2010 Ferrari 458 Italia - Official Photos and Info

While we knew that the Ferrari F430 was on its way out—myriad spy shots were captured of its replacement—we didn’t yet know all the details of its successor. Until now.

The stunning new Ferrari 458 Italia will succeed the famed F430, and is completely new according to the company. The numeric part of the name is derived from the engine displacement (4.5 liters) and number of cylinders (eight), while the Italia name was chosen because Ferrari feels the car exemplifies the flair and passion of its homeland. Of course, it wouldn’t be a new Ferrari without input from legendary F1 champ Michael Schumacher, who aided in the 458’s development since the inception of the project.

570 Horsepower!

The 458 will use a new, 4.5-liter direct-injected V-8 producing 570 hp at 9000 rpm and 398 lb-ft of torque at 6000 rpm, and over 80 percent of the latter is available from 3250 rpm. That’s a hefty increase of 87 hp and 55 lb-ft of torque over the already-potent F430. The wheels are 20 inches in diameter—one more than the F430’s—and the rubber grows, too, measuring 235/35 up front and 295/35 in back. This should add grip that will no doubt aid the Italia in reaching Ferrari’s estimated 0-to-62-mph time of “under 3.4 seconds.” Top speed is a claimed 202 mph. The exhaust will exit through three tips at the back, and prototype photos show what appear to be active flaps integrated into the two outboard tailpipes. A high-performance ABS braking system is said to halt the 458 from 62 mph in just 107 ft with help from a function that lays the brake pads against the standard carbon-ceramic discs once the driver lifts off the throttle. Power will be delivered through a paddle-shifted, seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission that has been geared to take advantage of the new engine's superior low-end grunt.

The chassis of the 458 Italia is constructed of aluminum and suspended by control arms up front and multilinks in the rear. Ferrari promises an even more direct steering ratio, which should help maintain the fantastic turn-in we know from the F430 despite nearly two extra inches of wheelbase and 0.6 inch of additional length (the Italia’s wheels sit 104.3 inches apart). The 458 Italia is 178.2 inches long, 76.3 inches wide, and 47.8 inches tall, which represent increases of 0.6 inch, 0.6 inch, and nothing, respectively. The 458 will boast essentially the same weight distribution as the F430, with 42 percent of its heft over the front axle and 58 percent over the rear.

Futuristic Ferrari

The Pininfarina-designed shell is sure to spark controversy among those particularly fond of classic Ferrari styling: the company calls it a “complete departure from the past.” The futuristic look is sculpted, according to the company, to aerodynamic requirements. The 458’s flat underbody helps airflow, while the overall shape can generate a claimed 309 pounds of downforce at 124 mph. As with similar devices of dubious legality found on Ferrari’s F1 cars, tiny, trick winglets in the nose add downforce and then deform as speed increases. Here, they reduce the area of the radiator inlets and cut drag. The rear of the 458 Italia is a bit reminiscent of the California’s bulbous posterior, but it’s more artfully executed, with myriad details over which your eyes can crawl.

We have thus far just one image of the interior, captured from Ferrari’s own introductory video, but it’s clear that the focus is all on the driver. Ferrari says the new steering wheel and dash layout come directly from racing practice. We’re sure that once you’re behind the wheel, any personal feelings about the styling will be forgotten, as the 458’s triple-tip exhaust—à la Ferrari F40—blares its 570-horse symphony.

Ferrari 458 Italia first photos specifications

The new 458 Italia is a mid-engine sports car that should replace the F430.

(Credit: Ferrari)

It's a rare and good day when Ferrari announces a whole new car. Today we are treated to the 458 Italia, a new model mid-engine two-seater, which looks to replace the F430. Rather than the Ferrari California unveiled last year, which Ferrari had to defend as fitting into its GT tradition, the 458 Italia fits perfectly into the Ferrari stable, with front-end and cab elements that borrow from the Enzo and FXX. The car also shows a particular good-looking design from the front, with a uniqueness that hearkens to the Dino. Ferrari has had somewhat of a renaissance over the last decade, and the 458 Italia continues that trend.

Bringing in the modern tech, the headlight casings have stacked LEDs above a high-intensity projector. The 458 Italia uses technology Ferrari developed for its F1 racing efforts, a tradition with the company. Winglets around the grille are designed to deform as speed increases, covering portions of the grille to reduce drag. The car gets a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the F1 type Ferrari developed for racing and has been offering in the F430 and 612 Scaglietti. Other race technology appears in the form of the electronic rear differential, which gets integrated with Ferrari's traction control system, resulting in a claimed 32 percent better speed out of corners.

Ferrari says the 458 Italia uses "a new kind of steering wheel and dashboard that is the direct result of racing practice." Ferrari has incorporated a lot of controls on the steering wheel, along with the Manettino, the dial used to select driving style. As with previous Ferraris, the tachometer takes center stage on the instrument cluster, and a new color LCD on the left shows vehicle operating information.

The car's model designation, 458, indicates its engine, a 4.5-liter V-8. This is a new engine developed by Ferrari that uses direct injection, increasing power and fuel economy over the smaller 4.3-liter V-8 in the F430. The new engine puts out 570 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, expected to drive the 458 Italia to 62 mph in less than 3.4 seconds. Ferraris have never been about fuel economy, but concern over climate change has Ferrari attempting to cut its carbon dioxide emissions, and the 458 Italia should get a little better than 17 mpg.

Ferrari 458 Italia to Replace F430

The Ferrari 458 Italia.

Ferrari, which just added the California convertible to its lineup this summer, has announced a new sports coupe: the 458 Italia.

The 458 Italia, a two-seater in the tradition of the company’s berlinetta models, will make a completely different statement from Ferrari about design, power and economy when it is unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Designed by Pininfarina, the 458 Italia clearly takes some styling cues from Ferrari’s racing-inspired $1 million Enzo (now out of production). The name, 458 Italia, comes from its new 4.5-liter V-8 engine, which will be mounted behind the cockpit in a midrear layout. The engine features direct fuel injection and the best horsepower-per-cylinder output of any Ferrari; it makes a total of 562 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, yet offers improved fuel consumption and lower emissions than the F430’s 4.3-liter, 483-horsepower V-8.

Ferrari says the 458 Italia will go from zero to 60 in under 3.4 seconds.

The 458 Italia will also have a relatively light curb weight of around 3,200 pounds.

Ferrari said the 458 Italia would go from zero to 60 miles an hour in “under 3.4 seconds,” which is at least a couple of tenths quicker than the rather heavy California. Top speed will exceed 200 miles an hour. Yet, Ferrari said the 458 Italia will be tractable enough, with its seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, to be an everyday driver “like all Ferrari’s recent models” (which really includes only the California).

Ferrari said its retired Formula One ace Michael Schumacher had helped design a cockpit layout in which all the key controls were mounted on the steering wheel. See (and hear) here:

The 458 Italia will arrive next year as a 2010 model. No word yet on pricing, but it will replace the F430, which has a base price of around $188,000.