1949 Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta

The RM Auctions’ event in Arizona on January 20th-21st is already featuring an impressive line up of rare and exotic vehicles, including a 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Dayton Spyder previously owned by Mr. October himself, Reggie Jackson.

On offer this season is the rare race-bred 1949 Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta. Commissioned for the 1949 Paris Motor Show, the 166 MM is considered to be one of the rarest and most historic Ferrari, having been owned and raced by many notable individuals in the Ferrari world, including Aprile Palmer in 1951.

Under the hood, power is provided by a 2.0-liter V12 engine with an estimated 140 hp (104 kW / 142 PS). It is connected to a five-speed manual transmission, which enables the roadster to accelerate from 0-100 mph in approximately 27 seconds.

Chassis number 0024 M – the 10th of only 25 examples made – was originally displayed at the 1949 Paris Motor Show in Argentina's official racing colors, yellow and blue, before being sent off to South America to win the 1950 Mar del Plata. True to its name, it was also campaigned in the 1951 Mille Miglia rally, and has since undergone a thorough restoration – including the red paint job you see here.

The beautiful racer, expected to fetch between $1.9 million – $2.4 million, is one of 11 Ferraris slated to cross the auction block during the marquee event, including Reggie Jackson’s 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder that we told you about last month. Originally commissioned for the 1949 Paris Motor Show, the 166 MM on offer is considered one of the rarest and most historic early Ferraris, having been owned and raced by many notable individuals in the Ferrari world.




Press Release

COVETED FERRARI 166 MM TOURING BARCHETTA JOINS RM'S ARIZONA SALE

• Rare 1949 Ferrari 166MM Touring Barchetta latest star attraction for RM's Arizona Biltmore auction
• 166 MM headlines exciting list of 11 important Ferraris slated for January 20 - 21 sale
• RM's 2011 Arizona sale kicks off with ‘The British Are Back', Thursday January 20, celebrating a host of great British marques

BLENHEIM, Ontario (December 2, 2010) - With preparations well underway for the 2011 collector car auction season, RM announced today the consignment of a rare, race-bred 1949 Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta, chassis number 0024 M, as the latest star attraction for its Arizona sale, returning January 20 - 21, 2011.

Originally commissioned for the 1949 Paris Motor Show, for which it was painted in the Argentinean racing colors of yellow and blue, 0024 M is considered one of the rarest and most historic early Ferraris, having been owned and raced by many notable individuals in the Ferrari world. The 10th of just 25 examples featuring striking "Barchetta" coachwork from Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, it made its racing debut at the 1950 Mar del Plata in Argentina, finishing an impressive first overall (pictured left). It was also raced in period in the 1951 Mille Miglia, where it was driven by well-known female driver Aprile Palmer, who purchased the car shortly afterwards.

The subject of a complete and total restoration, 0024 M is today finished in red and fitted with its original components, including chassis, numbers-matching engine, gearbox and differential. As an original entrant in the famed Mille Miglia it is eligible for nearly any event open to historic Ferraris. (Estimate Available Upon Request).

"Over the years RM has earned the privilege of offering more important and historic Ferraris than any other auction house. We are thrilled to present another great series of Ferraris at our Arizona sale in January, including the rare 166MM, s/n 0024 M, arguably one of the most meticulously documented Ferraris we have ever had the pleasure of offering," says Rob Myers, Chairman and Founder RM Auctions.

Continuing RM's reputation as the global leader in the presentation of historic Ferraris at auction, the 166 MM will be joined by no less than 10 other Ferraris at the company's Arizona sale. Other notable entries include the previously-announced 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder, s/n 16835, offered from the personal collection of Baseball Hall of Famer, Mr. Reggie Jackson (Est. $800,000 - $1,000,000); a stunning, fully-certified 1966 Ferrari Superfast Series I, s/n 5989 SF (Est. $900,000 - $1,100,000); a fully-restored 1950 Ferrari 166 Inter Berlinetta, s/n 043S, one of just 37 examples produced and displayed at the 1950 Turin Motor Show (Est. $400,000 - $600,000); the 1995 Ferrari F50 Show Car, s/n 99999, the Ferrari show car used to introduce the F50 to the world and the last Ferrari with a five-digit chassis number (Est. $700,000 - $800,000); and a 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Coupe, s/n 10199 (Est. $220,000 - $250,000).

