2015 Ferrari

Ferrari 458 Speciale (2013 - 2015): the best driver's car of the last 25 years

Of all the significant driver’s cars we’ve experienced over the last 25 years, one stands above all others. Ladies and gentlemen, the sublime, unsurpassed 458 Speciale

The last naturally aspirated, V8-powered Ferrari, it’s a 458 Italia with 90kg slashed away via stripping the interior, lighter glass and a Lexan engine cover; a 458 fitted with a tweaked 4.5-litre V8 producing an astonishing 597bhp at 9000rpm and with gearshift times cut by 44 per cent; the Ferrari that introduced Side Slip Control; the only car ever to win eCoty unanimously.’

It’s quite the accolade, that unanimous 2014 eCoty victory; the only one in the history of the magazine. It could be argued that it wasn’t the strongest of years – the Jaguar F-type R Coupe was a distant second, the Porsche Cayman GTS third – but it was a ten-car field that also included a BMW M3, McLaren 650S and Aston Martin Vanquish, so the stronger argument is that the Ferrari was simply on a higher plane than everything else. Subsequent experience bears this out: every encounter with the Speciale since has only reaffirmed its brilliance.

The Ferrari 458 Speciale is a track-focused, lightweight supercar housing a 4.5L naturally aspirated V8. It produces 605 cv (597 hp) and 540 Nm of torque. Weighing just 1,290 kg dry, it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.0 seconds and reaches a top speed exceeding 325 km/h.The Speciale boasts aggressive aerodynamic enhancements, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and advanced driving aids like Side Slip Control (SSC).

Here is a more in-depth breakdown of the specifications:

Engine & Powertrain

Engine Type: 90° V8, naturally aspirated

Displacement: 4,497 cc

Max Power: 605 cv (597 hp) @ 9,000 rpm

Max Torque: 540 Nm @ 6,000 rpm

Max Revs: 9,000 rpm (limiter)

Transmission: 7-speed F1 dual-clutch

Performance & Dynamics

0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 3.0 seconds

0-200 km/h (0-124 mph): 9.1 seconds

Top Speed: >325 km/h (202 mph)

Fiorano Lap Time: 1m 23.5s

Braking (100-0 km/h): 31.0 meters

Dimensions & Weight

Dry Weight: 1,290 kg

Kerb Weight: 1,395 kg

Weight Distribution: 42% Front / 58% Rear

Length: 4,571 mm

Width: 1,951 mm

Height: 1,203 mm

Wheelbase: 2,650 mm