Car of the week: October 30th – Ferrari 458 Speciale

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  • Masterpiece: Ferrari 458 Speciale.

    No other car commands the same respect as a Ferrari. They have a strange effect on human emotions. Other motorists either speed up in a pointless bid to overtake you, simply because they have an uncontrollable and unexplainable urge to do so, others pull alongside so they can get a good look at the car, and boys, of all ages, are mesmerised by their very presence and that magical engine note synonymous with the Prancing Horse.

    Sure, there are other magnificent supercars out there but, somehow, they don’t have the same magnetism, history or passion as the masterpieces from Maranello. They are inspirational, aspirational and although all Ferraris are extraordinary, this 458 Speciale is, as its name suggests, sensational.

    The 458 Italia is considered by many, including me, to be the best sports car in the world. Now it has this more extreme stable-mate which is lighter, faster and an even bigger adrenalin rush.

    This is the most extreme Ferrari ever launched and although at first glance it seems to be the same as the Italia with a power boost this is, aerodynamically, a very different beast. Ferrari’s engineers have made 20 changes to the bodywork, all of them designed to make the 458 Speciale more aerodynamic and it has the technology to match, most of it coming from F1.

    This car has active aerodynamics which essentially direct the airflow to ensure maximum downforce and therefore peak performance on the road, or track. It also has something called side-slip control which is a complicated computerised system which optimises the handling, dependant on your driving style.

    To look at, this car is a work of art and although I usually say a Ferrari should always be in red, it looks stunning in grey with that double white stripe which gives it a racing car persona. It sits on 20-inch wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tyres which were developed especially for this car and provide superb grip.

    The racing theme continues inside where there is nothing but carbon-fibre, alcantara leather and light alumunium, designed to save weight. The steering wheel and instrument cluster is classic Ferrari. Ergonomically it is faultless. There is also a radio which is totally redundant as there is only one song you’ll want to hear in this car and it comes from the engine and exhaust system.

    The car is powered by the award-winning 4.5-litre V8, which is the same engine that is in the Italia but it has been given a power tweak to boost the bhp to 597 with torque of 540nm. It is the most powerful naturally aspirated road-going Ferrari 8-cylinder ever developed.

    Power is delivered to the rear-wheels via a magnificent double-clutch seven-speed auto providing lightning quick and smooth gear changes. Paddle-shifts offer a manual option which make driving this beauty even more rewarding. The driving modes are, as on all Ferraris, controlled on the Manettino on the steering wheel. It offers, wet, sport, race, and two settings to be avoided unless you are on a track CT Off and ESC Off.

    I stuck to Sport mode and the handling was breathtaking. The throttle response is startling, ceramic brakes provide all the stopping power you need and it blasts through corners without a twitch. The steering is precise and without doubt it is one of the most engrossing and rewarding driving experiences you can have. 

    This Ferrari is aimed at drivers who want to push themselves and their car to the limit. It is extreme but is comfortable both on track and the normal road. By name and by nature this car is very Speciale indeed.

    Verdict

    If you are lucky enough to be able to afford a Ferrari and are looking to push your driving skills to the limit then the 458
    Speciale is the car for you. But the real beauty of this machine is that although you need to take it on a track to unleash its full potential it is equally at home on the roads where it handles like a dream. It’s magnificent.

    Rating: 9.5/10

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