Ferrari 458 Italia 'First Drives' thread.

[Bilal]

Ferrari 458 Italia





What is it?

The 458 Italia is the replacement for the F430. Although the basic configuration sticks to established principles i.e an aluminium space-frame and mid mounted V8 powering the rear wheels, much of the 458 is entirely new.
For starters, the engine is a 4.5-litre direct injection V8, related to that in California, but larger, producing much more power (562bhp) and revving higher (9000rpm).
And like the California the power is channeled to the road through a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox, albeit with different ratios.

What’s it like?

At first relatively civilised, the idle smooth and calm. It’ll get you noticed, but it’s no hell raiser. However, like most modern performance cars, the 458 has trick exhaust by-pass flaps, so there’s a good chance with revs and throttle it will be more boisterous.

Metres is all it takes to register the first significant dynamic step change over the 458’s predecessor. The steering is much quicker. 2.0 turns lock to lock quick, and that considering a very reasonable turning circle.
The next thought, is how well the gearbox works, especially in the very ordinary roll of manoeuvring the 458 in traffic. Up in the hills though, I’m keen to explore whether a twin-clutch gearbox can deliver the sense of occasion and drama expected of a 200mph+ Ferrari.
To an extent it is a personal choice, and depends on whether you feel the jolt you get with a super-fast single clutch transmission - such as that fitted to the 430 Scuderia - to be a highlight or deficiency. Certainly the 458’s DCT is much smoother and faster than the F1 box, and yet, in my opinion, feels no less mechanical.

The gearbox is also well matched to the engine character, not only in its speed of reaction, but also its exactness. To get a handle on how much quicker the 458 is than the F430 you need to look not only at the jump in outright power (70bhp), but also where the power (and torque) is produced.
From 3500rpm the 458’s engine is already producing as much torque as the F430’s and at 6500rpm has eclipsed its peak power. This is a Ferrari V8 even more zingy and soulful than before, but now with added mid-range punch. To boot, it’s cleaner and leaner than the old 4.3.

Over the last 2000rpm, the energy and vigour is massively addictive. As is the noise. Any concerns over the timid idle have long since vanished, the 458 soundtrack not only ridiculously loud, but varied and with that shrillness only a flat crank Ferrari V8 can.

If there is a downside, it is that that on the road there are precious few opportunities to use all 458’s performance. Even in Italy. If you’re lucky you’ll see all of second gear, and occasionally third, but, such is the extent of the rev range and force of 562bhp, by then you’re really travelling.

More so than the styling, or engine performance, the one component that describes the biggest advance over the old car, is the confidence you get in 458’s front end. And this not simply a matter of more outright grip, but more consistency and better communication.

Apparently this transformation comes mostly from improvements in the rear multi-link suspension. By better controlling the camber angle and wheel centre movement, Ferrari has been able to increase roll stiffness and run faster more precise steering. And what of that quicker steering?
It takes a little getting used, but only in that it feels foreign to make such small movements (you only need move your hands for the tightest hairpins). But soon enough you find yourself intuitively applying the correct amount of lock in a single application.

Such that you can drive the 458 even in mixed conditions and still enjoy yourself, without fear of a trip to the scenery. Leave the Manettino in ‘low-grip’ or ‘normal’ and the electronics will keep things tidy, switch to ‘race’ and it lets the back slide a little wide under power. But it is testament to the predictability, steering accuracy and throttle response that the last two modes (‘traction off’ and ’you’re on your own’) aren’t completely off the menu.

Given the California exists to offer a more comfort orientated Ferrari, you might expect 458 to be ask more compromises than its predecessor. It doesn’t. Road and wind noise are very acceptable, and the ride calm.
As with the 430 Scuderia it is possible to decouple the suspension settings from the Manettino groupings, but even in the firmer settings the ride is far from jittery.

The interior is also a significant step forward. There is now a consistent quality (including two TFT colour screens), plus some genuine innovation. Ferrari has done away with the indicator stalks, putting the signals, light and wiper controls on the steering wheel. Not everyone will like it, but I think it works well.

Should I buy one?

If you can run to the estimated £160,000 Ferrari is asking, there are few reasons not to. The price may be higher than the old F430, but the 458 is a much more complete package. Not only faster, but more accomplished and more entertaining.


Ferrari 458 Italia - Road Test First Drive - Autocar.co.uk















I'm going to have to renege on my earlier choice after seeing this monster move...its the 458 for me!

