Our friends over at ItaliaSpeed snapped this Ferrari F430 outside the gates of the hallowed Maranello factory this week. Look closer and you'll notice a few small, but significant differences between this car and the production F430.

Most noticeable is the lowered ride height and the movement of the exhausts to a higher position. This position echoes that of the F430 Challenge racecar and is thought to point to a new production car based on the racer. It is likely that the new car will be called the Ferrari F430 Challenge Stradale, following on from the hugely successful 360CS.

Though there are no official details as yet, it is likely that the F430CS would house a further development of the F430's high-revving V8, possibly topping the magic 500bhp mark. Thanks to the use of more expensive lightweight materials, it is probable that the CS would be up to 150kg lighter than the regular car, further improving its agility and power-to-weight ratio. There is a chance that the F430CS will make it to the Paris Motor Show this year.

Shane O' Donoghue - 21 Apr 2006