Ferrari 458 Italia, more details revealed

By David Twomey | August 28th, 2009

In the run-up to the official unveiling of the Ferrari 458 Italia at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 15 the Italian marque has released more photos and details of the stunning new sports car.

The car is an all-new effort from Ferrari, rather than being based on the outgoing F430, so there is a raft of new technology to be gawped over by enthusiasts and potential owners alike.

Included are the first photographs of the 458 Italia’s interior and of the steering wheel and instrument binnacle, which represent a significant step forward in the concept of the ergonomic interface between driver and car.

In fact the main commands are now grouped on the steering wheel, the secondary commands are handily set in two satellite pods either side of the dash and there are now comprehensive instrument displays on the panel ahead of the driver.

Ferrari says these represent an important safety aspect, enabling the driver to concentrate fully on driving.

Similarly this layout ensures maximum control of the car in high-performance driving, an uncompromising approach that derives directly from Ferrari’s F1 experience.

Working closely with the Ferrari Styling Centre, the engineers have reinterpreted the positioning of the major commands to provide a truly driver-oriented cockpit.

All steering-column mounted stalks have been eliminated, with the indicators, full beam, flash and windscreen wiper functions now being activated by buttons on the steering wheel boss.

The button to select the shock absorber setting is now positioned next to the ‘Engine start’ button where it falls readily to hand.

Behind the wheel are a number of secondary functions, such as the stereo, while the gearbox paddles are now longer making shifts even easier from any steering angle.

The right-hand satellite pod on the dash incorporates controls for the infotainment, Bluetooth, satellite-navigation, digital speedo and rear parking camera.

Clustered on the left-hand satellite pod instead are the optional cruise control, buttons for choosing the video setting of the left-hand dash TFT screen and the on-board computer interface. The latter controls the trip computer, the Vehicle Dynamic Assistance and the display of the car’s set-up.

The Vehicle Dynamic Assistance monitors the operating parameters of the most important areas of the car – engine/gearbox, tyres and brakes.

The VDA is enabled in the following manettino settings – Race, CT off and CST off – and provides visual confirmation of the status of each component based on an algorithm from parameters reading lateral and longitudinal acceleration, revs and speed.

This enables the driver to assess the ideal operating conditions for the car from three status settings: WARM-UP (operating temperature too low), GO (ideal operating conditions) and OVER (one or more components are no longer at their optimum level and need cooling).

Along with the photos, the Ferrari website www.ferrari.com also includes an exclusive video-interview with Paolo Pininfarina, Chairman of Pininfarina S.p.A., who provides in-depth insight into the 458 Italia’s design philosophy and exterior styling.

Ferrari also plans to include on www.ferrari.com an analysis of the car’s performance characteristics with an interview with seven-times F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher.

TomR

My god thats hot.

In my eyes, Ferrari has finally made a car that sits on a level that I can appreciate it as much as -yet differently to- Porsche and Lamborghini.
I know I dont feel the same way as everyone else in that regard, having had little appreciation for Ferrari before now, but the 458 Italia really hits me as a stunning piece of machinery.
Robin Graves

Wow! That cockpit layout is really well thought out. Awesome.
http://Caradvice.com.au Baddass

How cool are those headlight designs!
Devil666

An epitome of motoring.
david

i would sell a few of my fingers and a few toes give away kidneys and donate sperm 4 times a day if i could have that car.
Ben Larden

No doubt this car will shy on everything else in it’s class. Mind blowing F1 tech, combined with a beautiful functional interior.

Looks wise, in my opinion, they have been getting less attractive sine the F355. F355, gorgeous. F360, beautiful. F430 Very nice, 458 nice.
Casey

Wow.

Just awesome. Now to buy a tattslotto ticket.
Captain Mainwaring

Where is the speedometer, or is there something digital going on in those dark segments either side of the tacho?
Riviera

This tops my list of ‘cars to be driven before I die’.
observer

Porsche eat your heart out….
Shak

Everything looks just like it should except for the location exhausts. should be either side of the car.
AAA

A car for the small boys and fan boys ~
“JAMES”

i love the direction headlight designs (and care designs for that matter) are heading into. That organic, bug/insect inspired look. Those headlights are fire.
Flying High

simply the best looking car Ferrari has produced in many years….
Yanzo

o… mg. even i can’t say anything bad about this car. lmao at david i would do the same. captain mainwarning i’m guessing where it says what gear you’re in is where it shows the speedo. stick it in drive then it will show you the speed.
Tom

I think the front end is hideous, the actually silhouette is gorgeous though.
Wheelnut®™

Ben Larden – Yes the Ferrari has F1 “inspired” technology etc.. but don’t forget so to does the Aurion – supposedly.
fasthonda

I wonder if this car would be a direct competitor to the Porsche turbo or the GT2 Porsche?
I think it would probably out perform the V10 Audi R8 and match(in performance) the base Murcielago V12.
Cannot wait for the reviews and comparisions.
jon

This car is UGLY, it looks like its been designed by the Japanese but I`m guessing without the reliability. This is the ugliest Ferrari ever, I have admired many of their cars but this is HIDEOUS.
fasthonda

@ Jon

At least it’s not designed by the Germans,whereby one can go back 20 years in time and still see the same looking car!
Car – Enthusiast

I see some Lamborghini design ques with this Ferrari, not saying thats a bad thing, Cause its definately has made this Ferrari 458 Italia better looking than its most of its predecessors. But with that said, the picture of the 458 Italia sideways around the corner doesn’t really show much of this cars good looks at all.
Ranil

Not completely convinced by the headlight/carbon fibre surrounding at the front, but everything else about this design is sensational. For my money, the best looking model since the 456.

The interior looks a tad fussy, but will probably work nicely in practice.

Great job Ferrari.
Wheelnut®™

Fasthonda – What’s wrong with that? I mean sure the design of the Porsche 911 hasn’t changed that much over the years. However; its still easily recognisable as a Porsche isn’t it? it’s unmistakeable it’s a classic timeless design

Whereas a number of sports car companies have changed their designs so much etc that they are all starting to look the same… and when you are paying over $200K for a prestigious high performance sports car like a Ferrari you’d want something that is a bit more unique more distinctive something that stands out.. wouldn’t you?
jon

I`m guessing with a name like Fasthonda you love your Jap stuff and there is nothing wrong with that, one of my best mates loves them. But don`t get me wrong most are pretty good cars but the Japs just never seem to get it right in the style department for me. The last car I found desirable from Japan was the Honda NSX and well designed by the great Ayrton Senna.
Tommi

I hate it, I’m sorry Ferrari, That’s a bit harsh, but I’ll wait for the special edition if there will be one… and hopefully in that time frame you might do something with the busy look.

The F355, F360, F430 all are beautifully designed, what happened?