Euro spec vs. US spec

I ran into this when I bought an F car in 2006. Let me try to comment based on what the dealer and a technical freind told me. Things may have changed and to be honest I do not know if this is strue either in various parts or entirety

The US spec cars have more saftey built in as required by the US gov. They have side crash door protection with metal placed within the door structure.

The Uropean speced cars are cheaper in the us and harder to sell. I found this to be true.

At least in Florida dealers will service the cars

The electronics is set up differently for the different gas types.

If you look at the trailpipe of the surospec car it will show some smoking and the pipes are very sutty if you wipe with a rag

The Euro cars are suposed to be more slightly powerful, but to be honest I drove both and could not tell the difference

I was told that some parts for the european cars are difficult to get in the states.

I am not sure about the 5 mph bumper or airbags Us stuff.

I beleive it is possible to register a euro car at least in Florida. I do not know about Ca. or others

I wish I could be more helpful

Lee

 

From the numerous articles I've read, even the US spec 458 comes with Launch Control, FINALLY!!! But you're right, the Euro Spec 430 was the only one to come with L.C. and it wasn't available in the USA. Finally, we get it and it's alot easier now due to the dual-clutch!! Forza Ferrari!

 

Kain- If you want to get a feel for the differences between US and ROW cars, go to Ricambi's online f430 parts catalog and go through it page by page. The differences will pop out at you pretty quickly. The 458 will be similar, but the Europeans have been adopting/adapting US safety and emissions laws for decades, so the cars are getting closer in specs.

http://www.ricambiamerica.com/parts_catalogs.php?M=FE&V=model&I=79

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

When I bought my 360 and later the F430 I was told launch control is not legal in the USA. I do nor know if that was true then or still true today. The dealers and exotic car outlets I called concerning cars they had for sale did not have nay launch control vehicles on the floor.

The dealers told me it is tough on the cars drive train if used. That makes sense to me but again who knows for sure. One thing I am sure of it can not help the drive train.

Lee

 

I don't think legality had anything to do with it since the Challenge Stradale had it and since then Nissan and Porsche have had it. It was fear of litigation if the warranty wouldn't cover it. It was a clutch eater in the F1 transmission and even though you could "shock the drive train" just as easily in a manually shifted (3 pedal) Ferrari, at least there wasn't a button sitting there inviting you to do it. The dual clutch transmission, with its "wet clutch" technology is far more rugged (at least clutch-wise) and the warranty and litigation (if warranty is disputed) are not as risky.

 

The US Ferrari California has launch control, I don't see why the 458 won't have them. Dealer said there was some legal issues in 2005 with launch control for the USA cars. However, in the Ferrari California they now use the term "PS" for Power Start as the word "Launch" is too inviting for our legal system.

 

US definition of bhp is SAE whereas Europe is closer to what was DIN. SAE is without any auxilliary components CEE is with, so difference varies but is at least 10%

US cars are heavier, have differing gear ratios (to keep acceleration on par), and have different suspension callibrations.

Then with that much power, who cares?!?!

 

The new Corvette Grand Sport has launch control in the US, and I believe it's actually called "Launch Control" so I see no reason for it to be absent from the 458.

 

Jim what you posted makes more sense.

Lee

 

Understand.

I think that HP according to Society of Automtive Engineers was changed in 2005. Any car certified in 2005 or later used the "at the rear wheels" HP approach. One fine but important point is car certified at or before 2005 but still manufactuered did not have to restate their HP. so it makes it hard to compare HP as a data point to purchase a car.

I think europe also is using a europe wide standard. If my memory is correct they were called ISOXXX. This is part of the European union. I used to design machinery that was sold overseas so we hade to bee aware of the codes in Eueope, US Asia (asean countries)
But that was a few years back and it could have changed again.

Thanks for your post and I agree Who cares.

Lee