Ferrari 458 Italia.

[TDU 505]

 

With a top speed of 203mph and a 0-60mph sprint of less than 3.5 seconds, this is the fastest car Ferrari has ever built.

 

So say hello to the F458 Italia - officially revealed in these first pictures.

 

Offering a staggering 570bhp at 9,000rpm it's also fitted with an advanced engine, and a new double-clutch, seven-speed gearbox.

 

Like all Ferraris, the new name references the engine - in this case a 4.5-litre V8. But what's equally important is important is the bit that comes next. Called Italia, this is the car Ferrari hopes will be the new pride of Italy.

 

While Ferrari is unlikely to admit it, the firm has been under huge pressure from rivals like the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Gallardo. Offering similar chassis technology and superior engine technology both cars offer a winning blend of performance, reliability and drivability.

 

The F458 is the car that insiders claim is set to change all that - stamping the famous firms authority on a class it has dominated for the past 15 years.

 

As a result, the F458 is much more than simply a refreshed F430 - sporting new engine, chassis and suspension technology - using exotic materials like magnesium and carbon fibre to keep the weight down.

 

It's also got a radical new look. Designed by Pininfarina, the car's signature lights include LED technology - pioneered by Audi - and a distinctive black front grille.

 

However, what makes the F458 so different to its predecessor is science behind its svelte bodywork. Look closely and there's an obvious lack of openings in the bodywork.

 

Reducing aerodynamic drag has been key to this cars performance - both on track and on the petrol station forecourt.

 

The holes but into the front and flanks of the bodywork feed air to the engine and radiators, but just as importantly, they also push it under the car's flat under tray, into a series of aerodynamic venturi tunnels.

 

This has the effect of sucking the car down onto the tarmac - in fact, the set up is so effective, that at around 120mph the car is generating around 140kg of downforce.

 

Another subtle, yet effective trick can be found at the front of the car, where two movable wings are hidden against the black of the radiator air intakes. This is part of the car's active aerodynamic package and helps to reduce drag at high speeds.

 

Performance is delivered to the rear wheels, and controlled using Ferrari's "e-diff" limited slip differential and adjustable F1-Trac traction control system.

 

Backed by lightweight carbon ceramic brakes, the car is said to be the fastest point-to-point machines the firm has ever built.

 

At the rear of the car you'll find the distinctive three-tailpipe arrangement, first seen in our spyshots. According to insiders, the exhaust note has been modelled on the firm's F1 car - sounding every bit as high-pitched.

 

The car makes its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September - while first examples are set to hit UK roads early next year. As yet, there's no word on price, but as the car is even faster than the F430 Scuderia - priced from £172,250 - it's unlikely drivers should expect change from less than £175,000.

 

 

SPECIFICATION

 

Ferrari 458 Italia

 

Engine: 4.5-litre V8

 

Max power: 570bhp@9000rpm

 

Max torque: 470 Nm at 5250rpm

 

Top speed: 203mph

 

0-60mph: 3,4 sec

 

Price: £175,000 (est)

 

These are the first official pictures and details of the Ferrari 458 Italia - the replacement for the Ferrari F430.

 

The Ferrari 458 Italia draws inspiration from the Enzo and takes a new look influenced by the Mille Chili concept car.

 

Ferrari 458 Italia picture gallery

 

Ferrari has confirmed that the car, codenamed F142 and long rumoured to be named the F450, will be called the 458 Italia. The name derives from the powerplant: a 4.5-litre V8 which Ferrari claims has the highest specific output of any normally aspirated car engine.

 

It certainly has more in common with superbikes than cars; at 127bhp per litre, the specific output is greater than that of many turbocharged engines.

 

The high-revving 4498cc V8 has very light internal parts and tiny piston skirts, resulting in low rotation inertia and a 12.5:1 compression ratio. It puts out 562bhp at 9000rpm, 500rpm higher than the 430. That makes it the highest-revving Ferrari road car ever.

 

It means the 458 Italia will be ferociously fast, and Ferrari claims it will sprint to 62mph in under 3.4sec on its way to a top speed of “over 200mph”.

 

While advanced engine electronics and lightweight parts underpin the extra performance, this will be the first mid-engined application of Ferrari’s direct injection fuel system, which appeared first on the front-engined California. It also runs Ferrari’s now-traditional flat-plane crankshaft.

