Right. Still I cannot believe that nobody in the whole world has some real undisguised pics of the actual car. It seems to be a real secret this time. I though our Czech friends would be the first, but nope.
+1. I think a few people need to relax or take a time-out. Besides, I think it's clear that this car is at least starting Ferrari's move toward "smaller and lighter", as their conceptual thinking indicated. That's where the world is going and Ferrari is no exception.
9.30 a.m (UK time) ladies and gents, at least according to Auto express (not the most reliable source): http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/239182/ferraris_new_hybrid_ready_for_action.html
red line at 9000, 570 hp 7 speed double clutch transmission active aerodynamics wow most of the test mule speculations came true! that's interesting. and those rims were also on the test mule! i'm happy to see the traditional 8 cyl. naming is back. too bad there are no rear shots available
From Auto Express With a top speed of 203mph and a 0-60mph sprint of less than 3.5 seconds, this is the fastest car Ferrari has ever built. So say hello to the F458 Italia - officially revealed in these first pictures. Offering a staggering 570bhp at 9,000rpm it's also fitted with an advanced engine, and a new double-clutch, seven-speed gearbox. Like all Ferraris, the new name references the engine - in this case a 4.5-litre V8. But what's equally important is important is the bit that comes next. Called Italia, this is the car Ferrari hopes will be the new pride of Italy. While Ferrari is unlikely to admit it, the firm has been under huge pressure from rivals like the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Gallardo. Offering similar chassis technology and superior engine technology both cars offer a winning blend of performance, reliability and drivability. The F458 is the car that insiders claim is set to change all that - stamping the famous firms authority on a class it has dominated for the past 15 years. As a result, the F458 is much more than simply a refreshed F430 - sporting new engine, chassis and suspension technology - using exotic materials like magnesium and carbon fibre to keep the weight down. It's also got a radical new look. Designed by Pininfarina, the car's signature lights include LED technology - pioneered by Audi - and a distinctive black front grille. However, what makes the F458 so different to its predecessor is science behind its svelte bodywork. Look closely and there's an obvious lack of openings in the bodywork. Reducing aerodynamic drag has been key to this cars performance - both on track and on the petrol station forecourt. The holes but into the front and flanks of the bodywork feed air to the engine and radiators, but just as importantly, they also push it under the car's flat under tray, into a series of aerodynamic venturi tunnels. This has the effect of sucking the car down onto the tarmac - in fact, the set up is so effective, that at around 120mph the car is generating around 140kg of downforce. Another subtle, yet effective trick can be found at the front of the car, where two movable wings are hidden against the black of the radiator air intakes. This is part of the car's active aerodynamic package and helps to reduce drag at high speeds. Performance is delivered to the rear wheels, and controlled using Ferrari's "e-diff" limited slip differential and adjustable F1-Trac traction control system. Backed by lightweight carbon ceramic brakes, the car is said to be the fastest point-to-point machines the firm has ever built. At the rear of the car you'll find the distinctive three-tailpipe arrangement, first seen in our spyshots. According to insiders, the exhaust note has been modelled on the firm's F1 car - sounding every bit as high-pitched. The car makes its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September - while first examples are set to hit UK roads early next year. As yet, there's no word on price, but as the car is even faster than the F430 Scuderia - priced from £172,250 - it's unlikely drivers should expect change from less than £175,000. SPECIFICATION Ferrari 458 Italia Engine: 4.5-litre V8 Max power: 570bhp@9000rpm Max torque: 470 Nm at 5250rpm Top speed: 203mph 0-60mph: 3,4 sec Price: £175,000 (est) On sale: Now Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Ok for me !!! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
