Frankfurt 2009: Ferrari Unveils 458 Italia

Ferrari introduced the 458 Italia, the F430 replacement, at the Frankfurt Auto Show today. Appearing on the company’s stand were two models, one in a traditional Rosso Corsa and the other in Giallo Modena Tristrato (pictured above).

Using an aluminum chassis and plenty of other light weight metals and materials the 458 Italia weighs an astonishingly low 3,043 lbs in its dry form (expect an extra 100 to 200 lbs with all fluids in place).

Combining these factors with a new 4,499cc V8 engine and a new smooth-shifting dual-clutch 7-speed transmission (that Ferrari claims is faster than the current F1 tranny), the 458 Italia can hit 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds and blast on to a top speed of 202 mph.

As expected, however, the 458 is about far more than straight line speed and so Ferrari has worked hard at applying its racing technology to improve the E-Diff differential and F1-Trac traction control systems to allow the newest prancing horse to put down 32 percent more power out of the corners.

Official release after the jump:

Press release

The Ferrari 458 Italia debuts at Frankfurt: 570 CV and just 307 g/km of CO2

One-to-One programme extended to the Ferrari California

Frankfurt, 15 September 2009 – 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