In addition to the Ferraris, other recent lots include:

• A multiple award-winning 1933 Packard Twelve Sport Phaeton by Dietrich, the 1933 New York Show Car and previously part of the famed Otis Chandler Collection (Est. $1,500,000 - $2,000,000);

• A meticulously-restored, multiple award-winning 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Three-Position Drophead Coupe, boasting an intriguing World War II provenance (Est. $750,000 - $850,000);

• A 1964 Dodge Hemi Charger Concept Car, the ultimate of all muscle and concepts cars and likely the most important Hemi-powered car in existence (Est. $750,000 - $1,000,000);

• A superbly restored 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra, CSX 3259 (Est. $650,000 - $750,000); and,

• A pair of Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupes, including an early production example from 1954 formerly owned by Benihana founder, Rocky Aoki (Est. $450,000 - $550,00); a beautifully restored 1955 model presented in Graphite Gray with a red leather interior (Est. $700,000 - $800,000).

RM's 2011 Arizona auctions kicks off on Thursday, January 20 with the exclusive ‘The British Are Back' evening sale, followed by the company's traditional Friday sale on January 21. For a frequently updated list of auction offerings, including star consignments for ‘The British Are Back', please visit www.rmauctions.com.

For those unable to attend the event in person, Internet, absentee, telephone and iPhone bidding options are available and the auction will stream live online at www.rmauctions.com to provide real-time coverage of the event.

Event Details - Automobiles of Arizona

Sale dates:
January 20, 2011 6.30pm - 9:00pm MT - ‘The British Are Back'
January 21, 2011 11:00am - 7:00pm MT

Preview dates:
Thursday, January 20, 2011 9:00am - 6:00pm MT
Friday, January 21, 2011 9:00am - 6:00pm MT

Location:
The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa,
24th Street & Missouri, Phoenix, AZ 85016

Admission:
An official auction catalog is available for $120 US and admits two people to the preview. Bidder registration is $200 US and includes an official auction catalog and admission for two to the preview, reception and auction days.

2011 Ferrari SA Aperta

Ferrari unveiled the convertible version of the 599 Gran tourer at the 2010 Paris Auto Show next week. The Ferrari SA APERTA was developed to celebrate Pininfarina's 80th anniversary and naturally, will be built in just 80 units.

The SA APERTA is a 599-based roadster featuring the V12 from the GTO and a ‘light soft-top’. This be no automatic folding soft-top though; it’s like a snap-on and is only to be used when the weather gets RUDDY TERRIBLE.

The front-mounted 6.0-litre engine delivers 661bhp and 457lb ft of torque to the rear wheels, and the car's vast range of interior trim ensures that no two of the 80 SA APERTAs to be built will be the same.

The interior gets sophisticated materials, trim and colors used throughout. Ferrari announced that each SA Aperta will be an unique model.




Press Release

Maranello, 24th September 2010 – Ferrari is delighted to announce the presentation of the SA APERTA at the Paris International Motor Show 2010. This is a special series model of which a strictly limited number of just 80 will be built. All have already been sold. Ferrari chose to build 80 SA APERTAs in celebration of Pininfarina's 80th anniversary. The SA nomenclature also pays homage to both Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina whose company and work have been linked to the most successful road-going cars ever built at Maranello.

The SA APERTA is a true roadster which allows its occupants to enjoy the superlative emotions afforded by our signature front-engined V12 architecture in a completely open-top setting. In fact, it has just a light soft top designed to be resorted to only if the weather gets particularly bad. A low-slung windscreen and the fact that it crouches lower to the ground than our other models lend the SA APERTA an exceptionally aerodynamic sleekness. Its profile arches back from the A-post to two aerodynamic fins beautifully integrating the two roll-barswhich themselves cleverly mimic the outline of the seats.

The chassis has been redesigned to deliver a standard of stiffness comparable to that of a closed berlinetta and there is a negligible weight difference also, thanks to work done on the chassis structure.

Thanksto the 670 CV engine beneath its bonnet, the SA APERTA beautifully embodies the sporty spirit of the 599, incorporating Ferrari's most advanced technology to deliver absolutely benchmark performance and superb driving pleasure. Its interior too is stylishly sporty with particularly sophisticated materials, trim and colours used throughout. The virtually endless combinations available guarantee that each and every SA APERTA is absolutely unique.

ANDERSON GERMANY Ferrari F430 Scuderia

German tuner, Anderson unveiled the latest modification program for Ferrary F430 Scuderia.

