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.

The Ferrari Challenge, the Italian automaker’s one-make racing series for gentleman drivers and up-and-coming racers, will see the introduction of a new race car for the 2014 season. That new race car has been revealed as the Ferrari 458 Challenge Evoluzione. As its name suggests, the car is based on the current 458 Challenge, but some key modifications see the new car turn in faster lap times.
The key difference is the rear wing, which has been developed using experience gained in GT racing. The increased downforce generated by the wing, balanced at the front by work carried out to the splitter and the undertray, is said to allow drivers to extend the limits of the car, meaning higher cornering and top speeds.

Ferrari says drivers of the 458 Challenge Evoluzione can expect improved performance, both in terms of laps times and over long distances, compared to the outgoing car. Expect a Fiorano lap time less than the 1:16.5 set by the 458 Challenge back in 2010.

The car was shown to potential customers yesterday at Italy’s Mugello Circuit. The event coincided with the final race of the 2013 Ferrari Challenge, also at Mugello. Italy’s Giosue Rizzuto and Austria’s Philipp Baron took out this year’s championship.

Ferrari’s Challenge race cars are considerably lighter than their road-going equivalents, and they also benefit from unique gearbox calibration aimed at boosting acceleration. There has been no mention of an increase in engine output, which means the 458 Challenge Evoluzione’s 4.5-liter V-8 engine is likely delivering the same 562 horsepower as the current 458 Challenge and the road-going 458 Italia.

All teams competing in the 2014 Ferrari Challenge will have to use the 458 Challenge Evoluzione, but owners of the current 458 Challenge will be able to upgrade their cars to the new spec.