Autoblog

Filly on Ferrari violence as angry horse kicks Prancing Horse

Zach Bowman — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, China, Videos, Ferrari, Luxury

There's a reason mankind began measuring work in horsepower. Horses are incredibly strong animals capable of impressive feats of industry and speed. They can also be plenty destructive. By some estimates, an average, full-grown horse can generate over 7,300 pound-feet of force in a single kick. That's more than enough to break bone, bend metal and shatter composites. Just ask one Ferrari 458 Italia owner in China. The driver came upon a horseriding club in stop-and-go traffic and commenced blowing his horn. Alarmed at the commotion, one horse did what horses do best and gave the Italian supercar a swift kick in the front fender.

Surprisingly enough, the Ferrari took the wallop without suffering too much damage, though the owner had a few choice words for horse and rider. According to reports, the Ferrari driver decided against calling the police. Check out the riding horse on Prancing Horse violence for yourself by scrolling below.

Continue reading Filly on Ferrari violence as angry horse kicks Prancing Horse

Filly on Ferrari violence as angry horse kicks Prancing Horse originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari 458 joining the grid in FIA GT1 World Championship

Noah Joseph — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Ferrari, Racing

Competition versions of the Ferrari 458 have already been prepared for the Ferrari Challenge, Grand Am, and the GT3 and GT2 classes at Le Mans and its various associated series around the world. Now you can add one more to the roster: the FIA GT1 World Championship.

Ferrari had previously left GT1 racing to the Maserati MC12, but Vitaphone Racing is switching from the Maser to an upgraded version off the BMW Z4 GT3. No announcement has been made identifying which team will field the GT1-spec 458, but whoever takes up the mantle faces a tough field tough field that includes the new McLaren MP4-12C GT3, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, Audi R8 LMS Ultra and Nissan GT-R. The Ford GT, Lamborghini Murcielago and Aston Martin DBR9 all follow the MC12 out of the series this season.

Series organizer SRO also announced that it has struck a deal with Pirelli to provide all the rubber for both the GT1 and GT3 series. Follow the jump for the official statement.

Continue reading Ferrari 458 joining the grid in FIA GT1 World Championship

Ferrari 458 joining the grid in FIA GT1 World Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari 458 Spider configurator goes live

Noah Joseph — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Ferrari

If we had the money to splurge on a new exotic, we'd take a long, hard look at the Ferrari 458 Spider. Unfortunately, we don't, so we'll settle for playing with Ferrari's latest online configurator instead.

Just launched for the 458 Spider, it lets would-be buyers and dreamers spec out their roadster with 38 colors, six wheel designs, and dozens of exterior and interior trim options to choose from.

Click on through and have some fun. You can start working towards buying one tomorrow.

Ferrari 458 Spider configurator goes live originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Twin-turbo Ferrari 458 Italia takes on Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Lamborghini, Ferrari

We at Autoblog love a good supercar battle, and of all the rivalries within the land of the exotic sports car, perhaps none is as fierce as Ferrari versus Lamborghini. And while Ferrari doesn't exactly have a direct competitor for the absolutely bombastic Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, the folks at Underground Racing may have come up with a suitable (and awesome) solution.

The Ferrari 458 Italia you see here isn't just your stock coupe. Underground Racing has fitted the 458 with its Stage One bolt-on twin-turbocharging system, bringing the Italia's output up to a staggering 700 horsepower - at the wheels. Naturally, a race was in order.

Now, we'll go on record right away and say we're shocked that the team decided to do an acceleration race on a public highway, but nevertheless, it's clear that the addition of two turbochargers have indeed helped the Ferrari's performance. Was it enough to beat the Aventador? Follow the jump to find out.

Continue reading Twin-turbo Ferrari 458 Italia takes on Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

Twin-turbo Ferrari 458 Italia takes on Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari 458 Spider priced from $257,000

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:03:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Performance, Ferrari

The top's already come off, but we're just now getting to the subject of price. Don't get too excited, most of you can't afford it anyway. We're talking about the Ferrari 458 Spider, and it'll cost you at least $257,000 to put one in your climate-controlled garage. Should you have the means, you can place your order starting in January of 2012.