The Anderson Ferrari F430 Scuderia develops 575 hp and comes with a new, 24 kg/53 lb. lighter, exhaust system with a special valve that offers three levels of sound adjustment. The extra umpf of the Anderson Ferrari F430 Scuderia comes from a re-programmed ECU and a new air filter.

Carbon is also used to style the interior along with fine leather applications in alcantara leather and matt finish accents. They even offer a high-end sound system which can be upgraded with amplifiers, system speakers and a subwoofer. As you know the standard Scuderia does not come with a stereo.

Besides receiving a jet plane-like coating and 20 inch black alloy wheels wrapped in high performance tires, the Ferrari 430 Scuderia by ANDERSON GERMANY also features an increased level of engine output. The power gain results from the fact that the Ferrari 430 Scuderia by ANDERSON GERMANY received an optimised ECU, a sports air filter plus a weight reduced stainless steel exhaust adjustable by remote.

Source: Anderson




Press Release

ANDERSON GERMANY Ferrari 430 Scuderia Edition

Technical innovations give the sports car from Dusseldorf/Germany more safety and agility. The large high performance tires have a good grip – which means, this F430 Scuderia Edition makes only fun without any compromizes.
Exterior titivation, as e.g. the exclusive stealth look coating remember a jet plane, still emphasized by the elaborate interior design. The real joy comes when opening the engine bonnet – the ANDERSON GERMANY-Ferrari 430 Scuderia bursts with strength and sportiveness, and it also looks so.

In order to reach the desired power improvement up to 575 hp, ANDERSON GERMANY offers besides a weight reduced valve commanded stainless steel exhaust system (with three adjustable by remote control sound levels – 24 kg/53 lb. of weight saving) with racing cats also a sports air filter and the matching with these features software optimization.

After this power enhancement cure the sports car begs for the highway, or, best of all, the racing piste. The hot bends of the racing tracks are the vocation for the ANDERSON GERMANY-Ferrari. Having taken the first curves one learns quickly to estimate the advantages of this supercar.
Exclusive style threepart 8.5x20 and 12x20 light alloy black rims combined with 235/30-20 front and 325/25-20 rear high performance tires warrant for controllable speed above 300 kmph/190 mph.

Furthermore, you can find tinted windows, taillights and blinkers – lending the Ferrari a still more sportive touch.
Carbon-exterior-packets are not the privilege of racing cars only, but also first choice for the discerning driver, if the issue is related to a dynamic and light drive. The carbon-packet contains exterior mirrors, a tail diffusor and several engine compartment coverings.

Carbon solutions you can also find in the inside the car, here in combination with fine leather applications in alcantara leather and matt carbon look. A high-end sound system also belongs to the ANDERSON GERMANY tuning program. Several audio amplifiers, system speakers and a subwoofer warrant for a still better interior ambiance.
The composition is topped by a complete coating in silky matt/gray, with completing the ensemble Scuderia strips in black/brilliant.

Ferrari California by Anderson Germany

Anderson Germany have releases a recent project based on the Ferrari California.

On the outside, it's carbon fiber galore. Aside from the carbon film on the alloy wheel spokes, Anderson Germany offers a bodykit made up of a carbon fiber-finished front spoiler lip, side skirts, rear diffusor, rear mud guard, side air-vents and boot lid spoiler. A dark tint on the panes and rear lights round off the exterior upgrades.

For the ultra-wide lane, special light-weight wheels 21 and 22 inches in size have been installed. The multiple-part light metal rims are coated in a carbon film and the outer rim bedding is the colour of the car. Road contact is ensured with the powerful 9×21 inch and 11.5×22 inch light-weight metal rims equipped with high-performance tyres of size 255/30-21 and 315/25-22.

Under the hood, the Anderson Germany Ferrari California received a recalibrated ECU which adds more power to the car together with a new valve controlled stainless steel exhaust system which can be set to three different sound and modes via remote control. After these upgrades were made, the 4.3L V8 engine gained 55 HP from 460 HP to 515 HP.

For the interior Anderson provides a carbon package including air vents, radio facing, centre consoles, door handles, rocker switches and steering wheel facing.




Press Release

ANDERSON GERMANY FERRARI CALIFORNIA EDITION WITH 515 HP

ANDERSON GERMANY is releasing a special model, which will win you over with its design and its horse power. The elite tuner from Düsseldorf has boosted the Ferrari California's 460 HP by 55 HP and has also ensured that it makes a spectacular impression optically. The increased performance is owed to software optimisation and a valve conrolled stainless steel exhaust system, which can be set to three different sound modes with a remote control.

