Tuesday 29th September 2009

Ferrari 458 Italia Spider Confirmed

Soft-top 458 due in a couple of years says Ferrari boss

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Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo has confirmed that a soft-top version of the Ferrari 458 Italia is waiting in the wings, but that fans of ruffled hair will have to wait a little while yet.

In an interview with Italian car mag Quattroruote, Di Montezemolo said: "[Deliveries of the 458 Italia] will begin in the second half of January. We also plan a spider version, but not for a couple of years."

The planned introduction of a 458 Spider is not exactly earth-shattering news - Spider traditionally follows coupe in mid-engined Ferrari land much as night follows day - but it is nice to hear it straight from the (prancing) horse's mouth.

When the 458 Italia does arrive it will be powered by the same 4.5-litre 562bhp direct-injection V8 fitted to the coupe, so expect similar performance figures - a top speed of around 200mph and a 0-62mph sprint of around 3.4secs.

[soulfood9]

Yes, yes, followed inevitably by the hardcore, track-focused 458 Scuderia coupe and then the limited run 458 Scuderia ragtop. Nothing to see here...

[pits]

soulfood9 said:

Yes, yes, followed inevitably by the hardcore, track-focused 458 Scuderia coupe and then the limited run 458 Scuderia ragtop. Nothing to see here...

Hammer.
Nail.
Head.

[GPT]

pits said:

soulfood9 said:

Yes, yes, followed inevitably by the hardcore, track-focused 458 Scuderia coupe and then the limited run 458 Scuderia ragtop. Nothing to see here...

Hammer.
Nail.
Head.

Surely it's still worth having confirmed on a motoring news website? Or is only surprising news allowed?

[pits]

GPT said:

pits said:

soulfood9 said:

Yes, yes, followed inevitably by the hardcore, track-focused 458 Scuderia coupe and then the limited run 458 Scuderia ragtop. Nothing to see here...

Hammer.
Nail.
Head.

Surely it's still worth having confirmed on a motoring news website? Or is only surprising news allowed?

Yeah I suppose but its not exactly going to be any different than
458
458 spyder
458 Scuderia
458 Scuderia spyder
458 *Insert name of company to make it look awfull with big black alloys edition

[Wayney]

What I always hate is the fact that they make the Scuderia, which is the ulitmate version of that car & then 12-18 months late bring out a brand new model range! Y not bring out the Scuderia & give it 3 yrs before the new model?? :-(

[traffman]

Wayney said:

What I always hate is the fact that they make the Scuderia, which is the ulitmate version of that car & then 12-18 months late bring out a brand new model range! Y not bring out the Scuderia & give it 3 yrs before the new model?? :-(

Theyve gotta keep the punters interested , the end of the day theyre just trying to maximise there profit.

[Verde]

Yes, it is a repeating pattern, but it is a very good one.
Historically I have not been a huge Ferrari fan. Too much glitz, snooty dealers, ridiculous post-purchase expenses.
But I predict (FWIW) that this release (F458) is going to be different - and it's going to be head, nose, and other body parts ahead of any and every sports car ever made. Of course everyone has the interpretation of 'best', but this thing is spectacular. And given the eco-direction of the industry, this just might be the zenith of the industry for all time.

[Mark-C]

Anyone seen a picture of one with a front number plate on?

Just curious .....

[soulfood9]

Verde,

My problem is in no way with the cars themselves - I've dealt with Ferrari Italy on a business-to-business level quite a lot in the past and the design and engineering of their products is top notch. I just struggle a bit with the way they promote the products and product manage the range. The repeating pattern may be a good one in your eyes but most of the UK dealership network were asked in advance about a limited edition 430 Scud Spider and most of them said "we don't want it - it compromises the story we told about the Scud being a track-focused racer". So Ferrari made it anyway. Bit cynical in my book. And don't even start me on some of the recent marketing efforts...embarrassing doesn't come close.

I really hope they don't go down the same route with the 458 as they did with the 360 and 430. The current climate is a tough one and calls for a bit of spark and imagination rather than a 'repeat ad nauseum' approach.

[Polarbert]

How much does the new car weigh? 560bhp is a biblical amount of power in that car.

I'd be happy with a 355 personally.

Is the 458 going to have the option of a proper manual gearbox?