458 LaFerrari Bridge

I had one installed by the dealer 7 days ago, the day the part arrived at the dealer. Supplies are very limited as Ferrari only has a very small quantity made for the Speciale with the 458 adapter kit. Ferrari calls it the La Ferrari Bridge but the button labels are the same as those on the Speciale. (la Ferrari has the PS button whereas Speciale has the Launch button; but functions are the same.)

I think it is very special for my 458 coup as I already have almost all the carbon fiber options: dash, steering wheel, seats, etc. The weave on the 'flying' bridge matches perfectly and fitment is good with the adapter kit. The bridge gives the 458 an updated look and feel inside the cabin.

As with all Ferrari factory parts, the entire kit with custom titanium screws, plates, etc. is not a small consideration! But I am glad I did it.

 

LOL! The spiders are always more money.

 

The spider adapter kit has the extra CF plate for the rare engine bay window and roof switches. The coup adapter kit has 2 versions: one with the lifter button and one without. You also get brand new window switches, hazard light switch, etc. as a complete replacement. They together look complete and not an after-market upgrade. I personally think the $300 price difference is somewhat justified as additional CF parts, switch for the spider are necessary. It takes the dealer over 3 hours to put it all together...so add the labor cost too!

For those DIY types, I would not recommend it as custom screws are necessary during the installation underneath the center console. I watched the technicians as they were installing mine.

Please note that the adapter kit, which comes with the 'flying' bridge, makes the entire package work. It also raises the console slightly vs. the Speciale bridge being flat.
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The dealer charges $180/hr. Since I bought the part and have been a long time customer, I got a little break. There's of course the evil tax on top! The entire upgrade costs just under $5,000. For that much, at least I can claim that this is the very first 458 that has the La Ferrari bridge in the U.S. at least for now!

 

No criticism intended, just curious, is this for "aesthetics"? I still prefer the "looks" of my standard array. Am I missing something besides not having the same taste as some? Best

 

+1

I was offered the first allocation in the US for this part by the powers that be:
one of the only mods I have passed on so far

 

My dealer told me that after January, Ferrari will stop making the adapter kit for the 458. The bridge will be available for the Speciale on special order; but without the kit, 458 owners will no longer have the option to upgrade.

I agree with you that it looks much better than the Speciale bridge. The center console on the 458 is bit more intricate and the design of the adapter reinforces the contour. It actually looks better in person as one's eyes flow from the carbon fiber dash, steering wheels and then the center console. The weave patterns match perfectly and therefore the visual aesthetics is not interrupted, as it is the case with non-matching materials/weave patterns. I had the stock aluminum F1 bridge before. The new bridge looks much better.

Good luck with yours.

 

The new buttons are no longer the soft rubber used in the stock version. The rubber surface peels off over time and due to repeated use. They are much higher quality and sturdier with better tactile response. The new window switches are also slightly better made and smaller and are black, matching the Nero Alcantera interior. Please see my other thread on the aesthetics.

 

The 'flying bridge' is visually dramatic. It's probably not for everyone. It also provides an implicit link between the center console to the CF dash without being physically connected. The design is arguably being unnecessarily complicated. The stock bridge treatment is a bit 'industrial' whereas the 'flying bridge' provides visual flare - that's Pininfarina (and Italian in general). Same things could be said about Italian paintings, operas, and other art forms as well. It's not necessary 'better', just more 'intrigue.' In the Ferrari DNA, that's what makes Ferrari, Ferrari. This is exactly why some prefer the Italian drama over German precision.

 

I'm missing something.. This looks exactly like my Speciale?

 

I don't like mine in the Speciale. Really odd, serves no functional purpose. Maybe if it had something meaningful like valve on/off it would be welcome. But as-is in my car, not a fan. FWIW.

 

You are right about the bridge being the same but not the center console on the 458, hence, the necessity of the adapter kit. See the two photos above.

 

I use the bridge to sling the long handles of bags to prevent the contents from being tossed around the car during drives.

 

Good luck on the passenger getting to the cup holder. Lol

 

for 5k I'd rather buy a couple of sets of tires and shred them on track

 

it's reinforced for the added cowl shake

 

Pininfarina did not design the part

best

 

I'll take the stock part , thank you and the 4400.80$

 

I have not heard the 488 in person but would be tempted to get a better sounding exhaust system for the money of a bridge.

Merry Christmas