The Ferrari 488 GTB may be the new king but until it reaches the UK next year the 458 Speciale is the crowning moment of the last naturally-aspirated model.
Take a standard 458 Italia coupe – still one of the most sensational supercars Ferrari has ever made – and give it more power, less weight, active aerodynamics, tweaked suspension, better brakes and even more clever electronics to help you go faster and have more fun.
It may be an evolution of an existing car but that doesn’t stop it from being a mouth-watering prospect.
It also marks the end of an era, as future models will use turbocharged engines, making this the last baby Ferrari to have the sparkling response and soundtrack you get with a non-turbo engine.
A regular 458 manages to blend the demands of aerodynamics with the need for sensuous curves, and while the changes for the Speciale are relatively subtle they are designed to improve the aero performance.
So at the front you’ll note the additional flaps in the lower bumper which open and close depending on your speed, while at the rear there’s a new diffuser.
They may primarily have a functional purpose but in terms of looks they make it look even more like a racing car. You could probably skip the stripes at £6,000 for the set though…
With so much emphasis on weight saving (90kg lighter than a standard 458) it seems daft to then load it up with luggage.
However, there’s a useful 230 litres of storage space in the nose, enough to stuff a squashy bag for a fast weekend away.
On the inside it actually feels pretty spacious, largely because there’s so little frippery.
The centre console offers very modest storage and the glovebox is ditched altogether, so leave the chattels behind.
Even though this is the sharpest 458 ever built, it’s still relatively civilised to drive.
With the all-important manettino switch in Sport mode and the gearbox in auto you don’t have to concentrate too hard, although it’s noisier than the standard car.
But the Speciale is best enjoyed in Race mode with 3,000rpm on the clock. That’s when the full capability of that sensational V8 begins to reveal itself.
The noise grows as the revs rise and the acceleration builds as you home in on the ludicrous 9,000rpm rev limit.
This is possibly the world’s finest naturally aspirated engine, and even discount the acceleration it delivers (0-62mph in 3 seconds flat) it is that soundtrack that will have you revving it over and over again.
You might think that an even sharper 458 would be a handful, but the way in which the Speciale encourages you to press on and use the available grip is nothing short of remarkable.
The super-sharp steering means you can keep your hands locked into position and revel in the balance, sensitivity and even the Side Slip Control is there to add to the fun.
You’ll need a minimum of £208,000 to get yourself a Speciale and given that it’s almost exactly £30,000 more than a standard 458 you have to wonder whether it is worth it.
However, a drive of about 30 minutes should sort that out; it may be noisier, less comfortable and less well-equipped than the standard car, but the added drama, performance and those unburstable carbon ceramic brakes are worth the additional outlay.
Anyone with the means and an interest in driving – not just owning – a genuine supercar should take a close look at the Speciale.
And quickly too, because it’s not long for this world. Speculators will probably make a killing, but to not drive this car as it deserves to be driven would be a terrible waste.
Posers and wannabes should look elsewhere; this is a car for drivers.
THE FACTS
Model: 458 Speciale
Price: £208,090
Engine: 4.5-litre unit producing 597bhp and 398lb/ft of torque
Performance: Top speed 202mph, 0-62mph in 3 seconds
Economy: 21.2mpg combined
CO2 rating: 307g/km