Ferrari 458 Speciale debuts at Frankfurt with 597hp and track focus
Ferrari unveiled the 458 Speciale at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, introducing a 597hp evolution of the 458 Italia with advanced handling and reduced weight.
Ferrari has revealed the 458 Speciale at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, delivering a more focused evolution of the 458 Italia with a 597hp naturally aspirated V8 and a suite of track-oriented upgrades. The public debut marks Ferrari’s latest entry in its line of lightweight, high-performance variants, following the F430 Scuderia and 360 Challenge Stradale.
Ferrari’s 4.5-litre V8, already used in the standard 458 Italia, has been reworked to deliver 597hp at 9,000rpm and 398lb ft of torque. At the time of launch, this made it the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 the company had put into a road car. The 458 Speciale’s claimed 0-100km/h time is 3.0 seconds, with 0-200km/h arriving in 9.1 seconds, placing it just behind the LaFerrari and F12 Berlinetta on the company’s Fiorano test track.
Weight-saving measures include extensive use of carbon fibre and a stripped-back interior, resulting in a dry weight lower than the standard 458 Italia. Ferrari has also recalibrated the electronic stability and traction systems to suit the Speciale’s sharper chassis setup.
Advanced handling technology
A key feature of the 458 Speciale is the introduction of Side Slip Angle Control (SSC). This system constantly monitors the car’s slip angle, comparing it to an optimal target value and adjusting torque distribution between the rear wheels via the brakes. Ferrari says this allows experienced drivers to explore the car’s limits with greater confidence, while making the car more approachable for less experienced owners.
Position in the Ferrari range
The 458 Speciale takes over from the F430 Scuderia and 360 Challenge Stradale as Ferrari’s most track-focused V8 model. While initial speculation suggested a ‘Scuderia’ badge, Ferrari opted for the ‘Speciale’ name for its latest lightweight derivative.
With its combination of increased power, reduced weight and advanced electronics, the 458 Speciale is aimed at buyers seeking more extreme performance than the standard 458 Italia. For an overview of the original 458 Italia’s design and technical features, see Ferrari 458 Italia: A New Era in Supercar Design.
Competition at Frankfurt
The 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show saw several high-profile performance debuts alongside the 458 Speciale, including the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG (Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG debuts at 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show) and the Peugeot 308 (Peugeot 308 Makes First Public Appearance at 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show). The Ferrari’s focus on naturally aspirated power and advanced chassis technology distinguished it in a field increasingly shifting towards turbocharging and hybridisation.
Technical highlights of the 458 Speciale
| Engine | 4.5-litre naturally aspirated V8 |
|---|---|
| Maximum power | 597hp (445kW) at 9,000rpm |
| Maximum torque | 398lb ft (540Nm) at 6,000rpm |
| 0-100km/h | 3.0 seconds |
| 0-200km/h | 9.1 seconds |
| Dry weight | 1,290kg (claimed) |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Lap time (Fiorano) | 1m 23.5s (claimed) |
