Automotive

Ferrari 458 Speciale, another "most powerful" ever

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The all-new Ferrari 458 Speciale debuts at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show
The 458 Speciale gets new moveable aerodynamics in front and back
Ferrari says the 458 Speciale boasts its most powerful naturally aspirated V8 ever
The all-new Ferrari 458 Speciale debuts at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show
The 458 Speciale runs Fiorano in 1:23.5
The Speciale's Side Slip Control system gives the driver more control and confidence
The 458 Speciale will make its debut on September 10
The 458 Speciale can hit 62 mph in 3 seconds
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Ferrari has prepared an upgraded version of the venerable 458 Italia for debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Prancing Horse has covered the 458 in improvements, from enhanced aerodynamics to increased power. This special variant promises to add an extra dose of excitement to a sports car already considered one of the best of the best by many a driver and publication.

Ferrari has been using the term "most powerful" an awful lot lately. The 730-hp F12 Berlinetta took on the role of most powerful road Ferrari ever back at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, ceding it rather quickly to the LaFerrari a year later. The LaFerrari gets its 950 horses from a hybrid powertrain, part of which is Ferrari's most powerful naturally-aspirated road engine ever, a 789-hp 6.3-liter V12.

The all-new 458 Speciale can't lay claim to "most powerful Ferrari or engine ever," but since both the F12 and LaFerrari are motivated by a dozen cylinders, it can rightfully boast about the most powerful Ferrari V8 ever. As usual, Ferrari isn't shy about advertising the claim. It further claims that the 135 cv per liter achieved by the 605-cv (596-hp) 4.5-liter engine is the highest ever put out by any of its road cars.

The 458 Speciale runs Fiorano in 1:23.5

Of course, the Speciale is far more than just an extra 34 prancing horses over the Italia. The Ferrari Styling Center worked with Pininfarina to sculpt, carve and tuck the 458's physique into more aerodynamic shape, including active aerodynamics that help to optimize downforce and drag. Apparently not sick of superlatives just yet, Ferrari calls the Speciale its most aerodynamically efficient production car ever, citing a 1.5 E index.

The Speciale's upgraded vehicle systems give the driver better control and confidence when rallying the near-600 horses available at his toe tip. The electronic Side Slip angle Control (SSC) keep the car stable and responsive. The SSC system uses a new algorithm to compare the car's current side slip with a targeted number, adjusting torque management and distribution as needed. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tires apply all that feedback to the ground below.

As a result of its enhancements, the 2,844-lb (1,290-kg) 458 Speciale cuts a few ticks off the 458 Italia's 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time, meeting the mark in a flat three seconds. It can run to double that speed from park in 9.1 seconds and lap Ferrari's Fiorano track in 1 minute 23.5 seconds, wedged comfortably between the F12 Berlinetta's 1:23 mark and the 599 GTO's 1:24. Not a bad neighborhood to live in.

Ferrari will reveal the 458 Speciale under the bright lights of the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 10. We anticipate having more in-depth information then.

Source: Ferrari

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8 comments
The Skud
Nice! BUT - Apart from some autobahns or Saudi desert roads, where other than racetrack days could you even think of driving it? And insurance? L.O.L. My local cops would wet themselves upon hearing one of these was even rumored to have reached their area. Just another "mine' s bigger than yours" toy for people with more money than brains.
Jean Yang
The Skud: There are still many places in the world where you can enjoy insane speed on public roads, like in South Korea where the tarmac is one in the best in the world and where cops are rather lenient with speed freaks.
WhyEyeWine
The Skud: When you're on the outside looking in,...well,...you're on the outside.
steveraxx
A lifetime ago I worked on ferrari's. The older pre-computer ones. And to greatest majority the owners were egotistical overweening prigs.
As well, and the majority of people do not know this, older ferrari's were built horribly, with many of them also handling like trucks especially at lower speeds. The modern ones? Well, take the previous model as an example. The very expensive exhaust headers are known to last less than 30K. This is a quality automobile? The Hooker headers on my muscle car are over 35 years old and still going strong, no leaks, no corrosion. Seems that you do not always get what you pay for.
(Having the over large medallion on the front fender like that is like keeping the price tag on an expensive bit of clothing. How gauche).
warren52nz
I had to look up "cv/litre" I don't recall ever seeing the unit. It's used in France and Italy and translates to "Tax Horsepower". It starts with kilowatts but has a CO2 emission component in the calculation. Now for a quick Ferrari joke: "My sex life is like a Ferrari.... I don't have one" :-)
JOHN POLIFRONIO
It's remarkable, the bitter and irrepressible jealousy inspired, in many people, by these super cars that Ferrari builds.
DaveBG
LOL, you people do not realize that driving at high speed is not all that this car can. If i had the money i would buy it because it drives well and has power. I bet you are not driving your current car at max speed also but you wish it was faster.
duh3000
just a word on the "cv" thing. It's a bit confusing. BTW? cv is short for chevaux = horses. Here in France (maybe Italy ?) there are two types of "cv" : one is the administrative tax category which used to be used to calculate the annual payment to the state for your right to operate the vehicle (similar to paying for license plates in the states). This is called "cv fiscale". The famous "2CV" Citroen is named for this cheap tax rating. Most avergae cars are rated at 5 or 6 cv. Powerful/luxury cars were around 30 cv. Taxes were paid accordingly.
The second cv rating is the actual engine horses/horsepower and can be read as such: cv/litre = horsepower/liter of engine (size). If you want horsepower/cubic inch, you'll need to convert liters to cubic inches.
Hope that wasn't too boring or unneccessary.