What do you get when you replace $257,000 from your bank account with the Ferrari 458 Spider? A 4.5-liter V8-powered exotic sports car with a roof that disappears so your ears can get closer to aural nirvana. Sure, the fancy folding top covers up the visuals, but we'd take the soundtrack over the artwork any day. Besides, the body lines on the 458 Spider will keep your eyes busy enough as it is.

Ferrari 458 Spider priced from $257,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Ferrari 458 Spider is a topless dream machine [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Performance, Ferrari

When you chop the top of a sports car, you often lose the lines that originally draws crowds to gasp in excitement as it rolls past into the sunset. Ferrari has just hacked the lid off its 458 Italia and the resulting 458 Spider is the tradition-bucking result. The convertible 458 puts your ears closer to the engine, allows all of your senses to to explode without getting the upholstery messy and guns down nearly every other car in your path.

Nestled behind your soon-to-be-mussed coif sits the 458's 4.5-liter V8 heart that pumps out 562 horsepower and life-changing affirmations. Be it the Italian countryside or California coast, this is a car we'd want to be piloting when the sun is shining and the roads are empty. If you need us, we'll be clicking through our gallery of high-resolution photos and watching the drama-soaked video after the jump in an endless loop.

Continue reading 2012 Ferrari 458 Spider is a topless dream machine [w/video]

2012 Ferrari 458 Spider is a topless dream machine [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari 458 Spider goes topless in Italy

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:32:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Ferrari

The latest exotic two-door to wear the Cavillino Rampante is the Ferrari 458 Spider, and our friends at eGarage.com hopped a plane to Maranello so they could see it in person. How's it look? How do you think it looks? The already gorgeous coupe has been given a styling kick that also turns the aural pleasure knob to 12 (11 is so last year).

Sure, the 458 coupe will be the choice of those seeking adventure on the track. The 458 Spider, however, will provide the perfect soundtrack to a life well lived. The affluent among us will have to live in Europe to get first crack at the car, which goes on sale there in the spring of 2012. Ferrari faithful here in the U.S. will have to wait until the end of 2012 to put a droptop 458 in their garage.

Ferrari 458 Spider goes topless in Italy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari drops the top, full specs on new 458 Spider [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Performance, Ferrari

Engineering a mid-engined exotic with a retractable hardtop is a bit tricky. Which is why it's never been done before - that is, until now. Feast your eyes on what Maranello's crafty engineers have wrought.

Earlier this morning, we showed you the first video of the coming Ferrari 458 Spider, but now we have a batch of images and more information to share with you. The convertible version of the 458 Italia fills the space left by the F430 Spider and the 360, 355 and 348 Spiders before it. But whereas those went with cloth roofs, the newest variation on the theme uses a folding - or more accurately, flipping - hard panel.

The mechanism is similar to the one on the Superamerica, but whereas that model's roof panel simply rests under the open sky on the rear deck, the 458 stows under the deck lid, protecting it from collecting dust or rain that would otherwise be deposited on the driver and passenger when deployed.

The function is simpler than most folding contraptions and resulting form is more pleasing to the eye as well, but the one disadvantage is that the 4.5-liter direct-injection V8 (with all its 562 prancing horses and trademark crackled red cam cover) is now hidden below decks instead of displayed as on the 458 Italia coupe. Which only goes to show that while you can come close to having your proverbial cake and eating it too, even this level of performance roadster has its trade-offs. This, though, strikes us as one we could live with. You know, if we really had to.

Follow the jump for the video and full press release, and be sure to scope out the initial batch of high-resolution images in the gallery as we gear up for the 458 Spider's debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show just a few weeks from now.

