The Ferrari 458 Italia is a mid-engine sports car produced by the Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari. The Ferrari 458 Italia was officially unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show on 15 September 2009. In Ferrari’s first official announcement of the car, the Ferrari 458 Italia was described as the successor to the F430 but arising from an entirely new design, incorporating technologies developed from the company’s experience in Formula 1.
The Ferrari 458 Italia specs continues to go from strength to strength and has garnered over 30 international awards in its short career. The Ferrari 458 Italia body was designed by Pininfarina, as with all recent Ferrari models. The Ferrari 458 Italia exterior styling and features were designed for aerodynamic efficiency, producing a down force of 140 kg at 124 miles per hour (200 km/h).
In particular, the Ferrari 458 Italia front grille features deformable winglets that lower at high speeds, in order to offer reduced drag. The Ferrari 458 Italia interior was designed using input from former Ferrari Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher, including a new steering wheel design which incorporates many features and controls as opposed to their being on the dashboard, similar to racing car designs.
According to British car magazine Autocar, the Ferrari 458 Italia design has drawn inspiration from the Ferrari Enzo and its Millechili concept car. Ferrari 458 Italia has been designed to be Ferrari’s sportiest V8-engined car, to distinguish itself from the recently launched Ferrari California.
A new direct-injected 4.5-liter V8 ups the ante under the Ferrari 458 Italia hood, pumping out 562 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque; the redline? A screaming 9,000 rpm. Eighty percent of the Ferrari 458 Italia torque is now available at a low 3,250 rpm, thanks in all likelihood to the new engine’s 12.5:1 compression ratio.
As with last year’s Ferrari California, the Ferrari 458 Italia gets a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox that directs power to the rear axle. Much has been done to reduce internal friction within the new V8, in addition aerodynamic drag improvements.
As a result, the Ferrari 458 Italia gas mileage improves to a combined 17.1 mpg (US) on the EU test cycle; as this is a Ferrari, talk of fuel consumption really does seem somewhat pointless, anyway. No mention of incorporating any type of KERS hybrid system has been made for the Ferrari 458 Italia thus far.
Competitor Ferrari 458 Italia
Porsche has signaled it is still keen to push ahead with plans to introduce a competitor to the Ferrari 458 Italia, despite admitting it has postponed its small roadster project. The European economic crisis may have delayed plans for a small roadster, but Porsche is still keen on developing a Ferrari 458 Italia fighter.
This isn’t the first time we’re hearing about Porsche working on a Ferrari 458 Italia competitor; it was reported earlier this year that Porsche is working on a new model that would sit between the Porsche 911 and the upcoming 918 Spyder. Pricing wise, the new model has been reported to be in the same territory as the Ferrari 458 Italia price – think around or above $250,000.
Ferrari 458 Italia Review
Image Gallery "Ferrari 458 Italia Continues to be Strength", Total 9 Pictures
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