Ferrari 458

The Ferrari 458 is a mid-engined sports car produced by the Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari. The 458 replaced the Ferrari F430, and was first officially unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.[2][3] It is now being replaced by the Ferrari 488 GTB, which was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 2015.[4]

Contents  [hide]
1 Specifications
1.1 Engine
1.2 Transmission
1.3 Handling
1.4 Performance
2 Design
3 Variants
3.1 458 Italia (2009–)
3.1.1 458 Italia Special Edition (2012)
3.2 458 Spider (2011–)
3.3 458 Speciale (2013–)
4 One-offs
4.1 Ferrari SP12 EC (2012)
4.2 Pininfarina Sergio (2013)
5 Racing
5.1 458 Challenge
5.2 458 Italia GT2
5.3 458 Italia GT3
5.4 458 Italia Grand-Am
6 Awards
7 Recalls
7.1 Wheel-arch adhesive fires
7.2 Engine seizure
8 Marketing
9 Illicit trade practices investigation
10 References
11 External links
Specifications[edit]
In Ferrari's first official announcement of the car, the 458 was described as the successor to the F430 but arising from an entirely new design, incorporating technologies developed from the company's experience in Formula 1.[5]

The body computer system was developed by Magneti Marelli Automotive Lighting.

Engine[edit]
The 458,is powered by a 4,499 cc (274.5 cu in) V8 engine of the "Ferrari/Maserati" F136 engine family, producing 570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp) at 9,000 rpm (redline) and 540 N·m (398 lb·ft) at 6,000 rpm[6] with 80% torque available at 3,250 rpm.[5] The engine features direct fuel injection, which is a first for Ferrari mid-engine setups in its road cars.[5]

Transmission[edit]
The only transmission available on the 458 is a dual-clutch 7-speed GETRAG gearbox, in a different state of tune shared with the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.[5] There is no traditional manual option, making this the fourth road-car after the Enzo, Challenge Stradale and 430 Scuderia not to be offered with Ferrari's classic gated manual. It is the first mainstream model to not be offered with a manual transmission.

Handling[edit]

Rear
The car's suspension features double wishbones at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear, coupled with E-Diff and F1-Trac traction control systems, designed to improve the car's cornering and longitudinal acceleration by 32% when compared with its predecessors.[5]

The brakes include a prefill function whereby the pistons in the calipers move the pads into contact with the discs on lift off to minimize delay in the brakes being applied.[7] This combined with the ABS and standard Carbon Ceramic brakes have caused a reduction in stopping distance from 100–0 km/h (62-0 mph) to 32.5 metres (107 ft).[8] Tests have shown the car will stop from 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 90 feet (85 with run flat tires), 85 feet from 60 mph (97 kmph) and 80 feet from 60 mph (97 kmph) with run flat tires.

The adaptive magnetorheological dampers are co-developed with BWI Group.

Performance[edit]
Ferrari's official 0–100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration is 2.9-3.0 seconds.[9] while top speed is 325 km/h (202 mph). It has fuel consumption in combined cycle (ECE+EUDC) of 13.3 L/100 km (21.2 mpg-imp; 17.7 mpg-US) while producing 307g/km of CO2.[10]

Design[edit]

The small aeroelastic winglets generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator intake and cut drag.
In keeping with Ferrari tradition the body was designed by Pininfarina. The car’s exterior styling and features were designed for aerodynamic efficiency, producing a downforce of 140 kg (309 lb) at 124 miles per hour (200 km/h).[5] In particular, the front grille features deformable winglets that lower at high speeds, in order to offer reduced drag.[11] The car's interior was designed using input from former Ferrari Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher; in a layout common to racing cars, the new steering wheel incorporates many controls normally located on the dashboard or on stalks, such as turning signals or high beams.[5]

According to British car magazine Autocar, the 458 Italia's design has drawn inspiration from the Enzo Ferrari and its Millechili concept car.[12] It has been designed to be Ferrari's sportiest V8-engined car, to distinguish itself from the recently launched Ferrari California.[12]

The 458 was also reviewed on 15th season of Top Gear, where it received acclaim for its styling and performance. In a drag race against James May's Ferrari F430, it won by a considerable margin. The car also lapped the Top Gear test track in 1:19.1, just 0.1 second slower than the Ferrari Enzo.

