The Ferrari 458 Italia was introduced in 2009 as the replacement of the Ferrari F430. With a new 562 horsepower, 4.5-liter fuel injected V-8, innovative F1 style suspension, and a 7-speed dual clutch transmission ran through column-mounted paddles. This Ferrari will do 0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds and it will humiliate its predecessor, the F430.

With the Pininfarina styling that will drop mouths of any passerby’s, this Italian supercar has won over the hearts of car enthusiasts and celebrities around the world. The Pininfarina designers accepted a daring challenge when they first set out to design a new sports car for Ferrari, starting from the 458 Italia coupé, which was hugely popular.

“There aren’t many cars that could even touch the Ferrari 458 Italia when it comes to speed. Its 562-hp V-8 engine, featuring direct fuel injection, paired with the innovative F1-inspired suspension and seven-speed dual clutch, make it the absolute best and certainly fastest sports car on the road today. And, it looks it, too. The styling is intense, and it has an interior to match. The body computer system was designed and developed by Magneti Marelli Automotive Lighting.” (Berman, Money Inc.)

Former host of Top Gear U.K. and current host of The Grand Tour: Jeremy Clarkson, has said this Ferrari 458 is “One of the all-time greats… It really is, absolutely, unbelievably, mesmerizingly, brilliant.” All of this praise comes from a man with an extensive knowledge and experience with the greatest supercars in the world, even saying “I think [it] is better than an F40 and I never thought I’d say that.”

*The information below is courtesy of Ferrari.com. The full citation is listed below along with a link for this information and more.

UNCOMPROMISING DESIGN APPROACH

Every Ferrari is the result of an uncompromising design approach that integrates styling and aerodynamic requirements.

458 ITALIA BODYSHELL – COMPACT, AERODYNAMIC, SHAPE

Pininfarina and Ferrari Centro Stile honed the 458 Italia to a compact and aerodynamic shape around the themes of purity, technology, efficiency and lightness. It incorporates the signature characteristics of every car that leaves Maranello. Yet it is also a significant leap forward for our V8 class.

Aerodynamic development in the wind tunnel focused on sculpting the sides and rear bodywork to channel air to the intakes above the tail. The oil coolers for gearbox and clutch are relocated to the rear of the engine compartment.

The car’s powerful character is underlined by the swage line along its side, rising from the front wheel before descending half-way along the door to the rear.

The nose features a single grille opening and two large air intakes for the radiators. Air is directed both to the radiators and the flat underbody. The nose also uses two small aero-elastic winglets which deflect at high speed. They generate downforce and improve cooling by channeling air to the radiators.

The 458 Italia’s headlights help to create a strong visual stance. The main rotating bi-xenon lights provide low- and high-beam function and follows the Ferrari’s movements through curves in the road. Above them, a vertical stack of 20 high-intensity LEDs makes up the daytime running lights and turn signals. The brake ducts form a natural, harmonious intersection where headlight, wheel arch and hood converge. A radiator cooling vent sits atop the front fenders.

Two large air vents for the gearbox and clutch coolers join the circular taillight assemblies at the edge of the rear fenders. Two keels act as fairings for the rear wheels. Structure between the rear diffusers surround the novel triple exhaust pipes, a styling cue that recalls the legendary F40 and clearly hints at the 458 Italia’s sporty character. From above, a clear screen frames the V8 engine visually.

The exterior’s mechanical and functional focus is light weight, a small frontal area to reduce drag, and the lowest possible center of gravity. The result of this focus is not just remarkable handling, even for a Ferrari, but eye-pleasing proportions between the wheelbase, front and rear overhangs and front and rear track width.

458 ITALIA COCKPIT – FUNCTIONAL AND ERGONOMIC DESIGN

The interior developed by Ferrari Centro Stile contains a functional and ergonomic design. Everything of importance to driving faces the driver in a streamlined, intuitive layout.

Under leather trim, two overlapping central aluminum forms house the instruments.

The 458 Italia’s steering wheel underscores a continuity with classic Ferrari cues like the aluminum central pad while the removal of any indicator and windshield wiper stalks clusters all controls on the steering wheel.

The center console features a sculptural aluminium casting that houses the F1 gearshift panel and dynamic controls including Launch Control, reverse, and the Auto switch to operate the gearbox in fully automatic mode.
Ferrari

Berman, Nat. “The History and Evolution of the Ferrari 458 Italia.” Money Inc, Money Inc, 25 May 2018, moneyinc.com/ferrari-458-italia/.

https://auto.ferrari.com/en_US/sports-cars-models/past-models/458-italia/