For the ultra-wide lane, special light-weight wheels 21 and 22 inches in size have been installed. The multiple-part light metal rims are coated in a carbon film and the outer rim bedding is the colour of the car. Road contact is ensured with the powerful 9x21 inch and 11.5x22 inch light-weight metal rims equipped with high-performance tyres of size 255/30-21 and 315/25-22.

For a sporty street drive, ANDERSON GERMANY provides complete driving and coupled axles with a module, which is inbuilt and can be adjusted according to height. Thanks to the adjustable damper, the body can be lowered by 35mm or raised by 40mm.

With a bodykit made up of a carbon-finished front spoiler lip, side skirt wings, rear diffusor, rear mud guard, motor, side ventilation and and rear spoiler lip, the Ferrari California Edition shows once again its top performance and a very individual aesthetic. A dark tint on the panes and rear lights complete the total look.

ANDERSON GERMANY offers almost limitless possibilities for individual furnishing of the interior. The carbon interior package includes air vents, radio facing, centre consoles, door handles, rocker switches and steering wheel facing. Detail solutions you can only expect from a luxury sports car.

This sports car is encompassed by high-quality, love for detail and many other features that will make your ride in the California Edition exceptionally sporty and individual.

ANDERSON GERMANY offers a special pick-up and delivery service on request.

Ferrari 458 Challenge at Vallelunga

The fine tuning of the newly born Ferrari 458 Challenge continues and, based on the production 458 Italia, is already undergoing testing to help get it ready for full competition. The test site: Vallelunga. The drivers: Maurizio Mediani and Jaime Melo.

No matter, considering any word on the latest challenge car from Maranello is worth noting. The lighter track model is based on the production 458 Italia, which 0-60’s Chris Harris recently called “a paradigm shift in the way Ferrari approaches the subject of performance cars.” Look for the first 458 Challenge to grace future rounds of Ferrari’s one-make championship series.




Press Release

The fine tuning of the newly born Ferrari 458 Challenge continues and, as from yesterday, it was at the Vallelunga circuit for a test, with two drivers, the Italian Maurizio Mediani and the Argentine Jaime Melo, taking on the role of test driver, as they took turns at the wheel of the Prancing Horse sports car. At the end of two days at the Roman circuit, both men were pleased with what had been achieved.

According to Mediani the 458 Challenge is “very quick and extremely good fun,” its handling inherited from the road going car from which it is derived, combined with modifications made for its specific use in racing. Melo, just back from the fifth round of the American Le Mans Series, in which he races a F430 GT2 run by Team Risi Competizione, highlighted how much the driving experience is enhanced by the electronics systems operated with the now classic manettino on the steering wheel, a first for a car used in the Ferrari one-make series. “I am sure that Prancing Horse competition owners will be very pleased with this car,” commented the Argentine before leaving the circuit to prepare for the next ALMS round, which takes place on 7 August at the Mid Ohio circuit.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi unveils its Attractions and Rides

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi announced on Monday that the park will open in 100 days featuring a record-breaking roller coaster ride meant to emulate the feeling of being in a Ferrari F1 car.

The Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is located next to the futuristic Yas Marina circuit that hosted Abu Dhabi's first Grand Prix race in November 2009, and is housed under a massive triangular red roof stretching over 200,000 square meters.

One of main attractions will definitely be the Formula Rossa rollercoaster ride which outruns most Ferraris, reaching a speed of 240 km/h in under five seconds. Able to carry 16 passengers (on four cars), the roller coaster accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 2.0 seconds and climbs to a maximum height of 52 meters (171 feet). The 2.07 km (1.29 miles) long course also features a series of "sharp turns and sudden drops" which generate 1.7 Gs.

Visitors will find a stash of other Italian-flavored takes on the typical theme-park fair, including a log-flume type ride that allows riders to experience the thrill of going through a V12 engine. That sounds fun and all, but we're more interested in an exhibit that the company is calling "Galleria Ferrari." Think of it as a walk through the pages of Ferrari history, one classic model at the time.




Press Release

World's First Ferrari Theme Park Opens in 100 Days - Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Unveils all Attractions for the First Time

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 20 July 2010 - The countdown has started and in 100 days, at noon on 28 October 2010, the world's first Ferrari theme park, and the largest of its kind, will open its doors to the public. Today Ferrari World Abu Dhabi unveils its exciting and unique attractions, designed to tell the Ferrari passion, excellence, performance and technical innovation together with its story, to families and fans of all ages and interests.

