The 458 Speciale is the latest product of Ferrari’s technological research and represents an extreme version of the 458 Italia. Many of the solutions being applied for the very first time to an in-range car in the 458 Speciale, including its advanced 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 performance yet simultaneously guarantee smooth, effortless control in all kinds of situations.

Having lavished extra attention on the power unit that was named “Best Performance Engine” at the International Engine of the Year Awards for two consecutive years, Ferrari has now built its most powerful naturally aspirated V8 ever (605 cv) with a specific power output of 135 cv/l, the highest ever achieved by a road-going naturally aspirated engine according to Ferrari.

Owing to a weight/power ratio of 2.13 kg/cv, the 458 Speciale can sprint from 0-62mph in 3.0 seconds (0-124mph in 9.1 seconds) and also clocked a lap time of 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. 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).

One of the newly-developed features of the 458 Speciale is the Side Slip angle Control system (SSC) which makes it easier to achieve car control on the limit say Ferrari engineers. 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 that were specifically designed for it in a collaborative programme involving 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. They also lead to improved grip in the wet.

The combined result of above-mentioned technical content 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 the Prancing Horse range.

The 458 Speciale will receive its public world debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September.

Source: Ferrari

Tags: 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, 458 Speciale, aerodynamics, car design, Ferrari, Ferrari Styling Centre, Fiorano Circuit, Pininfarina, V8