Ferrari 458 Italia: First Official Photos and Details on F430's Replacement

Ferrari 458 Italia: First Official Photos and Details on F430's Replacement

It's official: Ferrari has taken the wraps off its latest incarnation of the mid-rear engined supercar ahead of the two-seater's world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Named '458 Italia' with the figure representing the displacement and number of cylinders of the engine, the F430's successor has been designed by Pininfarina and sports an all-new 4.5-liter V8 unit with direct-injection that cranks out 570HP at 9,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 540Nm or 398.2 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm, over 80 per cent of which is available from 3250 rpm.

At 127HP per liter, the new V8 engine has the highest output per liter in the company's production-model history. As with the California, the 458 Italia is equipped with the firm's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that sends power to the rear-wheels. Acceleration from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) comes in under 3.4 seconds while the supercar can achieve a maximum speed in excess of 325km/h (202mph).

Not that your typical Ferrari buyer will pay any attention to economy and CO2 figures, but Ferrari claims that 458 Italia consumes 13.7 l/100 km (17.2mpg US) on the EU combined cycle with 320 g/km of CO2.

Based on a new aluminum chassis, the Ferrari 458 Italia has a dry weight of 1380 kg or 3,048 lbs with a power-to-weight ratio of 2.42 kg/HP and a 42-58 percent front-rear weight distribution.

Maranello's new supercar features the latest generation of the E-Diff, F1-Trac and ABS systems which are now all controlled by the same ECU with Ferrari supporting that the 458 Italia produces 32 percent more longitudinal acceleration out of corners compared to previous models.

As for stopping-power, the 459's brakes feature what the company describes as a "prefill function" whereby the pistons in the callipers move the pads into contact with the discs on lift off to minimise delay in the brakes being applied. This results in a reduced 100-0 km/h (62-0mph) braking distance of 32.5 meters.

As with all modern Prancing Horse models, the 458 Italia's styling has been heavily influenced by the requirements for aerodynamic efficiency with Ferrari claiming that the car generates 140kg (309 lbs) of downforce at 200km/h (124mph). Aside from the completely flat underbody, the 458 Italia's nose also sports small aeroelastic winglets that generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator inlets and cut drag.

Ferrari has released only a single photo of the 458 Italia's interior depicting the new steering wheel which houses most of the main controls and is clearly inspired from the F1 cars.

We'll have more information and photos on the new 458 Italia closer to the Frankfurt Motor Show.

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Ferrari 458 Italia – Technical specifications

Dimensions
Length	4527 mm (178.2 in.)
Width	1937 mm (76.3 in.)
Height	1213 mm (47.8 in.)
Wheelbase	2650 mm (104.3 in.)
Dry weight	1380 kg (3042 lbs)*
Weight/power ratio	2,42 kg/CV (7.16 lbs/kW)
Weight distribution fr/r	42%/58%
Tires
Front	235/35 ZR20 8.5"
Rear	295/35 ZR20 10.5"

VIDEO: Ferrari Scuderia Spider, California and 599 GTB HGTE Tackle the Goodwood Hill Climb

VIDEO: Ferrari Scuderia Spider, California and 599 GTB HGTE Tackle the Goodwood Hill Climb

One of the most popular events at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed is the Sunday Times Supercar Run which sees some of the fastest and most powerful cars in the world race up the 1.16 mile hill climb. At this year's run that was completed on Sunday, June 5, Ferrari showcased three of its latest supercars - the limited run 510HP F430 Scuderia Spider 16M, the new California hardtop-convertible that's moved by a 460HP V8 and the 599 GTB Fiorano equipped with the HGTE sport package.

Below you can watch all three Prancing Horse models at the Sunday Times Supercar Run through an inboard video camera while we've also added an additional "over-the-shoulder" film of the California. According to the Italian sports car maker, the Scuderia Spider 16M was the fastest of the bunch completing the Goodwood hill climb in just 59 seconds.

Gadgets: Ferrari F430 PC with Intel Atom Processor

Gadgets: Ferrari F430 PC with Intel Atom Processor

We've seen PCs cramped in all sorts of products including a Batmobile toy and something that looks like a VW Bus, but we're always amused with these type of creations. According to the crew over at Engagdet, this modified radio-controlled Ferrari F430 RC made its premiere at a Chinese technology show and it packs an Intel Atom processor along with various peripherals like the CD/DVD tray that sticks out like a tongue from the RC's lower fascia.

