The ultimate Italian stallion
The Age
Saturday August 1, 2009
Ferrari's latest supercar has it all €” sleek looks, plenty of power and a greener tyre print, writes JEZ SPINKS. IT'S FASTER, uses less fuel and revs higher than any Ferrari before it but most importantly, the latest addition to the Prancing Horse stable has the movie star looks to match its performance.Ferrari this week released pictures and details of its new 458 Italia, which will replace the F430 from next year.And judging by the initial public reaction, the 458 appears set to cement the Italian maker's reputation for building the world's most desirable sports cars.In a Drive.com.au net poll, more than 70 per cent of voters gave the new Ferrari the thumbs-up.The world's most famous red sports cars now have a greener tinge, too, with a redeveloped version of the F430's V8 that cuts fuel consumption by 25 per cent.The compact, two-seat supercar's CO2 emissions will be lower but it won't lose its performance focus.A new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission will team with the bigger, 4.5-litre V8 and lightweight aluminium body to deliver better performance than its thirstier predecessor.Ferrari claims the 458 will sprint from 0-100km/h in a remarkable 3.4 seconds €” more than half a second quicker than the F430 €” and reach a top speed of 325km/h.The new Ferrari's mid-engined V8 produces more power than even the race-focused, circa-$600,000 F430 Scuderia, with 425kW produced at a stratospheric 9000rpm.Peak power is 500rpm higher in the rev range than for the 430, which will make it Ferrari's highest-revving road car yet. There's no shortage of torque, either, with 540Nm arriving at 6000rpm.The sleek, 4.5-metre-long 458, the latest Ferrari to be designed by Pininfarina, takes design cues from the Enzo, though is also reminiscent of the fabled 1990s-era McLaren F1 supercar when viewed from side-on.Maranello's latest masterpiece, however, offers plenty of its own design highlights.The front end features radical vertical LED headlights, the flanks are dominated by dramatic sweeping creases and muscular rear haunches, while the rear is dominated by a triple-pipe exhaust system and F1-style rear diffuser.A European source told Drive the distinctive exhaust layout will contribute to both improved emissions and a unique engine note. Below 3000rpm, the 458 will use only the larger middle pipe, with the other used for higher revs.The F430's quad circular tail-lights also make way on the 458 Italia for single round lights either side.Enthusiasts will be pleased to see that the mid-engined V8 is still visible through the rear glass window.The 458 is cleaner-looking than the F430, with clever aerodynamics honed in Ferrari's F1 wind tunnel to help suck the supercar to the road. It has allowed Ferrari designers to dispense with the prominent air scoops of the outgoing model.The single front grille and air intake opening also features flexible "aeroelastic" wings that, when speeds rise, bend to close up the intakes and reduce drag for speed and better fuel efficiency.Ferrari hasn't released any interior photos yet but says the 458's steering wheel and dashboard are inspired by its grand prix cars.The company has reverted to an old naming system that started with the 308 in the early '70s, based on the car's engine size and cylinder count €” in the 458's case, a 4.5-litre V8.The 458 Italia will make its debut at September's Frankfurt motor show. Ferrari Australia has already taken more than 10 orders for the car, despite its circa $500,000 price tag.The 458 is not expected to be offered with a petrol-electric drivetrain or turbocharged V8 petrol engines currently under development.Addtional reporting by Richard BlackburnFERRARI 458 ITALIAHOW MUCH? $520,000 (estimated)ENGINE 4.5-litre V8POWER 425kW at 9000rpmTORQUE 540Nm at 6000rpmTRANSMISSION 7-speed dual-clutch autoFUEL USE AND EMISSIONS 13.7L/100km, 320g/km CO2WEIGHT 1380kg0-100km/h 3.4 seconds (claimed)
© 2009 The Age
