The Latest FIA n-GT Racer
The competition for "king of sports cars" credentials is as always very intense. It's a constant game of one-upmanship with Ferrari and Porsche key players.
|
The 360 GTC is Ferrari's newest non-street legal entry in to the FIA n-GT championships. (Photo: Ferrari) |
On the road and track scene the 911 GT3 faces off against Ferrari's 360 Challenge Stradale. Both are lightweight, powerful variants of already astonishing vehicles. Both are also naturally aspirated, rare, and extremely capable of top-tier performance.
The battle, however, has just been escalated to a higher level. The phrase, 'take it to the track' can easily be used with the introduction of the 360 GTC, Ferrari's newest non-street legal entry in to the FIA n-GT championships.
|
The three letters "GTC", go nearly four decades back to classic mid-'60s and early-'70s Ferraris. (Photo: Ferrari) |
Does the 360 GTC name sound familiar? The three letters that follow the current Modena's 360 numeric designation go nearly four decades back to classic mid-'60s and early-'70s Ferrari's. The first was the 330 GTC, a beautiful two-seat coupe that was followed up in 1969 with the more powerful 365 GTC. A rakish 365 GTC/4 arrived the same year, replacing the curvaceous original in 1970. Both GTC body styles have proven extremely popular with classic car collectors.
But the new GTC is hardly about collecting, it's about racing. More recently at Frankfurt's IAA, Ferrari launched its 575 GTC to go up against the Lamborghini Murciélago R-GT, and others in the FIA's GT championship. It was only natural that a 360 Challenge Stradale based GTC would follow in the larger car's tire treads to fight in the lower GT class. With help from Michelotto Automobili, the FIA-regulation GTC was created. Both GTC cars will be sold by Ferrari's customer sports racing division Corsa Cliente, for private teams.The FIA GT championships are among the most stringently organized racing events. Every last rulebook detail must be met, with disqualification being the result of failure to measure up. Of course Ferrari is no stranger to racing rules, having been literally born out of F1 and sports car competition.
|
The mid-engine Modena has been stripped and gutted of all unnecessary equipment, bar the onboard electronics, racing seat, dash and steering wheel. (Photo: Ferrari)
|
With reducing weight being of the highest importance, the mid-engine Modena has been stripped and gutted of all unnecessary equipment, bar the onboard electronics, racing seat, dash and steering wheel. Noticeably, the GTC uses an expended floor-mounted lever for the sequential gearbox as opposed to paddles. A tubular
safety cage has also been installed, as per FIA regulations, to protect the driver in case of an accident. This strict weight-loss program allows Ferrari to attain a ludicrously low restricted dry curb weight of 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs).
|
Ferrari's naturally aspirated 3.6-liter 40-valve DOHC V8 engine sends the 360 GTC to speeds in excess of 300 km/h. (Photo: Ferrari)
|
Taking advantage of the lightweight design, Ferrari's naturally aspirated 3.6-liter 40-valve DOHC V8 is mounted behind the cockpit. From the road-going Modena to the purely racetrack-bound GTC, there's an impressive gain of 45 horsepower. Peak power is produced at 8,750 rpm, as opposed to the stock 8,500.
Though
fuel consumption is rarely an issue during short FIA sprint races, Ferrari has nonetheless reduced fuel usage of the race-spec V8, which in-turn allows teams to carry less fuel onboard during an event, reducing overall weight.At speeds in excess of 300 km/h (186 mph), aerodynamics play a key role in the way any car handles. The GTC may look similar to the 360 Cup Car (Challenge Stradale), but there are some drastic changes which allow the new racer to stick to the road better. A revised front intake, skirts and rear spoiler are the key aerodynamic elements.
Prices have yet to be announced but don't expect these race-bread stallions to cost less than their road-going 360 namesakes, despite their reduced luxury content. After all, the GTC is based on the Challenge Stradale that starts at more than $300,000. Of course, the price of the cars will be much less than the money needed to challenge competitors in the n-GT championship.
Specifications:
- Body Types: 2-door coupe
- Layout: front engine, RWD
- Engine: 425-hp, 275 lb-ft torque (373 Nm), 3.6-L, 40-valve, DOHC V8
- Transmission: 6-spd sequential console-shift
- Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc
- Curb Weight: 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) (without fuel)
- Acceleration (estimated 0-100 km/h): 3.9 seconds
- Top Speed: 300 km/h (186 mph)
- Direct Competitors: BMW M3, Porsche GT3
- Web Site: www.ferrari.it or www.ferrarina.com