With more than 20 rides and attractions lying beneath the iconic 200,000 m² red roof, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will offer guests the time of their lives with a host of attractions that indulge the senses in ways never experienced before. With the thrill of some of the world's most inventive rides, eye-catching surroundings, authentic aromas and distinctive sounds of Italy, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will have something for everyone.

Some of the state-of-the-art attractions on show include the fantasy world of ‘Nello' at Speed of Magic, as the mischievous racing driver leads guests on a fantastic 4-D adventure through deep green jungles to icy caves and ravines. Guests can also go faster than anyone has ever been before on a roller coaster when they ride Formula Rossa, which powers them to 240 kmph in less than five seconds. Discover what only Ferrari owners have before, with a tour through the Maranello factory aboard the Made in Maranello attraction and gain an insight into the making of the world's most sought-after cars. Viaggio in Italia, provides a breath-taking bird's eye view of Italy, as you follow a Ferrari California through the scenic countryside and famous Italian landmarks.

"The opening of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will revolutionize the way visitors and people in the region spend their leisure time," said Mohammad Al Mubarak, Chairman of the park's operating company, Farah Leisure Parks Management. "It is a great testament of Abu Dhabi's capacity, and the region's potential, as a world class tourist destination."

"Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will provide an enthralling experience that will appeal to all audiences, including families and enthusiasts," said Claus Frimand, General Manager, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. "With just 100 days to go until we open the park to the public, all of our staff is committed to delivering one of the most spectacular entertainment venues in the world."

"I can't wait until we open our doors on October 28th and welcome our guests to this entertainment experience where they will discover the unique world of Ferrari," he added.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has come a long way since the laying of the first stone back in November 2007 to become the world's largest indoor theme park.

Rides and attractions:

• Formula Rossa - The world's fastest roller coaster, reaching speeds of 240 kmph.

• Speed of Magic - A fantasy 4-D journey following the adventures of a young boy as he travels through a kaleidoscopic dreamscape of natural and phenomenal environments, where no Ferrari has gone before.

• Made in Maranello - A virtual trip behind the walls of the famous Ferrari factory in Maranello, taking guests through the intricate process of making the world's most sought after car.

• V12 - An exciting flume ride to the heart of a 12 cylinders engine.

• G-Force - A thrilling tower ride that will shoot thrill-seekers through the red roof and 62 meters in the air before plummeting back to Earth, experiencing the actual G-force of a Ferrari, in a seat directly inspired by the Ferrari Enzo.

• Scuderia Challenge - Cutting edge racing simulators similar to those used by the drivers of the Scuderia Ferrari in training.

• Viaggio in Italia - A virtual aerial voyage over Italy's cities and their main monuments, mountains and coasts pursuing a Ferrari.

• Fiorano GT Challenge - A unique dueling rollercoaster with Ferrari F430 Spiders twisting and turning through tight corners on a sprint to the finish line.

• Bell'Italia - A miniature recreation of Italy's most famous locations, from the picturesque Portofino and the Amalfi Coast to Monza racetrack, the Colosseum in Roma, Venezia and Maranello, the heartland and home of Ferrari.

• Paddock - A re-creation of the Ferrari motor home including garages, transporters & hospitality suites with interactive shows offering fans a taste of the true action behind the scenes on a Grand Prix race day.

• The Pit Wall - An interactive theatre that allows guests to test their judgment in realistic racing scenarios.

• Galleria Ferrari - The world's largest Ferrari gallery outside Maranello, showcasing the most exclusive range of classic and contemporary Ferrari's from all over the world.

• Junior GT - A driving school for children with expert instruction where they will drive reduced scale F430 GT Spiders on an equipped driving course.

• Junior Grand Prix - After the Junior GT driving experience, budding F1^TM drivers can enjoy the race track in scaled down Ferrari F1^TM racers.

• The Racing Legends - A ride through Ferrari's greatest racing moments starting from the first races all the way to today's F1 victories.

• Driving with Champions - An interactive 3-D show which follows the adventures of a young engineer who is taken on the ride of a lifetime with a racing champion on his first day working at the Ferrari factory

• Cinema Maranello - Ferrari World's own theatre showing ‘Coppa di Sicilia', a short film that tells one of the many inspiring stories from the life of the legendary Enzo Ferrari.

• Junior Training Camp - An interactive play area for children where they can engage with a waterless car wash, become custom ‘constructors', climb up the grandstand, pilot remote cars, peddle their own miniature Ferrari and play with an F1^TM car made of soft, guest-friendly foam.

