The Ferrari 458 Italia is one of the most recognizable super cars from the Italian automaker. It may be the most affordable model in their lineup but it is also one of the most exciting and generates a considerable chunk of their revenue stream. Now the Italian automaker has created a new version of the super car aimed at track enthusiasts that want all of the racing and motorsports technology from the companys racing division for the road and race track. Called the Ferrari 458 Speciale, the new model sports all sorts of advanced technology, lightweight forged wheels, optimized aerodynamics and more to ensure that it can go around a race track as fast as possible while still being legal for public streets.
One of the most exciting aspects of the Ferrari 458 Italia was its naturally aspirated 4.5 liter V-8 engine that could reach incredible speeds and produce a great deal of power while having that classic Italian exhaust note. The Ferrari 458 Speciale take the engine to a new level of performance and easily spins each of the rear forged wheels. The engineering team at Maranello, Italy fine tuned the engine to produce a whopping 605 CV at 9,000 RPM and 540 Nm at 6,000 RPM and sends both to the rear forged wheels, giving it the highest output for a naturally aspirated V-8 in a production model.
Due to the incredible power, Ferrari engineers readjusted many of the driving electronics and components on the 458 Speciale. The torque management system, F1 traction control, and control of the rear forged wheels via the E-Diff electronic differential were all reprogrammed to allow the super car to be more agile and easier to control at higher speeds.
Another way that Ferrari engineers were able to improve the overall handling and top speed capabilities of the new 458 Speciale was to fine tune the aerodynamic properties of the super car The team took the car to a wind tunnel in Maranello and adjusted the aerodynamics to reduce drag as much as possible while being able to create downforce for better stability, handling, and braking.
Right from the factory, the Ferrari 458 Speciale will come standard with forged wheels that wear high performance Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2. The wheels and tires work with the new electronics systems to achieve an incredible 1.33 G of lateral acceleration.
The new model will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2013.
