Ferrari 458 Challenge

The Ferrari 458 Italia won numerous awards after it was introduced in 2009. Top Gear Magazine heralded it as both its Car of the Year and Supercar of the Year, while Motor Trend crowned it as the Best Driver’s Car of 2011. Such awards do not come lightly: with a Pininfarina-styled body, a naturally aspirated 4.5-liter V8 and a top speed of over 325 kilometers per hour, the 458 Italia is a highly sought after car and a worthy successor of the F430.

Just like with its predecessors, a racing version of the 458 was inevitable. In the summer of 2010 Ferrari unveiled the 458 Challenge, ready to be used in the various Ferrari Challenge championships from 2011. It followed in the footsteps of the 360 and F430 Challenge: a serious racing platform specifically designed for Ferrari’s single-marque championship and intended for customers with an interest in racing.

To prepare it for racing, the already agile 458 Italia was put on a crash diet. Where possible, the thickness of the aluminum body panels was reduced. In some places, they were removed entirely in favor of carbon fiber. Both the front windscreen and side windows were replaced with ones made from a lighter polycarbonate. Additionally, the 458 Challenge was given a Sabelt racing seat with six-point harness, a lighter and simplified steering wheel, roll cage, fire extinguisher and new 19-inch centerlock wheels on larger Pirelli slick tires. The car was also lowered with improved suspension to improve handling.

The much-loved V8 engine received little changes compared to the roadgoing car. Modifications were limited to a custom racing exhaust, allowing the 458 to sing its signature song even louder. A slight increase in power to 570 horsepower gives the Challenge a slight edge over the road car. The results are significant: Ferrari claims that the 458 Challenge laps the Fiorano test track two seconds faster than the F430 Challenge. It is supposedly even a match for the mighty, V12-powered FXX, with the 458 Challenge claimed to be only two-tenths of a second slower over a lap.

This particular 458 Challenge (chassis number ZFF71NXX000181812) is brand new and has never raced. Since it was delivered in 2011, the car has only covered 50 kilometers. It is currently for sale in the livery as it was revealed to the world’s press and comes with all necessary documentation. Please get in touch for more information and pricing.