New Ferrari 458 Italia Officially Unveiled – Updated w/ Video

The Ferrari 458 Italia has been officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany. The highly anticipated 562hp which boasts improvements to fuel consumption and CO2 emissions was shown to the public and has now, according to Ferrari, set the benchmark in its segment.

The car features a mid-rear mounted 4.5-liter V8 engine which allows it to complete the century sprint in under 3.4 seconds on it’s way to a top speed of 325km/h. Gear changes are done via a Getrag F1 transmission; a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The 458 Italia has a 407hp to tonne power-to-weight ration and has a dry weight of about 1380kg.

The new Ferrari boasts efficient fuel consumption which stands at 13.3-liter per 100km, a very significant improvement over the F430’s use of 18.3-liters of fuel for the same distance. This was achieved by making significant aerodynamics development on the exterior design as well as by reducing friction within the engine. Emissions have also been dramatically reduced to a respectable 307 grams of CO2 per kilometer compared to the F430’s 420g/km.

New developments, like the aeroelastic winglets, also make this possible. Located at the front, the winglets create downforce at low speeds, but “deform to reduce the section of the radiator inlets” at higher speeds, thus reducing drag. Inside, engineers completely reimagined everything from the multi-function steering wheel, to the ergonomics.

Other features on the vehicle include Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, spaceframe and body made from aluminum, and a hi-fi infotainment system from Harman. Front and rear LED lighting, and the instrument cluster, was provided by Magneti Marelli.

Vehicle pricing was not yet disclosed, but it should be circa €190,000 (that’s Euro’s mind you). Read on below for official information from Ferrari.

Press Release

The Ferrari 458 Italia debuts on the Ferrari stand at the 63rd IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. The unveiling of the new berlinetta comes after a series of innovative on-line sneak previews on www.ferrari.com, the official Ferrari web site, with exclusive photos, videos and details of the new car.

The Ferrari 458 Italia represents a genuine evolution of Maranello’s mid-rear engined V8 sports cars and the public will be able to admire two examples on the stand – in Rosso Corsa and Giallo Modena Tristrato. As with every new Ferrari the 458 Italia is a concentration of innovation thanks, in no small part, to the company’s racing expertise. Employing exactly the same techniques and methods used to develop the Scuderia’s F1 cars, Ferrari’s engineers concentrated their efforts on obtaining the maximum in terms of efficiency in every aspect of the car, and their commitment was repaid with levels of fuel consumption and C02 emissions that set the benchmark in this market segment – 13.3 l/100 km and 307 g/km respectively in the combined cycle (ECE+EUDC).

This achievement is the direct result of the reduction of internal friction losses inside the engine as well as significant aerodynamics development on the exterior design, including innovative solutions such as the aeroelastic winglets at the front that generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator inlets and cut drag.

The new 4,499 cc V8 engine is a veritable powerhouse, punching out 570 CV, and, combined with the 7-speed F1 dual-clutch gearbox and a dry weight of just 1380 kg, the 458 Italia boasts a weight-power ratio of 2.42 kg (a power-weight ratio of 413 CV per ton), and can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in under 3.4 seconds and hit a maximum speed of over 325 km/h.

The driver-car interface has been revolutionised and the engineers, working closely with the Ferrari Styling Centre, have reinterpreted the ergonomics, grouping all the major commands on the steering wheel, and the secondary functions on two satellite pods that just out from the dash on either side of the wheel. This solution, together with the immediate visibility of all the car’s settings on dedicated screens ahead of the driver, ensures maximum control of the car at all times, an important safety factor.

Another important announcement at Frankfurt is the extension of the Atelier One-to-One personalisation programme to the Ferrari California which thus joins the 612 Scaglietti and the 599 GTB Fiorano. The Ferrari California is the first car in Ferrari’s V8 line-up to be included in this exclusive service, and clients may now personalise their car directly at Maranello, benefiting not just from a vast range of special contents to choose from, but also the support of one of the factory’s expert specialists.

As well as the F2008, the Scuderia’s F1 World Championship-winning car from last season, the Ferrari stand features the flagship 2+2, the 612 Scaglietti, in Grigio Ferro Met. with Nero interior, and a 599 GTB Fiorano in Nero Setoso and Nero. The latter is equipped with the optional Handling GTE package launched at Geneva this year which now accounts for 70 per cent of all orders. Joining the 458 Italia, and completing the V8 line-up, are two examples of the Ferrari California, the first in Nero Setoso and Cuoio interior and the second, Grigio Titanio with Bordeaux interior.

Supplier Partners

The Ferrari 458 was developed with the support of the following Supplier Partners:

Alcoa – Aluminium spaceframe

Brembo – Carbon-ceramic braking system

Bridgestone – Tyres

Delphi – HVAC, MagneRide™ suspension & wiring loom

Fontana Pietro – Aluminium bodywork

Getrag – F1 Dual-Clutch gearbox

Harman International – Infotainment & High Power Hi-Fi system

Magneti Marelli – Instrument cluster, front lift & LED rear lights

Michelin – Tyres

OMR – Engine casting components

Robert Bosch – Engine management & ESP

Shell Lubricants & fuel

Valeo Bi-xenon head lamps & Human-Machine Interface

Source: Ferrari via World Car Fans