Ferrari 458 Challenge makes world premiere MARANELLO - The Ferrari 458 Challenge has made its world debut in Maranello during the Annual Dealer Meeting, an event that brings togethe rrepresentatives of Ferrari's international sales network. The new berlinetta, which will flank the F430 Challenge in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli in the 2011 season, is the fifth model used by Ferrari in its one-make championship which, next year, will be extended to include a new Asia- Pacific series. A number of modifications have been made to adapt it for competition use, although the direct injection 4,497cc V8 engine retains an output of 570bhp at 9,000rpm. Higher torque at lower revs has been attained with modifications to the gear ratios and dual-clutch F1 gearbox. The 458 Challenge also has an eletronic differential already employed on the road-going variant, which makes this a first for the Prancing Horse's track-only cars. Effort has gone into cutting the 458 Challenge's weight, Ferrari said. The thickness of the bodyshell panels have been reduced. Lightweight materials such as carbon-fibre and Lexan were used as well. To put down on all that horsepower, the 458 Challenge is shod with 19-inch Pirelli slicks with the new-generation Brembo CCM2 brakes that was found on the 599XX. To make the driver a complete track meister, the Ferrari Challenge comes equipped with the F1-trac traction control, which constantly measures levels of grip for maximum road-holding. Two track calibrations have been developed - wet and dry.
Im not a fan of the 458 design, but the car is mighty impressive. This is a track car correct, and not a lightweight street car replacing the Scuderia?
Oh god that paint looks horrendous, look at how hazy that light reflection is! Looks like they decided some burger grease was the best glass cleaner too. One sick looking car though.
