The 2013 Ferrari 458 Speciale

 

An Improvement On My Uncle's Favorite Ferrari

 

   

 

     It was only a matter of time until Ferrari decided "hey let's make the Ferrari 458 Italia look better, drive better, and go faster." A year after the original 458 Italia was created the company came out with an incredible new supercar called the Ferrari 458 Speciale.

    The 458 Speciale is a mid-engine rear-wheel drive supercar equipped with an improved naturally-aspirated V-8 that delivers 596 hp @ 9,000 rpm. Top speed of the 458 Speciale is 202 mph. Zero to sixty takes 3 seconds. The engine is coupled to a 7-speed F1 dual-clutch transmission. A F1 dual-clutch transmission! That will make both the British and American Top Gear guys extremely happy.

    The 458 Speciale has undergone some significant exterior changes to improve aerodynamics. There is now a reverse-vented hood to help get better airflow and reduce drag. Ferrari also added a modified front skirt which features what Ferrari calls "movable aerodynamics" which is said to lower drag and increase downforce. And last there are slits on the outer edges of what some car enthusiasts call the front apron, and a more open mouth in the front apron.

    On the 458 Speciale's sides there are louvers on the front-fender vents and small wings to the rear of the doors to help guide airflow and increase stability.

    At the 458 Speciale's rear there is now a full-length grille to help keep the engine cooler than the original and to allow freer airflow. Underneath the grille is a new exhaust setup that has a pair of split pipes as opposed to the inline-trio used on the regular 458. Below the pipes is a large rear diffuser to help lower aerodynamic lift and to guide air from under the car.

    Ferrari also reduced the weight of 458 Speciale to 2,844 pounds as opposed the original 458's 3,042 pounds. So far Ferrari has stubbornly refused to reveal how they reduced so much weight in the 458 Speciale. The 458 Speciale also has a lower CO2 emission number than the original 458. Where the original 458 let out CO2 emission count of 307 g the 458 Speciale only gives off 275 g.

   Now for the price of this incredible Ferrari. The 458 Speciale costs $298,000 which in my mind isn't that bad for an upgrade on one of Ferrari's greatest supercars ever.