Performance Review: Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 360 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale is the 6 speed / Paddle Shift version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Ferrari 360 has a 3586cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 360 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 360's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1280 kgs (2821 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale in the same weight category as the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 360 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (450 bhp)

In terms of power the 3586cc 32V V8 engine produces 425 bhp (316 kW) @ 8500 rpm similar to the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (450 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 3.5 V6 Supercharged (410 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 275 lb-ft (372.8 Nm) @ 4750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari 360 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2018 Aston-Martin DB11 AMR 5.2 V12 twin Turbo (356.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 360.

The Ferrari 360 has a Power to weight ratio of 332.0 bhp per ton and 214.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 360 competing with the 2018 Aston-Martin DB11 AMR 5.2 V12 twin Turbo (356.9 bhp per ton) or the 2007 Porsche 911 GT2 997 (356.6 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ferrari 360 generating around 214.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2008 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 (239.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 Audi A7 3.0 TDI Sportback Competition Quattro (239.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.1 secs, this made the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale as fast as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (4.00 secs) the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (4.00 secs) the or the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 Sport 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.00 secs). This Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale is also faster than the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW XM 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo G09 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (4.10 secs) the and the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 360 and the 2006 Lotus Exige S 1.8 Supercharged

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 360 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.07 secs @ 113.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2006 Lotus Exige S 1.8 Supercharged (12.02 secs), the 1994 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo II (12.02 secs), and the 2006 Mercedes CL Class 600 Coupe Bi Turbo (12.03 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale has a maximum speed of 186mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 360 equals the 2013 Nissan Skyline GT-R Pure Edition R35 (197 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale then how about the 2013 Nissan Skyline GT-R Pure Edition R35 (197 mph), the 2012 Audi R8 Plus S-Tronic 5.2 V10 (197 mph), or the 2012 Nissan Skyline GTR R35 (197 mph).

Related Links:

2003 360 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison