A week after the official launch of the 458 Challenge at the Bologna Motor Show on December 2nd, the Maranello carmaker released just one image of its latest sports racer. The Italian automaker and racing team have now released a set of four additional shots.
Ferrari has revealed that the reins of the car were given to Jaime Melo, the Brazilian driver who competed in the ALMS this year with team Risi Competizione. He also teamed up with Gianmaria Bruni and Toni Vilander in the AF Corse squad's F430 GT2 to bring in the Constructors' title in the 2010 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup.
"We are pleased with the impression that engineers and drivers have expressed their vehicles. Thanks to the favorable weather of these last two days it was possible to collect more data than previous sessions, conducted in conditions of snow and rain conditions. We will continue with development work in the winter months, culminating with the debut of the car in the 12 Hours of Sebring , the first round of the American Le Mans Series,“ said Antonello Coletta, head of Ferrari Corse Clienti department.
The Ferrari 458 GTC is said to be limited to 470 hp because of Automobile Club de l'Ouest regulations. This is 100 horsepower less than the 458 Italia street car and 30 less horsepower than the Ferrari F430 GT2. Weight is down to 2,745 pounds (1,245 kg) but up 60 pounds (27 kg) from the old F430 GT2 it replaces. The standard seven-speed DCT gearbox is replaced with a six-speed SMG unit, while the wheels are downsized from 20 to 18 inches.
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