Continue reading Ferrari drops the top, full specs on new 458 Spider [w/video]

Ferrari drops the top, full specs on new 458 Spider [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari 458 Spider to debut new type of folding roof mechanism?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Technology, Ferrari

Close your eyes and picture a convertible Ferrari. Now open them. What kind of roof did it have? If you're thinking of folding cloth, Ferrari's made plenty of those throughout its history. But of the last three to roll out the gates of Maranello, only one of them had a soft top. And a makeshift one at that.

That was on the limited-edition SA Aperta. The one-off Superamerica (also based on the 599, and like its namesake predecessor) had a flip-top glass panel, and the California (the only production convertible the company currently offers) has a folding metal roof.

The question, then, is what type of roof the anticipated upcoming 458 Spider will incorporate. The jury's still out, but reports suggest it won't be a soft-top like the F430, 360, 355 and 348 Spiders that came before. Instead it could feature some new kind of glass or metal contraption that will slide down behind the two seats when stowed.

The versatility could come at the expense of the clear engine cover that lets you peer into that state-of-the-art 4.5-liter V8 and its Rosso red cam covers. But whatever type of roof the 458 Spider packs, you can bet Ferrari is working hard at keeping weight to a minimum and rigidity to a maximum.

Ferrari 458 Spider to debut new type of folding roof mechanism? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fifth Gear pits McLaren MP4-12c against Ferrari 458 Italia

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ferrari, MISC

Fifth Gear rings out the McLaren MP4-12C and Ferrari 458 - Click above to watch video after the jump

Fifth Gear's Tiff Needell and Jason Plato (lucky bums!) had a go at both the McLaren MP4-12C and Ferrari 458 Italia, testing each car for thrills and for precision. While both may seem to be winners in the pantheon of automotive excellence, one one can come off victorious.

Both drivers render the same verdict, and it's the kind of final assessment you don't often get from motoring shows: one wins on paper, then gets trounced once they discard the spec sheet and grab the wheel.

Powerslides, tire smoke and some unintentional off-roading can be found in the video after the jump. Enjoy!

Continue reading Fifth Gear pits McLaren MP4-12c against Ferrari 458 Italia

Fifth Gear pits McLaren MP4-12c against Ferrari 458 Italia originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari 458 Challenge and GT3 racers debut at Monza [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Europe, Videos, Ferrari, Racing

Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's no shortage of race tracks in Italy and around the world that are commonly associated with Ferrari. The factory has its own Fiorano circuit on premises, and the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola - former host of the San Marino Grand Prix - is just fifty miles away. But the spiritual home of the Tifosi, Ferrari's legions of fans, is at Monza. A fitting location, then, to launch the latest Ferrari sports racers.

This past weekend, Monza hosted a number of production-based races including the first rounds of both the European and Italian leagues of the Ferrari Challenge series. After launching the new 458 Challenge spec racer at the Bologna Motor Show several months ago, this was the first time the car was actually being raced. And what would you know, it actually won its first outing! (Okay, it is a spec racing series, but the new 458 Italia racers did beat out the older F430 models that are still being used by some teams.)

The Challenge, however, wasn't the only version of the 458 that made its debut this past weekend at Monza. So did the 458 Italia GT3, which slots in between the GT2-spec 458 GTC and the aforementioned Challenge racer. The GT3 car was prepared by Michelotto Automobili - the same factory-endorsed racing garage responsible for countless racing Ferraris as well as the development of the 288 GTO and F40 - and campaigned by AF Corse in two races of the GT Sprint International Series that supports the Superstars touring car series, where it finished second and third overall on its race debuts - second only to the F430 GTC it replaces.

Want to see what it's like to lap Monza in a 458 racer? To coincide with the launch of the new machinery, Ferrari has released on-board video footage of the 458 Challenge with Stefano Gai, the defending champion who dominated this weekend's national series race from start to finish. Follow the jump to watch and check out the pair of press releases.

