Revealed in July the 458 Italia has mainly been viewed on race tracks through special media junkets or Ferrari's own PR materials. So the good folks at Teamspeed.com community tipped us onto to some new material of the Ferrari 458 Italia in a more urban environment.
In addition to closeup photos, the video montage running 4m 39s places the 458 in various scenarios. Filmed in The Netherlands the 458 is one of the first examples to arrive in the country. The videographer who world as a car washer/detailer at a Porsche dealership is often exposed to exotic cars and found this particular 458 at Kroymans Ferrari/Aston Martin/Maserati in Hilversum.
Although no official announcements have been made yet, alleged pricing documents have leaked and European market launch is expected in spring 2010.
It is unknown why this 458 is at a dealership prior to market launch.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Ferrari 458 Italia Real Life Photos and Video
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Gemballa MIG-U1 based Ferrari Enzo
German tuners Gemballa, known for their work with Porsche cars, may have taken a stab at the Ferrari Enzo. The Gemballa MIG-U1 is either a limited edition or a privately-commissioned one-off model that missed its planned debut at the Dubai Motor Show.
News of the car comes from the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, a company that runs several automotive businesses from their offices in Dubai. They claim the car has a completely new exhaust, and not just new tailpipes. The car boasts a unique rear bumper and wing, new side sills, and a front bumper. It appears the car has LED daytime lights as well.
It just wouldn't be a Gemballa without the roof-mounted air intake. Interior mods include quilted upholstery, dual-tone floor mats, and a video screen.
Vandenbrink Ferrari 599 GTO Ecurie GTX
The designers at Dutch firm Vandenbrink Design have released new drawings showing their latest proposal: the Vandenbrink Design Ferrari 599 GTO Ecurie GTX. The car builds on the Vandenbrink GTO, a lightweight model limited to just five production units.
Originally introduced as a concept three years ago, the GTO comes as either a 599, with a 5.998-liter 650-horsepower V12 engine that produces up to 630 Nm of torque, or a 630, with a 6.30-liter V12 engine tuned to deliver 750-hp and 680 Nm of torque.
No word yet on what the specs would be of the new model. Supposedly, it would come with large diffusers at the front and rear, an equally big rear wing, and slicks.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wimmer RS Shows Off Spiced Up Ferrari F430 Spider at Essen
Joining the insane 827HP Porsche 911 GT2 Speed at Wimmer RS's booth at the 2009 Essen Motor Show is the Ferrari F430 Scuderia, a subtly tuned version of the F430 Spider model. Performance modifications include a power pack that comprises of an upgraded ECU and a hand-built, sport exhaust system featuring remote controlled valves that allow the driver to choose between a nearly stock and racing note from the quad tail pipes.
The kit slightly boosts the 4.3-liter V8's power from 490HP to 528HP with Wimmer RS announcing the Italian thoroughbred goes from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in a claimed 3.84 seconds, to 200km/h (124mph) in 11.03 seconds and to 300km/h (187mph) within 34.9 seconds. The tuned F430 Spider is said to top out at 321 km/h or 200 mph.
The German firm's sport package also includes a KW HLS suspension system that allows the front-end of the car to be lifted by 45mm at a push of a button to safely navigate obstacles such as parking ramps or speed bumps without damaging the vehicle.
The tuner finished the package with 19-inch lightweight alloy rims from BBS shod in 225/35 R19 Dunlop tires up front and 305/30 R19 tires at the rear.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Ferrari 458 Italia Driven by Autocar UK
570hp that arrives at a screaming 9000rpm. 540Nm of torque, 80% of which available at a leisurely 3250rpm. Weighing in at 1380kg, the Ferrari 458 Italia does the century sprint in a mere 3.4-seconds and goes on to a top speed of 325km/h. Performance wise, the Italia is at the pinnacle of mid-level supercars
but it’s so much more than just that, it’s useable as well. Autocar’s Jamie Corstorphine demonstrates.
