Imitation is the best form of flattery, but sometimes it is difficult to discern who is imitating who. In the case of Ferrari’s race cars, the Challenge Series 458 looks very similar to the 458 Italia. Maranello has mentioned that both cars share 90% of their components, but humans also share 90% of our DNA with primates. If your dreams have been filled with track days and podium finishes, a used Ferrari 458 Challenge is a great way to achieve them, but how hard would it be to do it yourself? Let’s take a closer look at production car and see just how different they really are.
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458 CHALLENGE
How Much? Price: $239,000
Engine: 4.5-liter V8 274.5 cu in
Horsepower: 570 hp @ 9,000 rpm
Torque: 398 lb-ft 6,000 rpm
Curb Weight: 2815 lbs
0-60: 2.9 seconds
62-0 mph: 107 ft
Top Speed: 210 mph
Transmission: 7-speed Getrag dual clutch F1
Brakes: Carbon Ceramic
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458 ITALIA
How Much? Price: $239,000
Engine: 4.5-liter V8 274.5 cu in
Horsepower: 570 hp @ 9,000 rpm
Torque: 398 lb-ft 6,000 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,274 lbs
0-60: 2.9 seconds
62-0 mph: 107 ft
Top Speed: 210 mph
Transmission: 7-speed Getrag dual-clutch F1
Brakes: Carbon Ceramic[/column]
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The latest 458 Challenge is a monster on the track
If you found a great deal on a pre-owned Ferrari 458 Italia for sale, what would it take to go racing? First, you would have to strip the interior of all those fine Italian hides. The 458 Challenge arrives with 2 racing seats, carbon fiber panels, and not much else. You would also need to find a master fabricator to build a roll cage. The Challenge has an FIA approved cage from the factory. All the glass must be replaced with lexan, and you will need a fire system along with telemetry. The 458 Challenge also arrives with these. Omitted in the Challenge cars are several hundred pounds of luxury and creature comforts.
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You can see where this is going…Each Ferrari 458 Challenge was built by the same crew and is equipped with the same options. Even the wheels are the same width as stock, but the Challenge sports 19″ instead of the 20″. This is because racing rubber in 20″ just doesn’t handle the abuse. Suspension parts are shared between track and street, but Challenge cars arrive with spherical rod ends instead of rubber bushings. Many teams have discovered that carbon ceramic brakes look amazing on the street car, but cast iron is more durable. So if you find a 458 Challenge with brake dust, don’t be alarmed.
Why you should buy a 458 Challenge
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The last real difference between them is legality. The 458 Challenge is a race car. It makes no apologies in terms of insulation or civility. For that reason, it can not be driven on public roads. But if you have the local authorities on your payroll, the 458 Challenge is the easiest way to go racing. Converting a 458 Italia into a track car is a great way to burn cash, so check out these listings from our dealers and get your team back together. Are you ready for a Challenge?
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[button color=”red” text=”white” url=”http://www.dupontregistry.com/autos/results/ferrari/458–challenge” window=”_blank”]Ferrari 458 Challenge For Sale[/button][/column]
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[button color=”red” text=”white” url=”http://www.dupontregistry.com/autos/results/ferrari/458–italia” window=”_blank”]Ferrari 458 Italia For Sale[/button][/column]
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