Gallery: Ferrari 458 Challenge

[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading Ferrari 458 Challenge and GT3 racers debut at Monza [w/video]

Ferrari 458 Challenge and GT3 racers debut at Monza [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari lets the new 458 GTC stretch its legs in the snow

Noah Joseph — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Ferrari, Racing

Ferrari 458 GTC undergoes winter testing at Fiorano - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's no point, to paraphrase the old adage, in closing the door after the horses have already left the stable. The same could be said of Prancing Horses - the red variety that hail from Maranello, specifically. So after the first image of Ferrari's latest sports racer leaked out a few days ago, the Italian automaker and racing team have now released a quartet of additional shots.

The successor to the F430 GT2, the new 458 GTC will take on all comers in sports and endurance racing series around the world - most of them with the name "Le Mans" in the title. The new challenger is currently undergoing track testing at the hands of former FIA GT class champion and two-time Le Mans class winner Jaime Melo over the course of the winter in advance of its scheduled debut at the Sebring 12 Hours race in the American Le Mans Series. So stay tuned, and in the meantime, check out the images in the gallery below and the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Ferrari 458 GTC shakedown at Fiorano

[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading Ferrari lets the new 458 GTC stretch its legs in the snow

Ferrari lets the new 458 GTC stretch its legs in the snow originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari drops new photos of 458 Challenge test session at Vallelunga

Drew Phillips — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Ferrari, Racing

Ferrari 458 Challenge - Click above for high-res image gallery

A few weeks ago, Ferrari officially debuted its latest Challenge race car, based on the 458 Italia. Now they've released new photos of the car during its test session at the Vallelunga race circuit. Factory test drivers Maurizio Mediani and Jaime Melo were on hand to provide feedback on the 458 Challenge, and predictably, both seem impressed with the car's capabilities. Mediani described his drive as "very quick and extremely good fun," while his counterpart commented, "I am sure that Prancing Horse competition owners will be very pleased with the car."

Using the standard roadgoing 458 Italia as a base, Ferrari creates the Challenge version by increasing output of the 4.5-liter V8 to 570 horsepower, cutting weight via thinner and lighter body panels, adding a race-specific suspension setup, fitting 19-inch BBS wheels with Pirelli racing slicks, installing a set of carbon ceramic Brembo brakes and more.

So equipped, Ferrari claims the 458 Challenge can lap Fiorano over two seconds per lap quicker than its predecessor, the F430 Challenge, while pulling a cornea-yanking 1.6g's worth of lateral acceleration. You can check out the new photos below, and we'll be sure to bring you any more if Ferrari sends them our way.

Gallery: Ferrari 458 Challenge

[Source: Ferrari]

Ferrari drops new photos of 458 Challenge test session at Vallelunga originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motor Trend forecasts Ferrari 458 Scuderia, new Enzo

Noah Joseph — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Ferrari

Ferrari 458 Italia - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's been a lot of talk recently about new Ferraris slated to roll out of Maranello. Which makes sense, considering that its parents at Fiat are in the midst of a big product shake-up. But while previous reports foreshadowed replacements for the 599, 612 and Enzo - and even went as far as outlining the product life-cycle to be implemented across Ferrari's entire line - executives in Maranello have until now avoided any mention of a Scuderia version of the new 458.

And we could hardly blame them. After all, there aren't many better ways to kill off excitement for a brand-new supercar than talking about the better version in the pipeline. Motor Trend, however, claims to have it on good authority that a lighter-weight, more powerful version of the 458 Italia will arrive in 2013, taking up the position held by the outgoing 430 Scuderia and the 360 Challenge Stradale before it.

Unfortunately, not much else is known, other than to say that, while some body panels will be replaced by carbon fiber, Ferrari's intent on sticking with aluminum for its production models, rather than integrating the magic black weave into its mainstream offerings as some of its competitors are doing.

The Enzo's replacement, however, is not considered a mainstream production model. MT figures the twin-turbo, direct-injection V8 that will power the new flagship will produce upwards of 700 horsepower, driving through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and aided by all the latest electronic wizardry which Ferrari has cooked up in its F1 and XX development programs.

