Tag: 458 Italia

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Ferrari

Turbocharged Ferrari 458 M spied

Ferrari 458M prototype

Ferrari will breath new life into its 458 Italia with the 458 M facelift due next year. It’s a revised and beefed up 458 which will benefit from the addition of a retuned version of the twin turbo 3.8 litre V8 from the California T.

Where the hairdresser’s Ferrari makes do with 412kW we can expect the 458 M to raise the bar to a mighty 500kW (670hp). That’s 55kW more than Ferrari managed from the normally aspirated 4.5 litre V8 in the Speciale.

We can expect some minor tweaks to be introduced to the 458 M’s bodywork and a new exhaust system, too, to help cater for the new engine.

With a 2015 introduction on the cards the 458 M may show up in Geneva next March. Whether it will carry the 458 M working title through to production, or perhaps follow the California’s lead and be badged the 458 T, remains to be seen.

[Source: Autoblog | Pic: CarPix]

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Bathurst 12 Hour Ferrari

Maranello Motorsport wins 2014 Bathurst 12hr

2014 Bathurst 12 Hour

Craig Lowndes has hung on in the Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 during a drama-filled final 12 minutes to win the 2014 Bathurst 12 Hour for the Maranello Motorsport team.

The winning margin was just 0.41 seconds back to Max Buhk in the #84 HTP Mercedes. Third place was claimed by the #63 Erebus Mercedes who had to fend off a charging Shane van Gisbergen in the #37 McLaren.

In P5 was Laurens Vanthoor in the #3 Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS Ultra, the final car on the lead lap. A total of 296 laps were completed a new distance record for the Bathurst 12 Hour race.

A grandstand finish was guaranteed on lap 288 after the #67 Porsche went into the wall on the top of the mountain forcing the Safety Car on track to allow track marshals to move car and driver to safety.

It was the ninth Safety Car period for the race it pulled into pit lane with 12 minutes left on the clock. Lowndes held the lead from Buhk, Davison and van Gisbergen.

While those positions didn’t change the drama and excitement went through the roof. It was a two-stage race with Lowndes and Buhk dicing, while Davison and van Gisbergen fought over the final podium step.

Bathurst rookie Max Buhk gave his Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 every chance to win trying twice to overtake Lowndes around the outside of Lowndes at Griffins Bend. Lowndes showed immense composure to hold his line and defend his position.

Meanwhile van Gisbergen was doing all he could to get past the leading Erebus Mercedes but had to contend himself with P4. That late splash and dash for the McLaren proved to take away its chance for victory.

As you can imagine the Maranello Motorsport team was overjoyed at the win with Craig Lowndes joined by fellow drivers John Bowe, Mika Salo and Peter Edwards on the podium. The entire team paying tribute to fallen teammate Allan Simonsen.

And with that dramatic and final result the Bathurst 12 Hour race delivered not only an exciting sprint to the line but also a sentimental victory that nobody can deny.

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Ferrari

Ferrari 458 Speciale in video

Ferrari 458 Speciale

Over the last couple of weeks motoring journos have been putting their thoughts on the 445kW Ferrari 458 Speciale to video. We’ve grabbed three of them for you which should give you some idea of what this more extreme 458 is like.

Jethro Bovingdon from Evo is first up and he starts by doing his research at the wheel of a standard 458 Italia before returning to the 430 Scuderia to see what tricks Ferrari might have up its sleeve for the Speciale. It’s fair to say his expectations were high by the time he took the wheel of the Speciale and those expectations were met and perhaps even exceeded.

Steve Sutcliffe from Autocar had a turn as well, also testing the 458 Speciale on the road and track. Like his Evo colleague, Sutcliffe thought the Speciale was, well, quite special. Both marvelled at the freedom displayed by the car’s Side Slip angle Control system (SSC), which allows sideways action without the horrors of spinning out of control. At least that’s the theory.

Ben Barry from Car drove the 458 Speciale on the road only. And, interestingly, he wasn’t as convinced by the step from the standard car to Speciale.

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Ferrari

Ferrari owner honours Niki Lauda with special 458

Farrari 458 Italia

A cashed-up Ferrari owner—is there any other kind—has used his own 458 Italia to create a personal tribute to Niki Lauda. Inspired by Rush and the livery of Niki Lauda’s F1 car from the era, the owner had his car prepared by Ferrari’s Tailor Made personalisation programme.

The white roof and gold wheels are the most obvious visual cues that this isn’t an ordinary 458, but the customisation continued to the interior as well. Special stitching on the seats and more Italian flag graphics on the centre console ensure that the owner will be reminded of his expenses at all times.

As far as one-off creations go we reckon this one looks pretty good. What about you?

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Ferrari Motor Shows

Frankfurt 2013: Ferrari 458 Speciale

Ferrari 458 Speciale

If you can only afford to buy one Ferrari 458, this Speciale version is the one you should get. We got a preview of the car last month, so we already know it’s powered by Ferrari’s most powerful V8 ever. But this latest addition to the 458 range has more tricks than a simple power upgrade.

Mostly, those tricks centre around the Speciale’s aerodynamics package. Ferrari’s boffins have had a field day with this car adorning it with active front and rear flaps, little fins and creases all adding up to provide excellent downforce.

Back to the engine and its performance for a moment. The 4.5 litre V8 now has 445kW, up 20kW on the 458 Italia. It has a dry weight of 1290kg and when it’s all fired up and angry the Speciale will spit out 100km/h in 3.0 seconds and 200km/h in 9.1 seconds. It will knock-off the standing quarter mile in 10.7 seconds and in 19.4 seconds a full kilomtere will have whizzed by.

