2004 Ferrari Challenge Stradale Engine, Suspension, Brakes & Body

Although the standard Modena powerplant puts out more than 100 horsepower/ liter, there were a few more cavallini rampanti to be found. The stock 11:1 pistons were replaced with lightweight 11.2:1 slugs fit to the existing titanium con rods. A revised intake manifold boasting specially machined inlet trumpets is matched with a higher-volume air-mass meter to improve incoming airflow. The five-valve cylinder heads' intake and exhaust runners have been ported for improved flow as the engine sings at its 8500-rpm redline. A lightweight exhaust system reduces back pressure and leaves little doubt as to why the sound system was deleted: At idle, the 425-horse Stradale emits a racy rasp, and at wide-open throttle, it becomes the most wicked of wails.

Ride height has been lowered by 15 mm, thanks to shorter, 20-percent-stiffer coil springs constructed of titanium for weight saving. The rear anti-roll bar diameter has been increased by 1 mm and works with revised, driver-adjustable dampers; they're linked to a cockpit-mounted "race" mode button delivering a track-specific calibration should the CS driver use the car for weekend track events. The suspension hardware (and software) delivered a surprisingly docile ride during city driving, yet offered more manageable vehicle control on Ferrari's famed Fiorano test track.

Special Pirelli PZero Corsa tires are fit to lightweight 19-inch Challenge wheels. Hiding behind those BBS rims is one of the most impressive aspects of the Stradale package: a race-ready set of 15-inch-diameter carbon-ceramic composite-material brake rotors clamped by six-piston alloy calipers. If you think these brakes look like those fit to the super-exotic Enzo, you're right. The only difference is that the Stradale uses five titanium wheel studs in place of the Enzo's spindle-mount wheel-retention method. The two-piece brake rotors not only reduce unsprung weight by 16 percent, but proved absolutely fade-free during repeated racetrack punishment.

Design cues come straight from the trackbound GT and Challenge cars. An optional center stripe, recalling the '62 GTO prototype, runs front to rear over bodywork evidencing subtle aerodynamic modifications that increase downforce by a staggering 50 percent. Other aero updates include extensions added under the front air intakes, revised side sills, and a redesigned rear underbody replete with wind-tunnel-tested longitudinal turning vanes similar to those on F1 machines.

The Ferrari Challenge Stradale defines race technology for the street, and it comes wrapped in an emotional, exciting package. It's just too bad there'll be so few to go around.