Thursday 2nd December 2010

Ferrari 458 Challenge Goes Public

New 'gentleman's racer' gets the star treatment at Bologna

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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...

[Rusty-C]

Want one.

[M666 EVO]

I want one!

[Noe]

Why write 'you want one' ? If you do. Just order one as they are out for late 2011/2012 .....

[M666 EVO]

Noe said:

Why write 'you want one' ? If you do. Just order one as they are out for late 2011/2012 .....

Alright then. I will do...

1/18 scale of course!

[Marf]

I want one!

[M666 EVO]

Noe said:

Why write 'you want one' ? If you do. Just order one as they are out for late 2011/2012 .....

Actually I wrote 'I want one', not 'you want one'.

Do you want one too then??

[Galsia]

'Left' and 'Right' indications on the steering wheel incase you forget which is which too!

[goron59]

i want two

[RTH]

And the price ?

[Amizade]

Galsia said:

'Left' and 'Right' indications on the steering wheel incase you forget which is which too!

wonder if challenge race suits will have indications for arse & elbow?

[Stuart]

RTH said:

And the price ?

Somewhere around the "if sir has to ask" level I think.

[dpbird90]

Yeah it's nice, but where's the 458 Scud?

[havoc]

article said:

Much of the advantage stems from weight reduction...

I suspect much of the 8s reduction vs the road car is due to the stiffer suspension, shorter gear ratios and especially the slicks!

[Dagnut]

nothing against electronics..but in a race car? which will be mostly likely raced in a one make series..its going to be very hard to spilt people...you could probably turn it off and get a few tenths if you have serious skills and go full attack but in all honesty over 30 laps you'll be quicker with E diff on..
Getting on the gas at right time exiting a bend is a huge part of being quick...in this you just plant your foot and let the E diff sort how how much to apply.

[Tankman]

Dagnut said:

nothing against electronics..but in a race car? which will be mostly likely raced in a one make series..its going to be very hard to spilt people...you could probably turn it off and get a few tenths if you have serious skills and go full attack but in all honesty over 30 laps you'll be quicker with E diff on..
Getting on the gas at right time exiting a bend is a huge part of being quick...in this you just plant your foot and let the E diff sort how how much to apply.

+1

For all those who "Want one" a PS3+GT5 or X-Box 360+Forza, Fanatec GT wheel, seat and pedals combo and a decent surround sound system should sort you out for a fraction of the price.

[wildman0609]

fair bit of body roll in the first picture

[ArtVandelay]

I see this car gets rid of the 3rd exhaust, I thought they claimed it actually served some purpose other than harking back to the turbocharged F40?

Much better with just the two IMO, although still not a fan of that front end.

[tomtom]

dpbird90 said:

Yeah it's nice, but where's the 458 Scud?

they've only just released the 458! Give it a few years.

[BBS-LM]

I must admit that 458 in race trim looks bloody good. Very nice.

[xspencex]

I think those interested in British GT will see 2 maybe 4 of these racing next year in GT3 guise. Should be interesting!