Gallery: Ferrari 458 Italia

[Source: Motor Trend]

Motor Trend forecasts Ferrari 458 Scuderia, new Enzo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Riding with the King: Clapton wants a Ferrari 458 Italia... with a V12

Noah Joseph — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:55:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ferrari, Celebrities

Hey brother, can you spare a chin? Clapton in the Ferrari paddock with Michael Schumacher

When you've recorded as many platinum records, collaborated with as many big names and topped as many best-guitarists-of-all-time lists as Eric Clapton, you can get pretty much anything you want. And the ironically nicknamed Slowhand is known to have a taste for Ferraris. So much so that when he stopped by the factory in Maranello, even Ferrari couldn't pass up the opportunity to interview him.

Neither could Quattroruote, for that matter. While speaking with the Italian car-mag, Clapton reportedly professed his love for the new 458 Italia... with just one caveat: He's not such a fan of eight cylinders. Could he get it with V12?

According to Quattroruote, apparently he can, as Ferrari has reportedly agreed to build it for him, with the 6.0-liter V12 from the 599 GTB Fiorano. We'll believe it when we see it, which is pretty much exactly what we said the first time we heard the guitar riff on Layla.

Gallery: Ferrari 458 Italia

Riding with the King: Clapton wants a Ferrari 458 Italia... with a V12 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ferrari 458 Italia Challenge testing at Monza?

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ferrari, Racing

Ferrari 458 Italia Challenge at Monza - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Even though Ferrari hasn't given the official word, it's clear that the automaker is working on a hardcore 458 Italia Challenge prepped for race duty. We first spied the car in May, and now we have video of the beastly Ferrari ripping off some test laps at Monza with a couple of 430 GT2s in tow. Nothing like the sound of race-spec Ferraris to enhance your day.

Visually, not much has changed since we first saw the 458 Challenge, and while we expected to have already heard the full details about Ferrari's newest stunner, it appears that the full kit of information won't be released until later this year (in Paris, perhaps?). Consider us on the edge of our seat.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Ferrari 458 Challenge

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Ferrari 458 Italia Challenge testing at Monza?

Video: Ferrari 458 Italia Challenge testing at Monza? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Ferrari 458 Spider to go hard-top?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 08:41:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Ferrari, Rumormill

These interwebs are full or rumor and conjecture. The juiciest tidbits we publish here for your consideration and amusement. The latest? That the upcoming roadster version of the Ferrari 458 Italia will receive a retractable hard top.

Now if you're thinking - given the "unavoidable" extra weight - that a hard top on a performance exotic makes about as much sense as a screen door on a proverbial submarine, we dare to challenge that assumption. Maybe that was once the case, and arguably still is for most automakers, but Ferrari's carved out a niche for itself as an expert in lightweight construction and advanced design.

Say what you will about the Ferrari California, but during its development Maranello claims to have found the use of a hard-top convertible mechanism was actually lighter in weight than an equivalent fabric roof would have been. (Not to mention that, in true Prancing Horse style, it's the fastest in the business.) And remember the Superamerica it made out of the 575M with that innovative flip-top invented by former Pininfarina designer (and deputy Ferrari GM) Leonardo Fioravanti?

Couple those past experiences with reports that the convertible version of arch-rival McLaren's MP4-12C could also go drop-tin-top, and suddenly a 458 Spider with a hard top doesn't seem quite so far-fetched.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Ferrari 458 Italia

[Source: Teamspeed.com via Motor Authority]

Rumormill: Ferrari 458 Spider to go hard-top? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 08:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: EVO pits the Ferrari 458 Italia against the Porsche 911 GT3

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Porsche, Ferrari

Click above to view the videos after the jump

It's an unlikely duel, but EVO's Chris Harris has pitted the Ferrari 458 Italia against the Porsche 911 GT3 RS in an odd comparison that's dripping with dichotomy. Why?

The GT3 RS is the ultimate embodiment of Porsche's arse-engined track machine, while the Ferrari is a high-tech tour de force that handily eclipses our feeble ideas of what a car is capable of. Naturally, this being an EVO review, it's all about what's the better driver's car. And per usual, it all depends on what you value most.