 

The 458’s engine will be one of the most flexible in Ferrari’s history, too, with 398lb ft of torque arriving at 6000rpm. While that sounds peaky, it’s only two-thirds of the way through the 458’s rev range, and over 80 per cent (318lb ft) is available from 3250rpm.

 

The direct fuel injection has also helped cut CO2 emissions, producing a claimed 320g/km of CO2, even though it is faster and produces significantly more power than the 483bhp F430 and the 508bhp 430 Scuderia.

 

 

Dual-clutch ’box

 

Ferrari learned a lot developing the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox for the California and it has had to do even more development to fit the unit into the 458 Italia’s engine bay, under the curvaceous glasshouse.

 

The dual-clutch unit from the California has been modified with different ratios and now shifts even faster than the 430 Scuderia’s 0.06sec. The gearbox’s shift style is likely to be slightly more aggressive than the California’s.

 

The E-Diff differential and the F1-Trac skid control system have long been the flagship carryover technologies from Formula 1, but the 458 Italia takes them even further and adds another piece of F1-derived technology to the brakes.

 

Instead of using individual ECUs for the E-Diff and F1-Trac, the 458 Italia has one ECU to control both (as well as the ABS system), resulting in streamlined processing and communication. Ferrari claims a 32 per cent increase in acceleration over the F430 (itself no slouch) out of corners.

 

The brakes feature a new system called ‘prefill’. When the driver’s foot lifts off the throttle, the pistons in the calipers move the pads towards the discs; that helps to reduce the stopping distance from 62mph to just 32.5 metres.

 

 

Aluminium chassis

 

Ferrari has used its experience from designing the 430 Scuderia’s suspension to create the 458 Italia’s double wishbone front set-up and multi-link rear end, all bolted directly to the aluminium chassis. It’s been developed with the help of Michael Schumacher, who was spotted testing the car.

 

Ferrari has close ties to aluminium specialist Alcoa, which has built a factory near Modena to produce chassis for the firm. The 458 Italia’s frame uses ideas from both the 430 Scuderia and the Mille Chili concept car.

 

It uses more advanced bonding techniques than the 430 did, along with manufacturing processes more in line with the aero industry.

 

 

F1 wind tunnel

 

While the 458 was designed by Pininfarina, the shape has been developed using Ferrari’s F1 wind tunnel. The bases of the black intakes in the front bumper deform at speed, closing up the intakes and reducing drag. These intakes also provide downforce and feed air though the radiators ahead of the front wheels.

 

The car’s shape makes air curve around the cabin and run over the integrated tail spoiler. The flat undertray enhances the effects of the rear diffuser to create 140kg of downforce at 125mph.

 

Inside, the 458 Italia will take the opportunity created by the more luxurious California to become the sportiest V8 in the family. Ferrari says the steering wheel and dashboard are “new innovations in production cars”; expect a development of the firm’s wheel-mounted manettino switch.

 

The 458 will be built alongside the California in a new production facility at Maranello.

 

The car will be launched at the Frankfurt motor show next month and is expected to go on sale in the UK next spring. It will be more expensive than the F430, so expect prices to start at around £150,000.

 

Don't think its that pretty though

[ShadowGT]

Looks like a poor man's enzo.

[gingervette]

It's got a back end that almsot makes the back end of the California look attractive.

 

I don't know what Ferrari is thinking with all of thier new cars, they are all getting uglier and uglier.

 

Lamborghini FTW :D

[t.]

Love it. Case closed. If you care you can read the chatbox achieves.

[Baltoman]

ITS HIDEIOUS!!!!! WTF?????? Hate it, hate it very much.

 

ps: Damn! You beat me at making this thread :p

[Eudemon]

Stunning, seriously this is a Ferrari, not going safe like they have done before, they have seen what Pagani and Lamborghini have been doing and have decided to go nuts and it's going to work out big time. Now when you see this Ferrari you will be in complete awe of it, nothing looks like it and that's a good thing.

 

Ferrari are going insane with this thing and it's a great thing to see. I have to say I would prefer the front middle where the Prancing Horse is to be red and the sides black but other than that this car is truly amazing imo. Also anyone else think the front is like a certain snake, it looks more snake like than a Viper did imo!

