After thousands of no doubt happy laps the new 458 Challenge is ready.
By Roberto Motta
Photos: Ferrari-Media
With the new 458 Challenge, Ferrari puts an exceptional combination of extreme performance, superb fun behind the wheel and unique driving emotions at the finger-tips of its sporting, professional and gentleman-driver clients.
During the 2010, as the Ferrari 458 Italia has taken a host of coveted international awards from the most respected automotive magazines worldwide, the Ferrari 458 Challenge has continued its development for a best tuning.
After thousands of laps on the Maranello and Vallelunga track in the hands of Ferrari test drivers, the car was pronounced ready. On December 2nd at the 35th edition of the Bologna Motor Show, the 458 Challenge had its world debut.
Antonello-Coletta, head of the Corsa Clienti Department, with the 458 Challenge at the Bologna Motor Show.
The new mid-rear V8 berlinetta is derived from the 458 Italia and is the fifth model used by Ferrari in its single-series racing program which began with the 348 Challenge.
The Challenge series is currently split into Italian, European and North American championships which will be joined by the new Asia-Pacific series.
The heart of the Ferrari 458 Challenge is the V8-90° engine that remains in production configuration because that the F.I.A. regulation prohibits any changes to the engine. This 4499 cc V8 (274.5 cu in.) is the first Ferrari direct injection engine to be mid-rear mounted. It has compression ratio of 12.5:1 and, equipped with the traditional flat-plane crankshaft, the engine produces 570 CV (419 kW) at 9000 rpm and a maximum torque is 540 Nm (398 lbs/ft) at 6000 rpm.
However, compared to the production car, modifications have been made to the gear ratios and to calibration of its dual-clutch F1 gearbox to guarantee higher torque at lower revs. The 458 Challenge is also equipped with the E-Diff electronic differential already employed on the street version. To reduce weight, the Challenge has a new bodyshell with panels in carbon-fibre and Lexan.
The new 458 Challenge also has a specific suspension set-up with steel uniball joints, stiffer springs, single-rate alloy dampers, and center-nut 19” forged rims, larger dimension Pirelli slicks and has a ride height lowered by 50mm. It is also equipped with the new generation Brembo CCM2 brakes integrated with the latest ABS system. This ABS system debuted on the 599XX, Ferrari’s extreme experimental laboratory car.
The 458 Challenge has a sophisticated electronic handling package with three options.
The new Ferrari Challenge model makes use of the F1-Trac traction control system, the most sophisticated of its kind. Developed by Ferrari, the F1-Trac system constantly monitors levels of grip for maximum performance. Two specific track-biased calibrations have been developed for this application, with control logics and strategies derived from Ferrari’s extensive racing experience in the F1 and GT championships. The F1-Trac is completely integrated with the E-Diff to guarantee maximum stability and acceleration both into and out of corners.
The ABS/EBD, F1-Trac and E-Diff calibration settings are select via the hand lever on the steering wheel. It is the first time this solution has been adopted on a model developed for the Ferrari Challenge series.
The driver has a choice of three configurations: OFF position (traction control deactivated), position 1 and position 2. The latter two settings have progressively higher levels of control system intervention and are selected for a best grip on the track in every asphalt conditions.
458 Challenge lapped two seconds faster at Fiorano than its predecessor.
During its development sessions at Fiorano, the 458 Challenge improved the lap times of its predecessor by two seconds. Equally impressive is the amount of lateral grip the new car generates up to 1.6G.
We just have to wait for the green light of the season of 2011, when we will see the Ferrari 458 Challenge compete with the F430 Challenge on the world’s finest tracks.
That is a fine looking machine. I’m sure it is a great improvement over the 348 Challenge car I once owned which was a disappointment.
Dave, would you mind explaining how your car was a disappointment? The closest I’ve come to a car like this is a 911 Carrera 3.2. I’d love to know what you felt were the shortcomings.
p.s. I hope to experience your disappointment one day!
I raced in the 348 Challenge series in the mid 1990’s while owning other top sports cars of the day (new 996 Twin Turbo, M3 Lightweight Racing Ed, and others). The 348 was on par with the technology of the day. It was slightly underpowered because it was fairly heavy. But that weight was well spent – in my only racing accident ever, a high speed flip at Sear Point (now Infineon), the car was rigid and remained remarkable unscathed while keeping me safe. My street 348 was a lot of fun. Not the fastest car on the planet, but a great combination of the elements we look for in a sports car.