Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta

The Ferrari 458 Speciale A

Only 499 units were produced. It is as rare as the LaFerrari or the 16M. It was only available to existing Ferrari collectors. The name sounds special, but A stands for Aperta, which means open in Italian. It is the convertible variant of the hardcore 458 Speciale. It is a Spider with more aggression. It uses the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 in the world. It converts air and fuel fast enough to produce 605 hp at 9000 rpm. The torque output is 540 Nm at 6000 rpm. The character is not similar to a turbodiesel. These values allow the 458 Speciale A to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds. It reaches 200 km/h in 9.5 seconds. The top speed is 320 km/h. It weighs 50 kilos more than the closed Speciale and about 90 kilos less than the standard model.

This weight reduction results from detailed engineering and a long list of removed parts. The engine received new camshafts, increased valve lift, shorter intake manifolds and different pistons to handle the 14:1 compression ratio. This is a high figure for a road car. Other materials reduced the engine weight by eight kilos compared to the standard version. The Spider receives forged wheels that remove 12 kilos. The lighter redesigned body and thinner glass remove another 13 kilos. The stripped interior removes another 20 kilos. Together with other changes, the total reduction equals the weight of a large passenger.

The statistics do not capture the full character of the car. The weight savings may not look impressive on paper. The Speciale A feels very different from the standard Spider the moment you drive it. You may expect more performance from the vents and striping, but you only understand how special it is when you drive it. The car remains manageable in the city. This level of performance in an easy to drive car would not have been possible in the seventies. Once you press the accelerator with the roof down on a good road, the reaction is immediate.

Without a roof the sound enters the cabin without restriction. It is loud. This engine with its 9000 rpm redline enjoys every rotation. Every gear feels like a continuous powerband. Pull the carbon paddle on the right side of the steering wheel and the car shifts instantly. It repeats the process until the road or your courage runs out. The seven speed dual clutch gearbox blips faster than before. You feel that downshifts are more aggressive.

Find a corner and downshift. The exhaust gives a sharp response. Press the brake pedal hard and the car stops with authority. The brakes were developed with Brembo and use lessons from the LaFerrari. The front calipers use a hybrid HY material and clamp HT2 discs with a higher silicon content. These changes allow the Speciale A to stop eight percent faster than the 458 Spider according to Ferrari.

The absence of a roof lets you hear the gearbox shifting. After several hard braking moments you smell the carbon ceramic brakes. Hot metal and evaporated friction material. These sensations make the car more engaging than the coupe, although the body may flex slightly on rough terrain. The coupe does not show this behaviour. It is not disturbing. On rough roads the 458 would normally bounce, but the chassis remains stable. This comes from the SCM E dampers with two coils and new software that adjusts the magnetic field in the magnetorheological dampers every millisecond.

This technology improves stability. The Michelin tyres developed for this car provide high grip and give confidence. The available grip allows the engine to reach high rpm even in corners. Select Race or CT Off with the manettino dial and the Side Slip Angle Control measures your lateral limits and supports that movement.

The system compares your input with its reference data and uses torque vectoring through the e diff to follow your intended line. The system improves the ability of average drivers. The steering feel remains natural and not artificial. It enhances performance without creating a barrier.

On a series of second gear Italian hairpins or on a dry road with third gear stretches, the Speciale A delivers a strong sound while climbing in rpm. Acceleration, braking, steering and controlled movement create a rhythm. The shift lights on the steering wheel become your main reference. The balance proves that every component works together as one system. This freedom lets you focus on the driving.

The Speciale A is based on the 458 but offers more. The steering calibration keeps the nose stable. The car follows your eyes into the corner. You can apply power and feel the g forces rise until you exit the bend with a small countersteer. When you turn the system off, you notice how much the electronics support the rear stability. With support the movement feels less violent. This behaviour suits a mid engine supercar. The engine response, braking and steering show the purpose of the car. The focus increases and the environment fades.

Driving this car in warm sunlight with the scent of the countryside entering the cabin and the engine sound filling the interior creates a unique experience.

The example we offer is a rare Aperta in Nero Daytona metallic with a Blu and Bianco Avus striping. Most Apertas have yellow center caps, but this Aperta uses carbon center caps. It is accident free and includes all original accessories.

Factory options:
INTC ALCANTARA NERA 9440
EXTC NERO DAYTONA WB 508
CRPT EXTRACAMPIONARIO-NOT STANDARD
AFS1 AFS SYSTEM
CALC BLUE BRAKE CALIPERS
CEFS CARBON FIBRE FRONT FLAPS
CUPC CARBON FIBRE WHEELS CUP
ELEV SUSPENSION LIFTER
EMPH HORSE STITCHED ON HEADREST BLU (BLUE)
EXT1 HANDLY FIRE EXTINGUISHER
HELE HIGH EMOTION LOW EMISSION
LANG USER MANUAL BOOKLET
LOGO 'SCUDERIA FERRARI' SHIELDS
NAVC RADIONAVI SYSTEM + BLUETOOTH
PAC1 PARKING CAMERA
PAR2 FRONT AND REAR PARKING SENSORS
PNT7 RACING STRIPE BIANCO AVUS
RMFC 20" FORGED RIMS
RPMW WHITE REV COUNTER
RSCH CARBON FIBRE RACING SEATS SEDILI TAGLIA LARGE
RSFT DRIVER SEAT ADJUSTMENT DEVICE
STC2 COLOURED SPECIAL STITCHING FILO SPECIALE BIANCO 2000
T3D1 INTERIOR 3D FABRIC COLOUR TESSUTO T3D1 NERO
SPEC WHEELS IN 'ORO'

Looking for a similar car? Feel free to contact us!

Feel free to make an appointment with us for a viewing while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea!

We are available by phone 7 days a week from 09:00 to 21:00 at +31 348 752499.
Or send us a message on WhatsApp: +31 6 42420582.

Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.