Ferrari has just unveiled its new 458 Challenge for the first time in public at the Bologna motor show. Fortunately they've emailed us some new pictures too, because snowy Teddington feels a very long way from Italy today...
First pictured back in July, the 458 Italia derived machine is the fifth model used by Ferrari in its single-series racing programme, and the company reckons the new Challenge is going to 'put an exceptional combination of extreme performance, superb fun behind the wheel and unique driving emotions at the finger-tips of sporting, professional and gentleman-driver clients'. (Ed. Does that mean us? Probably not...)
Compared to the 458 Italia, the direct injection 4499cc V8 remains strictly in production tune, today's release confirms, with an output of 570hp at 9,000rpm. However, there are mods to gear ratios and dual-clutch gearbox calibration. The 458 Challenge is also equipped with the E-Diff electronic differential already employed on the road-going version.
As we already knew, the new racer has lapped the company's Fiorano test track more quickly than its predecessor - a lap-time of 1min 16.5secs being claimed for the 458 Challenge against the 430 Challenge's 1min 18.5secs. (A road-going 458 Italia will do it in 1min 25secs.) Much of the advantage stems from weight reduction, but we still don't know how much has been shaved/saved.
In case you need a refresher, the new 458 Challenge also gets a track-focused suspension set-up with stiffer springs and single-rate alloy dampers. It rides on centre-nut 19" forged wheels, with larger Pirelli slicks and has a ride height lowered by 50mm all round. It is also equipped with the Brembo brakes and ABS system which debuted on the 599XX.
Another first for a Ferrari Challenge model is the adoption of the F1-Trac traction control system, which Ferrari claims is the most sophisticated of its kind.
The F1-Trac system constantly monitors levels of grip for maximum high-performance road-holding, and two specific track-biased calibrations have been developed for the car - so there'll be little excuse for any gentleman driver making unexpected excursions on race days...
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