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jamhari
Form becomes performance
The
composite bumpers have been redesigned and the front bonnet now features two
deep air outlets to channel away the air exiting the radiator. A
car this special demands an exceptional engine. Ferrari drew heavily on its
extensive F1 knowledge at the design, process and control stages.
Aerodynamics
The
car’s active aerodynamics – a new Ferrari patent - played a fundamental part in
the creation of the 458 Speciale and allow it adopt different configurations to
deliver maximum downforce in cornering and minimum drag on straights. At
the front of the car are two vertical flaps in the centre with a horizontal
flap below them. At speeds of over 220km/h the horizontal flap lowers to
balance downforce between the front and rear axles, leading to a 20 per cent
shift in overall downforce towards the rear. A
larger, more exaggerated spoiler has improved rear downforce (Cl) by 7 points.
Vehicle Dynamics
Ferrari’s
designers set themselves the target of delivering clients extraordinarily
intense driving emotions in a car that would allow them match and improve their
own limits with ease. Electronics, brakes, suspensions, tyres: all feature new
technological innovations that deliver genuinely superb performances worthy of
the Speciale moniker. A steering response time of 0.060 seconds and lateral
acceleration of 1.33 g are the highest ever achieved for a Ferrari production
car, guaranteeing the 458 Speciale will satisfy even our most
performance-oriented owners.
Side Slip Angle Control (SSC)
In terms of electronic management, the 458 Speciale marks the world debut of Side Slip Angle Control (SSC) and an upgrade of the F1 transmission control logic.
Gear-shift strategy
Response times are more prompt than ever with 40 per cent faster longitudinal acceleration and engine revs adapting 20 per cent more rapidly in up-shifts, while the transient time required for engine revs to match the gear ratio in down-shifts is 44 per cent faster.
Tyres and wheels
The
20 inch specially designed forged wheels are also 12 kg lighter than the 458
Italia’s.
