Ferrari 458 Italia
Announced just recently, Ferrari's upcoming 458 Italia is set to take the entry level position from the F430 after just a few short years on the shelf.The styling of the new Ferrari is decidedly unique and differentiates itself from the design of the past two entry-level Ferrari's. The F430 design looked to be closely related to the design of the 360 Modena, although most of the body panels were different. This new design may lead the way for a new design language from Maranello, a bit more risky and sharp than before. Elegance and beauty is replaced with sharp lines and dynamic shapes in the 458.Although the overall design of the car can be polarizing, the car really seems to shine in the technical aspects, at least on paper. Ferrari was hard pressed to create an entry level supercar better than the great F430, but the drive train seems to have improved in many ways. Of course, the car is based on the familiar MR layout, with a high compression (12.5:1!) 4.5L direct-injection V8 behind the driver. Power is bumped up to 562hp, with 398lb-ft of torque, 80% of which is available at a relatively low 3250RPM. The engine red lines at 9000RPM, a number typically reserved for motorcycles, let alone a V8.All of this output will be put to the ground via a seven speed dual clutch gearbox. The aluminium chassis helps keep the car at a low 3042 (dry) lbs. As for the numbers, the car is estimated to do 0-100KM/H in a blistering 3,4s and top out at 202MPH.So, we can assume the car will be just as successful as the outgoing model in just about every way. I'm personally still a bit unsatisfied with the design of the exterior. When I first saw the large rear fenders on the test mule, I was hoping they would be reworked for the production version, but apparently not. To condense the entire design of the body, I could say that it's a baby Enzo put through a hot wash cycle. This is especially apparent when viewing the car from the bird's eye view, you really notice the defined rear fenders. I'm just not very happy with the car from several angles. The sides of the car look a bit awkward, with the large, sharp creases in the bodywork that seem to come out of nowhere and transition into nothingness. The bottom of the body, below the doors, reminds me of the familiar bodywork of the F430. But everything else, it's all quite different. The greenhouse looks a bit odd, and helps differentiate itself from the Enzo with its thin C-pillar, but I really don't like the black section after the B-pillar, it makes the section look a bit busy. The rake of the windshield and the overall shape of the front of the greenhouse is also a bit too upright for my liking.Speaking of angles, the large creases in the bodywork, especially when viewed from a front 3/4, looks way too 90's supercar concept in my opinion. But at this angle, the strong rear fender line really makes the car look sporty. From the same angle, the side view mirrors really protrude far, looks awkward.Then, we get to the front of the car. The new look really is a first for Ferrari, possibly taking a bit of inspiration from the recent California drop-top. There are those LED lights encased in the headlight assembly, which wraps itself around the contour of the front hood. There are the small air inlets which sprout from the same area. The whole section just looks very..different. I'm neutral on this part. Below the headlights are the larger vents and inlets. Similar to a Gallardo or Murcielago, the section is divided into two parts by a large section in the middle. I'm not a particularly huge fan of this look, and I don't like the look of the chrome prancing horse placed in the center section, it contrasts with the black plastic-type panel and looks a bit cheap.And now we get to the rear section of the car, which I can appreciate a bit more than the front. The dual lamps look like enlarged Enzo lamps, but divided into two, almost like the 599 GTB's setup. The shape of the bumper itself is very odd and awkward. Light reflects off the curves in a strange way, making the area look disproportionate. Ferrari has taken a spin on the almost generic styling of the CF rear diffuser, splitting it into two parts and sticking the exhaust outlets in the middle. But there are three tips? Almost fitting for this design, but four would have looked more elegant.Really, the rear of the car is almost cartoonish in proportion and shape, but it should look good from certain angles.797 words and I haven't even reached the inside of the car. Not much to say yet, considering only a small amount has been revealed. From what I can see though, I can't say I'm a fan. The shape of the instrument panel is just plain weird. Nothing like that of the F430 from what I can see. The dash of the F430 was clean, efficient looking, business-like. The dash of the 458 just looks very flamboyant. It's the large vents that seem to be the largest part of this effect.A quick glance to the gauge set reminds me of the gauges found in some hybrids, lots of colours, big text. I prefer the more somber interior of the predecessor to this in every way.There's my take on the design, but as mentioned, you can't argue with the specs. And this car just oozes Italian. At least it was named accordingly, yeah?Tweet
Announced just recently, Ferrari's upcoming 458 Italia is set to take the entry level position from the F430 after just a few short years on the shelf.
