Ferrari 458 was presented the 2010 Frankfurt Motor Show. Lately, the Ferrari 458 Challenge has made its world premiere debut in Maranello during the Annual Dealer Meeting. 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.
The Ferrari 458 Challenge introduces a number of important modifications to adapt it for competition use. This car use the direct injection 4497 cc V8 remains strictly in production tune, with an output of 570 hp at 9,000 rpm. That said, modifications have been made to the gear ratios and calibration of its dual-clutch F1 gearbox to assure gamier torque at bluer revs. The Ferrari 458 dispute are as well equipt with the E-Diff electronic differential already employed on the road-going adaptation, a 1st for Ferrari’s track-only automobiles.
Another first for a Ferrari Challenge model is the adoption of the F1-Trac traction control system, the most sophisticated of its kind. Developed in-house by Ferrari, the F1-Trac system constantly monitors levels of grip for maximum high-performance road-holding. Two specific track-biased calibrations - wet and dry - have been developed for this application, with control logic and strategies derived from Ferrari's extensive racing experience in the F1 and GT championships.
Important work has also come in abbreviating the auto angle. This centered both the exterior and interior with Ferrari’s engineers boiling down particularly about abbreviating the thickness of the bodyshell panels and on using lightweight cloths, such carbon-fibre and Lexan.
2011 Ferrari Sports Cars 458 Challenge