition system look as if they were pinched right out of Schuey's F1 machine. The engine and suspension remain essentially unchanged, as does overall weight. The effect of certain lightweight components is probably offset by the fire system and additional computer gear.
Our laps in the final generation of the 355 Challenge machine were over all too quickly, but represent track time we'll never forget. Its truncated exhaust really lets the 3.5-liter, quad-cam V-8 howl its head off, the experimental digital dash readout flashing revs, temps, and other vitals. The 355 impresses with its neutrality-one of the truest, most predictable machines we've ever driven. Dead neutral right up to the limit; edgy and crisp without being twitchy. You exit Laguna's hairpin in second gear, and shift your way to the 8500-rpm redline through third, fourth, and fifth before it's time to brake for turn one-each gear an aural reminder of why Ferraris remain the world's most romantic race cars. -M.S.
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