FERRARI HAS revealed first images of the new 458 Italia, a V8 mid-engined car that will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. It had been thought that the car, which will replace the F430, would be called the F450.
Ferrari says that this is a totally new car in terms of engine design, aerodynamics, handling and ergonomics. The car features a high-revving 4,498cc V8 engine that puts out 562bhp at a staggering 9,000rpm, with a maximum torque of 540Nm at 6,000rpm, over 80 per cent of which is available from 3,250rpm.
Despite the fact that new engine is significantly more powerful than the V8 that preceded it, it puts out 320g/km and fuel economy is 13.7l/100km on the combined cycle.
Performance is impressive, too. It takes under 3.4 seconds to reach a speed of 100km/h and the maximum speed is said to be in excess of 325km/h. The car will employ a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and, as well as featuring the E-Diff differential and the F1-Trac skid control system, technologies inspired by F1, the 458 Italia uses one ECU to control both systems which Ferrari say, results in a 32 per cent increase in longitudinal acceleration out of corners, compared to previous models.
Brakes also feature a prefill function, whereby the pistons in the callipers move the pads into contact with the discs when the driver lifts off in order to minimise delay in the brakes being applied. This helps reduce the stopping distance from 100km/h to just 32.5 metres.
The new car will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.