 

If I had the choice it would be black though. :D

 

 

Checking out the official Ferrari site the side profile is stunning!

http://www.ferrari.com/English/GT_Sport%20Cars/458-Italia/Pages/458-Italia.aspx

[Shy Guy]

I have to say I like it, it looks mean, it doesn't have the Ferrari looks though. Its still good.

[Eudemon]

I think they should have take as leaf out of Lambo's book and went for the 1 big exhaust, that would look sweet on that car.

 

The side profile is simply stunning.

[TDU 505]

I think they should have take as leaf out of Lambo's book and went for the 1 big exhaust, that would look sweet on that car.

 

The side profile is simply stunning.

Nah, F40 genes > LP640/LP670-4 genes

[Eudemon]

It's more P4/5 genes than F40.

[Jacob]

In red its extermly ugly, But in black its more like double :drool: ands its like 40k more then the F430. Now Think of this car with the roof choped of then that would be Triple :drool:

[Immelmann]

BLARGH, IT'S HIDEOUS! :ill:

 

Like all Ferraris' date=' the new name references the engine - in this case a 4.5-litre V8.[/b']

Uhm, lol? Fail. They've not done that with all their cars in how long? :p

[TDU 505]

It's more P4/5 genes than F40.

I meant the exhaust pipes :p

[CarMadMike]

I love it, it's stunning, i love all the curves and those lights are great.

 

Good job ferrari, after the california i started to doubt your designs, but kudos for this one :)

[Car Freak]

Finally, the news that car lovers everywhere has been waiting for. That new power figure is simply incredible. By the time this 458 is replaced, i'm pretty sure Ferrari's "baby" supercar will have more power than the Enzo... Although this does make me want to ask, how high are the power levels going to get to?

 

As for the styling, I do quite like the front. Very striking and aggressive and a much better job than the 430. Only thing that needs to go is the chrome Ferrari logo on the black air intake. From the side view, it REALLY looks a lot like the Enzo, esp the rear wheelarches and taillights. But I can't forgive what they did to the rear. I mean, what's up with the air vents being at the side?? It's just terrible! Although, moving lower down, the triple exhausts are obviously a very cool thing to look at. Best view of it IMO is the side profile. Really quite stunning.

 

Oh, and would Sir like his 458 with Scuderia rims?

 

 

[TDU 505]

There are rumors that this 458 will have KERS! :D

[Andreas¹]

Uhm, lol? Fail. They've not done that with all their cars in how long? :p

Uhm, lol? Fail. :p

 

 

F430 - 4.3 L V8

599 - 5999 cc V12

575 - 5.7 L V12

550 - 5.5 L V12

360 - 3.6 L V8

F355 - 3.5 L 5V V8

348 - 3.4 L V8

328 - 3.2 L V8

 

All from Wiki

[Pherelas]

Looks great from the back, not sure about the lights thouh, more the bit next to the lights. I strangly prefer the california, but wouldn't say no ;)

[KoenigseggBG]

I just can't see that car coming in production, it's a combination of all Ferrari's models, it has parts from Enzo, California, F430 Scuderia. And honestly, the only angle I think it looks good is the side. Back looks way too photoshopped to be true and front is hideous imo.

[Eudemon]

Looks much better without the silver logo imo

 

-- OLD IMAGE REMOVED (xs.to) --

[KoenigseggBG]

Still it's only a Photoshop preview, I'm sure they'll make some changes before it's debut. Imo they announce it so they can get people's reactions and fix the negatives before the debut. :)

[CarMadMike]

The one thing i don't like about the car is the roof, if you look a the rear of the car on the picture in diablo's post, it's very high compared to it, it kind of reminds me of the farbourd GTS, well, from that angle anyway, from other angles it looks 100 x better

[Eudemon]

Uh no it's officially unveiled to the world via pics and video but it will be shown in the flesh at Frankfurt. They did the exact same with the California

[KoenigseggBG]

Then I think Ferrari make a bit of a step backwards. Latest two cars - this and the California aren't as popular as the older ones like F430 or 599. Here's the interior :

 

[Eudemon]

They have been bold with it and I personally applaud them for it. This truly shows the italian styling and passion that Pagani and Lamborghini are known for and not it looks like Ferrari are wanting in on it too.

 

And the California is supposedly selling really well.