The Ferrari 458
Speciale - A close look at this sports car performance, technical data,
features, comparing rivals, history, used prices from Classic to Modern.
The
Ferrari 458 Speciale
THE CAR
The Ferrari 458
Speciale sports car was launched in 2013 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, with a
price tag of £298,000, and was based on the 458 Italia.
Externally, the most
distinctive feature was the blue and white stripes along the centre of the car.
Additions that
improved aerodynamics included:
·
A bonnet that
contained reverse vents that helped reduce drag
·
Sills that were fitted
with fins
·
A rear spoiler, with a
modified shape, positioned higher up and with increased surface area, produced
additional downforce
·
Restyled composite
bumpers containing ducts that slowed the air and increased the ground effect
Another interesting
feature involved moveable flaps at both front and rear. At slow speeds, the
flaps were closed and directed cooling air onto the radiators.
However, as speed
increased, the flaps opened and reduced drag by restricting the airflow to the
radiators. In this way, there was an increase in downforce at the rear of the
car.
Below the rear grille,
the exhaust consisted of two pipes instead of the trio on the other variant,
whilst a large rear diffuser further increased downforce.
An intriguing addition
to the electronic control systems was referred to as Side Slip Angle Control,
or SCC, which involved analysing the angle between a wheel's actual direction
and that towards which it was pointing, and referring the readings to targeted
values.
The result was that,
by way of F1-Trac, the level of traction control in respect of prevailing road
conditions could be mananged, whilst E-Diff, the electronic limited slip
differential, would monitor the torque applied to each wheel.
The 458 Speciale
sports car had a dry weight of 1290 kg, some 90 kg less than that of the 458
Italia, and with specific weight-saving measures, the engine itself was 7 kg
lighter.
It used the latest
Brembo disc brakes with improved pads, which increased heat dispersal and
helped produce shorter stopping distances, such as 62 mph to zero in only 31
metres.
It was fitted with
newly designed 20 inch forged road wheels which reduced overall weight by a
further 10 kg.
THE ENGINE
The 458 Speciale
sports car was powered by the same 4.5 litre, V8 engine as in the 458 Italia, but
output was increased to 597 bhp at 9000 rpm (the redline), and 398 ft/lbs of
torque at 6000 rpm.
Fitted with a 7 speed
Getrag gearbox, it produced a top speed of 202 mph, and a 0-60 mph time of 3.0
secs, with 0-125 mph in 9.1 secs.
The engine was the most
powerful non-turbo unit produced to date, and used a massive 14:1 compression
ratio which was produced by altering the geometry of the pistons, and using
lightweight components.
The F1-style paddle
shift gearbox, with dual clutch, was now fitted with new software, which
resulted in the time taken for the engine revs to match the appropriate gear to
be substantially reduced. Technical data
COMPETITION
Typical competition
for the Ferrari 458 Speciale included the following sports cars: Audi R8 GT,
and Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. Ferrari performance:
The
Ferrari 458 Speciale A
THE CAR
In 2014, a year after
the introduction of the 458 Speciale coupe, the convertible variant was
launched, and designated the 458 Speciale A sports car, where the letter
"A" referred to the term Aperta, which was the Italian for Open.
It was built as a
limited edition of just 499 units, and with the same engine and gearbox,
produced the same 0-60 mph time of 2.8 secs, but the top speed was reduced from
202 to 199 mph.
It weighed just 50 kg
more then the coupe variant, and used the same automatically operated aluminium
hardtop, as used in the 458 Italia Spider sports car, which stored itself away
in front of the engine bay in just 14 seconds. Technical data:
COMPETITION
Typical competition
for the Ferrari 458 Speciale A included the following sports cars: Audi R8 V10
Spider, and Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4 convertible. Ferrari performance:
This marks the end of
my Review of the Ferrari 458 Speciale sports car
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