Ferrari 458 Italia (merged)

[WMUCarGuy]

Ferrari unveiled the details of it's F430 replacement today along with a few photos. The car won't be officially unveiled until September at the Frankfurt Auto Show, but I have to say I find what I see promising. I haven't really loved a modern Ferrari since the F355, but this car looks like it has potential, although I'm not sure about the interior!

I'd imagine a GT2 version is on its way as well!

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/o...he-458-italia/

[ROB IS THE STIG]

WOW i love that!!

A bit of Lambo Gallardo from the front, which is definite praise!!

[Dead-Eye]

I loved it until I saw the triple exhaust. That's just stupid.

[terence]

The best to have left the stable in a long while!

[ROB IS THE STIG]

Originally Posted by Dead-Eye

I loved it until I saw the triple exhaust. That's just stupid.

Oh i quite like it, Ferrari F40 style!!

[The Badger]

Oh man , are they thinking about a GT2 effort with this . Its a beauty .

[chewymonster]

I think the F430 looks better, but the engine is a lot better now. Should be able to keep up with the LP 560. More power and better fuel economy thanks to direct injection. More thoughts below.

http://killwithfire.blogspot.com/200...58-italia.html

[HORNDAWG]

Sorry, the 458 IMO looks much better than the 430! If it actually holds true to the illustrations.





L.P.

[Adam43]

I like the lack of overhang. I liked that on the McLaren F1 too.
A good looking car. Ferrari's can look a little plastic nowadays, I have a good feeling that this one will be good in the flesh too.

[MJ_N_09]

Oh my god.....

It's a mini Enzo!!!!!!!! Can you imagine a Ferrari 458 GTC?

[cmk]

OK but I preferred the 430. Really need to see some more 'realistic' images though.

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

It's a mini Enzo!!!!!!!! Can you imagine a Ferrari 458 GTC?

Given that I tend to think the Enzo looks like a dog's breakfast compared to the MC12, perhaps this is the root of my distaste.

[Macross]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Oh man , are they thinking about a GT2 effort with this . Its a beauty .

Risi Competizione told Speed TV that they are going to get F458 GT in 2011, before that they will still run a new F430 gt2 in 2010, which has new aerodynamic bodykit, new ECU and tyre.

[Purist]

I'm just not a big fan of the Gallardo/Enzo/F430 look. The proportions are just wrong (the Lambo), or the thing looks like they just slapped fenders on a formula car (Enzo), or they look too clinical (both Ferraris).

The F599 is NOT pudgy, and looks better than this, IMO. It also looks better than the F612 Scaglietti. Now if you want to call a Jaguar S-Type bulbous or pudgy, fair enough.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Macross

Risi Competizione told Speed TV that they are going to get F458 GT in 2011, before that they will still run a new F430 gt2 in 2010, which has new aerodynamic bodykit, new ECU and tyre.

Hmm, when and where was this? Last I recall, Guiseppe Risi said that 09 would probably be the last full year of the 430. In an interview

“This year we, again, have some great drivers,” he says. “This racing has gotten tougher. There’s nothing wrong with that and it’s a special year for us because it’s probably the last full year with the Ferrari F430. It’s been a fabulous race car, probably one of the best GT cars Ferrari has ever made. So we certainly want to let the so-called Old Lady go out in style.”

Here





L.P.

[rich07]

Utterly gorgeous!! I dont like the triple exhaust though.

Cant wait to see this in GT2!

[Macross]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Hmm, when and where was this? Last I recall, Guiseppe Risi said that 09 would probably be the last full year of the 430. In an interview Here





L.P.

The answer is here, i hope i didn't get it wrong...
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...iday-notebook/

[Dead-Eye]

Says the same thing... "the F450 GT is not likely to be built in time for the start of the 2010 ALMS/LMS seasons"

[HORNDAWG]

Also I am not sure I agree with the assumption that Risi will need to run to the FIA rules that Mayer mentions in that article(?).

However, there’s a twist, as Mayer says the 2010 rules, governed by the FIA, call for various changes, including wider, GT1-sized tires, and higher ride height. There’s also plans of implementing a common ECU for all GT2 cars, aimed at eliminating traction control, similar to the route Grand-Am has taken with its Daytona Prototypes.

As what I read does not imply that will come to pass for ACO series cars. From the Le Mans ACO press conference

LM GT2 - 2010

• The current GT cars are eligible up to the end of 2011

• Cars complying with the 2010 FIA GT regulations are eligible from 2010 onwards

• The ACO reserves itself the right to adjust the performances between the current GT2 cars and the 2010 FIA GT2s for Le Mans events

• The ACO retains its independence concerning the homologation of a GT2 car

Here pg. #10





L.P.

[Dario911]

I prefer F430 shape! This car is just like a japan version of Ferrari.
360 and 430 were wonderful, but 458 it's not at the same level.
Great technic, but ugly shape.

[EGG]

I think I preferred the 430 as well, this seems a little less aggressively styled and a little more gentleman driver. It's possible they're wanting to push their bottom tier car (har) into a slightly different market.

[Graz]

Originally Posted by Dead-Eye

I loved it until I saw the triple exhaust. That's just stupid.

Oh behave!

[crazy]

Originally Posted by Dead-Eye

I loved it until I saw the triple exhaust. That's just stupid.

Exactly my reaction. The third exhaust served a purpose on the F40 and fake exhaust are on the list of things I hate. Still best looking Ferrari since the Enzo to me.

[AndrewF31]

Very nice. If this is gonna be the new GT2 car, I can't wait to see how it will look.

[juicy sushi]

i really like the 458, but i also really liked the 430. i can't wait to see it in GT2, and hopefully we'll see them late-season in 2010. i hope that FIA GT2 rules don't become the standard, as aside from a standard ECU, nothing in those changes seems to be an improvement to me.

it would be really cool if ferrari could persuade kimi raikkonen to have a go in the 458 a few times in off-weekends from rallying. i think he'd enjoy sports car racing a lot more than f1...

[SebringMG]

Really like the 458 -- looks to be a return to a designed car rather than an aero tunnel dominated design ---- last decent looking ferrari prior to this was probably the 308.