Ferrari F458 GT 2011

© Copyright by Jon Sibal

Country of origin Italy Introduced in 2011 Chassis Designer Pininfarina Engine Type F142 GT 90º V8 Horse Power 465 bhp / 347 KW @ 6250 rpm Torque 520 Nm @ 5750 rpm hp/kg 0.37 bhp / kg Engine Displacement 4.498 liter Engine Aspiration Naturally Aspirated Engine Location Mid, longitudinally mounted Engine Valve Train 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC Drivetrain Hewland 6 speed Sequential, Rear wheel drive Predecessor Ferrari F430 GT 2006

With the Michelotto developed F430 GT(C), Ferrari finally managed to break Porsche's stronghold on what is currently known as the GT2 or GTE class. Introduced ahead of the 2006 season, the V8-engined machine won its class in all major championships and races at least once. With well over 50 examples produced, it was also the most popular customer racing car produced by Ferrari since the days of the legendary 250 GT.

In 2010 the F430 road car was replaced by the all-new 458 Italia and late in that same year the first pictures of a competition version emerged. Naturally, Michelotto had been called in again to turn Ferrari's latest road car into a top GT2/GTE contender. Since the launch of the F430 GT, the level of competition had increased considerably with the likes of Corvette, Aston Martin and BMW also joining the fray, so the Padua based company certainly had its work cut out.

Le Mans 2011

The 458 Italia GT2's first class win came two weeks later when the JMW Motorsport example led two sister cars home during the Le Castellet 6 Hours. For the all-important 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, six examples have been entered. The one of AF Corse with number #51 ended on 2nd place after BMW on 1st place. Most people agreed that this is a great success for the introduction of the F458!