It’s often the attitude of Ferrari that its sainted products are without the need for modification. Their cars emerge from the gates in Maranello, the definition of perfection. The wearing of the Cavalino implies it! Therefore, any adjustments are considered blasphemic and, to enough of an extreme, punishable by lawsuits and purchase sanctions. Now we’ll be the first to call out bad taste but some modifications can indeed be called enhancements. Let’s consider for instance, this Ferrari 360 N-GT. Fair warning to headphone users, you’re a masochist if you keep your volume up.
As you’ll no doubt hear, it’s been modified, enhanced, prepared, for use in hillclimbing. This 360 enjoys a considerable bump in power produced by the 3.6-litre F131 V8 engine, from under 400PS, (294kW) to over 540PS (397kW), with a screaming rev limit of 9,500rpm. The result is a supercar turned into a hillclimb monster, that can ripple the very hillsides up which it scrabbles with what is a truly biblical V8 howl. It’s fast too. The 360 was the last in an era of supercars whose speed didn’t drop your jaw or sit you down. It was about the experience. With the bump in power of this N-GT in combination with hillclimb-spec gearing though, it covers ground quite unlike any Modena we’ve seen. Stunning.
Suitable for burbling around Knightsbridge or up Hollywood Boulevard? Perhaps not so much. Perhaps Ferrari were right all along, or perhaps perfection is defined by the context. Do impart your own wisdom upon us, dear readers, if you can still hear yourself think.
Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a mid-morning helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: When Derek Bell found out how difficult rallying is
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