• Carousel - Featuring never-before-seen Ferrari prototypes based on winning designs from a Ferrari competition.

• Dining and Shopping - A range of concept restaurants and cafes offering authentic Italian dining experiences, in addition to unique shopping locations.

Ferrari 458 Challenge debuts at Maranello

Ferrari has officially unveiled today the 458 Challenge racing prototype that will compete in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli in the 2011 season.

Based on the 458 Italia, the Challenge features a modified dual-clutch F1 gearbox, an 'E-Diff' electronic differential, and an 'F1-Trac' traction control system with settings for wet / dry conditions. Other goodies include a race suspension (with solid aluminum bushings, stiffer springs, and single-rate dampers), high performance Brembo CCM2 brakes (from the 599XX), and 19-inch wheels outfitted with Pirelli tires.

The new 458 Challenge also has a specific suspension set-up with solid aluminium bushings, stiffer springs, single-rate dampers, centre-nut 19” racing rims, larger dimension Pirelli slicks and a ride height lowered by 30mm all round. It is also equipped with the new generation Brembo CCM2 brakes which debuted on the 599XX, Ferrari’s extreme experimental laboratory car, and which are integrated with an ABS system that features two configurations – low grip and high performance for dry surfaces.

The 458 Challenge is also much lighter than the 458 Italia, thanks to a thinner body shell and the extensive use of carbon fiber and Lexan.

The 458 Challenge will run alongside its 430 Challenge predecessor in the 2011 Series, while the latter is phased out. Ferrari also plans to expand its Ferrari Challenge series next year, adding a new series in the Asia-Pacific region.


Press Release

The 458 Challenge has made its world premiere debut in Maranello during the Annual Dealer Meeting, a traditional event that brings together the representatives of Ferrari’s international sales network.

The new berlinetta, which will flank the F430 Challenge in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli in the 2011 season, is the fifth model used by Ferrari in its one-make championship which, next year, will be extended to include a new Asia-Pacific series.

Coming just a few months after the Frankfurt Motor Show unveiling of the 458 Italia on which it is based, the 458 Challenge introduces a number of important modifications to adapt it for competition use.

The direct injection 4497 cc V8 remains strictly in production tune, with an output of 570 hp at 9,000 rpm. That said, modifications have been made to the gear ratios and 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 road-going version, a first for Ferrari’s track-only cars.

Significant work has also gone into cutting the car’s weight. This focused on both the exterior and interior with Ferrari’s engineers concentrating in particular on reducing the thickness of the bodyshell panels and on using lightweight materials, such as carbon-fibre and Lexan.

The new 458 Challenge also has a specific suspension set-up with solid aluminium bushings, stiffer springs, single-rate dampers, centre-nut 19” racing rims, larger dimension Pirelli slicks and a ride height lowered by 30mm all round. It is also equipped with the new generation Brembo CCM2 brakes which debuted on the 599XX, Ferrari’s extreme experimental laboratory car, and which are integrated with an ABS system that features two configurations - low grip and high performance for dry surfaces.

Another first for a Ferrari Challenge model is the adoption of the F1-Trac traction control system, the most sophisticated of its kind. Developed in-house by Ferrari, the F1-Trac system constantly monitors levels of grip for maximum high-performance road-holding. Two specific track-biased calibrations – wet and dry - have been developed for this application, with control logic 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 acceleration out of corners.

The required ABS, F1-Trac and E-Diff calibration settings are selected via the manettino on the steering wheel, the first time this solution has been adopted on a model developed for the Ferrari Challenge series. The driver can thus either chose from the WET or DRY configurations. In high grip conditions it is also possible to select CT-OFF to de-activate the F1-Trac traction control.

In the course of the intensive development sessions involved in honing the 458 Challenge for the track, the engineers also managed to improve the car’s lap time at Fiorano by two seconds over that of its predecessor, resulting in a new record of just 1’16.5”. Equally impressive is the amount of lateral grip the new car generates – up to 1.6G.

With the new 458 Challenge, Ferrari is offering its sportier clients - professional and gentlemen drivers alike - a car that is extremely responsive, with great performance and superb handling. This mid-rear V8-engined berlinetta will allow Ferrari Challenge participants to enjoy to the full the exhilarating cut and thrust of the race weekends on the world’s leading circuits, as well as the passion that has always been an integral part of Ferrari’s one-make championship.