But it’s not just all party time going forwards, the 458 Speciale has carbon ceramic brakes as standard equipment. From 100km/h the brakes will pull you up to a complete standstill in only 31 metres.

When you put all that together the 458 Speciale can lap Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in 1:23.5. That’s faster than a 599 GTO and just half a second off the pace of an F12 berlinetta. It’s fair to say we’d like one very much!

After the break you can learn so much more about the 458 Speciale thanks to a series of videos and a couple of press releases for those who prefer the written word.

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Ferrari

Ferrari 458 Speciale revealed

Ferrari 458 Speciale

Ferrari has been mucking around with its already immensely capable 458 Italia and come up with this, the 458 Speciale. The car will make its public debut in Frankfurt next month.

There are a few things that make the Speicale special, but let’s start with the engine. Ferrari has managed to fiddle with the 4.5 litre V8 and found an extra 20kW over the Italia, for a new peak figure of 445kW (605cv).

Ferrari reckons the 458 Speciale will knock off 100km/h in 3.0 seconds, 200km/h in 9.1 seconds and can lap its Fiorano test track in 1:23.5. Mighty impressive really.

As you can see the body of the car has been massaged as well. It looks even more purposeful and aggressive than the Italia and Ferrari says the active aero package on the Speciale will be a feature of all new Ferraris.

The part we like the most, though, is the SSC acronym. It stands for Side Slip angle Control system. And in Ferrari’s own words SSC, which employs the car’s F1-Trac and E-Diff systems, “makes it easier to achieve car control on the limit, thereby greatly improving driving emotions.”

And who doesn’t love having their driving emotions improved!

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Bathurst 12 Hour Ferrari

Ferrari 458 GT3 ‘smashes Bathurst lap record’

Allan Simonsen, Ferrari 458 GT3, Mount Panorama

Official word of Allan Simonsen’s new lap record at Bathurst has come through from Ateco Automotive, importers of Ferrari into Australia, confirming the new benchmark of 2:04.956 set in the 458 GT3.

Simonsen, who will race a Ferrari 458 GT3 at the Bathurst 12 Hour next year, said afterwards, “This car is damn fast! Given this is our first test, it’s certainly nice to break the lap record finally and we did it in style.

“The power and the chassis are so complementary and I’m feeling really comfortable in the car and with the team.

“These new generation cars are all going to have a fast pace, and there’s no doubt the (Bathurst) 12 Hour is going to be very fast and incredibly competitive – it’s an event I’m definitely looking forward to on the calendar.”

It certainly looks as though the Bathurst 12 Hour is being taken more seriously by high-level European teams. That’s great news for local motorsport fans.

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Ferrari

OFFICIAL: Ferrari 458 Italia Spider

Ferrari 458 Italia Spider

Ferrari is another to release new info of their latest model following the recent appearance of leaked photos. So, here is the official news on the 458 Italia Spider, plus a handful of pics.

It is simply spectacular! The Spider may even look better than the hardtop. It’s certainly more dramatic and, with the roof off, it makes it easier to get away when your beautiful 458 catches on fire.

The Spider weighs in at 1430kg, some 50kg heavier than the regular 458 Italia. That means you’ll need to allow an extra few tenths of a second to get to 100km/h. But if you put all the electronic gadgets to the right setting you’ll still be launched to the highway limit in around 3.5 seconds, thanks largely to its 4.5 litre V8 spitting out prancing horses at the rate of 425kW.

The Ferrari 458 Spider will arrive in Australia at the end of 2012, when prices and specifications will be announced.

There’s more after the break, including a short video showing off the Spider’s folding metal roof.

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Ferrari McLaren

McLaren MP4-12C v Ferrari 458 v Noble M600

Before Evo magazine discovered what they thought needed improving in the McLaren MP4-12C first they had to test it against its competitors. The most obvious rival is the Ferrari 458 Italia. For extra laughs Evo added the Noble M600 as well.

Roger Green took on the track testing duties at the Bedford Autodrome West Circuit. Above you’ll see what he thought of the 12C. After the break you’ll see his views on the Fez and the Noble. Also included is a drag race with all three cars, plus a Porsche 911 Turbo S.

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Ferrari

How to drive a Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari recently published this instructional video to YouTube for the 458 Italia which explains, “how to absolutely control the car with a maximum of driving pleasure on the track and on the road.” All you need is 3 minutes 42 seconds, some cheesy sound effects and some dramatic music. Hmm, no mention of how to activate the fire extinguisher.

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Ferrari Motorsports

A lap of Monza in a Ferrari 458 Challenge

The the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli kicked off at Monza on the weekend, which meant it was the race debut for the new 458 Challenge. What better way to bring you closer to the action than by taking you onboard the new racer for a full lap of the famous Italian circuit. Stefano Gai, 2010 Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli winner, is at the wheel.

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Ferrari

Another Ferrari 458 Italia photoshoot

Ferrari 458 Italia

While over at Winding Road reading about Jack Brabham we also came across this great image gallery of the Ferrari 458 Italia. The pics were taken by Chris Amos and they’re bloody good too. Amos has captured just about every visual detail you could hope for. Follow the source link below for more.

This is the second 458 photoshoot we have linked to this month. If you missed the first one, check it out here.

[Source: Winding Road]