Ferrari 458 Challenge makes world debut at Bologna

The Ferrari 458 Challenge is making its first world appearance at the 2010 Bologna Motor Show, in Italy. The motorsports car is being presented to the public on a stand that has been completely devoted to Ferrari’s racing activities.

Derived from the 458 Italia, the mid-rear V8 Berlinetta is the fifth model used by Ferrari in its single-series racing programme. The 458 Challenge will bring to the track a combination of performance, fun handling as well as driving emotions.

In terms of engine, the 458 Challenge maintains the same direct injection 4499 cc V8 engine featured on the 458 Italia, keeping its power output at 570 hp at 9,000 rpm. Changes have been made on the gear ratios and calibration of its dual-clutch F1 gearbox in order to achieve higher torque at lower revs. The 458 Challenge also features the -Diff electronic differential already employed on the road-going version, a first for Ferrari's track-only cars.

While developing the racing car, engineers focused on weight reduction. Work has been made both on the interior and exterior, with the reduction of the thickness of the bodyshell panels and the use of lightweight materials, such as carbon-fibre and Lexan.

The new 458 Challenge features a specific suspension set-up with steel uniball joints, stiffer springs, single-rate alloy dampers, centre-nut 19” forged rims, larger dimension Pirelli slicks and a ride height lowered by 50mm all round. The racing car is fitted with the new generation Brembo CCM2 brakes integrated with the latest ABS system which made its first appearance onboard the 599XX, Ferrari’s extreme experimental laboratory car.

For the first time on a Ferrari Challenge model, the Italian brand included on its specifications the F1-Trac traction control system, the most sophisticated of its kind. This system monitors levels of grip for maximum high-performance road-holding.