Ferrari 458 Speciale tested on the limit - is this the world's best supercar?

The Ferrari 458 Speciale is the most focussed version of one of the world's greatest supercars. And Ferrari says this incarnation of the 458 Italia is more fun than a Ferrari F40. Steve Sutcliffe pushes the Speciale to its limits to find out.
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The Ferrari 458 Speciale is claimed - by its maker - to be the most fun mid-engined V8 Ferrari ever. And that's some claim if you look back through the firm's catalogue. This latest incarnation of the 458, the most focussed yet, costs £208,000, makes 597bhp, revs to 9000rpm and weighs 90kg less than the standard car. It also has a new manettino setting that allows the driver to go sideways with the ESP still engaged. It is, by any stretch, a truly great supercar. But can it deliver on the promise of being more fun than an F40? Steve Sutcliffe finds out.
Autocar, the world's leading motoring magazine and website, delivers industry-leading news, the most in-depth car reviews and opinion from our team of experts. Our presenters include some of the world's top motoring journalists who have unrivalled access to the world's fastest, rarest, most exotic and most exciting cars on some of the world's best roads and race tracks.
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[@Xerdoz]

One of the best things about this car, there's no stupid popping, banging or farting coming from the exhaust when changing gear.

[@muzibourrehman7708]

Because NA engine:)

[@samr1321]

458's engine has the highest bhp/L of a N/A V8 engine ever built.

[@banelecele]

And the highest compression ratio on any road legal car. 14:1 is F1 territory

[@khuong1994]

rev limit.................OVER 9000

[@DethThrasher1]

too obvious

[@nabslp670]

You beat me to it

[@zhbroder]

thank you

[@CaptainBlitz]

WHAT NINE THOUSAND?!

[@muzibourrehman7708]

This is my dream car.Out of multimillion hypercars I pick this

[@ni12gaming3]

which fking car do u hv now?

[@muzibourrehman7708]

+Ni12 Gaming c63 amg ,a Volvo and a e39 m5

[@iamheadshotnl5452]

+Jason1 kr 3 for me im saving up for years for a car since i was 12, still 120k € to go.. I Will make it... I hope.

[@bloodshed3523]

IamHeadShotNL How much do you have now?

[@athlete35392]

I clicked just because I saw 458, never expected a Speciale to be tested soo soon after launch. Stunning car :)

[@ElyciusM]

And a rev limit of OVER 9000?!?!?!?!

[@TheDownloader86]

***** like old Honda S2000 :D

[@ZondaF355]

Anyone who has a negative word to say about this video is simply ignorant. This is a very exclusive test and some savvy driving. What more could you want? Beautiful driving Steve S. and well done commentary. I can feel the cars dynamics through the screen and that is what its all about! Thanks for sharing

[@pliaskamvilo3195]

Exactly right. Forget about all the negative comments it's all bullshit anyways. Anyone on here would be thrilled to drive this Speciale - that's the reality.

[@MattMaranMotoring]

SSC system is super cool, and 9,500 redline? I'm sold!

[@Dannn71]

SSC is cool, i think it came about because to many drivers losing it in the Scuderia

[@itsfirst5936]

no more subaru wrx?

[@fueledbyshai]

"What's the rev limit on the counter read!?" "OVER 9000!!!!"

[@MusicAndCars1]

My thoughts exactly, haha

[@MrThiago2508]

The noise, the looks, the performance, she has it all in spades

[@Eagle.F1]

This is one epic car, nothing can beat a Ferrari in aerodynamics, downforce, grip or handling!

[@dny00001]

lolz

[@Eagle.F1]

?

[@bobanppvc]

Porsche can :)

[@turbosydney]

boban p haahahahhhaahhahah

[@dny00001]

SUFFERIN' SUCCOTASH how is this funny ? it's true

[@DDGB08]

thanks for putting the video over the weekend

[@TheBrizz71]

If I was a true high roller, I don't know if I'd want this or the F12berlinetta. Just to save myself the stress of having to decide, I'd probably just get both.

[@bg147]

Totally different vehicles. I prefer the touring types.

[@napalm0nipples]

TheBrizz71 You know what they say... If you can't afford two Ferrari's, you can't afford one Ferrari. So definitely get both!

[@IvanMorningstar]

C'mon ferrari, please give chris harris a go. He's been doing great honest review on f12 and 458 .

