What's the news?

Ferrari has announced details of a lighter, (even) more performance orientated version of the 458 Italia that is set to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Called the 458 Speciale it will follow in the well-worn footsteps of the 360 Challenge Stradale and 430 Scuderia by stripping weight, adding horsepower and turning everything up to eleven.

Exterior

Ferrari says that much of the styling of the Speciale was dictated by aerodynamics, but that Pininfarina was involved in the final look. The most obvious change is the loss of the Italia's central tailpipe, which had to move to make way for a new rear diffuser. There are also larger vents up front and at the rear to aid cooling and manage airflow while the bonnet and sills are re-profiled. Moveable aerodynamic flaps have also been fitted, which adapt to "balance downforce and cut drag".

Ferrari says that the Speciale is being used as a test bed for these aerodynamic parts and we expect to see them on 'regular' models in the future.

Mechanicals

Power for the Speciale comes from the same 4.5-litre V8 engine as the Italia but maximum power has jumped from 570- to 605hp. A specific output of 135hp per litre is (Ferrari says) the highest ever by any road-legal, naturally-aspirated engine.

Ferrari also says it has stripped 90kg from the 458's weight but does not go into detail on how it was done so other than to say "we worked on any single detail to save grams in every part of the car." Extensive use of lightweight materials like carbon fibre for some of the exterior panels and bucket seats seems likely as too do a stripped out cabin and lightweight alloy wheels.

Wherever the changes were made the results, on paper at least, seem impressive: 0-62mph in 3.0 seconds dead, 0-124mph in just 9.1 seconds and a Fiorano lap in 1 minute 23.5 seconds. That figure is a full second and a half quicker than the standard car and only half a second off the time set by the 740hp F12 Berlinetta.

Anything else?

The Speciale also has a new electronic system that makes it more exploitable at the limit. Called Side Slip Angle Control (SSC) the system monitors the car's slip angle and optimises torque across the rear axle via the traction control system. The result is the ability to hold big sideways drifts for longer! The Speciale also rides on specially developed Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, which are said to deliver "a boost in performance" and allow the Speciale to deliver lateral acceleration g-force of 1.33g.

Ferrari will give the 458 Speciale its world debut at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show.