Ferrari 458 Speciale: Frankfurt 2013

The new hardcore version of the Ferrari 458 – the Ferrari 458 Speciale – has debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show with more power and lower weight.

Ferrari probably won the crown at the Geneva Motor Show in March with LaFerrari as ‘Star Car’, so whatever they brought to Frankfurt would be a bit of a let down. But at least they brought something new.

The ‘something new’ is the hardcore version of Ferrari’s mid-engined supercar, the 458, and Ferrari obviously used the same naming committee for this car as they did for LaFerrari – it’s the Ferrari 458 Speciale.

It’s ‘special’ because it does for the 458 what the 430 Scuderia did for the 430 – makes it a more hardcore offering.

In truth, these hardcore offerings from supercar makers are more about making sales to deep-pocketed enthusiasts than offering anything extra – beyond additional discomfort – for road use in the hands of 99 per cent of buyers.

But Ferrari are adamant the 459 Speciale deserves to be made and offers more than the 458, from extra power – 597bhp and 398lb/ft of torque – to “extraordinary aerodynamic efficiency”.

The fact the 458 Speciale also loses weight – some 90kg – helps in the outright performance stakes with the 0-62mph now just 3.0 seconds and Ferrari claiming the Speciale laps Fiorano 1.5 seconds quicker than the regular 458.

It’s an impressive car, but not a car any normal supercar buyer should consider. Not unless the only thing that matters is pub boasting.