Ferrari just announced thier replacement of the Ferrari F430, the all-new 458 Italia. Set to be launched next year, the new mid-engined Ferrari will sport a new 4.5 litre flat-plane crank V8 as usual, but this time with direct-injection delivering a whopping 562hp at an insane 9000rpm and 398lb-ft of torque, highest revving engine ever for a Ferrari production road car I think.
The new direct-injection engine can come mated to Ferrari's new seven speed dual clutch gearbox, I don't know about you, but I'd still much rather have the manual box. There is something so romantic about the old school gated shifter, aluminum spherical knob, and a clutch, it just screams italian exotic.
Ok, the numbers: 202mph top speed, 3.4 seconds to 62mph, and 21mpg? Seriously, a Ferrari brochure shouldn't include things like emissions ratings and EPA estimates, but hey, thats just me. I wonder what it will post at Fiorano….
The new car will come equipped with all sorts of gadgetry, E-Diff, F1-Trac, ABS, and other acronyms. What really matters to me though in a Ferrari (not that I can afford one now, or ever..) is the sound, the feel, and the style.
When I first saw the 458, a few hours ago, I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed. Much like the California launched recently, its just not as pretty or aggressive as I'd hope. But….. now that I've spent some more time looking at the press pictures, I've studied the lines a bit more, I think I can see where they were trying to go with it. Its definitely growing on me. Some of the styling elements, the side graphic and rear flare, remind me of Japanese styling of the last few years. The rear definitely has an FXX flavor to it which is cool, and the headlights are interesting. Ferrari is a forward thinking company, not caught up in doing anything retro, or throwbacks of previous models, which I think it makes it difficult for car afficianados to latch onto newer models when there isn't a lot of heritage in the styling. I know that once I see the car in person it will all become clear to me, for right now though, I'd prefer a F430 Scuderia, or an F40 LM in my dream garage.
- Carl Jarrett