Ferrari 458 Italia
By Barry Ritholtz - September 6th, 2009, 8:31AM
Coming early 2010, the Ferrari 458 Italia will replace the F430 in the Ferrari line up. The two seat berlinetta is a mid-engine, 4.5-liter V8 pumps out 562 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque, while getting better mileage and producing less emissions than the car it replaces.
click for ginormous photos
Nice view of the engine under glass
I prefer the twin lights on each side . . . 3 centered exhaust pipes is an interesting design decision:
That redline is a screaming 9,000 rpm
But no manual option? Guess I will have to pass . . .
September 6th, 2009 at 10:27 am
I’ve been saying the same thing about the lights since they took them off the 599. I just knew they were going to do the same to the 430’s replacement. Sad really.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
amen on the tail lights. Re: manual transmission, by now you should be used to the idea of paddle shifters. They’ve only been standard for like, what, four or five years?
http://jalopnik.com/5346844/ferrari-458-italia-hits-the-road-reveals-interior
September 6th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I know intellectually that the computer can shift faster than me, but that only matters when you are driving on track against a clock.
For 99% of your driving time, shifting your own gears is more visceral, more engaging, and requires more skill.
Its the reason why I don’t own a GT-R. In fact, I may have to get a post up on the Z — a more engaging car in the real world courtesy of the 3rd pedal.
Maybe I am just old school, but I like the feel of a 6 speed in my right hand . . .
September 6th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Loses a bit of rawness, but less Corvette-like.
Scuderia is still my fave.
September 6th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Looks like a mini Enzo.
September 7th, 2009 at 7:49 am
Note on the dashboard shot, there is no speedo.
The “N” for neutral in the lower right of the tach becomes a numeric speedometer, something my old RX-8 (2004) used to have
September 7th, 2009 at 9:01 am
[...] those of you who actually like a car with 3 proper pedals and a stick (unlike the 458 Italia), have a look at this set of wheels: 2009 Nissan 370Z [...]
September 9th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
[...] new models from Mazda and Volkswagen are interesting, but not nearly as much as the dream cars: Ferrari will be introducing the 458 Italia, a high-performance exotic that already has some taking wagers on how long it will take for someone [...]