Ferrari 458
By Dale Beck
Fleet afoot and nimble, this latest evolution from Ferrari arrives on the street with eye-stopping brilliance, taking its cue in a big way from the company’s rich experience in F1 automotive racing.
Stats
MSRP $275,000
ENGINE 4.5 Liter, mid-rear v8
0-60 mph 3.4 seconds
TOP SPEED 202 MPH
The Ferrari F458 Italia, introduced last September at the Frankfurt Motor Show, follows much speculation as to how (or rather if) the company could create the next level of performance following the success of the Ferrari F430. Indeed they did, this exciting new machine coming with a new engine, improved aerodynamics, superior handling, improved instrumentation, and refined cabin ergonomics.
Powered by a direct-injected 4.5 liter mid-rear mounted V8 which muscles out 562 horse power and 398 lb-ft torque, it redlines at a lofty 9,000 RPM, the first on a road car. A high 12.5:1 compression ratio and maximum power output of 127 HP/liter creates a new benchmark for a naturally-aspirated engine. Pedal down, she sprints from 0 to 60 MPH in a scant 3.4 seconds and is capable of galloping down the highway (or road course) at a top speed of 202 MPH.
The F458 weighs in at only 3,042 pounds dry as new alloys join the traditional aluminum structure, resulting in a chassis with improved structural rigidity, up 15 percent from its predecessor. Portions of the body are razor thin, the roof only .04 inches thick. Classic Ferrari handling is supplied by a double wishbone suspension in the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear. The suspension is enhanced with magnetorheological shock absorbers, keeping the carriage quiet while traveling over the always annoying street and highway ripples.
An electronic differential continuously distributes torque to the rear wheels during both deceleration and acceleration phases of a turn, thanks in part to the integration with the F1-Trac control software.
The standard transmission is a Getrag dual-clutch 7-speed automated manual gearbox, similar to the Ferrari California.
Stopping power is enhanced by brakes that include a prefill function whereby the pistons in the calipers move the pads into contact with the discs on lift off to minimize delay in the brakes being applied.
Created with compact aerodynamics in mind, the Pininfarina design displays lines that are performance oriented. The nose features a single opening for the front grille and side air intakes, with aerodynamic sections designed to direct air to the coolant radiators. On approach, note the aeroelastic winglets in the grill, designed to deform downward as speed builds, increasing downward force, reducing radiator intake while cutting drag. Going away, the brilliant new look features triple exhaust tail pipes.
Inside, the cockpit was created with input from Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher and features a new steering wheel which incorporates many features and controls previously relegated to the dashboard, bearing a striking similarity to race car designs. Steering wheel components include a five-position manettino rotary switch governing traction and stability control, suspension, and shift settings.
Multi-dimensional, the sound Ferrari fans have come to love arrives early when the bypass flaps in the silencers fully open, creating the deep-throated roar with a rich resonating clarity, a hallmark of Ferraris.
With a base sticker price of approximately $275,000, the Ferrari 458 Italia has been met with resounding applause, termed by The Daily Mail as “an awesome example of car-making at its highest level and is probably the finest sports car you can buy.”
