Driving a Ferrari is one thing. Sure, it's an unbelievable experience but if you really want to distill the essence of the brand, there's no question you have to get behind the wheel of something a bit more race inspired. You have to remember, this company really is a Formula 1 team first and a consumer auto manufacturer second.
After recently piloting a 458 Spider, I realized that while the standard car is somewhat raw it isn't the full banana. Compared to my experience in a 430 Scuderia, it's a bit more refined in every way.
Ferrari 458 Speciale A
While it doesn't come to us a surprise — we've been reporting about a special 458 Spider on its way for months now — we do have to say that the end result is rather stunning. It's not anything we didn't expect, but, I do have to say I am a sucker for the blue carbon fiber. I've only seen dyed carbon fiber resin in the likes of Aston Martins, Bugattis and Paganis.
Check out the press release and all the images of the 458 Speciale A, below!
Look out for its Paris Motor Show debut!
Ferrari 458 Speciale A
Ferrari's press release follows:
Ferrari 458 Speciale A: a new record-breaking spider
499 cars to celebrate our most successful, award-winning 8-cylinder model
Maranello, 25th September 2014 – Ferrari is pleased to announce the Paris Motor Show world debut of the 458 Speciale A (A as in Aperta). The new limited edition special series is a celebration of the dazzling success of the various versions of the 458, a model that has collected an array of international motoring media awards and track victories, not least a double WEC title and category wins in classic endurance races, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Dedicated to just 499 Ferrari collectors, the 458 Speciale A is the most powerful spider in Prancing Horse history, effortlessly marrying extreme performance with the sublime pleasure of drop-top driving. Its aluminium retractable hard top, which takes a mere 14 seconds to deploy or retract, helps reduce the weight difference with the Speciale coupé to just 50 kg.
The 458 Speciale A sports the most powerful naturally-aspirated road-going V8 engine ever built by Ferrari. It punches out a massive 605 cv (135 cv/l specific power output) and 540 Nm of torque at 6000 rpm yet only generates 275 g/km of CO2 emissions. The three international Best Performance Engine awards the V8 has won are acknowledged on a special plaque in the cockpit.
The new car sprints from 0-100 km/h in just 3.0 seconds and has a Fiorano lap time of 1’23”5. These superb results are thanks in great part to its front and rear active aerodynamics, the rigidity of a chassis that incorporates 10 aluminium alloys, and Side Slip Angle Control (SSC) which guarantees unparalleled sporty driving in all conditions, underscored by the seductively exhilarating signature Ferrari soundtrack.
As is the case with all Prancing Horse cars, the 458 Speciale A’s sculpted forms are absolutely performance-oriented. In fact, a series of innovative and original bodywork solutions has made the 458 Speciale A the most aerodynamically efficient Ferrari spider ever.
The 458 Speciale A is being premiered in a unique triple-layer yellow livery with a Blu Nart and Bianco Avus central stripe as well as five-spoke forged wheels in Grigio Corsa. The cockpit has a distinctive racing-inspired look: lightweight yet exclusive materials have been adopted throughout and, of course, crafted with Ferrari’s signature artisanal sophistication. This is particularly true of the finish of the dash, the moulded door panels and central tunnel in an exclusive blue carbon-fibre (also used for the treadplates) as well as the newly-designed seats in Alcantara© with contrasting stitching and 3D technical fabric.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION SUMMARY
Engine
Type V8 – 90°
Total displacement 4497 cc
Max. power output 605 cv at 9000 rpm
Maximum torque 540 Nm at 6000 rpm
Weight
Dry weight 1340 kg
Weight-power ratio 2.21 kg/cv
Performance
0 - 100 km/h 3.0”
0 - 200 km/h 9.5”
Fiorano lap time 1’23”5
Emissions (ECE + EUDC combined cycle)
CO2 emissions** 275 gr/km
**with HELE system
Ferrari 458 Speciale A
