Ferrari has finally revealed the new 458 Speciale. This car is the high performance variant of the Ferrari 458 Italia. The company will be unveiling the car at the upcoming event of the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show which will commence on the 10th of September. This car will highlight certain innovative technical elements which will be seen in all the future road cars rolled out by Ferrari.
The company has described the 458 Speciale as being “a completely new, uncompromising, streamlined sports car concept”. With this car, we get modified technology, powertrain, aerodynamics and extreme capabilities. Talking about the future road cars, Ferrari will be incorporating the active Aerodynamic Technology in all of them.
This new extreme variant has been equipped with a modified version of the V8 engine which is used in 458 Italia. This version is capable of churning out a power of 597 bhp and a maximum torque of 55 kgm. This makes 458 Speciale the most powerful “naturally aspirated V8” in the history of Ferrari. The car is offering a specific output of 133 bhp /liter. The company claims that this is the highest output ever to be achieved by a road going engine. The car exhibits its peak power at 9000 rpm and the peak torque at 6000 rpm. 458 Speciale is capable of doing a 100 kmph from standstill in a matter of 3 seconds only and can attain the speed of 0 to 200 kmph in just 9.1 seconds. Speciale has a dry weight of only 1290 kg. Ferrari has stated that the car has also lapped their Fiorano test track in just 1min and 23.5 seconds which is 1.5 seconds faster than the 458 Italia. This also makes 458 Speciale slower than the F12 by only half a second. The car is offering a power to weight of ratio 1 bhp per 2.13 kg.
The company says that the aerodynamic requirements of the car have played a major role in deciding the car’s styling. The final look of the car can be credited to Pininfarina though. The most significant changes that you see in the 458 Speciale are the moveable aerodynamics flaps, both on the rear and front. These flaps balance the downward force and decrease the drag as and when required. The company has claimed that the aerodynamic aids provide “instant confidence and control at high speeds, natural power over steer management and precise response to [driver] commands”. Ferrari has said that the 458 Speciale has a perfect relationship between drag and downforce for a production car in their entire history. The company does not take limited edition models like the La Ferrari and Enzo as standard production models.
This car also has a new electronic system which makes controlling the limit easier for the driver. This is called the Side Slip Angle Control and is called by Ferrari as SSC. Using a new technology, this SSC analyses the car’s slip angle and then compares it to a pre stated target figure. This system then optimizes the torque through a traction control system as well as torque distribution. The car is running on specially designed Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres which claim to offer “a boost in performance” along with more consistency and a great grip in wet weather. Therefore the company has claimed that the car has highest acceleration g force, 1.33g, among all its vehicles.
The company launched a statement which said that “The Speciale is designed to boost performance and driving emotion to unprecedented levels, yet simultaneously guarantee smooth, effortless control in all kinds of situations.”
