Ferrari’s new 458 Speciale, an extreme version of the 458 Italia, will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show. It points the way to several technical innovations which will be found on all future Ferrari road cars.

The 458 Speciale is described by Ferrari as being “a completely new, uncompromising, streamlined sports car concept”.

Modifications focus on its powertrain, dynamic capabilities and aerodynamics. In particular, the active aerodynamic technology is said to have been developed for use on all future Ferrari road cars.

Power comes from a modified version of the 458’s V8, with 597bhp and 55kgm of torque, making it the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 ever built by the company. It has a specific output of 133bhp per litre, which Ferrari says is the highest ever achieved by a road-going engine. Maximum power is achieved at 9000rpm; maximum torque at 6000rpm.With a dry weight of 1290kg, the Speciale has an official 0-100kph time of 3.0sec and a 0-200kph time of 9.1sec. Ferrari says it has also lapped its Fiorano test track in 1m 23.5sec – 1.5sec faster than the standard Ferrari 458 Italia and just half a second slower than a Ferrari F12. It has a power-to-weight ratio of 1bhp per 2.13kg.