Ferrari’s newest model, the 458 Italia, made its world debut earlier on Tuesday at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Pininfarina-penned 458 Italia features a new, more aerodynamic shape and an all-new direct-injected V8 mounted mid-ship.
Designed to replace the 430, which can trace its roots back to the legendary Dino, the 458 Italia is the latest mid-engined, high-performance Ferrari.
The basic design brings together elements from the 430, the California and the Enzo while increasing downforce to 140 kg at 200 km/h, according to Ferrari. Overall, the 458 Italia is 178.2 inches long, 76.3 inches wide and 47.8 inches tall and its wheelbase stretches 104.3 inches. Curb weight is listed at 3,042 lbs. for a European-specification model with the optional forged wheels and racing seats.
An all-new aluminum chassis features advanced alloys and aerospace industry manufacturing and bonding techniques, Ferrari says. Add to that a more direct steering ratio than its predecessor, a twin wishbone/multi-link suspension, E-Diff that works with a more advanced traction control system and Ferrari says the new car can accelerate out of corners 32 percent faster than the 430. To keep things under control, the ABS has also been upgraded.
The new 4.5-liter V8 features direct injection and cranks out 570 horsepower at 9,000 rpm (a class-leading 127 horsepower per liter), while torque is rated at 420 lb-ft. at 6,000 rpm. Ferrari says that 80 percent of the 458 Italia’s torque is available from 3,250 rpm.
A seven-speed dual clutch transmission will be standard, helping the 458 Italia hit 62 mph in under 3.4 seconds before topping out at just over 201 miles per hour.
Emissions are down, too, Ferrari says. The 458 Italia produces 320 g/km of CO2 and uses fuel at a rate of 17 mpg, which Ferrari claims is the best in its segment.
Inside, the 458 Italia has a new layout that puts all of the primary controls on the steering wheel.
09/15, 7:55 AM
posted by:
JSi
like the first time i heard the beatles…
09/15, 8:55 AM
posted by:
F50
Looks great in yellow.
09/15, 9:27 AM
posted by:
masonicangel
Car just stirs the passion in your soul!
09/15, 10:22 AM
posted by:
wideopenthrottle
570 HP?! awesome work Ferrari. Now to find that pile of money i left lying around here…………
09/15, 11:09 AM
posted by:
Tim_s
Still… Hate… The… Headlights!
Everything else is perfect. Now, where’s that pile of money wideopenthrottle left laying around.
09/15, 11:34 AM
posted by:
atoms
wow thats a looker in yellow, but I still want more photos, more!!
09/15, 11:59 AM
posted by:
IIL
Give me a yellow one now.. Or i’ll blow this school up..
Freaking hate community college
09/15, 12:03 PM
posted by:
Asher
I actually love the headlights – its amazing how Ferrari continues to push the envelope in design yet it works. When others try, they tend to miserably fail. This thing has incredible details and we all know will be more amazing to drive than any other car out there. Much better looking in these pics than the stock photos – likely even better in the flesh.
Notice the glass partition that allows you to see the engine from inside the front cabin? SICK
09/15, 2:09 PM
posted by:
aesir
Best executed Ferrari in quite some time.
09/15, 8:23 PM
posted by:
Samintosh
It should have been made electric!
09/15, 11:33 PM
posted by:
Mad About Cars
I’m not a Ferrari fan, not since the 355 but oh my I think they’ve nailed this one brilliantly:
the ingenuity of the rear, how the car tightens up in the middle like a waistline and curves out to the rear, excellent.
It took a recession and uncertainty in F1 for Ferrari to make a car like this, golly, a blessing in disguise for us car freaks. Now how do I make more money to buy this and straighten the roads here.
09/17, 11:00 AM
posted by:
jevjnd2000
I thought that the day where another truly great Ferrari would come into existence would never come after the F40, but that day has now come. This car looks magnificent and looks incredibly functional and aesthetically pleasing in its design. Kudos to Ferrari. I hope that I will one day have the means to acquire one of these.
09/21, 7:50 AM
posted by:
n2k
wow! look at that yellow, man! They keep pushing and pushing! What ive always loved about ferrari is how they always either grow on you and suck you into their epiphinous vortex of obsession (F360, 430) or you fall hopelessy in love with them and as the years wear on the love grows even stronger (Testarossa, F355, 599 GTB!) These cars are mystical and brilliant. Great stuff!