The Speciale may look different from the standard 458 but whether it looks more beautiful is really a matter of taste . There is a natural limit as to how a plastic surgery can do to beautify an already very pretty face and body . To me , I still prefer the original 458 ,and I will wait for the next model . In the meantime , I will enjoy my 458 spider .
Ok, the long video showing it driving around sold me. Given what it's supposed to be...more aggressive and extreme, etc...I think the look compliments that theme, and well. Personally, I would still buy the Spider, but I think the Speciale is a welcome stablemate and I like it. Btw, it took seeing it in action in the video for me to like the winglets (and see how they really appear on the car), and to understand the functionality of the front (which I actually believe looks nice).
Ferrari quotes "more than 202" mph for the Italia and 203+ mph for the Speciale. The Italia though has been clocked by mags at 206 mph, thus I believe that the Speciale will also top 205+. Same top speed really for both models, but the Speciale will accelerate much harder.
There is ZERO exterior carbon on the base car. Available carbon options and price list still yet tbd. And oh, there are things like the handly extinguisher which is optional too. I also heard from another prospective buyer that there is a rather costly telemetry package option, price also tbd, but expect it to be over 10k. I also read on another forum, that the cabin footwells can be done up in carbon as an option instead of suede but I cannot confirm.
I've seen the price and options list (for the Netherlands) and call tell you there's a long list (about 70 items) of options... Some examples, prices are in EUR including 21% VAT: - sport seats: 5.7k (you'd think it'd have sport seats as standard?) - height adjustment driver's seat: 2.2k - CF engine cover: 5.7k - track camera: 7.3k - gold / grey alloys: 2.8k - N.A.R.T. stripe: 9.1k - radio / sat-nav: 2.7k - lift system: 3.6k - customized 1:8 scale model: 4.8k I've managed to contain myself, options-wise, yet I'm sure some won't! IMHO, most of these items won't change impact the size of the smile on my face when driving this car, hence I'm not too bothered with them... but each to their own, of course!
I was told the cf engine plenums & air intake were standard. Customizing the colors of the striping would be an additional option. Customizing the stripe / livery would be an additional 5.9k usd ontop of the base charge of having a stripe. Did you get any inklings that the interior foot wells could be had in carbon instead of suede? or when they'll have some of the exterior bits available in carbon?
For what it is worth, I just got back from the factory where we were introduced to the 458 Speciale. The chief designer told us that the options were limited at present. CF was all over in the interior. Leather and Alcantara were the only options that we were told about for the interior. The engine bay only had one option and that was the two side panels could be made in carbon fiber. Lift kit was mentioned along with the gold or grey alloy wheels. The main message here was the colors and options were limited but the car was not limited in its nature. The technology in this car was phenomenal, options as I said were limited, but the presentations on aero, vehicle dynamics and engine. It was pretty cool, but there will always be.
Optional sports seats? Indeed, that must be a joke... Still curious about what they'll do with the external mirrors. If they are charging a few extra thousands and it seems they will, at least they should offer some specific racing-style mirrors, not just the stock ones done in CF.
Why is this a joke? Can't someone want a more high performance version and not want the restriction of sitting in racing seats? Why do you have to suffer just to want a higher performance car? This is the same attitude that people said when they heard about the 16M. They said no one would want a convertible high performance version because convertibles aren't still enough and aren't for tracking. Wrong. 16M's are still in high demand and very much loved by their owners.