Via: Engadget.com , Source: cn.Engadget

2010 Ferrari F450 Rendered - Set to be Unveiled at Frankfurt Show this Fall

2010 Ferrari F450 Rendered - Set to be Unveiled at Frankfurt Show this Fall

As Ferrari is in the final development phase of the F430's successor, French car magazine Auto Plus decided to prepare an artist's impression of the new Prancing Horse supercar compiled from various spy shots of the prototype model. The rendering suggests a more modern design language with heavily concaved surfaces on the side panels. Up front, the styling looks less exciting, but let's not forget that this is an unofficial design proposal, nothing more, nothing less.

The Italian carmaker has been quite secretive about the details surrounding the F430's heir, but sources speculate that the supercar will most likely get a F450 badge reflecting the displacement of the mid-mounted V8, which will grow from 4.3- to 4.5-liters and feature a Bosch developed, direct-injection system. This also means that the F450's V8 will potentially be more powerful producing over 500HP, up from the F430's 490HP.

We've also heard through the grapevine that the F450 will be the Prancing Horse's first production model to feature an array of eco-friendly materials as well as several weight reduction measures, many of which were first seen on the firm's 2007 FXX Millechili concept (pictured above), a scaled-down version of the Enzo that weighed in at just 1,000kg / 2,204 lbs, or 366kg / 807lbs less than the model it was based upon.

According to out information, the F450 will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Show in September. Those interested in buying one, will probably have to wait until early 2010 to see it in Ferrari's dealerships.

Photo via: Autoplus

Special Edition Version of Last Ferrari F430 to Aid Abruzzi Quake Victims

Special Edition Version of Last Ferrari F430 to Aid Abruzzi Quake Victims

Ferrari is showing its support to the residents of the Italian region of Abruzzi that was struck by a devastating quake on the 6th of April by auctioning a one-off F430 with all proceeds going towards the Abruzzo Earthquake Fund. The special edition model that will be the very last F430 to roll off the production line towards the end of the year, will feature special two-tone livery recalling the traditional colors of Aquila, the city most hit, and will come with a certificate signed by Ferrari Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo and a personalized dedication plate to commemorate the donation.

The one-off F430 will be auctioned by 'RM Auction' due to be held this coming Sunday, March 17, 2009. According to Ferrari, the winning bidder will be invited to Maranello to choose the final specifications while the Italian firm has also offered to equip the car with a number of options from its extensive Carrozzeria Scaglietti catalogue.

NOVITEC Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Ferrari-Like TuLesto Supercar

NOVITEC Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Ferrari-Like TuLesto Supercar

Famed Deutsch tuner of all Prancing Horse models, Novitec Rosso, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the creation of an extremely limited production supercar that will be built in a mere 11 units called TuLesto - now you know why we prefer that German makers stick to alphanumeric names. In its official release, Novitec Ross makes no mention to Ferrari but we cannot help but notice the similarities in the design with the F430. Still, it remains to be seen if the TuLesto is actually based on the Italian supercar.

The TuLesto's chassis and the integrated safety cell are made entirely from aluminum, helping keep the weight low. According to Novitec Rosso, the extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum construction results to a power-to-weight ratio of just 1.62 kg/hp.

The TuLesto is powered by a mid-mounted 4.4-liter dual-supercharged V8 engine producing 777HP at 8,200 rpm and a peak torque of 727 Nm at 6,300 rpm, launching the car from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in less than 3.4 seconds and to 300km/h or 187mph after just 22.6 seconds. The supercar's top speed is said to be in excess of 350 km/h or 218mph.

Power is channeled to the rear wheels through a six-speed semi-automatic gearbox with carbon-fiber paddles behind the steering wheel and an integrated anti-slip differential An adjustable traction control system with launch control is also included in the package.

The TuLesto features double-wishbone suspension front and rear, height-adjustable struts with various selectable damping rates, and adjustable sway bars plus a system that allows the front to be raised 40mm at the push of a button to help the car tackle everyday situations like parking ramps.

Stopping power is provided by an anti-lock braking system that features ceramic composite discs and six-piston fixed calipers front and back.

Measuring 4,620mm in length, 2,040mm in width and 1,220mm in height, the TuLesta is slightly bigger than the F430 (4,512mm, 1,923mm and 1,214mm respectively). The design of the sports car is the result of a cooperation between NOVITEC and the Italian design studio Luca Serafini Stile in Modena.

There are no photos of the supercar's interior but Novitec Rosso claims that the cabin has a "decidedly sporty nature but also offers creature comforts such as a climate-control system and a high-end sound system".

Via: Autoblog.it