Car Reviews > Ferrari > 458 > New Ferrari 458 Italia Car Review

Italia - A Driver's Dream Car

The drivers who dream of getting into a fantastically high performance sports car like the new Ferrari 458 Italia are an adventurous lot. They seek the thrill of driving a speedy powerhouse first to the finish line of a crowded race track. Those who buy the Italia have a good chance of making that dream come true.

The Italia has the engineering and design to make that dream a reality. The body is a work of aerodynamic art. Inside the frontal air-intake, there are rubber wings that change their shape at high rates of speed so that the radiator is closed off to improve wind flow. When cooling is a factor at lower speeds, the wings open up and let the air pass through. Other aerodynamic features work together to produce 140kg of down-force at 124mph and hold the total drag coefficient to just .33Cd.

The engine of the Ferrari Italia is awe-inspiring. It is a 4.5-litre V8 which delivers 570bhp with revs of 9000rpm and nearly teleports from 0 to 60mph in just 3.4 seconds or to 124mph in 10.4 seconds. Its maximum speed is a heart thumping 202mph. The engine has variable valve timing and high pressure phased fuel injection that gives a nod to fuel efficiency, but it still guzzles it down at a rate of 13.3mpg in combined driving. It is not surprising that the CO2 emissions are not great; they come in at 307g/km.

The gearbox is of the double-clutch variety and uses wheel mounted paddle shifters. It has special additions of the E-Diff differential and the F1-Trac traction control system. Braking is accomplished with carbon ceramic disc brakes that take it from 62mph to stop in just over 32 meters.

Whilst the image you will get of the Italia is of a driving fantasy, the reality is all business. The cockpit is totally driver-centered down to the last detail. The steering wheel is loaded with controls, putting command of the car at the driver's fingertips.

Ferrari gives Italia buyers an array of options to choose. There is an entire category of features devoted to Racing and Track. Carbon fibre seats are an option that many sports and race car fans will not want to be without, and the Italia does offer them. There is also the option of diamond finish forged alloy wheels. The exterior, interior, colors, materials and equipment are all up for personalisation. There will probably be very few Italia's that are exactly like any of the others in every respect.

Dreaming of owning a Ferrari Italia and actually buying one are two entirely different things. The Italia does cost over £150,000 after all, and not many buyers can afford such extravagance. Yet, for those who have the means, the Italia could be well worth the cost. It is a gorgeous, raucous beast with amazing performance on the track and on the road. It is no wonder that owners want to bring their Italia's to the race track to show them off to everyone there. The Ferrari Italia is a wonder to behold, and an even more exciting car to drive.

by Autoweb