Ferrari's first official announcement described the 458 as arising from an entirely new design. It incorporated technologies developed from the company's experience in Formula One. The body computer system was developed by Magneti Marelli.
The 458 is powered by a 4,497 cc (4.5 L; 274.4 cu in) engine from the "Ferrari/Maserati" F136 V8 family. This engine generates a power output of 570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp) at 9,000 rpm (redline) and 540 N⋅m (398 lb⋅ft) of torque at 6,000 rpm. Eighty percent of the torque is available at 3,250 rpm. The engine features direct fuel injection, a first for Ferrari mid-engine setups in its road cars.
The only transmission available on the 458 is a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox by Getrag. This transmission is in a different state of tune shared with the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. There is no traditional manual option, making this the first mainstream model from Ferrari to not be offered with a manual transmission.
The car's suspension features double wishbones at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear. It is coupled with E-Diff and F1-Trac traction control systems. These systems are designed to improve the car's cornering and longitudinal acceleration by 32% compared with its predecessors. The steering ratio is 11.5:1. The brakes include a prefill function to minimize delay in application. This, combined with ABS and standard Carbon Ceramic brakes, has reduced stopping distance from 100–0 km/h (62–0 mph) to 32.5 metres (107 ft). The adaptive magnetorheological dampers were co-developed with BWI Group.
Ferrari's official 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) acceleration time for the 458 is 3.4 seconds. The top speed is over 325 km/h (202 mph). It has a fuel consumption in combined cycle (ECE+EUDC) of 13.3 L/100 km (21.2 mpg‑imp; 17.7 mpg‑US) while producing 307 g/km of CO2.
In keeping with Ferrari tradition, the body was designed by Pininfarina under the leadership of Donato Coco, the Ferrari design director during 2009. The interior design of the Ferrari 458 Italia was done by Bertrand Rapatel, a French automobile designer. The car's exterior styling and features were designed for aerodynamic efficiency, producing downforce of 140 kg (309 lb) at 200 km/h (124 mph). The front grille features deformable winglets that lower at high speeds to reduce drag. The car's interior was designed using input from former Ferrari Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher. The new steering wheel incorporates many controls normally located on the dashboard or on stalks. According to Autocar magazine, the 458 Italia's design drew inspiration from the Enzo Ferrari and its Millechili concept car. It was designed to be Ferrari's sportiest V8-engined car, distinguishing itself from the entry-level California.
The 458 Spider was introduced at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. This convertible variant features an aluminium retractable hardtop, which weighs 25 kilograms (55 lb) less than a soft roof. It requires 14 seconds for operation. It has the same 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) acceleration time as the coupé but a lower top speed of 320 km/h (200 mph).
The 458 Speciale was unveiled in 2013 at the Frankfurt Motor Show as the high-performance variant of the 458 Italia. Distinctions include forged wheels, a vented bonnet, finned side sills, a taller rear spoiler, and redesigned bumpers with active aerodynamics. The engine was revised, with power increased to 605 PS (445 kW; 597 hp) at 9,000 rpm and 540 N⋅m (398 lb⋅ft) of torque at 6,000 rpm. Electronic systems were updated, and side slip angle control (SSC) was introduced. The Speciale accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.0 seconds, and 0–200 km/h (120 mph) in 9.1 seconds. Ferrari declared a Fiorano test track lap time of 1:23.5. Only 1,309 were made.
The 458 Speciale A is the convertible variant of the 458 Speciale, unveiled at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. The 'A' stands for 'Aperta', meaning 'open' in Italian. Production was limited to 499 examples. It has a 4.5-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine generating 605 PS (445 kW; 597 hp) and 398 lb⋅ft (540 N⋅m) of torque. Acceleration from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) takes 3.0 seconds, and the Spider has a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph). It was the most powerful street-legal, naturally aspirated Ferrari convertible until 2017.
The 2012 458 Italia China Edition is a limited (20 units) version of the 458 Italia for the Chinese market. It commemorates the 20th anniversary of Ferrari in China. It is distinguished by its Marco Polo Red body colour, golden dragon graphic, gold and black livery stripes, gold painted wheels, gold aeroelastic winglets, and gold embroidery. The vehicle was unveiled at the Italia Center of Shanghai World Expo Park.
