SP Rides: Pure Perfection

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BY MICHAEL KITCHENS

Owner: Anonymous
2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale
Color: Rosso Corsa with NRT stripe

Ferrari is widely seen as the pinnacle of supercars with a history of racing that spans all the way back to 1929. Over the years, it has been one of the most sought after and beloved luxury sports cars in the world. We are talking about high horsepower, high visible and high dollar exotics that break the necks of admirers everywhere.

But even with its pedigree, Ferrari must move with the times. Stricter emission laws have forced it toward more efficient ways of providing power, which means the time of the naturally aspirated V8 is just about over. The future Ferrari will be powered exclusively by turbo and electrical hybrid means.

The latter reasons are why the owner of this 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale chose this beauty of a ride. Consider this to be the last normally aspirated V8 from the Ferrari stable, pumping out 597 horsepower from a screaming V8 that’s being revved to 9,000 rpms.

“Ferrari is art, it’s an extreme passion,” says the owner, who preferred to remain anonymous for this article. “I love everything about it —the engine, the interior, the sound, the way it handles. It’s perfect.”

You would think that one of the perks of this ride would be the looks the owner receives while cruising through the city, but that isn’t the case here. The owner actually prefers to drive it when there’s no one around. The car, he insists, is driven simply for the joy of the experience.

And what an experience it is to be behind the wheel of what is widely considered one of Ferrari’s finest achievements. The entire build philosophy is one of performance. It does away with the frills — there’s no sound dampening, no radio, not even a center console. This vehicle relies on the pure exhilaration of the driving experience to keep you coming back for more. And not only is it the last of its kind, but it’s also Ferrari’s highest performing V8.

In addition to power, the car has incredible looks thanks to its swooping bodylines coated in Rosso Corsa with the addition of the NRT stripe. Technical innovation also abounds in every area of performance and handling. Capable of later acceleration of 1.33G, the experience is made silky smooth because of the dual-clutch transmission. Additionally, braking is afforded enormous stopping power due to the absolutely huge carbon ceramic braking system.

The casual onlooker may not realize it, but the entire car has been wrapped in a protective film by Shane Oliberos from Xero Graphics. Although not cheap by any means, it’s practically invisible and is kept clean and clear by Mike Meyer from Modern Detail. The end result is one faultless example of high-end exotic performance.

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