The very special Ferrari 458 Speciale

     

What draws us people towards feeling attracted to a car? Hmm...definitely looks, powertrain, functionality, and I think heritage as well. Unveiled at the recent Frankfut Motor Show is the astoundingly eye-catching Ferrari 458 Speciale. This car ticks up all the boxes to what attracts us to a car (Except maybe functionality, probably because its not exactly practical but well, it functions alright). It is a new car but then again, it isn’t. Its based on, yes you guessed it right, a 458 Italia. The 458 Italia is an amazing car in every way; stunningly beautiful, sounds fantastic and its a Ferrari, so yeah its really fast. As it is, the 458 Italia simply looks absolutely amazing, one of the best looking supercars out there. And this Speciale version looks much more beefed up, sharper; like its been working out in the gym for a bit. The black stripe sandwiched in between two white stripes that runs over the car just adds to the occasion.

      The 458 Speciale houses the same 4.5litre V8 from the Italia but now it pushes out 597hp @ 9000rpm and 540Nm @ 6000rpm which showcases almost 35 more horsepower than the Italia. Ferrari engineers carried out specified refinements to the V8 engine to maximise its output as well as improvised mechanical efficiency. The engine now has an increased compression ratio of 14:1, optimised combustion chamber fluid-dynamics, new materials for some of the engine components, revised crankshaft geometry and intake system as well as a new cam profile. There’s a new algorithmic system named the Side Slip Angle Control (SSC) which calculates the amount of slide slip angle of the car to optimise the torque management in order to minimize oversteer and maximize cornering grip.  Changes are not just to its power station but there are lots of new trick stuff going on in terms of active aerodynamics for the 458 Speciale. There are lots of flaps, both vertical and horizontal in the front bumper that functions differently according to the speed the car is travelling to minimize drag coefficiency on the straights and maximize downforce in cornering. A new rear diffuser which also has an active aerodynamic is fitted and above the diffuser is one of my favourite changes to from the Italia, the tail-pipes!!! It now has a dual tail-pipe which looks absolutely magnificent compared to the 458 Italia. All those new changes has to have a better output. 0 to 100km/h now just take 3 seconds dead, 0 to 200km/h takes just 9.1 seconds and the Speciale tops up at 325km/h.

      There’s a solution if you don’t find this car interesting and want something else in its class. Ferrari’s counterpart, Lamborghini has made a limited edition of the Gallardo LP570-4 called the Gallardo Squardo Corse which is just another souped up version of the Gallardo. They’ve been making like millions different versions of the Gallardo already and Lambo need to make a freaking new Gallardo for god’s sake! The Squadro Corse has also been revealed in the Frankfurt Motor Show and its out in 2014. I suspect it to be very stripped out and just raw power just like in most special edition Lamborghinis. I reckon the 458 Speciale would be a very much better car to own and to look at actually. Beauty on the outside and an absolute beast lurking beneath it.