Following its Porsche
GT2, GT3 and Panamera conversions, UK-based Oakley
Design is now announcing its new tuning programme for
the Ferrari 458 Italia. Production will be limited to
just 5 cars, each bearing a unique build number plaque.
Outside of this Limited Edition model, individual parts
will also be made available for clients who do not
require the complete package.
With Jon Oakley’s
motorsport background central to the company’s
philosophy, any change, whether aerodynamic or
mechanical, is only done for sound technical reasons.
Wind tunnel testing proved that the carbon-fibre front
spoiler lip now fitted to the 458 Italia adds 45kg of
downforce over the front axle when the car is travelling
at 150mph (240km/h), while the race-car style centrally
positioned radiator vent now channels air out over the
bonnet instead of under the car. This new vent also
helps to boost the airflow at the base of the front
windscreen, further benefiting aerodynamics.
Further internal
airflow management is seen in the radiator air exit
ducts beside the headlamps, which receive carbon-fibre
inserts and improved ducting from the radiator. Deeper,
wider side sills improve airflow control down the cars
flanks, as well as helping to optimize the flat-bottom
effect. The longer but lighter carbon-fibre rear
diffuser has deeper boundary layer fences to improve
directional stability. Finally, a new rear spoiler with
Gurney flap adds 25kg of downforce over the rear axle at
150mph. This works together with the underbody diffuser
to reduce the Italia’s overall drag by smoothing out the
separating airflow. The only exterior alterations made
for cosmetic reasons are the signature Oakley Design
carbon-fibre roof panel, mirror covers and engine cover
insert below the rear window glass. These are matched in
the engine bay by carbon-fibre panels covering the inner
wings and rear bulkhead.
Lower kerb weight
automatically improves performance and puts less stress
on the suspension, tyres and brakes. The complete
titanium exhaust system with triple outlet pipes and no
bypass valve shaves a huge 30kg from the Italia’s aft
section, where it counts the most.
At half the weight of
cast alloy equivalents, the signature Oakley Design
lightweight composite wheels save a significant 8.0kg of
unsprung weight per corner. Made in the UK, these
two-piece wheels have a magnesium-alloy centre married
to a carbon-fibre rim. Their adjusted offset keeps the
wheel centre line the same as OE to compensate for the
half-inch wider footprint at each corner. Oakley Design
plan to offer 9.0J x 20-inch and 11.0J x 20-inch wheels
with 245/35ZR20 and 305/35ZR20 tyres, as well as
one-inch diameter smaller 9.0J x 19-inch and 11.0J x
19-inch OZ Racing wheels shod with the New Pirelli
Trofeo tyre that meets the latest EU regulations for
street legal trackday rubber.
Apart from lower
back-pressure in the new exhaust system, the improved
throttle response and output is down to the larger
carbon-fibre air intake box, larger ram air feeds and
larger diameter white silicon pipes with Oakley Design
logos connecting the air boxes to the intake. With an
ECU remap optimising the fuelling and ignition curves,
these changes account for an approximate 10 percent
power gain from 570bhp to 627bhp, while torque is up
five percent from 540Nm to 567Nm
Carrying around 65kg
less and with more power on tap, the factory 3.4 sec
0-100km/h time drops to around 3.0 seconds, while top
speed has been calculated at over 330km/h. As reducing
the sprung weight has the effect of stiffening the
suspension, the car is undergoing extensive testing in
this form. A bespoke suspension kit for hard-core
trackday drivers is also underway at Intrax, Oakley
Design’s suspension and development partner.