To Harris' mind, if lightening-quick shifts, techowizardry and ease of use are your thing, then the 458 is your bag, baby. But if you're looking for that visceral, connected, analog experience, then the GT3 RS is packing more thrills-per-ton than anything out of Italy.

The premise might be slightly weak, but it begs the question: Which one would you choose? Check out the video after the jump, vote in the poll below and justify your choice in the comments.

View Poll

Gallery: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Gallery: Ferrari 458 Italia

Continue reading Video: EVO pits the Ferrari 458 Italia against the Porsche 911 GT3

Video: EVO pits the Ferrari 458 Italia against the Porsche 911 GT3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ferrari reveals plans for six new models

Noah Joseph — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Ferrari, Fiat

Fiat is in the midst of a grand restructuring, and reports are beginning to trickle in. First up is perhaps the most exciting, dealing with product development plans for Fiat's most prized asset: Ferrari.

According to reports, Maranello currently has a total of six new models or model variants in the pipeline for debut over the next couple of years. The first new variant up for release is the 458 Spider, the convertible version of the 458 Italia that replaces the outgoing F430 Spider. But if that's not enough to whet your appetite, plans are also underway on project F151, the replacement for the lackluster 612 Scaglietti, a four-seat grand tourer that is slated to feature the first road-going implementation of the company's KERS hybrid drivetrain.

Following the 458 Spider and the 612 successor, Ferrari will reportedly launch a successor to the Enzo in 2012. Few details are available on that project, but in the same year we're expecting to see a completely new model to replace the 599 GTB Fiorano, code-named F152.

Finally in 2013, Ferrari is anticipated to overhaul the California with a comprehensive update tentatively called the California M, suggesting the difference between the current version and the new one will be similar in scope to the change from the 456 GT to the 456 M and from the 550 Maranello to the 575 MM. Also set for introduction in 2013 will be a hardcore, track-focused version of the 458 to follow in the footsteps of the 360 Challenge Stradale and the outgoing 430 Scuderia.

Ferrari's engineers had better cancel their dinner plans for the next couple of years, because it sure sounds like they've got their hands full.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Ferrari reveals plans for six new models originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari prices the 458 Italia for the UK from £169,545

Noah Joseph — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Ferrari, UK

Ferrari 458 Italia at the Frankfurt Auto Show - Click above for high-res image gallery

When you're driving a Ferrari, you'd better keep your eyes open. When you're buying one, you might want to avert your eyes lest they start watering. Because you know it's going to be a big bill. Just how big is a matter of details, and new reports from the glossies in the UK give us exactly that.

For the British market, the new Ferrari 458 Italia will sell for a whopping £169,545, or the equivalent of about $277,000 by today's conversion rates. A quick look at the outgoing prices reveals a whopping increase over the $199,000 MSRP for a 2009 F430, but a touch less than the $282k commanded by the 430 Scuderia (whose performance the new 458 eclipses and, it could be argued, effectively replaces). It's also worth noting that the figures are a fair bit higher than those suggested in the alleged leaked price sheet from back in October.

Of course pricing for new vehicles around the world isn't based on current exchange rates, but rather on local market considerations, so until U.S. pricing is announced, it's more relevant to look at relative prices in the UK itself. The £169k 458 Italia is over £40k (~$65k) more than the £128k F430, but a couple grand less than the £171k Scuderia. The California, in case you were wondering, lists at £143,325 on the 2010 UK price sheet (which includes all Her Majesty's tea party taxes) - but we're still supposed to believe the Cali's not the "baby Ferrari" we all predicted it would be.

If you're eyes aren't done watering yet, the price for a new 458 only continues to rise from there, with options like LEDs on the steering wheel at £2,794 ($4,563) Alcantara trim for the trunk at £1,445 ($2,360), electric seats at £2,120 ($3,462) and - wait for it - a £1,156 ($1,888) spare wheel.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Ferrari 458 Italia

[Source: Evo]

Ferrari prices the 458 Italia for the UK from £169,545 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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