The Ferrari 458 Italia is a mid-engined sports car first unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. It succeeded the F430, incorporated technology developed from Ferrari’s Formula One experience, and was replaced by the 488 GTB in 2015.
Ferrari 458 at a glance
| Unveiled | 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show |
|---|---|
| Type | F142 |
| Engine | 4,497 cc F136 V8 |
| Power | 570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp) at 9,000 rpm |
| Torque | 540 N·m at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque at 3,250 rpm | 80 per cent available |
| Fuel system | direct injection, a first for a mid-engined Ferrari |
| Gearbox | seven-speed dual-clutch by Getrag |
| Manual option | none |
| Top speed | over 325 km/h |
| Braking, 100–0 km/h | 32.5 m |
| Successor | Ferrari 488 GTB, 2015 |
based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the Ferrari 458
Ferrari described the 458 as the successor to the F430 but arising from an entirely new design, with technology developed from the company’s Formula One experience; the body computer system was developed by Magneti Marelli. The engine was a 4,497 cc unit from the “Ferrari/Maserati” F136 V8 family, producing 570 PS at 9,000 rpm and 540 N·m at 6,000 rpm, with 80 per cent of torque available from 3,250 rpm. It used direct fuel injection, the first time Ferrari had applied it to a mid-engined road car.
Gearbox and chassis
The only transmission offered was a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox by Getrag, sharing its state of tune with the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. There was no traditional manual option, which made the 458 the first mainstream Ferrari model not to offer one. Suspension used double wishbones at the front and a multi-link layout at the rear, with the E-Diff and F1-Trac traction control systems, which Ferrari said improved cornering and longitudinal acceleration by 32 per cent over the predecessor. The steering ratio was 11.5:1.
Brakes and performance
The brakes included a prefill function that moved the pads into contact with the discs as soon as the throttle was released, cutting the delay before braking began. Combined with ABS and standard carbon ceramic discs, this reduced the stopping distance from 100 km/h to 32.5 metres, and independent tests recorded stops of around 26–27 metres. The top speed was over 325 km/h, with the Spider slightly lower at 320 km/h, and Ferrari quoted a Fiorano lap time of 1:23. The 458 stayed in production until 2015, when the 488 GTB replaced it.
Design and features
- 4.5-litre V8: 570 PS at 9,000 rpm from the F136 engine, with direct injection.
- Seven-speed dual-clutch: a Getrag gearbox and no manual alternative at all.
- F1-derived electronics: E-Diff and F1-Trac, with 32 per cent better cornering and acceleration.
- Brake prefill: pads touch the discs as soon as the throttle closes, shortening stopping distances.
- Carbon ceramic brakes: standard, stopping the car from 100 km/h in 32.5 metres.
Ferrari 458 versions
- 458 Italia (2009–2015): the coupé.
- 458 Spider: open version with a 320 km/h top speed.
- 458 Speciale: a more focused version of the same model.
The 458 succeeded the Ferrari F430 and was replaced by the 488 GTB, a later evolution of the same mid-engined V8 line.
Video: Ferrari 458 Speciale vs. Ducati 1199 Panigale R | GRIP #280
Video by GRIP – Das Motormagazin on YouTube.
Sources
- Ferrari 458, English Wikipedia: engine, gearbox, chassis, brakes, performance
