Ferrari needs no introduction. It’s by far the most aspirable brand out on the road. After the surge of visual media platforms like YouTube and Instagram, the popularity of Ferraris and supercars, in general, has surged quite a bit.
Everybody knows a Ferrari, and the assumption that every red sports car is a Ferrari still prevails today. Amongst enthusiasts, the 458 is by far the most popular V8 Ferrari. With an estimated count of more than 15,000 units produced, the Ferrari 458 could possibly be the brands' highest-selling V8 to date. Although, the number is more of a guesstimate after taking into consideration the average amount of cars Maranello has churned between 2010 and 2015.
The Ferrari 458 was one of the most sought-after V8s to come out of Maranello in recent years. Aside from its screaming V8, the sumptuous looks of the mid-engined Ferrari made it an irresistible buy for the well-heeled. With the Speciale, the 458 was put on a diet to become a lot more potent, both in terms of power and aerodynamics.
With both mid-engined Ferraris equally enviable, here’s a look at the differences between the 458 Italia and its more capable sibling, the 458 Speciale.
Ferrari 458 Italia: A Brief
If you’ve ever seen a 458 on the road, there’s every reason for you to stand and stare. We won’t blame you since Ferrari’s boss at the time Luca di Montezemolo called it the very definition of Italian motoring. The 458 Italia was a significant step up from the Ferrari F430; both in terms of performance and F1-derived aesthetics. Exterior shapes have a purpose and that’s to keep the car glued to the road while simultaneously allowing it to slip through the air. The front bumpers housed a pair of aeroelastic winglets that deform as speed increases to generate downforce.
The Ferrari 458 houses a 4.5-liter V8 up from the 4.3-liter in the F430 to make 562 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. A strict rear-wheel-drive supercar, the Ferrari 458 was available with the sole option of a dual-clutch transmission, making it the first production Ferrari V8 to not be offered with a manual. The engine, unlike the F430, revs to 9,000 rpm, which makes it one of the best sounding engines to come out in recent years. Unfortunately, this gem of an engine was replaced with a more powerful but soul-less turbocharged V8 in the 488 GTB. Even today, enthusiasts prefer the 458 instead of the more advanced 488.
Ferrari 458 Speciale: A Brief
With the 458 Speciale, Ferrari’s goal was to make the most exciting V8 supercar. The folks at Maranello hardly get it wrong and they delivered a smashing piece of machine. The car was sculpted with purpose. Every bit of the design cues had an effect on how the car dealt with the elements. Notable upgrades of the Speciale over the standard 458 Italia are the forged wheels, vented bonnet, finned side sills, a taller rear spoiler, and redesigned bumpers.
The 458 Speciale was the first mid-engined V8 Ferrari to get active aerodynamics that helped it stay glued to the road despite not having a proper spoiler. With such aerodynamic prowess, the 458 Speciale could slip through the air and get to 60 MPH in 3-seconds flat. The 4.5-liter V8 of the 458 was bumped to 597 horsepower in the 458 Speciale with torque remaining the same at 398 lb-ft. With a redline of 9,000 rpm, this prancing horse is a screamer.
Aside from having a screamer nestled inside the aluminum architecture, the 458 showed extreme poise when driven with intent. The steering although making way for an electrically-assisted unit is one of the quickest in terms of directional changes. Coupled with the lightweight internals, the 458 Speciale is a rather agile supercar.
Ferrari 458 Italia Vs 458 Speciale: Which One To Buy
The Ferrari 458 Italia is a lot more affordable than it was 10 years ago. Now, the asking price of a 458 with relatively modest options and decent miles on the clock range between $175,000 to $200,000. This is a significant discount over the 458’s list price of $240,000 back when it was new. Many of these used 458s are heavily optioned taking the MSRP to well over $300,000. Considering how the 488 GTB has tanked over the years, the 458 is a much better buy.
Going over the specifics, both the 458 Speciale and the Speciale Aperta are limited-run Ferraris. However, unlike the Speciale coupe, the Aperta is limited by number, 499 to be exact. That makes it all the more appealing as an investment. That’s not to say the Speciale coupe isn’t. When new the 458 Speciale was $288,000 without options while the Speciale Aperta was $403,000. Now, if you have a look at the classifieds, decently equipped examples of the Speciale coupe fetch around $400,000.
The Speciale Aperta on the other hand is nearing the $700,000 mark. That’s almost an 80% increase over the MSRP in 6 years. Its successor, the 488 Pista though being a fantastic automobile, isn't doing well in the market in terms of values.
Sources: Top Gear, Ferrari, YouTube