Ferrari porn…the new 458

Okay it’s time for some automotive porn. Sit down quietly by yourself and take a look at this.

That’s a very nice motor!

It’s the new Ferrari 458 Italia, just announced at the Frankfurt Motor Show as a replacement for the F430 model, and it is gorgeous. Excuse me while I dribble. The 458 is two-seater berlinetta, powered by a 4.5-litre mid-rear mounted V8 engine. It features an F1 dual-clutch seven speed gearbox and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in under 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of over 200 mph (325 km/h). Oh, and it returns 20.6 mpg on the combined cycle as well.

The coachwork is by Pininfarina and bears a resemblance to the old and much-loved 246 Dino model. The nose features a single opening for the front grille and side air intakes, with aerodynamic sections and profiles designed to direct air to the radiators and the flat underbody. The nose also sports small aeroelastic winglets which generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator intake and cut drag.

The oil radiators for the F1 gearbox and the dual-clutch are situated in the tail and air is fed from two intakes on the top of the rear wings.

The engine is a dry-sump 90 degree V8 with a displacement of 4499 cc and is mid-rear mounted. It is an entirely new design engineered to reach a maximum of 9,000 rpm – a first on a road car – with a high 12.5:1 compression ratio and maximum power output of 570 CV. This equates to a power output of 127 CV/litre, a new benchmark for a naturally-aspirated production engine.

The generous torque available – 540 Nm at 6000 rpm, with over 80 per cent available from 3250 rpm – ensures rapid pick-up from all revs. The specific torque output of 120 Nm/l is another record.

One of the important novelties on the 458 Italia is the introduction of the 7-speed F1 dual-clutch gearbox which guarantees faster yet smoother changes. The technology is based on the independent management of even and odd gears which are pre-selected using two separate input shafts. The gear shifting time (the overlap between the opening and closing phases of the two clutches) is zero and thus there is no interruption of engine torque to the driven wheels.

Would you like it in Yellow?

Inside, the driver is set in the centre of a simple, streamlined lay-out. The upper and lower surfaces of the dashboard are trimmed in leather while the instrument binnacle sits atop an aluminium insert that forms a single, structural element housing the satellite pods and secondary commands. The original shape of the air vents was inspired by the design of Formula 1 exhaust chimneys in use up until a few years ago.

The slim and minimalist centre console features a sculpted aluminium casting which houses the F1 panel. This panel includes the Launch Control along with the secondary gearbox controls for reverse and auto settings. There is also a leather-trimmed ergonomic wrist support for actioning the F1 panel buttons and the electric window lifts.

All main controls are located directly on the steering wheel, while secondary functions are set in two satellite pods either side of the dash and the panel ahead of the driver includes comprehensive instrument displays. These solutions represent an important safety aspect, enabling the driver to concentrate fully on driving. Similarly this layout ensures maximum control of the car in high-performance driving, an uncompromising approach that derives directly from Ferrari’s F1 experience.

Go one, let’s have another look!

I think I need to go and sit down now…