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Thread: Ferrari 458 Italia 2009-2015

  1. #1
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    Ferrari 458 Italia 2009-2015

    ITALIA - Ferrari’s innovative new V8

    The 458 Italia is the latest incarnation of the mid-rear engined berlinetta and will be unveiled at the next Frankfurt Motor Show

    Maranello, July 28th 2009 – While it’s true that every Ferrari is innovative by definition, it’s equally true that in the course of the Prancing Horse’s history, certain cars have marked a genuine departure from the current range. This is very much the case with the Ferrari 458 Italia, which is a massive leap forward from the company’s previous mid-rear engined sports cars.

    The new model is a synthesis of style, creative flair, passion and cutting-edge technology, characteristics for which Italy as a nation is well-known. For this reason Ferrari chose to add the name of its homeland to the traditional figure representing the displacement and number of cylinders.

    The Ferrari 458 Italia is a completely new car from every point of view: engine, design, aerodynamics, handling, instrumentation and ergonomics, just to name a few.

    A two-seater berlinetta, the Ferrari 458 Italia, as is now traditional for all Ferrari’s road-going cars, benefits hugely from the company’s Formula 1 experience. This is particularly evident in the speed and precision with which the car responds to driver inputs and in the attention focused on reducing internal friction in the engine for lower fuel consumption than the F430, despite the fact that both overall displacement and power have increased. However, Ferrari’s track experience makes its presence felt in the 458 Italia not only in terms of pure technological transfer but also on a more emotional level, because of the strong emphasis on creating an almost symbiotic relationship between driver and car. The 458 Italia features an innovative driving environment with a new kind of steering wheel and dashboard that is the direct result of racing practice. Once again input from Michael Schumacher - who was involved from the very start of the 458 Italia project - played an invaluable part.
    The Ferrari 458 Italia’s Pininfarina design provides further evidence of the complete departure from the past that this new car hails. The Ferrari 458 Italia has a compact, aerodynamic shape, underscoring the concepts of simplicity, efficiency and lightness that inspired the project. As with every Ferrari, the car’s styling has been very heavily influenced by the requirements for aerodynamic efficiency, as can be seen from the downforce of 140 kg at 200km/h generated by the new model. The front features a single opening for the front grille and side air intakes, with aerodynamic sections and profiles designed to direct air to the coolant radiators and the new flat underbody. The nose also sports small aeroelastic winglets which generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator inlets and cut drag.

    The new 4499 cc V8 is the first Ferrari direct injection engine to be mid-rear mounted. It has a very low piston compression height typical of racing engines which contributed to achieving its compression ratio of 12.5:1. Equipped with the traditional flat-plane crankshaft, the engine delivers 570 CV at 9000 rpm and, with an outstanding power output of 127 CV/litre, sets a new benchmark not only for the whole Ferrari range and the history of company, but also for the entire market segment. Maximum torque is 540 Nm at 6000 rpm, over 80 per cent of which is available from 3250 rpm. Specific torque is a record 120 Nm/litre. However, what is truly extraordinary is the amount of torque available while still maintaining high levels of power at low revs.

    The car’s soundtrack is also typical Ferrari, with an exciting, powerful growl emerging from the engine before it channels through to the exhaust’s three rear tailpipes.

    The 458 Italia is equipped with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission which increases performance whilst providing very smooth shifts even at full throttle. The engineers have developed specific, sportier gear ratios to match the power and torque curves of the new V8, guaranteeing high torque even at lower engine speeds and allowing the car to reach its maximum speed in top gear.

    This new Ferrari is also a major leap forward when it comes to cutting emissions. Despite the fact that the new engine is significantly more powerful than the V8s that preceded it, the Ferrari 458 Italia produces just 320 g/km of CO2 and fuel consumption is 13.7 l/100 km (combined cycle), the best in the entire segment.

    The engineers also focused on weight reduction during the design phase for similar reasons. Consequently, the Ferrari 458 Italia has a dry weight of 1380 kg with a power-to-weight ratio of 2.42 kg/CV. Weight distribution is also optimal with 58 per cent over the rear axle. The result of the engineers’ endeavours can be summed up in to two simple statistics which together perfectly encapsulate the Ferrari 458 Italia’s exceptional performance: 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 3.4 seconds and a maximum speed in excess of 325 km/h.

    For the new chassis, once more in aluminium, Maranello’s engineers incorporated various types of advanced alloys along with aerospace industry-derived manufacturing and bonding techniques.

    With regard to vehicle dynamics, the Ferrari 458 Italia’s suspension features twin wishbones at the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear tuned for maximum roadholding and superlative handling. Along with a more direct steering ratio, the 458 Italia thus offers extremely rapid turn-in and body control whilst maintaining superior ride comfort.

    The integration of the E-Diff and F1-Trac (now controlled by the same ECU) and their respective mappings is even greater, resulting in a 32 per cent increase in longitudinal acceleration out of corners compared to previous models. The evolution of the control logic, with even faster and more accurate calculation of levels of grip, ensures even greater roadholding, better handling and ease of control on the limit.

    The same ECU also governs the high-performance ABS, providing even more precise control over the logic threshold and greater efficiency. The brakes also feature a prefill function whereby the pistons in the callipers move the pads into contact with the discs on lift off to minimise delay in the brakes being applied. This combined with the ABS has cut the 100-0 km/h braking distance to a mere 32.5 metres.

