Ferrari 458 Speciale: Catch it While You Can

Already lauded as the best Ferrari of modern times, the status of the 458 Speciale is only heading in one direction

There really was no need for Ferrari to call its hyper-focused 458 the 'Speciale'. That it's a special car really should go without saying. This is, in fact, one of the all-time great supercars. And with 458 production now at its end, the Speciale is, I think, going to be 'the' modern Ferrari to own.

With the 458's replacement, the 488 GTB, migrating to force-fed induction, the world will look back at the era of naturally-aspirated supercars with extraordinary fondness - and in many ways, the 458 Speciale represents its pinnacle.

One of the greats, no doubt about that

Greatness naturally thrust upon it
If the 458 is destined for historical greatness - and it is - the 458 Speciale is already the stuff of legend. It is, quite simply, a brilliant driver's car. For starters, it shaves 90kg off the 458's weight. It also has an effective drag-reducing and downforce-boosting aerodynamic package. But most of all, its engine is an absolute humdinger.

This is normally-aspirated V8 Ferrari heaven. Not only is this the most powerful NA Ferrari ever (605hp, some 35hp up on the regular Italia), it also has the highest specific output of any NA road car in history (135hp per litre). While the Speciale's performance gains are marginal (3.0 seconds to 62mph, some four tenths quicker than an Italia), it's the way the Speciale delivers its performance that's so exceptional: a responsiveness to right-foot inputs that's simply unmatched and an intoxicating eagerness to rev up to an indicated 9,400rpm. And the quality of the noise above 8,000rpm is unforgettably intense, suitably enhanced by the crackling roar of the Speciale's rerouted exhaust.

Be warned, though: this is a hard-edged experience. You'll struggle to find a track with noise limits accommodating of that fantastic din and its specially calibrated dampers are unforgiving in any setting.

Blue with gold? Oooof!

Heroic few
The 458 Speciale is a collector's dream for another reason: it's a rare beast; one that sold out long ago. Ferrari still lists the Speciale on its website, but since the factory is now switching over to the 488 GTB, I'm told that Speciale production ceases in September. The very last Speciale coupe - in bright orange - is heading for, ah, James May's garage.

Ferrari hasn't divulged total production numbers for the Speciale, but it's unlikely to be more than 2,000 coupes, on top of which you can add 499 open-topped Speciale A examples.

Although priced new at £208,090, extras were always obligatory. Ferrari UK's yellow Speciale, in which I had quite a bit of fun earlier this year, has over £40,000 of extras fitted, which is actually quite modest, if some reports of options-list ticking I've heard are true.

As an example of the extras chosen by owners, a version ordered through Ferrari's 'Atelier Program' is up for grabs. It's a 2014 example in Azzurro (bright blue) with gold NART stripes, gold wheels and gold calipers, plus extra carbon bits (including race seats). It's only covered 875 miles and seems fair value at £239,995.

Aperta for sale at £500K!

If you want even less mileage, a 2014 example with delivery miles will cost you £285,000, with a generous spec including a blue NART stripe, four-point belts, track camera, rear camera, sat nav and upgraded sound system.

As for the open-topped Speciale 'A' (Aperta) version, there's a brand new, delivery-mileage LHD example in red available for a whopping £525,000. That's more than double the original list price of £228,682.

What chance a sub-£200K car?
Sub-£200K Speciales are impossible to find, unless you go LHD - continental Speciales do find their way here, at prices well below RHD ones. Indeed, one was listed recently on PH at £199,995.

Will RHD cars go below £200K any time soon? I very much doubt it. With low-mileage 430 Scuderias still up for above £200K, the long-term prospects for the 458 Spesh are looking pretty special, I'd say.