The Ferrari 458 Italia will be introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Nobody needs one, very few people will be able to afford one, and fewer still will ever have the nerve, or the opportunity, to explore its full potential.
Yet, there is no question that the stunning new Ferrari 458 Italia will attract wealthy auto enthusiasts the world over ready to fork over huge sums of cash (no official price has been announced) to own a car with legendary Formula One racing DNA built into its every part.
In releasing officials photos and details of the new two-seater, the company explained its mission: “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.”
That mission will be accomplished with a new, direct-injection V-8 engine that produces 570 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 87 horsepower and 55 pound-feet over the Ferrari F430, which it will replace.
That translates to a 0-60 mph time of less than 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 202 miles per hour.
All of that power will be delivered though a paddle-shifted, seven-speed dual-clutch auto/manual transmission.
On board to rein in all of that tremendous power will be an antilock braking system with pads that move against the carbon-ceramic discs when the driver lifts off the accelerator. The brakes can bring the 458 Italia to a stop from 62 miles an hour in a mere 107 feet.
With the mid-rear mounted engine, the 3,042-pound Italia has 58 percent of its weight distributed over its rear axle. Its aerodynamic shape and flat underbody contribute 309 pounds of down-force at 124 mph.
Ferrari officials emphasized that the 458 Italia “is a completely new car from every point of view: engine, design, aerodynamics, handling, instrumentation and ergonomics, just to name a few.”
As with all of its road cars, the 458 Italia’s development benefitted greatly from Ferrari’s vast experience in Formula One racing. The legendary Michael Schumacher, who has announced he will come out of retirement to resume Formula One racing for Ferrari, had important input in the new car’s development.
More information on Ferrari’s newest super car will be released when it is officially introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
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