Variants[edit]
458 Italia (2009–)[edit]
The 458 Italia is the two-seat berlinetta 458. It was the first variant to be officially unveiled to the public, at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show on 15 September 2009.[2][3]

458 Italia Special Edition (2012)[edit]
It is a limited (20 units) version of 458 Italia for the Chinese market, commemorating 20th anniversary of Ferrari in China since the first Ferrari, a 348 TS, was ordered in Beijing. It is distinguished by its Marco Polo Red body colour, golden dragon graphic on the front bonnet, gold and black livery stripes symbolising a racing track, gold painted wheels, gold aeroelastic winglets, gold embroidery on the car's head rests, engine start button inscribed with the simplified Chinese characters for 'start' and a '20th Anniversary Special Edition' plaque in dash.

The vehicle was unveiled in Italia Center of Shanghai World Expo Park.[13][14]

458 Spider (2011–)[edit]

458 Spider at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2011.
The 458 Spider was premiered at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. This convertible variant of the 458 Italia features an aluminium retractable hardtop which, according to Ferrari, weighs 25 kilograms (55 lb) less than a soft roof such as the one found on the Ferrari F430 Spider, and can be opened in 14 seconds.[15][16] The engine cover has been redesigned to accommodate the retractable roof system. Ferrari plans to make 1,500-2,000 458 Spiders every year. It has the same 0–100 km/h time as the hard-top but has a lower top speed 199 mph (320 km/h).

458 Speciale (2013–)[edit]

2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale (USA)

Ferrari 458 Speciale A
The 458 Speciale is the top performing 458 Italia. Distinctions of the Speciale are the new forged wheels, vented bonnet, finned side sills, taller rear spoiler and redesigned bumpers, which include active aerodynamics designed by Ferrari Styling Centre in cooperation with Pininfarina; front and rear movable flaps balance downforce and cut drag at speed. The engine was revised, with power increased to 605 PS (445 kW; 597 hp) at 9,000 rpm, 540 N·m (398 lb·ft) of torque at 6,000 rpm. Electronic systems were updated too, introducing side slip angle control (SSC) to improve car control on the limit. SSC performs instant-to-instant analysis of the car’s side slip, comparing it with the target value and then optimising both torque management (via integration with F1-Trac traction control) and torque distribution between the two wheels (via integration with the E-Diff electronic differential). The weight/power ratio (1,290 kg dry, 1,395 kg at the kerb, 90 less than the standard 458) is equal to 2.13 kg/cv, sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just three seconds [17](0-125 mph in 9.1 seconds with a response time of just 0.060 seconds). Ferrari declared a Fiorano test track lap time of 1:23.5, only 0.5 seconds slower than the F12berlinetta. Lateral acceleration now reaches 1.33 g.[18]

The vehicle was unveiled in 2013 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.[19][20]

The 458 Speciale A is a spider variant for the 458 Speciale. The 'A' stands for 'Aperta', which is Italian for 'open' – and it is limited to only 499 examples. Just like the closed-top Speciale, the Aperta has a 4.5 liter naturally aspirated V8 which produces 597 horsepower and 398 pound feet of torque. 0-60 mph takes only 3.0 seconds and it is capable of a top speed of 202 mph.[21] It is the most powerful, street-legal, naturally aspirated V8 Ferrari has ever launched in a spider variant.

One-offs[edit]
Ferrari SP12 EC (2012)[edit]
Ferrari SP12 EC
FerrariSP12EC.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Ferrari
Production 2012
Designer Centro Stile Ferrari and Pininfarina
The Ferrari SP12 EC is a one-off sports car built by Ferrari for English musician Eric Clapton under Ferrari's Special Projects programme,[22] and based on the 458 Italia.[23] It was revealed in May 2012[24] and shown at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed.[25] The bespoke SP12 EC's bodywork is inspired by that of the Ferrari 512 BB,[26] and was designed Centro Stile Ferrari in collaboration with Pininfarina.[27] It utilises the mechanicals of the 458 Italia, including its 4.5-litre V8 engine and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission,[28] however many of the car's technical details are considered confidential.[27] The car reportedly cost £3,000,000 (USD $4.7 million).[29]

Pininfarina Sergio (2013)[edit]
Main article: Pininfarina Sergio

Pininfarina Sergio at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
This Pininfarina concept car, named in memory of long standing chairman Sergio Pininfarina, is a modern interpretation of the 2-seater barchetta built upon 458 Spider mechanicals. In keeping with the traditional open barchetta body style, it has no windshield; two matching helmets are provided for the driver and passenger.