[@vincentcardella3093]

yes, Chris harris is the best !!!

[@vtecnegro85]

agreed!

[@Fcardriver]

991 GT3 Vs 458 Speciale By Chris Harris on KZbin, coming next week :)

[@NoChance797]

Feel free to give me your regular 458 when you upgrade.

[@RS-bw6ow]

This is it, for me it’s the ultimate modern Ferrari! Amazing power output, high redline, the last n/a V8 from Maranello and of course a just unbelievable coherent design! Dream 🙏🏼

[@thatguydillan6360]

This is a car that will be a gem years after👍🏻

[@OMA7RR]

There's 2 thing missing here... The third exhaust, and the little aero dynamics grill in the front bumper, but I still love it

[@pakkiaman2]

FERRARI 458 ITALIA SPECIALE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CAR IN THE WORLD, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SOUNDING ENGINE, THE MOST PERFECT ENGINE EVER NATURALLY ASPIRATED , ITS VERY FAST AND ITS ... FERRARI, WHAT ELSE ?? bye bye with love from italy

[@TheKing-pr9sb]

pakkiaman2 the huracán performante has beat it

[@vincent5]

The Carrera GT sounds way better.

[@mattbowyer6865]

No road car can beat a Lamborghini V12 for noise though

[@3248934]

Wow a drift mode! That's very cool, that way people can learn to do them without slaughtering the audience in car events like that koenigggseggsgegsgeg

[@Zach4lakers3221]

Imagine this with a hybrid boost, incredible. For say it got the same Kers system as the LaFerrari, that puts it in the 750 hp range and the 550-600 lb-ft of torque range at 3000 lbs, that would just be insane.. Please Ferrari... Nice video, as usual AutoCar!

[@BleedForTheWorld]

Perhaps in the next V8 model that comes out of Modena. Knowing their track record so far, I think it's very, very likely.

[@mellowb1rd]

EWWWW. All that extra weight will kill the handling.

[@heinedenmark]

Good review.. Thank you Steve.

[@unAbated.]

This exhaust sound is absolutely INSANE!!! A Living Legend...

[@paulrondeau2517]

Another great review. This speciale has been completely forgetting about the old 458! Great shots driving and drifting. Gotta get that creepy background music out tho... I WANT ONE!!

[@psycodriver]

Excelent review, keep going on this way

[@ulcus...]

What did the rev counter say about its redline??? IT'S OVER 9000!

[@lightbulbisbright]

Give more of those behind the head camera views. I love watching the drifts around the corners. Makes me feel like i'm driving.

[@mellowb1rd]

So, we have this, we have new hypercars from McLaren, Ferrari AND Porsche all being released together, and a ton of other cool stuff coming...So I'm going to be pissed if the next series of Top Gear still has those lame, fake "challenges" in it. They should have plenty of better stuff to be getting on with.

[@mellowb1rd]

I think the problem is that the presenters have begun to think that they are the stars of the show and not the cars.

[@edotedy]

mellowb1rd Your in luck because they are testing the Mclaren P1, i don't think anyone got their hands on the LaFerrari yet though so far... :/

[@thatabu]

mellowb1rd They are. What would Top Gear be without Jeremy, James and Richard? All the other countries' Top Gear are just lame imitations...

[@mellowb1rd]

No, the CARS are the star. The presenters need to remember that. More and more people are getting annoyed at the fake "challenges" that take up half the episode and tell you nothing about the cars - some of which are just old bangers that have been around for years. That is not TOP gear. That's barely even gear. They are the biggest car show in the world; there are so many awesome cars coming out this year that they have no excuse for padding out the episodes with the filler of boring fake "challenges"

[@thatabu]

I for one enjoy the challenges as a part of Top Gear. Hypercars are only a part of the show but if you want an informative car show about just the cars, Top Gear is not for you.

[@PeakTorque]

Anyone know what camera mount that is?

[@ZondaF355]

Thank you AUTOCAR for being the first to share with us this gorgeous monster of a 458. This is why we love you! Keep up the "exclusive hooning".

[@SuperCarClassicsTV]

Wow, great video, hope I can film this car for my channel one day!

[@rdrg7362]

Great video, thanks!