From Autocar - loads of pics on their site - http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsGallery.aspx?AR=241891&EL=-1&IM=260021 These are the first official pictures and details of the Ferrari 458 Italia - the replacement for the Ferrari F430. The Ferrari 458 Italia draws inspiration from the Enzo and takes a new look influenced by the Mille Chili concept car. Ferrari 458 Italia picture gallery Ferrari has confirmed that the car, codenamed F142 and long rumoured to be named the F450, will be called the 458 Italia. The name derives from the powerplant: a 4.5-litre V8 which Ferrari claims has the highest specific output of any normally aspirated car engine. It certainly has more in common with superbikes than cars; at 127bhp per litre, the specific output is greater than that of many turbocharged engines. The high-revving 4498cc V8 has very light internal parts and tiny piston skirts, resulting in low rotation inertia and a 12.5:1 compression ratio. It puts out 562bhp at 9000rpm, 500rpm higher than the 430. That makes it the highest-revving Ferrari road car ever. It means the 458 Italia will be ferociously fast, and Ferrari claims it will sprint to 62mph in under 3.4sec on its way to a top speed of over 200mph. While advanced engine electronics and lightweight parts underpin the extra performance, this will be the first mid-engined application of Ferraris direct injection fuel system, which appeared first on the front-engined California. It also runs Ferraris now-traditional flat-plane crankshaft. The 458s engine will be one of the most flexible in Ferraris history, too, with 398lb ft of torque arriving at 6000rpm. While that sounds peaky, its only two-thirds of the way through the 458s rev range, and over 80 per cent (318lb ft) is available from 3250rpm. The direct fuel injection has also helped cut CO2 emissions, producing a claimed 320g/km of CO2, even though it is faster and produces significantly more power than the 483bhp F430 and the 508bhp 430 Scuderia. Dual-clutch box Ferrari learned a lot developing the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox for the California and it has had to do even more development to fit the unit into the 458 Italias engine bay, under the curvaceous glasshouse. The dual-clutch unit from the California has been modified with different ratios and now shifts even faster than the 430 Scuderias 0.06sec. The gearboxs shift style is likely to be slightly more aggressive than the Californias. The E-Diff differential and the F1-Trac skid control system have long been the flagship carryover technologies from Formula 1, but the 458 Italia takes them even further and adds another piece of F1-derived technology to the brakes. Instead of using individual ECUs for the E-Diff and F1-Trac, the 458 Italia has one ECU to control both (as well as the ABS system), resulting in streamlined processing and communication. Ferrari claims a 32 per cent increase in acceleration over the F430 (itself no slouch) out of corners. The brakes feature a new system called prefill. When the drivers foot lifts off the throttle, the pistons in the calipers move the pads towards the discs; that helps to reduce the stopping distance from 62mph to just 32.5 metres. Aluminium chassis Ferrari has used its experience from designing the 430 Scuderias suspension to create the 458 Italias double wishbone front set-up and multi-link rear end, all bolted directly to the aluminium chassis. Its been developed with the help of Michael Schumacher, who was spotted testing the car. Ferrari has close ties to aluminium specialist Alcoa, which has built a factory near Modena to produce chassis for the firm. The 458 Italias frame uses ideas from both the 430 Scuderia and the Mille Chili concept car. It uses more advanced bonding techniques than the 430 did, along with manufacturing processes more in line with the aero industry. F1 wind tunnel While the 458 was designed by Pininfarina, the shape has been developed using Ferraris F1 wind tunnel. The bases of the black intakes in the front bumper deform at speed, closing up the intakes and reducing drag. These intakes also provide downforce and feed air though the radiators ahead of the front wheels. The cars shape makes air curve around the cabin and run over the integrated tail spoiler. The flat undertray enhances the effects of the rear diffuser to create 140kg of downforce at 125mph. Inside, the 458 Italia will take the opportunity created by the more luxurious California to become the sportiest V8 in the family. Ferrari says the steering wheel and dashboard are new innovations in production cars; expect a development of the firms wheel-mounted manettino switch. The 458 will be built alongside the California in a new production facility at Maranello. The car will be launched at the Frankfurt motor show next month and is expected to go on sale in the UK next spring. It will be more expensive than the F430, so expect prices to start at around £150,000.
My guess is that the technical details plus the multiplicity of outlets suggest very official No mention of KERS Pricing shown has to be inaccurate and without taxes - most 16M were at least £ 200 000 on the road so I would expect the same for this
http://www.ferrari.com/English/GT_Sport%20Cars/458-Italia/Pages/458-Italia.aspx So I guess this section really does now need to be renamed !
Yes, but the 16M was limited to 499 units - they'll want to sell about 15,000 of these over the life and unlikely to do it at 200k. All details, pics etc available at http://www.ferrari.com/English/GT_Sport%20Cars/458-Italia/Pages/458-Italia.aspx
Accepted but surely it will cost more than Scud which was at least £ 175 000 by the time a couple of extras were included