The vehicle was first shown in March 2013 at the Geneva Motor Show. According to Pininfarina the Sergio was developed like a production car, and therefore it could be produced in limited numbers.[30][31]

Racing[edit]
458 Challenge[edit]

458 Challenge
The 458 Challenge is a track-only racecar designed to be fielded in the Ferrari Challenge. It was presented at the Ferrari Annual Dealer Meeting on 14 July 2010. According to Ferrari it can lap the Fiorano test track in 1:16.5, which is two seconds faster than its F430 Challenge predecessor and only 0.2 seconds slower than the Ferrari FXX.[32][33] Weight was reduced from the standard model through the use of thinner body panels, carbon fiber replacement panels, and polycarbonate windows and windshield.[34] The differences over the regular road legal 458 include a racing cockpit, windows which only open through small slots, air-jack mounting on the rear to lift the car up, racing fuel filler cap, center-lock wheels, racing exhaust as well as tow hooks front and rear.

Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 [35]
Ferrari 458 italia.JPG
Category LM GTE
Constructor Ferrari
Technical specifications
Chassis Aluminium Monocoque
Suspension (front) Double wishbone
Suspension (rear) Multi-link
Axle track Front: 1,720 mm (67.7 in),
Rear: 1,688 mm (66.5 in)
Wheelbase 2,650 mm (104.3 in)
Engine Ferrari F136 4,497 cc (274.4 cu in) V8 Naturally aspirated mid-engined, longitudinally mounted
Transmission Hewland 6-speed sequential manual
Weight 1,245 kg (2,745 lb)
Tyres Michelin, Pirelli, Dunlop, Hankook Tire
Competition history
Notable entrants AF Corse,
Risi Competizione,
JMW Motorsport,
Extreme Speed Motorsports,
Luxury Racing
Notable drivers Toni Vilander,
Gianmaria Bruni,
Giancarlo Fisichella,
Jaime Melo,
Mika Salo
Debut 2011 12 Hours of Sebring
Races Wins Poles F.Laps
456 [36] 78 80 ?
458 Italia GT2[edit]
Ferrari unveiled their new GTE class racer in 2011 to take part in Championships sanctioned by ACO and FIA. The 458 Italia GT2 drops the "flex splitter" found in the road cars and replaced with a more conventional inlet, with the air exit out through louvers in the bonnet. Under new restrictor regulations, the 4.5L engine produces 464 hp (346 kW; 470 PS), which is less than the road car and the 458 Challenge. Unlike the road car, which has a high-revving low-torque engine, the GT2 version only revs to 6,250 rpm, but maintains a close-to-stock torque number even with the horsepower loss. The double-clutch gearbox had to be replaced, but paddle-shifting is retained since rules in 2011 allow them.

So far the 458 Italia GT2 has had an impressive racing record. The car won the 2012 and 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 2012 12 Hours of Sebring and two editions of the Petit Le Mans, the first in 2011 and the second in 2012.

In 2011 the 458 Italia GT2 took the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup GTE Manufacturers' and the GTE PRO Team Titles, the Le Mans Series GTE Manufacturers' and GTE PRO Team and Drivers' honours and the International GT Open Overall and Super GT Team and Drivers' crowns. The following year, with the creation of a FIA-managed World Championship, the car obtained the GTE Manufacturers' and GTE PRO Team Titles in the FIA World Endurance Championship. In the same year the Italian car gained the European Le Mans Series GTE PRO Team and Drivers' honours and the International GT Open Overall and Super GT Manufacturers', Team and Drivers' crowns. In 2013 the car repeated its successes, winning the FIA World Endurance Championship GTE Manufacturers', GTE PRO Team, GTE Drivers' and GTE AM Team Titles, the European Le Mans Series GTE Team and Drivers' honours, the Asian Le Mans Series GTE Team and Drivers' crowns and the International GT Open Overall and Super GT Manufacturers' and Drivers' Titles. In 2014 the 458 Italia GT2 achieved, for the third straight year, the FIA World Endurance Championship GTE Manufacturers' and GTE PRO Team honours, as well as, for the second time in a row, the GTE Drivers' crown (which had been instituted in 2013). For the fourth time the car also clinched the European Le Mans Series GTE Team and Drivers' Titles, but it didn't take part in the International GT Open and Asian Le Mans Series Championships (the 458 Italia GT3 raced in both these series that year).

In 2015 Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 cars compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series and Tudor United SportsCar Championship.[37]

458 Italia GT3[edit]
Ferrari also unveiled a GT3 version of the Ferrari 458 Italia in 2011. The car is slightly lighter and more powerful than the GT2 version, producing closer to 550 HP and running all the way to a 9000 rpm redline. The engine thus performs more similarly to that of the road car than the GT2 version. The aerodynamics of the car are also slightly different due to different aero regulations.[37]

The 458 Italia GT3 has achieved many important victories in its career. It has won six times the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (two in the GT3 PRO AM category and two in the Gentlemen Trophy), four times the Gulf 12 Hours (three overall and one in the Gentlemen Trophy), the 2013 and 2014 12 Hours of Sepang, the 2014 and 2015 24 Hours of Dubai in the A6-AM class, the 2014 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour at the famous Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst and the 2014 24 Hours of Barcelona.