The Ferrari SP12 EC is a one-off sports car built by Ferrari for Eric Clapton under Ferrari's Special Projects programme, based on the 458 Italia. It was revealed in May 2012 and shown at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Its bodywork is inspired by the Ferrari 512 BB and was designed by Ferrari Styling Centre in collaboration with Pininfarina. It uses the mechanicals of the 458 Italia, including its 4.5-litre V8 engine and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The Pininfarina Sergio concept car is a modern interpretation of the 2-seater barchetta built upon the 458 Spider's mechanicals. It was first shown in March 2013 at the Geneva Motor Show. Ferrari built six units of the Ferrari Sergio in collaboration with Pininfarina in 2015. The production version incorporates a targa top body style. They use the engine of the 458 Speciale.
The 458 MM Speciale is a one-off sports car based on a Ferrari 458 Speciale and built for a British customer. The design pays homage to the Ferrari 288 GTO.
The 458 Challenge is a race car designed for the Ferrari Challenge. It was presented on July 14, 2010, for the 2011 Ferrari Challenge season. The 458 Challenge Evo was introduced for the 2014 season. The standard 458 Challenge can lap the Fiorano test track in 1:16.5. The 458 Challenge Evo is faster around the Fiorano test track than the Ferrari FXX. Weight was reduced through thinner body panels, carbon fibre replacement panels, and polycarbonate windows. Other differences include a racing cockpit, a Sabelt racing seat, and a racing exhaust. The 2014 Evo upgrade focused on improving aerodynamics, with a large rear wing. Total production of the 458 Challenge and 458 Challenge Evo combined is just under 150 cars.
Ferrari unveiled their new GTE class racer in 2011, built by Michelotto, for ACO and FIA sanctioned championships. The 458 Italia GT2 uses a more conventional inlet. Under restrictor regulations, the 4.5-litre V8 engine generates 470 PS (346 kW; 464 hp). The double-clutch gearbox was replaced, but paddle-shifting is retained. 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. It took the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup GTE Manufacturers' and GTE PRO Team Titles in 2011. The car was replaced for the 2016 season by the Ferrari 488 GTE.
Ferrari also unveiled a GT3 version of the Ferrari 458 Italia in 2011, also built by Michelotto. The car is slightly lighter and more powerful than the GTE version, generating 558 PS (410 kW; 550 hp) and having a 9,000 rpm red-line. The engine performs more similarly to the road car. The 458 Italia GT3 has won six times the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and four times the Gulf 12 Hours. It holds the record for the number of titles won in many international Championships, including the Blancpain Endurance Series and International GT Open.
In 2012, Ferrari developed a modified version of the 458 GT3 for Grand-Am. The car weighs the same but produces less downforce. The engine is restricted more heavily, generating 507 PS (373 kW; 500 hp) and having an 8,000 rpm redline. Instead of a dual-clutch automatic transmission, the car is fitted with a conventional sequential manual transmission. The roll-cage is 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 was the first team to win with the new 458 Italia Grand-Am spec.
The 458 won "Car of the Year 2009" and "Supercar of the Year". The 458 Spider won "Cabrio of the Year 2011" from Top Gear magazine. Auto Zeitung magazine awarded the Ferrari 458 Spider "Best Cabrio 2011". Motor Trend awarded the Ferrari 458 Italia "Best Driver's Car" in 2011. The 458 Speciale won Top Gear's Supercar of the Year 2013 and James May's Car of the Year.
On August 24, 2010, BBC News reported that ten 458s had either crashed or caught fire in three months. Ferrari responded that the problem was traced to an adhesive used in the wheel-arch assemblies. On September 1, 2010, Ferrari officially recalled all 1,248 458s sold to date. Owners who reported fires due to this problem received a new car. All other cars were modified by replacing the adhesive with mechanical fasteners.
In 2012, Ferrari recalled certain 2011 and 2012 US market cars because the engine could seize suddenly. The F136 engines had incorrectly mounted crankshafts. The manufacturer learned of one such incident from a review car lent to critics.
Hot Wheels produced 1:18 scale models of the 458 Italia, Spider, GT2, Challenge, China Edition, and Speciale versions. Bburago also produced variants of the 458 in diecast. The 458 was featured on the cover of Forza Motorsport 4.
This article is based solely on the supplied corpus. No external sources were consulted; claims that could not be substantiated against the corpus were omitted under the drop-the-claim rule.
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