Ferrari 458 Challenge Evoluzione vs 458 Speciale on track

This is the Ferrari 458 Challenge Evoluzione race car. How does it compare to the Speciale road car?

Ferrari has never forgotten its illustrious sporting heritage - the Italian firm produces a huge range of racers for customers to compete in motorsport with. This is the Ferrari 458 Challenge: an entry-point to all of that.

The car is built for one-make Ferrari Challenge competitions – run by Ferrari since 1993 in Europe, the US and the Asian Pacific. It was introduced in 2011 and recently updated for 2014 - in the shape of the Challenge Evoluzione. We got to sample it at Ferrari’s famous Fiorano test track the hallowed home of racing at Ferrari.

The car is based on the excellent 458 Italia, and uses the same 562bhp 4.5-litre V8 engine, which is left unaltered and in the same state of tune. It’s matched to the road car’s seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, although here the ratios have been altered to deliver better torque delivery at lower revs.

And if you want to see the 458 Challenge in action the European Series is coming to Silverstone this weekend, as part of the Ferrari Racing Days extravaganza on the 13 and 14th of September.

A grid of 36 458’s will take part in a pair of 30-minute races, while other track action includes displays of the incredible FXX and 599XX Corsa Clienti cars, plus host of owners driving a range of old Formula One Ferraris as part of the unique F1 Clienti programme. If you’re a Ferrari fan head along for a weekend of all things Prancing Horse.

[nestx]

3:29 - I think the audio is not sync here - I got a little shock when I heard the engine reving this high just before the corner :D

[TheOne]

Love this guy's reviews! he's reviews are so detailed and very technical yet he managed to deliver it in very intuitive and interesting way with such passion, a true Motorsport journalist :) 

[MTreddevil]

Whats crazy is that in 10 years or so the road car will be lapping simular times to what this current challenge is doing now.

[TexMexTherd]

When can we expect the MX-5 vs Boxter video?

[SmallBlogV]

In terms of lap time comparison, this would've been much more interesting if they were on the same tyre. Slicks > any other upgrade.

Oh, and of course they're closely connected. The 458 Challenge is made out of a road car.

[zaphod]

how come the car that is 7s faster a lap and produced in little numbers is also dramatically cheaper ?

[PracticalAIVictor]

I have a tip for your videographer. Don't use Sennheiser for wireless.

[rrrado]

Your "racing line" is really bad.

[marriots]

Goodness me, that was boring...not cars, they are both utterly magnificent !

[Brascofarian]

I'm a huge McLaren fan, but my god the 458 is ridiculously sexy... a modern day masterpiece. <3

[pascalmpower]

The 458 Speciale uses side slide angle stability control, Challenge uses pure grip from rear, totally different cars. The 458 Challenge have better corner entry speed, apex speed and turn out speed while the 458S may have a pretty high mid to turn out speed compare to other road cars.

[svtman]

God damnit i need to drive a 458 so bad, drove the f430 at least :P

[NubletPie]

What is the point in putting a race suit on for the Challenge Evoluzione when you're just going to d the Speciale in a t-shirt and jeans?

[huss]

Challenge looks so much better. Cleaner front end. Slammed.

[TheRealBoyardee]

My mom's '93 Geo Metro would crush these cars.

[nathan]

The race car is cheaper than the road car? I'm becoming a fan of Ferrari.

[edaxsachorwzky]

Well, there's one car I'll never drive☹️

[riccardofardo]

where did you see anything that you can call a race line…? He just moved the cars on a track… What a waste.