The styling of the new Ferrari is decidedly unique and differentiates itself from the design of the past two entry-level Ferrari's. The F430 design looked to be closely related to the design of the 360 Modena, although most of the body panels were different. This new design may lead the way for a new design language from Maranello, a bit more risky and sharp than before. Elegance and beauty is replaced with sharp lines and dynamic shapes in the 458.
Although the overall design of the car can be polarizing, the car really seems to shine in the technical aspects, at least on paper. Ferrari was hard pressed to create an entry level supercar better than the great F430, but the drive train seems to have improved in many ways. Of course, the car is based on the familiar MR layout, with a high compression (12.5:1!) 4.5L direct-injection V8 behind the driver. Power is bumped up to 562hp, with 398lb-ft of torque, 80% of which is available at a relatively low 3250RPM. The engine red lines at 9000RPM, a number typically reserved for motorcycles, let alone a V8.
All of this output will be put to the ground via a seven speed dual clutch gearbox. The aluminium chassis helps keep the car at a low 3042 (dry) lbs. As for the numbers, the car is estimated to do 0-100KM/H in a blistering 3,4s and top out at 202MPH.
So, we can assume the car will be just as successful as the outgoing model in just about every way. I'm personally still a bit unsatisfied with the design of the exterior. When I first saw the large rear fenders on the test mule, I was hoping they would be reworked for the production version, but apparently not. To condense the entire design of the body, I could say that it's a baby Enzo put through a hot wash cycle. This is especially apparent when viewing the car from the bird's eye view, you really notice the defined rear fenders. I'm just not very happy with the car from several angles. The sides of the car look a bit awkward, with the large, sharp creases in the bodywork that seem to come out of nowhere and transition into nothingness. The bottom of the body, below the doors, reminds me of the familiar bodywork of the F430. But everything else, it's all quite different. The greenhouse looks a bit odd, and helps differentiate itself from the Enzo with its thin C-pillar, but I really don't like the black section after the B-pillar, it makes the section look a bit busy. The rake of the windshield and the overall shape of the front of the greenhouse is also a bit too upright for my liking.
Speaking of angles, the large creases in the bodywork, especially when viewed from a front 3/4, looks way too 90's supercar concept in my opinion. But at this angle, the strong rear fender line really makes the car look sporty. From the same angle, the side view mirrors really protrude far, looks awkward.
Then, we get to the front of the car. The new look really is a first for Ferrari, possibly taking a bit of inspiration from the recent California drop-top. There are those LED lights encased in the headlight assembly, which wraps itself around the contour of the front hood. There are the small air inlets which sprout from the same area. The whole section just looks very..different. I'm neutral on this part. Below the headlights are the larger vents and inlets. Similar to a Gallardo or Murcielago, the section is divided into two parts by a large section in the middle. I'm not a particularly huge fan of this look, and I don't like the look of the chrome prancing horse placed in the center section, it contrasts with the black plastic-type panel and looks a bit cheap.
And now we get to the rear section of the car, which I can appreciate a bit more than the front. The dual lamps look like enlarged Enzo lamps, but divided into two, almost like the 599 GTB's setup. The shape of the bumper itself is very odd and awkward. Light reflects off the curves in a strange way, making the area look disproportionate. Ferrari has taken a spin on the almost generic styling of the CF rear diffuser, splitting it into two parts and sticking the exhaust outlets in the middle. But there are three tips? Almost fitting for this design, but four would have looked more elegant.
Really, the rear of the car is almost cartoonish in proportion and shape, but it should look good from certain angles.
797 words and I haven't even reached the inside of the car. Not much to say yet, considering only a small amount has been revealed. From what I can see though, I can't say I'm a fan. The shape of the instrument panel is just plain weird. Nothing like that of the F430 from what I can see. The dash of the F430 was clean, efficient looking, business-like. The dash of the 458 just looks very flamboyant. It's the large vents that seem to be the largest part of this effect.
A quick glance to the gauge set reminds me of the gauges found in some hybrids, lots of colours, big text. I prefer the more somber interior of the predecessor to this in every way.
There's my take on the design, but as mentioned, you can't argue with the specs. And this car just oozes Italian. At least it was named accordingly, yeah?
