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It has been called the new benchmark for supercars a car so refined it is Ferrari's fastest-ever full production car. The Ferrari 458 Italia has arrived in Australia. Firstly, the claim that this is the fastest-ever full-production Ferrari. Ferrari's own definition of `fastest' is not top speed, nor is it the one we all like best: 0 -100 km/h. Instead it is defined by the fastest lap time at the Fiorano test track which takes into account every aspect of the car's performance.
The 458 Italia has a faster top speed than an Enzo, is slightly slower to 100 km/h but is faster where it matters for Ferrari on the race track. For the record, the top speed is 325 km/h (202 mph) 0-100 km/h comes up in under 3.4 seconds and the car's lap time was 1 minute 25 seconds.
The only 458 Italia in Australia was revealed at the showrooms of Brisbane Ferrari dealer, Greg Willims who has pre-sold 19 of Australia's 100 or so of the replacement car for the Ferrari 430. These fortunate owners will fork out $526,950 , before on road costs and government charges, for the thrill of driving this extraordinary Maranello offering.
The car will go on public display from this Saturday, June 18 at the Euromarque showroom. As a V8 the 458 Italia is in Ferrari's junior status, but there's nothing inferior about the car's appearance or performance. Within Ferrari world it fits into the stable as the high-performance, race track, offering to complement the grand-touring status of the California.
The 458's body shape has changed dramatically with Ferrari pursuing subtle aerodynamic improvements through fine design ahead of clumsy add-on paraphernalia such as wings. As a result the almost-signature large airscoop that has dominated the sides of Ferrari is no longer, leaving a smoother, cleaner than ever profile.
Spokesman for Ferrari importer, Ateco's Edward Rowe, said the 458 Italia took aerodynamics to a new level. He said the `holy grail' of aerodynamics was to reduce drag, hold the car down, cool the mechanicals and improve handling. This had been achieved by a number of ways. The engine was now cooled by air intakes under the car.
In front of the radiator there's twin aerodynamic carbon fibre wings which change shape depending on how fast the car is going and are basically large when going slow and become progressively smaller as speed is added. As they deform, due to air pressure, the wings reduce in size and produce downforce on the front of the car while adjusting air to the radiator.
On each side of the bonnet front there are also air intakes that work to reduce drag from the front mudguard bump. At the back of the car Ferrari engineers have used knowledge gained from F1 experience to reduce drag on the rear of the car due to the `drum' effect of air swirling at speed behind the car. Air intakes behind the engine and aerodynamics under the car keep the `swirl' effect away from the car and reduce drag.
From end to end it's a re-definition of aerodynamics made possible by Formula 1, said Mr Rowe. Other changes include a significantly lighter, all-aluminium suspension and a development of the V8 engine used in California. Once again Ferrari engineers turned to F1 to improve engine efficiency and use DLC (Diamond Light Coating) on the engine to reduce internal friction by a significant 4 per cent. This technology was first used in F1 two years ago and oddly enough will also be used by sibling company Fiat in that company's diminutive 500 micro car.
This technology enables the 4.5 litre V8 to rev out to 9000 rpm and produce 425 kW of power. The engine is linked to a F1 dual-clutch, seven speed auto transmission. No manual transmission is available. The rear-engined 458 Italia weighs just 1380 kg dry and has a weight/power ratio of 2.42 kg. The car's weight distribution is 58/42 rear to front.
The exhaust also needs some explanation with the outer pipes for the exhaust and the centre pipe being the catalytic converter. What Ferrari buffs will like is the continuation of the distinctive Ferrari sound-track that exudes from the tailpipes. It is automotive music in the purest sense. The 458's chassis is an all-new light-weight aluminium modular affair with torsional rigidity up 15 per cent compared to the 430 and beam stiffness up 5 per cent.
The only disappointing factor in the Australian reveal of the Ferrari 458 Italia is that it was just that: a reveal, and there was no road test program attached. Damn.
FERRARI 458 ITALIA FAST FACTS
Length: 4527 mm
Width: 1937 mm
Height: 1213 mm
Wheelbase: 2650 mm
Kerb Weight: 1485 kg
Dry Weight: 1380 kg
Boot: 230 litres
Fuel Capacity: 86 Litres
Tyres
Front: 235/35 20x8.5
Rear: 295/35 20x10.5
Brakes
Front 398x223x36 mm
Rear 295x233x32 mm
Engine
Type: V8
Displacement: 4499 cc
Bore/Stroke: 94x81 mm
Maximum Power: 419 kW @ 9000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 540 Nm @ 6000 rpm
Compression ratio 12.5:1
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