Frankfurt 2009: Ferrari Unveils 458 Italia

[Administrator]

Ferrari introduced the 458 Italia, the F430 replacement, at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

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.

More: Frankfurt 2009: Ferrari Unveils 458 Italia on AutoGuide.com

[Neonzapper]

I'm very excited about the 458 Italia

[wyo550]

Also (and better) at Frankfurt: Porsche unveils the new 997 Turbo, with better performance than the Italia, for half the price and a quarter of the maintenance and depreciation cost. Base price on the Porsche is $132K. My 2010 will come in next summer optioned out at about $160K, including the PDK transmission- which doesn't shift like a chatroom clown's Ferrari California video game. I couldn't believe the California test drive I had two weeks ago...duh! And to think this is the same transmission the Italia has...ha! Driving the California was about as emotionally involving as being called a "troll" by chatroom clowns. Except that the name calling on the highway was, "Oh look, it's a FERRARI! Get the cellphone camera!"
I'm happy for the rich (monthly payment) status posers who will get their 458 and flip them with 700 miles, so they can resume their empty, materialistic lives with another empty stall in their garages to fill with another overhyped status toy. I'm looking forward to taking my 2010 Turbo from Wyoming to California across US50 in Nevada next summer in bursts at 170 and then downshift into turn 11 at Laguna Seca with paddle shifting to 2nd gear and owning the straight to the Andretti double apex turn 2 with 500hp and 520fp. There's nothing funnier than seeing a Ferrari Scuderia at a track event, pussy footing around at half-throttle so as not to "ruin the investment." No, there's one thing funnier: Chatroom clowns who post: "Do you think I should trade in my Scud on an Italia?" or "Should I buy another California...with shields?" My 2007 Turbo is for sale in Fort Collins. It's a real car for $89,000 WYO550.COM