Ferrari announced the world debut of the 458 Speciale A (A as in Aperta / Open in English) at the Paris Motor Show. The new limited edition special series is a celebration of the success of the various versions of the 458, a model that has collected an array of international motoring media awards and track victories, not least a double WEC title and category wins in classic endurance races, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Dedicated to just 499 Ferrari collectors, the 458 Speciale A is the most powerful spider in Ferrari history. The 458 Speciale A sports the most powerful naturally-aspirated road-going V8 engine ever built by Ferrari. It produces a massive 597 hp and 398pounds of torque at 6000 rpm. The three international Best Performance Engine awards the V8 has won are acknowledged on a special plaque in the cockpit.
The new car sprints from 0-100 km/h in just 3.0 seconds and can make it to 125 mph in 9.5 seconds, and of course no special edition Ferrari is complete without a Fiorano lap time, which it did in 1’23″5. One significant chance is in the aluminum retractable hard top, which takes a mere 14 seconds to deploy or retract, helps reduce the weight difference with the Speciale coupé to just 50 kg. Aside from the weight the 458 Speciale A’s sculpted form makes it the most aerodynamically efficient Ferrari spider ever.
The 458 Speciale A is being premiered in a unique triple-layer yellow livery with a Blu Nart and Bianco Avus central stripe as well as five-spoke forged wheels in Grigio Corsa. The cockpit has a very distinctive racing-inspired look.
The 458 Speciale looks set to be the last naturally aspirated V8 Ferrari road car to roll out of Maranello. The 458’s replacement – which could arrive in early 2015 – is set to gain a pair of turbos.
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