Ferrari 458 Italia

[Trevor Longman]

Ferrari unveiled the new 458 Italia a few days ago. Personally I love the way it looks but not everyone I've talked to does.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/officially-official-ferrari-announces-the-458-italia/

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/090030car-1280.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/090031car-1280.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/090029car-1280.jpg

Ferrari 458 Italia – 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

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)

This car is replacing the F430 and will presumably next year become the base for the new Ferrari GT2 le mans car. It produces 562 HP and 398 ft/lbs of torque. Thoughts?

[grungex]

Best thing they've penned in a long time, but those stupid hideous Enzo taillights need to go.

[cameraman]

I'll wait until I see photos of the real car.

[Michaelhatesfans]

Jesus, does the contract with Mattell include letting the Hot Wheels guys design Ferrari street cars?:saywhat:

[Napoleon]

I really like what it looks like.

A little more from the NY Times Wheels blog:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/ferrari-458-italia-to-replace-f430/?ref=automobiles

[indyfan31]

Best thing they've penned in a long time, but those stupid hideous Enzo taillights need to go.

I like 'em, but I was thinking it would look better with four lights instead of just two. :laugh:

[Don Quixote]

Side view = :thumbup:
front view = not so much.

[Sean Malone]

Ferrari by Lotus. :)

[Trevor Longman]

I was thinking the same thing!

http://www.babez.de/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/lotus-evora-titel.jpg

[G.]

I like it, but the Daytoner Prototype bubble could be a couple of inches lower.

[Methanolandbrats]

I like it, but the Daytoner Prototype bubble could be a couple of inches lower.

No can do. A few of the rich tools who buy it are tall.

[oddlycalm]

Meh... At this price point cars are supposed to inspire passion and this design is, at best, semi successful. Honestly, I'd rather have the Lotus and keep the balance of the money for something I cared more about.

oc

[opinionated ow]

Meh... At this price point cars are supposed to inspire passion and this design is, at best, semi successful. Honestly, I'd rather have the Lotus and keep the balance of the money for something I cared more about.

oc

Especially as you can fit the Camry engine with a TRD Supercharger to give 323 bhp without the Lotus engine mods...

[TrueBrit]

That's the first Ferrari that's made me say "oooooh" in a long, long while...

Nice flowing lines, no pointy-bits...Looks like a Ferrari should...

[opinionated ow]

That's the first Ferrari that's made me say "oooooh" in a long, long while...

Nice flowing lines, no pointy-bits...Looks like a Ferrari should...

To quote Jeremy Clarkson, "and what's more this is fantastic to drive...history teaches us this. Because every single time the Ferrari racing team is doing well their road cars are rubbish, and every time their Formula One car is doing very badly, their road cars are brilliant. And this year...they can't win anything, even an egg and spoon race."

[stroker]

I think it would look a lot better with traditional Ferrari wheels and tires instead of the low-rider wheels and no-sidewall tires...