458 Speciale Revealed

Funny then that most people request italian queues for their italian supercars. Just a colour scheme I reckon.

 

I think that unpainted exterior carbon fiber has seen its day. Over time, it will be as much of an indicator of this period as the cheese grater air vents were of the '80s.

 

Why not? Superior power/weight, most probably better aero, plus the standard 458 was good enough to beat the MP4 when that came out.

 

Too bad you are not in US. I'd invite you to bring your 458 to my home track and we'd see which went better.

 

I have a master of that, enjoy:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/9555996183_281dadf521_h.jpg

 

Curves are sexy. Angles are aggressive. Combine both and you get a mess. The car will still grow on us because some parts of it are nice viewed alone and the performance bar has been raised. Unfortunately, the sum of the parts is a miss.

I have no buyers remorse with the 2014 458 spider Ferrari is building for me now. I was kinda hoping to have scud lust.

 

Oh I wouldn't dare sir. I am just an amateur.

 

Once I see and here it in action and I am certain it will grow on me just like the Challenge Stradale did.

 

No stripe looks much better! Thanks to all the photoshop pros out there who took the time to do that today! But it needs air conditioning. Seriously? Who will drive this thing? I used my Italia as a daily driver for 2 years and finally sold it because I didn't like the lack of amenities like no heated seats and while there are options out there it is crazy to spend $1000 on a suit jacket hanger or cigarette lighter or cruise control and in my opinion a $300,000 should have the things a $10,000 car comes with standard these days. Some luxuries like standard cruise and heated seats should be standard. If I'm going to enjoy this car every day and not just for track days (and I believe Ferrari is intending the car to be used more than just for track days) air conditioning should be standard. Just my 2 cents...

 

Frankly it's awful. For example if you compare the rear views of the 458 and 458S, you notice first that the "T" theme in the 458 is gone in the 458S. In the 458 the T is defined by the tail lamps and extends across the lip, diagonally down through the license plate housing and ends in a loop around the triple exhaust. Looking at the 458S, the top half of the rear now floats by itself and seems visually separated from the large flat surface below.

This "T" has been a developing theme on Ferraris, becoming more bold on the f12, and very extreme on LaFerrari. Your eye doesn't read all this as a T, but you sense that it somehow hangs together. Also notice that all the interesting and pleasing design angle work just above the diffuser is gone and replaced by basically linear stretches of black plastic and grating material. The black central plastic piece at the bottom of the 458S seems oversized, as if it was going to house the F1 light as in the f12. But most of the area is blank. Your eye goes there and finds nothing.

 

Somewhat agree...they nickel and dime to death. Works fine when the cars are stunning, but not when they look like a riced up NSX.

 

I totally underwhelmed. No smaller carbon fibre mirrors, nor are the wheels based on the Challenge car. Looks like a normal ol' 458

 

Don't mean to be pedantic but after a 6% increase in power without an increase in engine size, a 90 kilos decrease in weight and new super advanced aerodynamics you are complaining about the door mirrors and the wheels? Really?

 

We all know whatever Ferrari introduces with the LaFerrari would eventually trickle down into the other cars. In this case, they just decided to add the bridge.

I really don't see how incorporating something so little out of a $1 million car into a $275K+ car (I'm guessing) suddenly "cheapens" it, though.

I think the exposed gearbox makes the rear look even better. Almost a "throwback" to the 288, imo.

 

It's all in the details.

 

It needs the Italian flag down the middle....

 

Is the rear end wider?

 

Need to see more before I make a final decision but initial feeling is not one of car lust.

In particular it seems they took the sensual 458 and toughened it up. I'm not sure this works for me in the styling department. However, there is no question about the technology. Big improvements here. This car will be very intense and I need to drive one.

Overall I say well done Ferrari, and they know their customers so I'm sure the styling meets with most of the potential buyers approval.

 

Carbon mirrors will probably be available as an expensive option
All the pretty stuff has become expensive add ons
It just the way thing are trending at Ferrari nowadays

 

Thanks for taking the stripe out isot...much much nicer without it

 

Ferrari finally makes a car that looks like a Lambo.

 

My eyes, my eyes! What a piece of horrifying crap....

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Could someone post comparison photos against a standard 458?

 

I'm against the grain here, but I love it. I never was a huge fan of the three exhaust pipes (sorry F40). It has the overall shape of the regular italia, with a different hood design and front. The rims are a little plain and the wide stripe is awful, but those can be modified. I really like the interior, even with the butt cheek dash. I have read so many gripes about the regular italia being too easy to drive, quiet, and more GT like (especially the spider). Here's the cure for that. My deposit is going down this week (and not at the lousy dealer). I'll leave dads spider alone, but may part with my italia once I get it

 

What spec 458 italia is the 458 speciale comparing to as to claim a 90kg decrease in weight? The reason i am asking is wouldn't a 458 italia with carbon race seats (and other carbon options) and the light weight grigio corsa wheels bring the weight down to close to 90kgs?

Add to this the Michelin Cup 2 which are the best semi slicks on the market today and the claimed 0-100 of 3 secs doesnt sound that impressive. Wouldnt that same figure or very close to it be achieved on a 458 Italia with the same tyres and all carbon options? I doubt the 35hp increase will even be noticed.

That said though, I think the most interesting part is the SSC and what effect this will have to lap times. Again the claimed additional aero parts would hopefully push the car down on the tarmac more increasing grip levels.