Had a chance to drive the Italia

Last week after the factory tour and atelier appt my dealer graciously arranged for me to take a test drive in the 458. Pietro Donati met me at the gates of the factory in a giallo Italia. Pietro is a some-time driver for Risi in the ALMS having driven at Sebring and Laguna. He drove the car out of the gates to the other side of the factory grounds where we switched seats. He suggested that I keep the car in auto while I get a feel for the car. I noticed that in auto the car quickly upshifts all the way to 7th. I never liked auto mode in any of the F1 trannies. It may be okay for someone else but not me. I don't like driving any of my cars at 2k rpm and I certainly did not want to do this with a car that red-lines at 9k. So out of auto and into manual we went. I noticed the gear ratios seem very tight resulting in a lot of shifting. But w/ zero lag time of the dual clutch I have to admit very entertaining.

My impressions were muted because the area I drove the car had far from optimum conditions. Traffic, trucks, round-a-bouts, speed bumps, etc. all kept me from pushing the car much at all. I did get to open it up a couple of times when the traffic allowed. Must say the throttle response is near-instant. The car is a breeze to drive [context: I'm a vintage guy], the shifting is seemless and the sounds are very sweet. I wish I could compare it to a 430 or Scud for you, but I have never driven either. What I can say is that this car is smooth but you know you can unleash a devil with your right foot. I really noticed the sophistication of the Mag. suspension control. Not only did it make for a smooth ride but undulations don't seem to upset the balance. Even the slow speed bumps could be taken faster than any Ferrari I have driven.

I would have to say this would be a blast to drive on a track. Unfortunately Fiorano was not available for my drive. So I will have to find a track stateside after my car is delivered.

Overall I would say the experience of the first drive was fun but far from what I needed to get a true feel for this incredible piece of engineering and design.

 

You must finish your review stateside when the car arrives....

 

scantera,

As I write this, you have 458 posts... 458th about a 458... Cool.

 

I'm sure the reason it shifts on Auto the way it does is to maximize fuel economy, not performance. Few people if any will buy a F458 and use Auto mode unless totally bored and stuck in traffic.

But, your post and perspective was really interesting. Thanks for sharing!

 

Another alternative is placing the Manettino in Race mode and Auto will delay upshifts as in the DSG transmissions in Audi's S4 "Sport/Dynamic" mode. Cali also suffers from this new obsession with early upshifts to artifically enhance mpg claims

 

+1!!!

-G.B.

 

Yikes! I can hear the Twilight Zone soundtrack in the background now. Guess someone is giving me confirmation that this will be a good choice for my small stable. Although I am a vintage car fan I do like select new cars. I did like my 355 Spider. Didn't get excited about my 360 and sold it after 6 months. The 430 design does not appeal to me that much. Certainly the Scud is an exciting rocket that fills your senses. But unless I like the style I won't go for it. I love all Maranellos having owned a 550 then 575 now a black/tan SA. What a great GT the Maranello is. With the SA 12 cylinders, comfort, classy style and top down hardtop. A keeper.

When I saw the Italia I was very impressed with the lines of the car. And when it was backed up with incredibly impressive engineering I immediately knew I wanted to give it a shot. Put in my deposit 9 months ago. Have 5 months to go to bring one home. Nero Daytona, cuoio interior, optional wheels and a few other upgrades should fit the bill. Although I am not a red Ferrari guy I seriously considered the Rosso Fuoco [sp?]. It is a 3 layer paint that has real depth of color. Fabulous. I guess at 10 grand it should be. But I decided to stick with the Nero Daytona. I intend to track the car once in awhile and even though the metallic black is not an easy fix it should be easier than the RF. Maybe.....

 

Wow. I just did a Google search on Rosso Fuoco and I must say that it is amazing. I thought it would be more like a Rosso Mugello, but the pics I found on detailing-world make it look worth it. Anyways gl with your 458.

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=123907

 

While at the atelier there was a Rosso Mugello being prepped for delivery to a couple from Sweden [I think]. I too thought the RM was a nice color when I looked at the paint sample. But just as in color samples for house paint you have to see it when applied. I saw the Rosso Fuoco on a completed 458 and it blew me away. I am absolutely convinced it is the best color for the car. And like I said above I do not favor red Ferraris.

