Ferrari 458 Italia Due for unwrapping at this September’s Frankfurt International Auto Show, the all-new V8-powered two-seater is expected in North America by spring of 2010. It shapes up as the most technically advanced non-racing Ferrari yet, with better fuel economy, lower emissions, and even higher performance, abetted by a somewhat smaller, lighter package.
For a long time, none of our sources seemed sure about engine size, model name, or model year for what Ferrari calls Project F142. Some thought the powerplant would be a 4.5-liter version of the 430’s 4.3-liter V8, and one report said the new car would surface as a 5.0-liter F500. Other moles cited statements from Ferrari engineers predicting a twin-turbocharged V8 displacing 4.0 liters, perhaps less. Now Ferrari has released a few details, putting end to much of the speculation. The new car will be called the 458 Italia. As for model year, we expect Ferrari’s latest will launch as a “late” 2010 in the States.
The 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia reflects the engineering philosophy of the 2007 Millechilli Concept (say “MEE-lay KEE-lay,” Italian for 1,000 kilograms). That non-running mock up was intended to show how Ferrari high-performance can still be relevant in a world concerned with planet-warming CO2 emissions and dwindling petroleum reserves. Smaller footprints, less weight, slicker aerodynamics, and more-efficient engines are among the measures it highlights for future Maranello models. While the 458 Italia won’t be anything like the Millechilli in appearance or technology, it will be the first showroom Ferrari designed with the same “rational supercar” ethos.
Unlike the F430, which evolved from the 1999-2003 360 Modena, the 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia rides an all-new platform. It’s another unitized engine-behind-cockpit affair made largely of aluminum, but should also be stronger. Photos suggest a longer tail and a shorter cab versus F430, the altered proportions possibly providing sufficient space for stashing a yet unannounced retractable-hardtop 458 Italia. One source says that top will save weight with a see-through section above the cockpit, perhaps made of Lucite plastic. It’s also said to have a very compact folding mechanism and ultra-short up-and-down cycles.
The 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia looks to have a longer wheelbase than the F430, and should also measure a bit longer overall. Width and height are little changed from what we can tell, but mass is expected to drop considerably, thanks to more-extensive use of lightweight materials, including composites and carbon fiber. We estimate the weight loss at nearly 200 pounds.
Despite retaining a visual kinship with the F430, the 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia will make a more dramatic statement with its new cab-forward stance. There’s still a scalloped section above each side sill, but there no longer is a functional air duct in the lower rear fender. But all fender forms are more exaggerated now, and the rear-fender uppers gain a crisp ridge line extending forward to the door handles. Also new is a wave-like lower crease that wraps around from the nose and runs “through” the front wheel openings before fading away into the haunches. The face could be described as a “scowling 430,” with a reshaped bumper, hood, air intakes, and headlamps combining for a more-aggressive look.
We may not know all of the details yet, but the 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia will definitely have direct fuel injection and a racing-style flat-plane crankshaft like the California’s V8. DFI helps engineers maintain power and performance with reduced emissions and fuel consumption, though it’s unclear how large those reductions will be versus the 430. Ferrari says horsepower will be rated at 570, easily besting the 430’s 483 and even the 504 ponies of the competition-focused 430 Scuderia coupe.
