About two months ago, Ferrari issued a recall for more than 1,200 458 Italias, citing an adhesive in the wheel arch assemblies that could overheat and cause fires. The recall came after an investigation into why 458s around the world were burning up like dry straw at a firing range. In the months following its debut, 458s had burned up in the U.S., Switzerland, France and China.

Add Brazil to that list. WreckedExotics reports today that a 458 caught fire while driving down a highway in Sao Paulo.

So, did the recall fix not work? The blog doesn’t yet have any information about whether the Brazil 458 had been repaired/issued under the recall, so we’re going to guess that it wasn’t repaired, since the damage appears to be from the exact same issue. However, we’ll stay tuned to know for sure. [via WreckedExotics]

Ferrari unveiled its SA Aperta today, a suped-up roadster version of the 599 GTB Fiorano. Ferrari’s latest model was designed to celebrate Pininfarina’s 80th birthday, and as such, Ferrari will only build 80 examples.

In addition to losing its top, the SA Aperta gets some minor tweaks including a lowered windshield and lowered ride height. The 6.0-liter V12 engine has also gotten about 40 more horses than the base 599, giving it a total output of 661 bhp. The roadster includes a minimalist soft-top for use in unexpected weather.

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If you ever happen to see a photographer hiding out in the bushes next to a race track with a bulging DSLR, run to the nearest convenience store immediately and buy him a six pack. It’s because of diligent individuals like that that we get to see photos and footage of hot cars way before the manufacturers are ready for their big unveil. Sure, he’s paid well, but still, it’s an invaluable service that deserves appreciation.

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If you spend any time ogling cars on the Interwebs, then you’ve probably seen a picture or two of a Ferrari 458 on fire. Like this one. According to the BBC, you’ve had 10 opportunities, because that’s how many of the Ferraris have caught fire–from California to China. And that’s just this summer.

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Ferrari introduced the world to the 458 Challenge at its dealers meeting last month, but gave us but one picture of the track-speced steed to ogle. Yesterday, Maranello righted that wrong, providing a couple more pictures from track testing in Vallelunga. Two test drivers–Maurizio Mediani and Jaime Melo took the wheel and offered such positive sentiments as “very quick and extremely good fun.”

The 458 Challenge is a track-only model based on the 458 Italia. The car gets the same 570-hp engine as the Italia, but gets a variety of upgrades including altered gear ratios, F1-Trac traction control system, thinner body panels and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes. See the new pictures in the gallery below. [via WCF]

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Earlier this year, Ferrari announced a host of upcoming new cars. And now we have some video of one of those models. The swollen-jowelled prototype was recently seen strutting its stuff not too far outside of Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters. The short, 8-second clip below captures but a fleeting look at the new car, but it recreates the rumble of the engine to a T.

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The old adage about a picture being worth a thousand words is never more true than in the case of high-end sports coupes on fire. Just try to explain the undeniable beauty of bright orange and yellow flames charring up a Ferrari 458 Italia on the streets of Paris and you’ll realize that your words will fall far short of this simple picture. We especially like how this shot captured what appears to be the driver debating whether or not to sacrifice his body and Sunday-best red #3 shirt for his 458. That decision was probably harder than it sounds. [via Jalopnik]

We’ve been waiting for the upgraded track-spec 458 for a few months now, and Ferrari has chosen this fine July day to reward our patience. It introduced the new model at its Annual Dealer Meeting in Maranello.

The 458 Challenge gets a little more serious and responsive thanks to upgrades that include tinkering of the gear ratios and F1 transmission to bolster torque at lower revs, addition of the F1-Trac traction system that provides traction monitoring and settings for wet and dry conditions, race suspension, Brembo CC2 brakes and 19-inch wheels covered in Pirelli slicks. The engine remains the same 570 hp V8 from 458 Italia.

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When I was around eight years old, there was a car novelty shop in the local mall in my town. I can’t quite remember what it was called, but I do remember it was one of my favorite places to stop in on any given trip–the kind of place that had all kinds of car novelties–posters, T-shirts, racing gloves, etc. It was a routine stop for my parents on Christmas/birthdays. To be honest, I forgot all about that great store until now.

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