|
|
 | |  |
|
Ferrari 458 Italia 2010
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.
| General Information |
| Vehicle Type: |
2-door coupe, production car |
| Price: |
$---,--- |
| Miles Per Gallon: |
--/-- mpg |
| Drivetrain |
| Configuration |
Mid Engine/RWD |
| Engine: |
V8 |
| Displacement: |
4499 cc |
| Horsepower: |
570 bhp @ 9000 rpm |
| Torque: |
398 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm |
| Max RPM: |
---- rpm |
| Transmission: |
7-Speed Semi-Automatic |
| Dimensions |
| Weight: |
3042 lbs |
| Height: |
47.8 in |
| Length: |
178.2 in |
| Width: |
76.3 in |
| Wheelbase: |
104.3 in |
| Track: |
f: --.- / r: --.- in |
| Performance |
| 0-60 mph: |
3.3 sec |
| 0-100 mph: |
--.- sec |
| Quarter Mile: |
--.- sec @ --- mph |
| Top Speed: |
202 mph |
| Lateral Acceleration: |
.--g |
| Braking, 60-0 mph: |
--- ft |
| Slalom Speed: |
--.- mph |
| Nürburgring Lap Time: |
--.- minutes |
| |
 | |  |
| | |
|
Other Recent Articles from the Ferrari Category:
| |
| | |
|
|
|
|
