Ferrari 458 Italia in detail

It's been half a decade in the making, it incorporates cutting edge Formula One technology and it's drop dead gorgeous.

Meet Ferrari's new 458 Italia.

Powered by a new 4.5-litre V8 engine that generates peak power of 425kW at an impossibly high 9000rpm, Ferrari's new golden child throws down the gauntlet, challenging the likes of Porsche and Lamborghini to lift their games.

Tipping the scales at just 1380kg, the newest Italian supercar showcases the brand’s focus on weight reduction and according to Ferrari creates "an almost symbiotic relationship between driver and car."

It's an entirely new car in every respect: new engine, design, aerodynamics, ergonomics, suspension, the list goes on.

As the photos show, the new car certainly stands out, displaying the kind of exotic style that will be highly sought after in the world's trendiest strips. But before we get too carried away with the design, let's look at the cold hard numbers.

Powertrain

The Ferrari 458 Italia, whose numerical designation relates to the size of the engine and its cylinder count, is powered by a 4.5-litre V8 engine that outputs 425kW at 9000rpm and 540Nm of torque at 6000rpm.

Ferrari's claimed benchmark performance figures are astonishing: zero to 100km/h in "less than" 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 325km/h, which is more than 200mph in the old money.

Ferrari's latest eight-pot screamer has a sky-high 12.5:1 compression ratio and is the company's first mid-mounted direct injection engine. The figure of 94kW per litre of displacement is not only a new benchmark for Ferrari "but also for the entire market segment" claims the official media statement.

The power and torque from the Ferrari 458 Italia's highly-strung V8 engine is delivered to the rear wheels via the same seven-speed dual-clutch transmission used in the California "which increases performance whilst providing very smooth shifts even at full throttle".

According to Ferrari, the gear ratios were developed to match the engine's torque curve which gives the car strong acceleration even at lower engine speeds but also makes the car more efficient than its precedessor, the F430.

Ferrari's new 458 Italia uses a claimed average of 13.7L/100km, which is greener than most FPV and HSV V8 models, and it spits out 320 grams of CO2 per km.

Faster and greener, the 458 is also leaner, weighing 1380kg dry, and has a weight distribution of 42:62, front to rear. It measures 4.52 metres long and 1.93 metres wide, and is very low at just .121 metres. It has a wheelbase of 2.65 metres.

Design

The design of the new Ferrari is equal parts aggression and exotica, with sculpted flanks, a dynamic front end and a very curvaceous profile.

However it's the smaller touches that give the car its visual edge, seen in design cues like the unconventional triple exhaust pipes, the 'hidden' air intakes at the trailing edges of the side windows, the unique door handles and the small 'aeroelastic' winglets near the headlights, which Ferrari says help to "generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator inlets and cut drag".

As well as an exercise in automotive art, the new V8 Ferrari's design contributes to its aerodynamic efficiency, able to create 140 kilograms of downforce at 200km/h thanks to its integrated design and things like flat underbody.

Chassis

Matching the new V8 engine and seven-speed F1 gearbox are a range of features designed to make the 458 Italia a serious track day tool, but also something that can be driven on a regular basis.

As Ferrari explains, "…the 458 Italia is designed for owners for whom the priority is uncompromising on-road performance with occasional track day capability, but who still demand a car that is useable in day-to-day driving like all Ferrari’s recent models."

The aluminium chassis was developed using aerospace manufacturing and bonding methods to ensure light weight but supreme rigidity, which combines with twin wishbone suspension at the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear tuned to deliver "extremely rapid turn-in and body control whilst maintaining superior ride comfort".

Ferrari has also upgraded the E-Diff and F1-Trac electronic driving aids, which are now controlled by the one ECU (electronic control unit). According to Ferrari, this change alone results in a 32 per cent improvement in longitudinal acceleration when exiting corners, while also increasing control at the car's grip limit.

Without giving any details of the braking hardware Ferrari have revealed the 458 Italia has the ability to come to a halt from a speed of 100km/h in just 32.5 metres.

The car rides on 20-inch wheels front and rear shod with 235/35 ZR20 front and 295/35 ZR20 rear tyres respectively.

Interior

One of the most intriguing aspects of the new Ferrari is the interior, primarily because almost all car controls, including the side indicators are now located on steering wheel.

Based on race-car designs, the new steering wheel and dashboard were developed with direct input from seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher. Ferrari claims that the "revolutionary ergonomics" create a more practical and versatile vehicle. See the video clip at the bottom of the page for a closer look at the interior.

The Ferrari 458 Italia will land in Australian and New Zealand dealerships in mid-2010, but the local importer says that orders are already in double digits.

The 458 Italia will be more expensive that the $472,000 California, and don't expect much change from $500K.

More to come

This information is only the start of 458 Italia revelations with Ferrari’s micro-site for the car indicating three more announcements through August and September.

'Concept and Innovation' details will be released on August 12 by Dany Bahar, Senior Vice President Commercial and Brand, and Roberto Fedeli, Technical Director.

August 26 will see further info on behind the car’s styling with Paolo Pininfarina, Chairman of Pininfarina.

The final instalment will be ‘Performance’ with none other than Michael Schumacher September 2.

Technical specifications

Dimensions
Length 4527 mm (178.2 in.)
Width 1937 mm (76.3 in.)
Height 1213 mm (47.8 in.)
Wheelbase 2650 mm (104.3 in.)
Dry weight 1380 kg (3042 lbs)*
Weight/power ratio 2,42 kg/CV (7.16 lbs/kW)
Weight distribution fr/r 42%/58%

Engine
Type V8 – 90°
Displacement 4499 cc (274.5 cu in.)
Maximum power 570 CV (425 kW)** @ 9000 rpm
Maximum torque 540 Nm (398 lbs/ft) @ 6000 rpm
Specific power output 127 CV/l
Compression ratio 12.5:1

Tyres
Front 235/35 ZR20 8.5”
Rear 295/35 ZR20 10.5”

Performance
Maximum speed >325 km/h (>202 mph)
0-100 km/h <3.4 s
Fuel consumption + emissions
Fuel consumption*** 13.7 l/100 km
Emissions*** 320 g CO2/km

Gearbox
Dual-clutch, 7-speed F1

Electronics
E-Diff3, F1-Trac, high-performance ABS
* With forged wheels and Racing seats
** Including 5 CV of ram effect
*** Combined cycle (ECE+EUDC

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