[@shahulhusman]

Like it...I like it a lot.. over 9000 rpm.. dual clutch...paddles on the column not seeing wheel (why does most everyone get this wrong? )..normally aspirated v8..rwd..seats, harness...near 600hp... between this and the black series sls... both cars are stunning

[@juanmaldonado3281]

SUPER. AWESOME REVIEW. WAW. TNKS

[@MrLIVELINESOLUTIONS]

Great video. I can see that SSC mode not being defeatable in the La Ferrari with so much power to only two drive wheels.

[@MultiRyan2112]

Wow, I thought it would be impossible to make a scuderia successor, as pure and thrilling as the first but Ferrari have took it to a whole new level! Wish I could drive one so bad!

[@GAMBLER5525]

xD right when he said over 9000

[@autocar]

[@Top_Gear_Clips_Central]

Agreed

[@CJAEY]

Something about this car is missing and looks incomplete I can't put a finger on it. The 360 Challenge Stradale and F430 Scuderia were far more pleasing to the eye imo

[@NikoBell12]

Agreed. The Challenge Stradale and Scuderia look like something with max sex appeal. This... I think it's sad I prefer a regular 458's looks over this. And the name, "Speciale" is so damn generic.

[@cardude1992]

I think that white coloured bit inside the front bumper looks looks a bit off. Plus im not so sure about the giant multicoloured stripe on the car.

[@moosen34]

It's hard to make something as pretty as the standard 458 even prettier. I still think this is a very good looking car but it's just "different" looking than a standard one. I'm sure if we got to drive one of these we'd all be sold.

[@burbankr]

anyone know how many milliseconds the shift times are in this car?

[@chrisah1]

Thumbs up for "Everything looks better in Slo-Mo". GT3 nice budget option though :p

[@Joelwcs]

Just need to wait for Chris Harris' review now. That would be 'on the limit'

[@MrSantiago485]

Great vid, 9/10 would repeat again.

[@JoaoPauloCars]

the best car !! awesome !!!!!! incredible, nice video.

[@CarsFanTV]

Hey guys great review! Do you have these numbers? 0-60mph? 60-0mph? How much faster is than the regular 458 around ferrari's test track?

[@oooining]

I always adore all track focused ferrari and certainly this will be best of all.

[@dasvoto]

Amazing machine! this should be crowned car of the year in any test has it included.

[@wroxrrz8975]

6:45 and 7:00 whooooo, the sound and cornering WOW

[@SS8000cars]

Massive massive machine. Just got one, perhaps not the fastest but the most fun I've ever had whilst driving a car!

[@SeanSmithDash]

Good god that car is gorgeous and the sound is glorious. That reviewer is great.

[@pascalmpower7944]

The steering respond is so sharp as I can see. My guess is the 458 Speciale smartly uses understeering to increase steering reaction and increase entry speed.

[@DPPremier]

great car, great review

[@alexandrefernandes9233]

WOW! My favorite is the Ferrari FF, but this look to be more fun!

[@TetraRage]

Praising all these traction gizmos on the new supercars to allow the car to stay on track & make them faster but they slated the GTR for years for having the same gizmos? I dont get it? Nice car though

[@bliglum]

Well said.. It's because it's got that Ferrari badge.. And Ferrari can do no wrong you know!

[@rajivkishore]

Amazing :0 I love it!

[@Blogofspeed]

Do you guys want to open a Miami branch? I love your videos!

[@darksideofmind91]

Really wonderful car. How to make the almost perfection even better. WOW

[@TheTonicro]

i love how ferrari whenever they build a new car say is the best :D just love the car i would buy it in a instant if i had the money, maybe i can asve up to rent one for an hour or two sometimes in the future, nice review

[@blaisemonfort8068]

That dude has some serious driving skills...

[@Watch_spike]

ITS OVER 9000!!!!!

[@CreamyBone]

All sports car videos must begin with a series of drifting sequences. ...this is what I've come to learn.

[@KarlTooley]

What can we say just Astounding!

[@Dannn71]

Ahh the progression , Challenge Stradale, Scuderia and now Speciale..!!!!!

[@rousseau327]

Can't wait for Porsche to release the 991 GT3 RS. A comparison between that and this Speciale would be epic.

[@Shadowboost]

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 version will be coming soon as well

[@stefantorozov7508]

Porsche doesn't stand a chance against the Ferrari in any category.

[@rousseau327]

stefan torozov What an ignorant thing to say.

[@PaulHindt]

It's OVER 9000!!!