    The Ferrari 458 Italia’s interior is another area of the car that exalts its sporty personality. The driver is welcomed by a new layout and a revolutionary ergonomic interface where the main controls are all clustered on the steering wheel.

    With the Ferrari 458 Italia, Maranello has brought a highly distinctive new car to its 8-cylinder range. The company now offers two models that share a common, race-derived DNA, both exceptionally sporty and fun to drive in true Ferrari tradition, but aimed at two very different kinds of client. While the Ferrari California was created for owners requiring a more versatile sports car with a practical edge, 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.
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    Last edited by nopassn; 07-28-2009 at 06:29 AM.
    ...Utah! Get me two...

  2. #2
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    I'd take a 430 Scud any day over this.

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    There are some weird parts... but I like it.

    I just can't wait for the Scuderia equivalent of this to come out... if it does...
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    It sorta reminds me of Honda's HSC(I think thats what it was, the concept mid-engine car that was going to replace the NSX, til it was decided to be a front engine, then was canned), which in itself was sorta Enzo looking...

    some interesting details, more puzzling detail is the 2 air tract that sorta flanked by the rear fenders that leads to the rear spoiler....consider its not a full aero-looking tract(the rear was meshed), I guess its a cooling passage or something...and then there are places you would expect to see ducts/intake and its not there, ie the cutout at the lower door sill...
    Last edited by RacingManiac; 07-28-2009 at 07:05 AM.
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    Do we need three threads to discuss this car?
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    I think I like it.. seems to have more presense than a 430 while still looking like it retains function in its form. Wheels let it down a little though..

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    Quote Originally Posted by henk4 View Post
    Do we need three threads to discuss this car?
    One to break it, one to announce the news/database update, one for high res.. in short, no. But we have them!

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    I like the simplicity of this car. It looks fast, and the design's interesting, but it's not overly aggressive, which to me is a good thing. Most Ferraris were always somewhat feminine looking until some of the recent models like the 430 (although I've driven one and that car is badass), and this car certainly returns to that while taking the design in a slightly new direction. I like the triple tailpipes too. Reminds me of an F40.
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    Quote Originally Posted by RacingManiac View Post
    It sorta reminds me of Honda's HSC(I think thats what it was, the concept mid-engine car that was going to replace the NSX, til it was decided to be a front engine, then was canned), which in itself was sorta Enzo looking...

    some interesting details, more puzzling detail is the 2 air tract that sorta flanked by the rear fenders that leads to the rear spoiler....consider its not a full aero-looking tract(the rear was meshed), I guess its a cooling passage or something...and then there are places you would expect to see ducts/intake and its not there, ie the cutout at the lower door sill...
    I was thinking where did I saw this car..you got it.
    There should be two fans at the back of the car, where those intakes you're pointing lead.

    Quote Originally Posted by henk4 View Post
    Do we need three threads to discuss this car?
    That's the problem with the hide-out I think.
    Only hi-res images can be posted here, and that's where people usually talk about a car as there are "better" shots and so more people come here.
    The problem is that at first only low-res shots are available, or until a car isn't unveiled, a thread to talk about it is posted on the general forum, and there the conversation can take part as well.
    And then there is Wouter which obviously posts the announcements of a site update in the right place.
    No, we don't need 3 threads, but we created them, every time.
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  10. #10
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    i think i like it but i wont know for sure until some real pics come out and i see it in person
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    I don't like Ferrari opting for single round tailights on each side on some of their new models (599 GTB, now this) - dual rounds look much better IMO.

    I don't like the 3 exhaust pipes either. I prefer one big, mean looking one like the Murciélago's, or 2 dual pipes on each side. 3 pipes in the middle worked well on the F40, it doesn't work on this.

    I do like the Enzo Ferrari hints and the 'coke bottleness' of the California in the design though.
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  12. #12
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    From the side profile really nice, all around a very modern design for a Ferrari, but dont like the black plastic in the front bumper, looks cheapy.
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  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by fisetdavid26 View Post
    I don't like Ferrari opting for single round tailights on each side on some of their new models (599 GTB, now this) - dual rounds look much better IMO.

    I don't like the 3 exhaust pipes either. I prefer one big, mean looking one like the Murciélago's, or 2 dual pipes on each side. 3 pipes in the middle worked well on the F40, it doesn't work on this.

    I do like the Enzo Ferrari hints and the 'coke bottleness' of the California in the design though.
    As much as I hate agreeing with a french candadian, this.
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    I Like it....It's now my new wallpaper, the side angle view.

    But the thing that is puzzling me, and I think it's been touched on, is how is the engine breathing for a mid mounted supercar?

    The previous models (F430\360) had the engine intakes on top of the rear fenders, and brake cooling ducts forward of the rear wheels.

    This, however, doesn't have either that I can see, so (1) How does the engine breathe? and (2) How are the rear brakes cooled?

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    Quote Originally Posted by fisetdavid26 View Post
    I don't like Ferrari opting for single round tailights on each side on some of their new models (599 GTB, now this) - dual rounds look much better IMO.
    I couldn't agree more.

    This is >...


    ...than this

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