The 458 Italia GT3 holds the record for number of Titles won in many international Championships. In the Blancpain Endurance Series it took the 2011, 2012 and 2014 GT3 PRO AM Team and Drivers' crowns and the 2013 and 2014 Gentlemen Trophy Team and Drivers' honours, while in the European Le Mans Series, since the creation by the ACO of a GT3 class, clinched the 2013 and 2014 GTC Team and Drivers' Titles. In the International GT Open the Maranello car gained the 2011, 2012 and 2014 GTS Team and Drivers' crowns, the 2012, 2013 and 2014 GTS Manufacturers' honours and the 2014 Overall and Super GT Drivers' Titles. The 458 Italia GT3 has also a strong racing record in the most important Asian GT series, the GT3 Asia, in which it achieved the 2011 Drivers' crown and the 2012 and 2014 Team and Drivers' honours. Last but not least are the 2011 FIA GT3 Drivers' Title, the 2013 Asian Le Mans Series GTC Team and Drivers' crowns and the successes obtained in national Championships like French GT, British GT, Italian GT, GTSprint and Supercar Challenge.

In 2015 the 458 Italia GT3 is involved in numerous series, including Blancpain Endurance Series, European Le Mans Series, International GT Open, GT3 Asia, Pirelli World Challenge, Blancpain Sprint Series, Asian Le Mans Series, Australian GT Championship and many other national GT3 Championships.

458 Italia Grand-Am[edit]
In 2012, Ferrari developed a modified version of the 458 GT3 for Grand-Am. The car weighs the same but produces less downforce than the GT3 car; the engine is also restricted more heavily, producing roughly 500 hp (373 kW) and having an 8000 rpm redline.[37] Instead of a dual-clutch transmission, the car is fitted with a traditional sequential transmission[38]

The rollcage is also modified due to stricter safety regulations. The Grand-Am version lacks traction control and ABS. The car debuted at the 2012 24 Hours of Daytona. AimAutosport.com is the first team to win with the new 458 Italia Grand-Am spec. On Sept. 9, 2012, drivers Jeff Segal and Emil Assentato finished second at Laguna Seca and clinched the Grand-Am Rolex GT championship.

Awards[edit]
The 458 won "Car of the Year 2009" and "Supercar of the Year". It also won "Cabrio of the Year 2011" for the Spider, from Top Gear magazine. Auto Zeitung magazine awarded Ferrari 458 Spider "Best Cabrio 2011".[39] Motor Trend awarded the Ferrari 458 Italia with the title of "Best Driver's Car" in 2011.[40] The 458 Speciale won Top Gear's Supercar of the Year 2013 and James May's Car of the Year [41]

Recalls[edit]
Wheel-arch adhesive fires[edit]
On 24 August 2010, BBC News reported that ten 458s had either crashed or caught fire in just three months.[42] Ferrari responded later that it was aware of the fire-related cases, and was in the process of investigating them.[42][43]

On September 1, 2010 Ferrari officially recalled all 1,248 of the 458s sold to date. A spokesman commented that the problem had been traced to adhesive used in the wheel-arch assemblies and that, in certain circumstances, the glue could begin to overheat, smoke and even catch fire. In extreme cases the melting adhesive could lead to the heat shield deforming, and hence moving closer to the exhaust, causing the wheel-arch lining to catch fire. Owners who had reported fires, that were later confirmed by independent engineers to be due to this problem, will now receive a new car. All other cars will be modified replacing the adhesive with mechanical fasteners.[44][45]

Engine seizure[edit]
In 2012, Ferrari recalled certain 2011 and 2012 cars because the engine can seize suddenly and possibly cause a crash. The F136 engines have crankshafts that were machined incorrectly. The automaker learned of one such incident from a review car lent to critics. Owners can choose from having a new engine installed by their dealer, having the engine removed and the work done by Ferrari North America or having a new crankshaft and bearings installed at the dealership.[46]

Marketing[edit]
Hot Wheels produced a 1:18 scale model of 458 Italia, Spider, GT2, China Edition and soon the Speciale versions under its premium "Elite" line of collectable die-cast models.[47]

Illicit trade practices investigation[edit]
After Ferrari 458 Italia had been reported to cost much more in China than the U.S., China Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) began working in conjunction with the National Development and Reform Commission for possible price-fixing, despite automakers' claim of 25% import tariff, 17% value added-tax and a consumption tax added to the vehicle price.[48][49]