Ferrari 458 Italia Race Car

First look? Well, we’d like to think so after pictures surfaced online this week of a modified Ferrari 458 Italia, leading to speculation that it could be the first glimpse of Ferrari’s 458 Italia Challenge race car.

The modified 458 pictured here, featuring aerodynamic tweaks, a plexiglass window, tow hooks and centre-locking racing wheels shod with slick tyres, was reportedly spied at Italy’s Vallelunga race track.

There has been no word from Ferrari regarding a track-ready version of its latest model, so for now it remains unclear whether the spied car is an official Ferrari project, an aftermarket prototype, or a privateer racer.

The ‘regular’ 458 is motivated by a 4,5-litre V8, developing 425 kW and 540 N.m of torque, pushing the supercar to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds and on to a top speed of over 325 km/h.

Last month, the Italian supercar company, offered a glimpse of its new model schedule, which includes a convertible ‘Spider’ version of the 458, a replacement for the 599, and a successor to the company’s Enzo hypercar.