Would suit:
Everybody should have a Ferrari.
UK Price:
£133 200 (about R1.52-million) plus £10 000 for the carbon ceramic brakes.
SA Price:
R2.6-million.
Maximum speed:
310km/h, 0-100km/h in 4.1sec.
Combined fuel economy:
18.4 litres/100km.
If I understand the man from Ferrari correctly, not only is the new F430 Spider the fastest, most capable convertible in the world, but it can actually see into the future.
"Other cars' differentials react to the road conditions; they sense when one wheel is losing grip and send power accordingly," he explained, "but this has an active limited-slip diff, we call it the E-Diff.
"It senses various inputs - steering, wheel rotation speed, road camber - and can predict where traction will be needed before it's needed."
Having driven the F430 virtually non-stop for two days, I would go further than that: this new soft-top Ferrari enters the realm of the metaphysical.
Take, for example, the explosive, mind-altering moment that comes during an accelerative surge up through the six-speed, semi-automatic gearbox, when you reach 4500rpm. It's as if the hand of God has descended from the heavens and given you a mighty shove from the rear.
Then there is the noise as the car's complex valve timing orchestrates an ever-changing choral symphony, from the 100 chainsaws at pottering speed (say, 130km/h) to the full-on F1 scream at the red line.
Then there are the qualities that transcend anything any supercar has ever achieved before: the unbelievably comfortable, forgiving ride (speed bumps are no longer cause for detour); the assurance you get from an exceptional quality, soft leather-lined interior; the really quite reasonable luggage space (in the nose); and the remarkable ease of everyday use.
Even the paddle-shift gear change works well, allowing for the full PlayStation driving experience. The F430 also has an F1-style manettino switch on the steering wheel that allows you to adjust the suspension, traction control and gear shift depending on your mood.
This means:
- If it's icy the car will take care of everything.
- On normal driving setting you can pretend you're a good driver, safe in the knowledge that the car is holding your hand.
- Sport mode in which, like a boxing referee, the traction control will only kick in if someone is going to get hurt.
- Race mode, where everything is switched off and it's just a matter of time before you kill yourself.
Driving in sport mode on public roads, you exist in a heightened state of reality, tripping literally and chemically on a mixture of fear and exhilaration.
For the nascent speed addict, each open road offers a terrible, seductive temptation and you will lay your licence on the line every time.
I know it isn't beautiful, but the days of beautiful Ferraris are long gone. The dictates of high-speed cooling and downforce (of which this produces 50 percent more than the old 360) will always triumph over formal grace.
As for the price, it is simply fearful, but hand on heart, it is worth every one of the millions of pennies you'll need.
The Ferrari man was right. This is the most capable sports car in the world, but, again, I would go further than that.
Two days later, I'm still giddy from my time behind the wheel; perhaps I have lost all contact with the real world and will soon be found sitting on a park bench, holding an imaginary steering wheel while rocking backwards and forwards, but I do believe this is the greatest car on sale today. - The Independent, London