458 Speciale Revealed

That's what I think about the F12. I think it is all related to aerodynamics rather than aesthetics.

 

Form follows function.

 

It's there so that you ask "Why is there a concave?" rather than "Why isn't there a glove compartment?" ;-)

 

just what i expected and i love it! the front end of italia is worst aspect of it and now thats fixed. the rear flip up is gorgeous. to the haters, what did you want it to be?

most interesting thing for me is the new 'on limit stability control'. is this something that would allow mere mortals to drift it like a pro? now that would be something. ferrari is most innovative sports car maker of all time. all the others follow the leader

 

I really like the center stack of controls that looks like it was lifted right out of the LaFerrari.

Can't wait to see more specs.

 

I think it's to accommodate the boner that your passenger is going to have.

 

I love the back, the front is a decent mix of Scud and LF, I absolutely hate the stripe.

 

Not too impressed overall, styling is a mild tweak of the standard Italia, nothing more. Much of the improvement performance wise is the stiffer/lower suspension and, more significantly, the cup tires. These mods make the car a better track car but a less good street car. Upgrade may make sense if it doesn't cost too much.

 

Is this the 458 "Stradale/Scuderia"? That car is going to sell like hot cakes. I think I'd sell my soul for that thing. lol

 

Several posters have mentioned the deletion of the "catfish whiskers" from the grille opening. Whether they were unnecessary because of aerodynamic modifications, or whether Ferrari has tired of the look, I think it's a safe bet that, love them or hate them, they won't be on the 458 replacement. Fred

 

POST OF THE WEEK!!

 

I think Ferrari wanted to do something back for the US customers because for missing out on the cup holder option for so long and therefore they introduced a new option; a shotgun holder. Also available in carbon fibre.

I like it, at first glance the two things that I'm less exited about; the wheels and the the rear grill, an F355 Challenge style rear grill would've probably looked better instead of that rear bumper "extension" where the prancing horse is bolted on.

 

Doesn't look nice the first time i saw it but the more i see it...the more i like it.

For those who don't like the stripe, just imagine one without it...

 

Agree completely. I also think interior is quite a let down vs. 360 CS and 430 Scud. I do love the back. Never thought I would like twin pipes after getting used to my 458's triples. Gimmicky or otherwise.
Best

 

Hard to believe with all the work done that it's only 1.5 secs quicker at Fiorano. Especially considering the tires are worth at least a second a lap by themselves...

 

Don't understand how this car is supposedly 0.5 seconds SLOWER than an F12b around Fiorano. I mean it's lighter, got that new SSC system, faster shift times (0.060sec) and it's on Sport Cup 2 tires, which people say chop off a full second of the ordinary 458's laptime. As well as that, as far as I'm aware the F12b does not come delivered with Sport Cup 2's (I'm not sure at all about this, please do correct me if I'm wrong). I'm thinking there is some performance potential here, but Ferrari has had to keep their production V12 berlinetta at the very top of the game so it won't be outperformed by the cheaper v8 berlinetta...

 

Fire extinguisher?

 

I am surprised the back end doesn't have Carbon fiber diffuser like the scud. also cannot see the door materials , hope that is CF

End of the day ... all these numbers aside it all comes to how the car feels . Hope it feels like the scud at the minimum.

 

Oh my...this is what happens when you let go Pininfarina and design everything in-house. I'm somewhat disappointed, everything is so fussy. Other than the more exaggerated hatch lid spoiler and the interesting looking obelisk-like center column control I'm quite disappointed with the design.

The performance numbers and new traction unit sound great though.

 

The F12 still has a big straight line advantage.

 

Incorrect. Pininfarina was part of the design process.

 

When they said "front and rear moveable aerodynamics"...i can tell the rear part but the front...

Can anybody help me point his out...

 

True. Though I never really got used to 360/430, the 458 was one design which I liked instantly. The Speciale has some elements in which I'm still pondering but I still like the overall evolution of the base 458 design.

 

I loved the CS immediately. I loved the SCUD immediatey. I went bonkers at the first sight of the 16m.

This one will have to grow on me. These pics are not flattering AT ALL. Weren't people saying a month ago that the price will be absurdly high as well?

 

I thought that was only w the base 458? I'm pretty sure the Speciale was done in-house based off of the base 458.