[Bilal]

On Road:
Ferrari 458 launch | Car Video review | evo

On Track:
Ferrari 458 | Track video review | evo

[Bilal]

Finding that Scuderia a bit spartan? Want the same kick but with a heap more refinement? The answer’s the replacement for the F430, the new 458 Italia. You can read the full story in CAR’s December 2009 issue out on 18 November:

• Detailed nine-page 458 Italia first drive feature
• Greg Pajo's beautiful photoshoot
• Feel what it's like behind the wheel
• On road and track

But for now, here’s a taste of what you’re in for if you’ve got around £160,000 spare.

Baby Enzo, anyone? The Ferrari 458 Italia’s a dead ringer!

Funny you should say that, because not only does the 458 bear a striking resemblance to the legendary supercar flagship, it can actually lap the Fiorano circuit in the same 1min 25sec. That’s the same as the stripped-out Scuderia by the way, and 2sec quicker than the F430 it replaces.

Impressive, but with the eco-conscious Mille Chili concept from 2007 fresh in my mind, I’m guessing that this thing weighs 1000kg and has a hybrid motor stuffed behind the seats?

Not exactly, but the 458 does employ some of the Mille Chili’s ideas, including active aerodynamics. Two fins located at either side of the front grille are designed to deform at speed, partially blocking off the grille needed to cool the front-mounted radiators at low speeds and directing the air around the car, reducing the drag co-efficient.

Other aero work has resulted in vents near the lights used to slow gas speed over the front wings, reducing lift and even using the high pressure built up in the rear wheelwells to cool the engine. Italy’s wind tunnels must’ve been kept busy for these past few years.

So if there’s no KERS system, what’s under the bonnet?

Something more conventional but still full of tech. There’s a naturally aspirated 4.5-litre dry-sumped V8 that revs to a stratospheric 9000rpm and delivers 562bhp, compared with 483bhp from the F430’s unrelated 4.3-litre motor. To save you scrabbling around for the calculator, that equates to a massive 127bhp per litre, a record for a naturally aspirated production car.

It shares its block, heads and direct-injection technology with the California but the front-engine car runs out of puff before 8000rpm, and delivers just 454bhp. Also shared is the seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox, although the 458 adds E-diff 3, the latest version of Ferrari’s electronic differential. And for the first time on a mainstream Ferrari, there’s no manual gearbox alternative.


So what’s the 458 Italia like to drive?

Would you believe fast? Zero to 62mph takes ‘less than 3.4sec’ says Ferrari and it feels every bit as rapid. Eighty percent of the 400lb ft peak torque is available from 3250rpm and that’s exactly the point at which the 458 starts to feel seriously quick. Run it out to the redline and the noise is race-car fierce, and never abates because there are now no pauses between shifts.

The standard carbon brakes offer plenty of stopping power and more feel than rivals while the new, 30% quicker steering rack means mountain roads, and even gathering huge slides (see first image above – more pics like this in the next issue of CAR!), rarely involves more than a flick of the wrists. The 458 will slide, providing you’ve tweaked the steering wheel manettino to the appropriate position, but unless you provoke it, this Ferrari is always massively stable and has huge reserves of grip.

One for Sundays or something I could use every day?

Definitely an everyday supercar in the mould of the Audi R8. The ride comfort is excellent, visibility good, noise levels low, build quality leagues above the F430’s and that dual-clutch gearbox means the 458 is just as happy trickling through traffic as blasting around Fiorano.

Wherever you are you’ll feel like you’re piloting a spaceship thanks to the button-festooned steering wheel and twin TFT displays, one showing the status of the car’s major components and the other, audio and navigation duties.

Verdict

No doubt about it, this is the most rounded supercar you can currently buy and is likely to remain so until McLaren deploys the MP4 12C in 2011. Even then, the McLaren is going to have to be really good.

Is the 458 Italia really worth an estimated £60k more than an Audi R8 V10? Judging by the number of five-star ratings in our spec sheet, yes. If you can afford the Ferrari, it is the better car and we’d definitely recommend the premium. We’re just left wondering if the 458 is this good, how amazing is the next Scuderia going to be?

Ferrari 458 Italia (2009) CAR review | Road Testing Reviews | Car Magazine Online

[HighestOfHigh]

Oh wow...didn't know the Navigation was located there. Cool!

[Just_me]

Yummy, I want to be rich. This is the best sportscars at the moment.

[HighestOfHigh]

Originally Posted by Just_me

This is the best sportscars at the moment.

Uh Oh! Just_me just slapped McLaren in the face!

Good Job and truthful statement!

[aleks_16]

Has the ferrari a radio ???

[Merc1]

What a car....wow. Those seats and the interior overall are just pure brillance.

M

[klier]

Fantastic, but I am starting to dislike the design more and more...

[HighestOfHigh]

^I love it. It's pure Ferrari at best and the design makes it a true exotic sports car.