Hmmmm......this has got me thinking before I order next week......

 

it is so special as a color that you really need to see it in person - feeling is quite different from pictures. I also saw one in the factory: my friend loved it, I didn't like it too much...

 

Certainly seeing it in person is extremely helpful. My dealer actually asked me to place my order in April. But I turned him down so I could wait until I had my factory visit to see as many of the colors, seats, and interiors as possible.

Pictures don't work for highlighting the depth of the paint in the 3-layer system. The giallo 3-layer in the Galleria looks great up close. That is the same that I felt with the Rosso Fuoco.

Naturally color choice is assuredly a matter individual taste.

 

I drove the 458 in Maranello last week, for an hour, in the hills


Holy **** is that thing cool!

(yes I spent a lot of $$ to do so, but it was my 40th birthday...)

 

Please tell us more!

 

I should be able to take out the 458 next week. Gonna try for video and pix.

 

please yes! lots of pics and a good vid (good audio too) would be splendid, thanks

 

oh... it was so sweet!
the guy renting them at the shop next to the Galleria in Maranello had a 430 coupe, 430 spyder, 430 scud, 355, and the 458.
I'm not a huge fan of the styling of the 430, and there are enough of them around that I'm sure I'll get the opportunity to drive one.

but the 458... she is so beautiful. Incredibly fast... well composed. I drove the circuit that the guys from Top Gear drive around Maranello to Serramazzoni... twisting and turning thru the hills, switch backs. It was amazing. I was a bit gun shy, but the owner of the car kept egging me on to go faster... probably topped out around 120 mph on these 2 lane roads at one point, passed a lot of folks. Cram your right foot down, blip your R fingers a couple of times and the country side is a blur, and you are going over 100mph.
truly a remarkable machine. Interior is 1st class, not too busy.
and the music she makes... oh, the music!
"If you have the means... I highly recommend one"
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lol love the ferris quote

 

Lol! Nice write-up Mike. I hope to drive one some day. It is quickly becoming one of my favorites...

 

LAST SATURSDAY, I was in the same shop on the side of Maranello GaLLERIA,
(push and start) AND i DROVE , renting for 30 minutes, California - 430 and 430
SCUDERIA.
SCUDERIA is just fantastic......but it is almost a track race car......and I could not test the 458 because it was busy all the afternoon....
I will go to test in next 2 weeks to see the differences and the real improvment from 430.
CIAO
ALEX

 

Nice! You just gave me an idea. I'm gonna drive the 430 and the 458 on the same day to compare them. Think that would be more informative for 430 drivers thinking about upgrading.

 

Geez- people didn't get their 458's yet and they are already being rented out? Seems to kind of cheapen the car's image, and I'm surprised ferrari allocated one to that business so early on! It's a great rental car of couse, but still.... I'd never want to buy a used ferrari that lead that life!

Great pics of you and the car! I am of course jealous

 

I feel your pain but it's not like it's a special edition or anything and deliveries are expected any day now.Also Europeans already have their cars I believe. It's the U.S. which is naturally behind.

I think rentals are good for business because, rather than one person buying one car, falling in love and telling his few friends you can have the same car be driven by dozens of people and have them tell a LOT more people. The more people driving the car the more word of mouth marketing. That's my theory anyway.

I know the feeling though, I just got in one a week ago and I see people with videos from 2009! Some unveiling...lol

 

I thought the same thing when that company told me they had a spring allocation. That being said, their employees that ride along with you are factory employees and it is in Maranello, so it's well connected in a small market. It's not as if they are for rent on the Vegas strip or anything like that.

 

I'm not sure they are officially connected with the factory.

but... the guy who runs pushstart is obviously a good customer of Ferrari (he has 3 versions of the 430 and a cali, as well as a 355). He told me has has an F40 as well that is basically never driven, certainly not for rent.

 

You are right, I doubt there is an "official" connection. But like I said, the guys that go with you work/worked for the factory and when eating lunch at the Galleria I saw them come in, have a very friendly chat with the employees and eat lunch without paying. So you're right, no "official" connection but there seems to be a lot of unofficial connections. Either way, I'd go there again in a heartbeat!