As I typically preface any story related to the all-new Ferrari 458 Speciale, I always look forward to what Ferrari cooks up when it comes to the special edition for the mid-engine V8 cars.
The 348 Speciale and F355 Fiorano were cool and all but it wasn't until Ferrari produced the 360 Challenge Stradale did we see what the company was capable of putting on the road and the lines blurred between road car and track car.
Following that was the 430 Scuderia, which followed the 360 CS' formula. The 16M was a breakaway product that gave the same benefits as the Scud minus the top.
That neatly brings us to the 458 Speciale, which follows in the previous cars' footsteps. So, what's this mean?
Essentially the vehicle sheds weight, gains a touch of power, features a faster shifting 'box and is just, overall, a sharper and more finely tuned product that's sole purpose is to deliver smiles.
All this said, the only way to properly understand why this vehicle that believes "less is more (money)," you have to check out the following clip delivered by one of the best, Steve Sutcliffe.
The Ferrari 458 Speciale is claimed - by its maker - to be the most fun mid-engined V8 Ferrari ever. And that's some claim if you look back through the firm's catalogue. This latest incarnation of the 458, the most focussed yet, costs £208,000, makes 597bhp, revs to 9000rpm and weighs 90kg less than the standard car.
It also has a new manettino setting that allows the driver to go sideways with the ESP still engaged. It is, by any stretch, a truly great supercar. But can it deliver on the promise of being more fun than an F40? Steve Sutcliffe finds out.
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