The Ferrari 458 Italia (Type F142) is an Italian mid-engine sports car produced by Ferrari. The 458 is the successor of the F430, and was first officially unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.[5][6] It was succeeded by the 488 GTB (Gran Turismo Berlinetta) in 2015.[7]
Specifications
In Ferrari's first official announcement of the car, the 458 was described as the successor to the F430 but arising from an entirely new design, incorporating technologies developed from the company's experience in Formula One.[8]
The body computer system was developed by Magneti Marelli.
Engine
The 458 is powered by a 4497 cc engine of the "Ferrari/Maserati" F136 V8 family, generating a power output of 570 PS at 9,000 rpm (redline) and 540 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm[9] with 80 percent of torque available at 3,250 rpm.[8] The engine features direct fuel injection, a first for Ferrari mid-engine setups in its road cars.[8]
Transmission
The only transmission available on the 458 is a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox by Getrag, in a different state of tune shared with the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.[8] There is no traditional manual option, making this the first mainstream model to not be offered with a manual transmission.
Design
In keeping with Ferrari tradition, the body was designed by Pininfarina under the leadership of Donato Coco, the Ferrari design director during 2009.[14]
The interior design of the Ferrari 458 Italia was done by Bertrand Rapatel (Director of Ferrari Interior Design), a French automobile designer.
The car's exterior styling and features were designed for aerodynamic efficiency, producing downforce of 140 kg at 200 km/h.[8] In particular, the front grille features deformable winglets that lower at high speeds, in order to offer reduced drag.[15] The car's interior was designed using input from former Ferrari Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher; in a layout common to racing cars, the new steering wheel incorporates many controls normally located on the dashboard or on stalks, such as turning signals or high beams.[8]
According to British car magazine Autocar
Variants
458 Spider (2011–2015)
The 458 Spider was introduced at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. This convertible variant of the 458 Italia features an aluminium retractable hardtop which, according to Ferrari, weighs 25 kg less than a soft roof such as the one found on the Ferrari F430 Spider, and requires 14 seconds for operation.[17][18] The engine cover has been redesigned to accommodate the retractable roof system. It has the same 0-100 km/h acceleration time as the coupé but has a lower top speed of 200 mi/h.
458 Speciale (2013–2015)
The 458 Speciale was unveiled in 2013 at the Frankfurt Motor Show[19]
Special edition
458 Italia China Edition (2012)
The 2012 458 Italia China Edition is a limited (20 units) version of the 458 Italia for the Chinese market, built to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Ferrari in China since the first Ferrari, a 348 TS, was ordered in Beijing. It is distinguished by its Marco Polo Red body colour, golden dragon graphic on the front bonnet, gold and black livery stripes symbolising a racing track, gold painted wheels, gold aeroelastic winglets, gold embroidery on the car's head rests, engine start button inscribed with the simplified Chinese characters for 'start' and a '20th Anniversary Special Edition' plaque on the dash.
The vehicle was unveiled at the Italia Center of Shanghai World Expo Park.[28][29]
One-offs
SP12 EC (2012)
The Ferrari SP12 EC is a one-off sports car built by Ferrari for English musician Eric Clapton under Ferrari's Special Projects programme,[30] and based on the 458 Italia.[31] It was revealed in May 2012[32] and shown at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed.[33] The bespoke SP12 EC's bodywork is inspired by that of the Ferrari 512 BB,[34] and was designed by Ferrari Styling Centre in collaboration with
Racing
458 Challenge
The 458 Challenge is a race car designed to participate in the Ferrari Challenge. It was presented at the Ferrari Annual Dealer Meeting on 14 July 2010 for the 2011 Ferrari Challenge season. The 458 Challenge Evo was introduced for the 2014 season and was replaced by the 488 Challenge for the 2017 season. Hence both variants of the 458 Challenge were used as the prime Challenge car for three seasons, the 458 Challenge for 2011 to 2013 and the 458 Challenge Evo for 2014 to 2016.
According to Ferrari the standard (non-Evo) 458 Challenge can lap the Fiorano test track in 1:16.5, which is two seconds faster than its F430 Challenge predecessor and only 0.2 seconds slower than the Ferrari FXX. Given the Evo upgrade, the 458 Challenge Evo is faster around the Fiorano test track than the Ferrari FXX.[44][45]
Weight of the 458 Challenge was reduced from the standard 458 through the use of thinner body panels, carbon fibre replacement panels, and polycarbonate windows and windshield.
Awards
The 458 won "Car of the Year 2009" and "Supercar of the Year". It also won "Cabrio of the Year 2011" for the Spider, from Top Gear magazine. Auto Zeitung magazine awarded the Ferrari 458 Spider "Best Cabrio 2011".[51] Motor Trend awarded the Ferrari 458 Italia the title of "Best Driver's Car" in 2011.[52] The 458 Speciale won Top Gear's Supercar of the Year 2013 and James May's Car of the Year.[53]
Recalls
Wheel-arch adhesive fires
On 24 August 2010, BBC News reported that ten 458s had either crashed or caught fire in just three months.[54] Ferrari responded later that it was aware of the fire-related cases, and was in the process of investigating them.[54][55]
On 1 September 2010 Ferrari officially recalled all 1,248 of the 458s sold to date. A spokesman commented that the problem had been traced to an adhesive used in the wheel-arch assemblies and that, in certain circumstances, the glue could begin to overheat, smoke and even catch fire. In extreme cases the melting adhesive could lead to the heat shield deforming, and hence moving closer to the exhaust, causing the wheel-arch lining to catch fire. Owners who had reported fires, that were later confirmed by independent engineers to be due to this problem, received a new car. All other cars were modified by replacing the adhesive with mechanical fasteners.[56]
Marketing
Hot Wheels produced a 1:18 scale model of the 458 Italia, Spider, GT2, Challenge, China Edition and, later, the Speciale versions under both its regular "Mattel / Heritage" and premium "Elite" and "Super Elite" lines of collectible die-cast models.[58] Bburago also produced variants of the 458, such as the Italia, Spider and Challenge, in diecast in 1:18, 1:24, 1:32, and 1:43 scales under its "Race and play" line up. The Speciale version in 1:18 scale followed later under both its "Race and play" and "Signature series" lineups.[59]
The 458 was featured on the cover of Forza Motorsport 4.[60]
Illicit trade practices investigation
After the Ferrari 458 Italia had been reported to cost much more in China than the United States, the Chinese Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) began working in conjunction with the National Development and Reform Commission for possible price-fixing, despite automakers' claim of a 24% import tariff, 17% value-added tax, and a consumption tax having been added to the car's price.[61][62]
External links
References
- Ferrari 458 Italia williamloughran.co.uk, retrieved 13 September 2024^
- designer retrieved 2017-12-28^
- Steve Diehlman. Designer Donato Coco Leaves Ferrari; Joins Lotus Automobile Magazine, 15 December 2009, retrieved 25 June 2020