[@thomasflournoy9122]

I like the black bit across the back. It makes the rear if the car seem less bloated

[@EuropeansCars]

Now this is a very great car, hope soon to see 1 in real life:)

[@heinedenmark]

I know that 488's engine is a brilliant thing. But this engine, the 4.5L NA Ferrari V8, is a masterpiece.

[@Verification11]

I like the ssc system , would be great if gm adapted this technology to the new upcoming c7 zo6, that would be sweet.

[@CJM44.41]

Oh I'm sure they will. Knowing them they'd probably claim that Ferrari stole it from them too..

[@RazvanRO]

***** Well said:))

[@SupercarsGT]

You have reason.this system let enjoy the drive

[@naghmanashafi8952]

The sound!!!!!

[@Rytis36]

I somehow think that they first designed this car, then do downgraded it and sold it as regular 458

[@Tousanx]

ok i'm sold, but thank you Autocar for the upload. Can we get a gt3 vs Speciale soon?

[@DEVASTATOR478]

FANTASTIC !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@swinglow33]

Beautiful car. Thanks for explaining the electronics. There is a downside to tech like this though. It makes the driver over confident of his/her abilities to handle such a car.

[@SupercarsGT]

I love this Ferrari,for me the perfect Ferrari.Great handling and a lot of helps for enjoy the drive.

[@williamwang3002]

To me, it looks like the way the 458 family should be eventually!

[@peterbennpan7288]

Jeremy clarkson, chris harris and steve sutcliffe have got to be the best top 3 car reviewers in the world.

[@pope400]

That's such high praise.

[@omgwicked1]

drives like a madman:X

[@Nimzie458202]

The 458 has been my favourite car ever since I was 11, I'm now 14, this has just confirmed why!

[@eljefe797]

You are 20? The Ferrari 458 Speciale is my dream car

[@TonyHatchVR46]

Very nice, would love a track day.

[@oceanwilliams8750]

Very nice.

[@IvanMorningstar]

just wondering , how much horsepower 458 replacement will pack. based on comparison between 430 and 458 its about 70+ . is that mean we gonna have almost 700bhp in junior ferrari? its just ridiculous if that's the case .

[@eleonik76]

Where is the SuperDry jacket man?? I see you cant drive that fast without it:))

[@TheSuperMotoHooligan]

pretty sweet machine

[@cooliebwoy415]

I never thought I'd see the day, but Ferrari has COMPUTERIZED DRIFTING!!!

[@TheAcePilot101]

Start video at 0:06. Open Nujabes - Thank You (feat. Apani) in another tab and start it at 0:18. Adjust volume to your liking. Enjoy!!!!

[@rousseau327]

Just watched Autocar's 650S review, and I can't imagine any who has ever driven a sports car before who would want that 650S over this Speciale.

[@Rottensteam]

If you would use the car every day, the 650s would be my choice due to the much better ride.

[@petardenchev75]

If I had that much money for a car, that would be it. Everything else will feel to me like a compromise (especially the funny looking McLaren with the not so cool soundtrack or the heavy GTR with the Nissan badge)

[@Cartel893]

2:57 for what are those red lights flashing up?

[@KirilG1]

Amazing!

[@TheArmaniModel1]

Fantastic!

[@Smart1529]

Over 9000rpm? THAT CAN'T BE RIGHT

[@ClaudeMagicbox]

+Smart1529 It is right. Red line starts at 9000rpm and there is a damage-limiting cut off at 9.500rpm. It's not a goofy American V8 buddy...

[@Smart1529]

+ClaudeMagicbox I know dude, I was just using a Dragonball Z reference which kinda works here

[@heinedenmark]

The engine is a masterpiece

[@jonathanhidalgo4591]

He said it makes more torque but the 398 ft lbs figure is the same amount as in the regular 458 or did he mean it's spread out through a larger band?

[@Jinsun202]

He meant the latter, but he said it incorrectly. If it had more torque everywhere then it would have more than 398lbft, so he may have meant that it has more torque over most of the rev range.

[@Unbrickable]

It's over 9000!

[@bigmotor3845]

I just fell in love!

[@CCFerrariF1]

Love the car despite not being a fan of the 458 but it's needs to be in silver with a baby blue stripe :D

[@Archibalt3000]

Nice editing.. Showing images when he's drifting and the TC is clearly off whilst Steve is talking about and reviewing the SSC system. Derp...

[@FanDeJoseArias]

Molto bello

[@TimWepunkt]

I want this thing so badly.