It's official: Ferrari has taken the wraps off its latest incarnation of the mid-rear engined supercar ahead of the two-seater's world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Named '458 Italia' with the figure representing the displacement and number of cylinders of the engine, the F430's successor has been designed by Pininfarina and sports an all-new 4.5-liter V8 unit with direct-injection that cranks out 570HP at 9,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 540Nm or 398.2 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm, over 80 per cent of which is available from 3250 rpm. 
At 127HP per liter, the new V8 engine has the highest output per liter in the company's production-model history. As with the California, the 458 Italia is equipped with the firm's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that sends power to the rear-wheels. Acceleration from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) comes in under 3.4 seconds while the supercar can achieve a maximum speed in excess of 325km/h (202mph).
Not that your typical Ferrari buyer will pay any attention to economy and CO2 figures, but Ferrari claims that 458 Italia consumes 13.7 l/100 km (17.2mpg US) on the EU combined cycle with 320 g/km of CO2.
Based on a new aluminum chassis, the Ferrari 458 Italia has a dry weight of 1380 kg or 3,048 lbs with a power-to-weight ratio of 2.42 kg/HP and a 42-58 percent front-rear weight distribution.
Maranello's new supercar features the latest generation of the E-Diff, F1-Trac and ABS systems which are now all controlled by the same ECU with Ferrari supporting that the 458 Italia produces 32 percent more longitudinal acceleration out of corners compared to previous models.
As for stopping-power, the 459's brakes feature what the company describes as a "prefill function" whereby the pistons in the callipers move the pads into contact with the discs on lift off to minimise delay in the brakes being applied. This results in a reduced 100-0 km/h (62-0mph) braking distance of 32.5 meters.
As with all modern Prancing Horse models, the 458 Italia's styling has been heavily influenced by the requirements for aerodynamic efficiency with Ferrari claiming that the car generates 140kg (309 lbs) of downforce at 200km/h (124mph). Aside from the completely flat underbody, the 458 Italia's nose also sports small aeroelastic winglets that generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator inlets and cut drag.
Ferrari has released only a single photo of the 458 Italia's interior depicting the new steering wheel which houses most of the main controls and is clearly inspired from the F1 cars.
We'll have more information and photos on the new 458 Italia closer to the Frankfurt Motor Show.
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Ferrari 458 Italia – Technical specifications
Dimensions |
|
Length | 4527 mm (178.2 in.) |
Width | 1937 mm (76.3 in.) |
Height | 1213 mm (47.8 in.) |
Wheelbase | 2650 mm (104.3 in.) |
Dry weight | 1380 kg (3042 lbs)* |
Weight/power ratio | 2,42 kg/CV (7.16 lbs/kW) |
Weight distribution fr/r | 42%/58% |
Tires |
|
Front | 235/35 ZR20 8.5" |
Rear | 295/35 ZR20 10.5" |
