Thursday 25th September 2014

Ferrari 458 Speciale A confirmed

Limited run of 499 Speciale spiders to follow Paris debut

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A year after the 458 Speciale was first shown at Frankfurt Ferrari has confirmed the Spider version will be unveiled at Paris next week. And the badge plucked out of the Maranello name-o-matic machine that gifted us 'LaFerrari'? Ferrari 458 Speciale A. That's A for Aperta says Ferrari, not because they wanted to call it the Speciale K but couldn't find any models in red swimsuits to pose with it on the show stand.

Without the roof you get a better view of this...

The last Ferrari to carry the same description was the limited edition 599 SA Aperta, the name for the 458 version basically translating as the Ferrari 458 Special Open. Yup, definitely sounds better in Italian.

Unlike the Speciale the Speciale A will be a limited edition, restricted to just 499 cars and intended to celebrate what Ferrari describes as the "dazzling success" of race versions of the 458. Class wins at Le Mans, Daytona, Sebring and two WEC titles would, to be fair, make that a reasonable boast.

Technically it features the same 605hp and 446lb ft V8 as the existing Speciale, for which you'll hear few complaints given its charismatic combination of huge specific output, revs, noise and character. No turbos or hybrid assistance here. And in case you were in any doubt about the way it goes about its business note that peak torque is at 6,000rpm and you'll need 9,000rpm on the dial to get the full quota of Cavallino Rampante. Seems like only yesterday (...because it was only yesterday) we were asking whether chopping the roof off a hardcore supercar dilutes its focus but in the case of the Speciale A it seems there are few compromises and plenty of positives. Like being able to hear that screaming V8 in all its glory.

If you have to ask you're probably too late

The transition from coupe to spider adds just 50kg to the 1,290kg dry weight of the Speciale coupe and the Fiorano lap time of 1min 23.5sec for the Speciale A is identical. Likewise the 3.0-second 0-62 and 9.5-second 0-125mph times. As you'd expect Speciale tech like the nifty Side Slip Angle Control (SSC) and carbon-enhanced interior fittings are also carried over, the Speciale A also bearing its own interpretation of the blue and white NART stripes over its special triple-layer yellow paint.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed but given the press release says the car is "dedicated to just 499 Ferrari collectors" we're guessing you'll need more than a well-funded cheque book to guarantee your order. If your name's not down and all that. To tide you over while you wait for one to appear on the used market you could invest in the Speciale A's predecessor, the 430 Scuderia 16M, DK Engineering having one for sale in the PH Classifieds for £175K.

More on the car from Paris next week.

[myhandle]

Nice.

[Krikkit]

Sounds like this'll be one of the last hurrahs of a small V8 Ferrari to me. That engine sounds absolutely bewitching, what a thing!

[JohnGoodridge]

Awesome.

Last Atmospheric baby Ferrari, limited run, open roof, has future classic written all over it.

How much are 16M's these days btw?

[Busso GTA]

Much want , time to get entrepreneurial or get me lottery numbers on.

[soad]

JohnGoodridge said:

How much are 16M's these days btw?

Mentioned in the article. Ferrari 430 Scuderia 16M (2009) - £174,995

[bubney72]

Stunning! What a beauty.

[thatguy11]

Oh my oh my.

[Reavenger]

Overused phrase but 'Future Classic' surely? Can see them holding their value being the ultimate edition of a fantastic Ferrari. Lovely.

[P4ROT]

I feel bad saying this, but I don't think the 458 actually looks or sounds that good- 360 cs for me

[articulatedj]

P4ROT said:

I feel bad saying this, but I don't think the 458 actually looks or sounds that good- 360 cs for me

Don't feel bad. You are not alone.

[daytona365]

Why buy this, when for that money one could buy two BMW E30 M3 evo's ?

[marcosgt]

I'd take the coupe, special edition or not, but I don't suppose that'll bother Ferrari much

Awesome car though!

daytona365 said:

Why buy this, when for that money one could buy two BMW E30 M3 evo's ?

One for each foot? Presumably, many buying this could buy an E30 too without worrying the bank managed, but have you driven a 458 Speciale? The journo-froth is totally justified!

M.

[alexpa]

Allahu Akbar! In triple gold, I take it.

[Dr S]

Call my oldfashioned but as much as I love the Speciale as little I understand it in open top form...

[Foggy748]

Very nice but...you can't see that jewel of an engine like you can in the coupe. I needs to see that precious precious piece of Italian art!

[TaylotS2K]

I'm not a massive fan of the 458 spider but that looks immense. Beautiful.

[PGNCerbera]

aching with want

[SpunkyM]

Mine arrives end of Oct. Can't wait.


..damn you alarm clock. Yaaawn.

[thespannerman]

I honestly think the standard bumper with 3 pipes looks better!

[stephen300o]

daytona365 said:

Why buy this, when for that money one could buy two BMW E30 M3 evo's ?

Hahaha.