Ferrari 458 Italia---Review

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Keith Didham road tests and reviews the Ferrari 458 Italia


In the natural order of evolution the latest version of any new car has to be better, safer, grander and in today's world even greener than the one it replaces. That's a given. But sometimes that natural order gets out of step.
There are newcomers who don't just take one evolutionary step forward, but to borrow a line from the bloke who walked on the moon, they take a giant leap forward.
Such is the F548 Italia, Ferrari's quickest road-going model and the stunning replacement for the F430, which followed the 360 which itself was a remarkable car.
Despite the tiptoe conditions there was enough input after four hours on the road to show Ferrari has done an excellent job in body control: the car sits flat in corners, minor road bumps are well absorbed, the steering stunningly quick, the brakes are reassuring solid and benefit from an anti-lock braking system which is tuned to the road conditions.
The Ferrari flyer is rewarding as it is daunting. The question remains just where in Australia, apart from track days, can its abilities be tested?
The styling is a work of art — purposeful, muscular and mean. But every single curve, air intake and aerodynamic wind deflectors serve a purpose. The front winglets for example are flexible. At low speeds they channel air to the deeply angled radiators; at high speed they bend, moving the air to produce a low pressure area at the front of the bonnet, helping to reduce drag and in our case, ice which clung to the bonnet.
More pics
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Ferrari says the 458 produces a massive 360kg of down force at its maximum speed of 325km/h that's better than the Enzo supercar. It's not until you climb into the cockpit with its overly hard seats, that you realize just how wide the Ferrari is. Not a problem for Australian roads but it demands careful manoeuvring to negotiate Italy's narrow lanes, lined with deep ditches and shared by trucks all demanding their bit of black top.

Ferrari 458 Italia
Price: $580,000
Engine: 4.5-litre V8, 419kW @9000rpm, 540Nm torque @6000rpm.
Transmission: 7-speed dual clutch automatic
Performance: Top seed 325km/h, 0-100km/h 3.4s, 0-200km/h 10.4s,
Dimensions: kerb weight 1485kg (with forged wheel rims and lightweight racing seats) , weight distribution 42% front, 58% rear, length 4527mm, width 1937mm, height 1213mm, wheelbase 2650mm front track 1672mm, rear track 1606mm.
Tyres: Front 235/35 20 inch, rear 295/35 20 inch.
Brakes: Front 398, rear 360mm
Fuel Economy: 13.3l/100km (claimed, European test); CO2 307g/km



















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