2011 Ferrari 458 Challenge reviews

The Ferrari 458 Challenge also comes equipped with the standard 458’s E-Diff electronic differential, marking the first application in a track-only Ferrari.

Ferrari significantly revamped the 458 Challenge’s suspension for race use, including new solid aluminum bushings, stiffer springs, a 30mm lower ride height and single-rate dampers. All of the 458 Challenge’s added performance is kept in check via Ferrari’s F1-Trac traction control system.

Ferrari has officially unveiled the 458 Challenge racing prototype that will compete in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli in the 2011 season. As the fifth Ferrari model to be used by the company in its single-series racing program, the Ferrari 458 Challenge takes the reins from the Ferrari 430 Challenge beginning in the 2011 season.

With the departure of the 430 Challenge and the arrival of its 458 counterpart, it signals a changing of the guard in Ferrari’s one-make racing series, one that should make the 458 Challenge the new face of the Ferrari Challenge.

To ensure that the "Ferrari 458 Challenge" is fit and spry for race competition, significant work was done into cutting the car’s weight.

The Ferrari 458 Challenge is also equipped with the E-Diff electronic differential already employed on the production version of the 458, a first for Ferrari’s track-only cars.
Developed exclusively by Ferrari, the system constantly monitors levels of grip for maximum high-performance road-holding.

Knowing what we know, the Ferrari 430 Challenge sold for £185,000 a pop, which was about $300,000. The Ferrari 458 Challenge will compete in the 2011 Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli. Over the years since it began in 1993, the Ferrari Challenge has seen a number of production Ferraris turned into race-spec machines, including the Ferrari 348 Challenge (1993–1995), the Ferrari F355 Challenge (1995–2000), the Ferrari 360 Challenge (2000–2006), and most recently, the Ferrari F430 Challenge (2006-2011).

The new Ferrari 458 Challenge, 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
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. The new Ferrari 458 Challenge also has a specific suspension set-up with solid aluminum bushings, stiffer springs, single-rate dampers, center-nut 19" racing rims, larger dimension Pirelli slicks and a ride height lowered by 30mm all round.