458 Italia

Make
Ferrari
Segment
Coupe

Ferrari claims the 458 Italia laps the Fiorano test track at the same 1:25 as the older 430 Scuderia (just a tenth of a second off the Enzo's pace, incidentally), but the Prancing Horse marque looks to up the game yet again when it unveils the hardcore version of the 458. Tipped to be called the Monte Carlo after the Mediterranean city that hosts the Monaco Grand Prix, the ultimate 458 is expected to follow the same formula as the Scuderia and the 360 Challenge Stradale before it by stripping excess weight and adding a touch more power.

The latest word on the street is that the 458 Monte Carlo will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show this coming September following closed-doors previews for select customers and dealers in August. To transform the 360 Modena into the Challenge Stradale and the F430 into the Scuderia, Ferrari cut about 220 lbs off the curb weight and added 15-20 horsepower to the engine's output. Using the same formula, the 458 Monte Carlo would weigh in at about 3,000 lbs and pack about 580 horsepower, although previous reports suggested the hardcore 458 could produce closer to 620 hp.

Speculation circulating the internet is that Ferrari could also ditch the dual-clutch transmission found in all its current models in favor of a lighter-weight, more track-focused single-clutch sequential gearbox. Whatever transmission, however much (or little) it weighs, however much power it packs and whatever it's ultimately called, the 458 Monte Carlo ought to further the car's performance - and drop that benchmark Fiorano lap time even further.