The very first example of the new Ferrari 458 Italia destined for Australian buyers has landed in Brisbane this week for the supercar’s official local debut, flown in especially from Ferrari’s production facility in Italy.

Described by Ferrari as the fastest production Ferrari the company has ever produced – even eclipsing the previous Ferrari 430 Scuderia – Australian deliveries of the Ferrari 458 Italia have started sooner than planned due to unprecedented demand.

Each new owned of the Ferrari 458 Italia has met the $526,950 price tag at bare minimum – before and options or on road costs have been applied – with Ferrari expecting to sell between 50 to 60 examples of its finest supercar in Australia each year.

“Australian deliveries have started a little earlier than planned because the interest in this remarkable car has been so great that the car has been air freighted to Australia,” explains Kevin Wall, General Manager for Ferrari in Australia and New Zealand.

“Even before it was announced we have had Australian clients expressing interest in the 458 Italia and, once its specification was announced, revealing it to be, even by Ferrari standards, a technical tour de force, interest has climbed dramatically and shows no sign of slowing.”

Replacing the Ferrari F430, the new Ferrari 458 Italia boasts a mid-rear mounted 4.5-litre V8 engine punching out 419kW and 540Nm at 9,000rpm combined with a seven-speed F1 dual-clutch transmission.

With a dry weight of only 1,380kg the Ferrari 458 Italia boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 2.42kg per kW – rocketing from zero to 100km/h in under 3.4 seconds and on to a maximum velocity of 325km/h.

Ferrari clients may also opt to take advantage of the Carrozzeria Scaglietti Programme which allows virtually limitless personalisation of their car to suit their own tastes and requirements which is divided into four main areas – Racing and Track, Exterior and Colours, Interior and Materials, Equipment and Travel.