Source: Autocar
Friday, November 13, 2009
Ferrari Considering Return to Turbo Power
A few years ago only the brave would have bet in favour of BMW using turbo technology for its M cars. Yet today two of Munich's biggest models are force-fed. Similar bets against a turbo Ferrari may not inspire many Tifosi despite this Autocar report all but confirming Maranello's return to turbo charging as well as this previous report - also "discovered" by Autocar - with published schematics of a supposed Ferrari turbo unit.
An engine developer quoted in the report apparently says the main issue with the technology is turbo lag. He says Ferrari will use it at some point but only after this problem has been cleared. Any delay in power delivery is not acceptable to the company. BMW and Porsche have been eliminating lag through the use of twin turbos while others like Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac employed superchargers.
A possible option has been Fiat's new Multiair system but it seems that does not work too well in the upper rev ranges. The good news is that Ferrari's new double-clutch transmission can work up to 10,000rpm making it ideal for its V12 engines.
The iconic F40 was one of a few Ferraris to use a turbo.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Ferrari CEO Reveals When Enzo, 612, and 599 Will Be Replaced
Ferrari has just reveled the new 458 Italia and with deliveries set to begin in January, Ferrari already has its sights on the 458 Spider. With that already in the pipelines and the California still fresh on the market, Ferrari is turning its attention from the V8 range to its V12 flagship range. CAR magazine recently sat down with Ferrari CEO and managing direcotr Amedeo Felisa, who revealed the full roll-out schedule for at least three new V12 supercars currently under development in Maranello.
First to be replaced will be the 612 Scaglietti which has been on the market since 2004. Five years on the market may not seem like a long time, but the Scag hasn’t exactly won the hearts and minds of enthusiasts and customers. And due to this, Ferrari is apparently moving ahead with its replacement, due to hit the market by 2012.
And around the same time, we can expect to see the long anticipated successor to the Enzo. Although Ferrari has been working on hybrid propulsion and other forms of green technology, expect the Enzo replacement to follow in the footsteps of the 280GTO, F40, F50 and Enzo and receive a more conventional V12 or possibly a twin turbo V8 to drive Maranello’s new benchmark hypercar.
So with the hypercar already in the works, next up will be the replacement for the 599 GTB Fiorano but that will take a little longer. The two seater GT was just introduced a few years ago and was recently treated to a new HGTE package to keep it ahead of the competition. Though the new 458 Italia is already expected to outrun the Fiorano, and with arch-rival Lamborghini hard at work on a successor to the Murcielago, Ferrari insists it isn’t planning to replace the 599 before 2015.
So there you have it then, three new V12 Ferrari’s that will be introduced in stages over the next six years. If you have your sights on owning one of the top range prancing horses, then this would be the best time to start saving for the next generation Enzo or others.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Ferrari 458 Italia by ASI Tuning
Japanese tuning firm ASI has already got down to tuning the new 458 Italia and has released a set of teaser photo’s of two styling packages currently under consideration. Nothing has been confirmed yet but one thing in common with both design proposals is the F430 like front-end. The 458’s front intake gaps have been replaced with larger twin air inlets that mimic the styling of it’s predecessor - the F430.The package also includes new side skirts, a rear wing and updated alloy wheels, all finished in black. Got to say that the 458 Italia is now one gorgeous prancing beauty. More news on this once we’re updated.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Hamann release Ferrari California tuning package
HAMANN Motorsport has developed a full tuning programme for the new Ferrari California. Promising to make Ferrari fans' hearts beat faster, HAMANN made changes to the entire car.
With the performance modification added, the power increase from 460hp to 552hp. That will be increased by 20% to 406kW (552hp). To achieve that figure engineers are working on, among others, the engine management system as well as a sports exhaust.
It doesn't stop there. The exterior has a new aerodynamic kit that includes a lift-reducing front spoiler, a carbon fibre bonnet, side skirts that calm the air between the axles, a rear spoiler that increases contact pressure and a 3-part rear diffuser. Maximum grip is thus attained.
Still on maximum grip the car comes running on 245/30ZR21 tyres with 9.0Jx21 rims up front and 345/25ZR21 rubber on 12.5Jx21 at the rear. The wheels are black varnished multi-piece HAMANN aluminium with titanium bolting and are quite light to help reduce unsprung weight.
A full customisation application is available for the interior and ranges from a complete leather interior to personalised floor mats.
