They want to do a deal RIGHT NOW. Talking about long-term product development makes them no cash. If you are lucky they will take your deposit on the successor to the 458.
There are not much they can do to save weight before it get really expensive, carbon roof, titanium muffler, carbon seat, smaller battery (maybe Li-ion), no carpet, no stereo, CF intake manifold/airbox...........is only like -7~15 lbs from each item. -100~150 lbs is easy, anything more after that would get really expensive. The LFA switched from aluminum to a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic monocoque only saved 221 pounds. So Ferrari have to do all that and a CF monocoque in order to remove 300 lbs, not happening.
That's weird, I'm pretty sure Mr. Montezemolo said on the introduction of the Ferrari 458, or slightly after, that there will be no Challenge Stradale/Scuderia equivalent of the 458.
How far do you think Ferrari will make the scud version of the 458? How fast can they make it before impacting on the positioning of the F12? I guess 0-200km/h in the 9.5-10 sec range? Previously the CS and Scuderia were faster around the 'Ring by 10-13 seconds or so than the standard version from memory. So 7:25 - 7:30 around the 'Ring?
And at a certain point, the rawness factor goes way up: removal of sound deadening material (which weighs quite a lot) will make for a ride on the other side of 'refined.' Also there is the question of weight savings "relative to what." A fully optioned up 458 with nav, extra speakers, full electric Daytonas, headlamp motors, carpet mats, et al... weighs what? 3400 lb?
The same recipe as the 360 CS and F430 Scuderia. If it works, why change.......... That means power up by 4% to 6%, which means they will end up close to the 600 mark. Weight down by approximately 100kg.
IMO it will be a raw and visceral car with limited production numbers Those will be the main selling points for the 458 scud
If it weights 300 lbs less than lightly equipped regular 458 (with Racing seats, alcantara pack, forged wheels, CRPK and without lift/AFS/Navi/JBL) then the price difference will be around at least 70K euro in Germany. Because it will be hard to save 300 lbs weight over this car and it will cost money. 300 lbs is a huge weight saving and I don't think they will achieve it. I expect 120 lbs weight saving over a lightly equipped 458 if the price difference will be kept reasonable.
Not sure about the proposed production numbers, but was told a while back that it will effectively be a street legal challenge car....so in terms of looks and spec derive from that what you will.
This is Road and Track's segment on body and chassis mods to be found on the Challenge car: "To start with, weight is shed by reducing the thickness of the aluminum body panels. Other panels are replaced with carbon fiber, and polycarbonate windows (including the windshield) are used. This already awesome road car is treated to a serious diet. Further enhancements come by way of a 2-in.-lower suspension height, and 19-in. center-lock forged rims with larger Pirelli slicks. The rubber suspension joints have been replaced with steel uniballs, and stiffer springs and alloy shock absorbers replace their "street" counterparts. With an aggressive camber setup, the car produces 1.6g lateral grip."
This might finally create an interesting upgrade path for existing 458 owners. 360 owners can update software and parts to CS spec to boost performance: I wonder if the upgrades on the 458 CS will be available to regular 458 owners. If so, they could do it with Ferrari certified parts which is often a barrier to upgrades now (warranty etc). Can we really have 2 cars with the same name? It kind of worked for the GTO but would it work for Challenge Stradale?
Called my dealer as I am top of the list for the light weight. They have not heard anything but logic and timing are ripe for rumors. Frankfurt is a good guess for a debut but as far as clients being invited to see the car now.. I call BS. I am hoping the production number for US is 500 or less! Cheers, Rb
1.6g is pretty amazing. However 2" lower doesn't work for me. that's 4.5" clearance. My old 360 was 4.8" and I had enough problems with speed bumps, dips et al.
If the Scuderia launch will go ahead as said here at Frankfurt this year, it supports the information I have received that the 458's replacement will be introduced in Geneva 2015 (March). I also think that they cannot spec the 458 Scuderia too much because it would come too close to LaFerrari in terms of performance. Exciting times ahead...
The Mac P1 says it does 2G in a turn. But, I wonder how long the tires will last! There's always a trade off to everything.
There is a pretty big gap (at least 5 seconds at Fiorano) between the 458 and LaF, so that a couple of seconds would not be a threat but would be signficant. The F430 Scuderia is recorded as about 2 seconds quicker than the base F430. If the lightweight 458 bettered the base 458 by the same 2 seconds, it would put it on par with the F12, not the LaF. All this raises the question: does anyone know what a 458 Challenge car does at Fiorano?
