Exotic Car

It doesn't seem long since we were at Maranello driving the F430, but at Ferrari the life cycle of its cars is measured in just five years. So, now's the time for a new mid-engined Ferrari. The 458 Italia.

Yet again, the new model looks completely different to its predecessor. Gone are the traditional massive air intakes behind the doors and that simple move, leaving an expanse of contoured bodywork in its place, changes the whole character.

The visual changes continue throughout. There are small engine air intakes hidden behind the small triangular windows behind the doors and others around the headlights sucking air through the wheelarches to reduce drag.

Those small winglets in the very front actually deform at speed to redirect air beneath the car instead of to the radiators. The Italia is simply full of clever, well thought out details.

That there's a 4.5-litre V8 is no surprise, but this engine is the direct-petrol injection version launched just a year ago in the California. Here, though, there's a weighty 570hp.

The 458 also gets the California's (and Mercedes SLS's) Getrag double clutch transmission that promises all that the paddle shift offered in the F430 F1 but with 2010 levels of sophistication.

This Ferrari goes on sale in the UK next May. Prices have yet to be fixed, but reckon on at least 10% more than the regular F430, which means a minimum of £160,000.

Mind you, with performance that equals the outgoing £180,000 F430 Scuderia, it promises so much. McLaren, with the launch of its MP4-12C, will be keenly aware of the threat.

New Ferraris