Ferrari 458 Speciale
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23rd August, 2013
The 458 Speciale is the latest product of Ferrari’s core philosophy of
extreme technological innovation and research which, in this instance, has yielded powertrain, aerodynamics and vehicle
dynamics advances that transform the 458 Italia into a car worthy of the “Speciale” moniker. The result is a
uncompromising, streamlined sports car concept.
Many of the solutions being applied for the very first time to an in-range car in the 458 Speciale, including its
active aerodynamics, will become a standard feature of all new Ferraris in the future.
Flanked in the Maranello marque’s range by the 458 Italia and 458 Spider, the new mid-rear-engined V8 berlinetta was
designed to boost both performance and driving emotion to unprecedented levels, yet simultaneously guarantee smooth,
effortless control in all kinds of situations.
Having lavished meticulous attention on the power unit, Ferrari has now built its most powerful naturally aspirated V8
ever (605 cv) with an extraordinary specific power output of 135 cv/l, the highest ever achieved by a road-going
naturally aspirated engine.
Thanks to an equally exceptional weight/power ratio of just 2.13 kg/cv, the 458 Speciale can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h
in a mere 3.0 seconds (0-200 km/h in 9.1 seconds) and also clocked a lap time of just 1’23”5 at the Fiorano Circuit.
Aerodynamic requirements guided the work of the Ferrari Styling Centre, which led the project in cooperation with
Pininfarina, to sculpt the car’s forms to ensure they were more performance-oriented than ever. The most notable features
in this sense are the front and rear movable aerodynamics which balance downforce and cut drag, thus helping make the 458
Speciale the most aerodynamically efficient range production car in Ferrari history (E Index of 1.5)
The technology used in the vehicle dynamics subsystems which gives the driver instant confidence and control at high
speeds, natural power oversteer management and precise response to commands are further advances in an area in which
Ferrari is already a well-established leader.
One of the most innovative content of the Ferrari 458 Speciale is the Side Slip angle Control system (SSC) which makes
it easier to achieve car control on the limit, thereby greatly improving driving emotions. Thanks to the development of
an accurate new algorithm SSC performs instant-to-instant analysis of the car’s side slip, comparing it with the target
value and then optimising both torque management (via integration with F1-Trac traction control) and torque distribution
between the two wheels (via integration with the E-Diff electronic differential).
Part and parcel of the car’s development included Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tyres which were specifically honed for it
in a collaboration programme involving, amongst other factors, numerous track test and simulator sessions. Conceived for
the 458 Speciale, they boost performance over a single lap in the dry as well as improving performance consistency in
subsequent laps.
The abovementioned technical content has improved the 458 Speciale’s single lap time and also delivers repeatability
of that performance on subsequent laps that is unprecedented for a car not designed exclusively for track use. The result
is that the 458 Speciale has the fastest response time (0.060 s) and highest lateral acceleration (1.33 g) ever achieved
by a car in Ferrari's range.
The Ferrari 458 Speciale will be displayed at Germany's Frankfurt Motor Show in September, as its first motor show
appearance. It is likely that Ferrari will debut their new car to an invited audience, prior to the motor show.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION SUMMARY
Engine
Type V8 – 90°
Total displacement 4,495 cm3
Max. power output 605 cv at 9,000 rpm
Max. torque 540 Nm at 6,000 rpm
Weight
Dry weight 1,290 kg
Weight/power ratio 2.13 kg/cv
Performance
0 - 100 km/h 3.0”
0 – 200 km/h 9.1”
Fiorano lap time 1’23”5
Emissions (ECE + EUDC combined cycle)
CO2 emissions** 275 gr/km
**With HELE System
E&OE.
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