India’s very first 458 Speciale has landed, and is headed to Bengaluru. It’s here rather late, considering Ferrari has stopped taking orders for the most hardcore, road going 458 ever made. It’s listed price in the country is INR 4.25 Crore, before one starts ticking the rather expensive options.
The 458 Speciale is the spiritual successor to the 430 Scuderia, and a lighter, more powerful, track focussed version of the standard 458 Italia. In Bengaluru, this particular Speciale will share garage space with an Aston Martin DBS Coupe, an Audi R8 V10, and a Porsche 911 Carrera (991).
Compared to the 458 Italia, the Speciale’s Pininfarina designed body now imbibes new forged wheels, vented bonnet, finned side sills, taller rear spoiler, new rear diffuser and redesigned bumpers with active aerodynamics, along with optional body stripes in contrast color.
The 4.4 litre, naturally aspirated V8 now produces 605 PS, up from the standard 458’s 570 PS, while maximum torque is rated at 540 Nm for both. The Speciale also weighs 90 Kg less, but a 0-100 kph time of 3.0 seconds, and a top speed of over 325 km/h means straight line performance is identical to the Italia.
However, better aerodynamics, less weight and more power means that the Speciale is quicker around the track. It also has a Fiorano lap time of 1’23”5, only 0.5 seconds slower than the flagship F12berlinetta, and a full 1.5 seconds faster than the 458 Italia. Updated electronic systems include a side slip angle control (SSC) system to improve car control on the limit.
Images: Throttle-Blips
