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.
Ferrari 458 Italia – Technical specifications
Dimensions
Length 4527 mm (178.2 in.)
Width 1937 mm (76.3 in.)
Height 1213 mm (47.8 in.)
Wheelbase 2650 mm (104.3 in.)
Dry weight 1380 kg (3042 lbs)*
Weight/power ratio 2,42 kg/CV (7.16 lbs/kW)
Weight distribution fr/r 42%/58%
Engine
Type V8 – 90°
Displacement 4499 cc (274.5 cu in.)
Maximum power 570 CV (425 kW)** @ 9000 rpm
Maximum torque 540 Nm (398 lbs/ft) @ 6000 rpm
Specific power output 127 CV/l
Compression ratio 12.5:1
Tyres
Front 235/35 ZR20 8.5”
Rear 295/35 ZR20 10.5”
Performance
Maximum speed >325 km/h (>202 mph)
0-100 km/h
Fuel consumption + emissions
Fuel consumption*** 13.7 l/100 km
Emissions*** 320 g CO2/km
Gearbox
Dual-clutch, 7-speed F1
Electronics
E-Diff3, F1-Trac, high-performance ABS
* With forged wheels and Racing seats
** Including 5 CV of ram effect
*** Combined cycle (ECE+EUDC)
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