Ferrari gives 458 Italia the racing treatment

The Ferrari 458 Challenge

Ferrari has unveiled a track-only version of the 458 Italia during its annual dealer meeting held at Maranello, Italy last week.

Dubbed the 458 Challenge, the racing car will join the F430 Challenge in the 2011 Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli race series and will be available for professional and leisure racers for track-only use.

While the 458 Challenge is powered by the stock 570bhp V8 engine found in the production model it features a race-spec transmission, reduced body weight and specially tuned suspension.

The car rides on 19-inch racing wheels and comes fitted with the 458 Italia’s E-Diff electronic differential with integrated F1-Trac traction control system, a first for a Ferrari Challenge model.