Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari calls it "a massive leap forward" from its previous mid-engine cars. The 2010 458 Italia replaces the F430 and its 483-horsepower, 4.3-liter V-8 with what Ferrari describes as an all-new engine, a 4.5-liter V-8 making 562 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, yet with lower fuel consumption. The car's weight is part of this equation: The 458 Italia's dry weight is just 3042 pounds (expect at least 3250 curb), with 42/58-weight distribution.

Suspension is control-arm front, multi-link rear, and the 458 features a new traction system using the anti-lock brakes.

In the grand tradition of automakers with Formula One teams (or in the case of Ferrari, an F1 team that builds road cars), seven-time champion Michael Schumacher provided input for the 458 Italia project. One feature that came out of Schumi's involvement is an F1-like steering wheel and dashboard.


Ferrari promises better handling, aerodynamics, and design. You can judge from these photos on that last account. Clearly, this latest mid-engine berlinetta is an evolution of the 2004-09 F430, itself derived from the F360 before it. Ferrari estimates a 0 to 60 mph time under 3.4 seconds, which means it may match or even beat the great American "poor man's Ferrari," the Corvette ZR1. Ferrari says it'll top out at over 202 mph.