Ferrari, the name of the company alone evokes feelings of passion and wanting, the thought of seeing one let alone owning one makes mouths water. Well, the team over at Maranello has created a brand new occasion for salivation. The futuristic and sexy Ferrari 458 Italia!
Thanks to my friends at the Collection, I was able to get a sneak preview photo shoot of what I’m told is the only 458 in the country. I know from experience, most photos on the interweb of new cars are company produced stock shots that look like little more the computer-generated interpretations of a car. My goal with these images was to give you a feel of how the car looks in the flesh so to speak, at almost every angel.
The new 458 Italia has styling cues from mid engine Ferraris of the past. The car definitely also has influences from the 2006 Pininfarina “P 4/5” concept car. This super car, in my opinion, takes its bubble cabin shape, as well as front and rear styling from the P 4/5.
2006 Pininfarina “P 4/5” Concept Car Side View
The cars unique LED lights, front and rear, were also inspired by the concept car.
2006 Pininfarina “P 4/5” Concept Car Rear View
Even the steering wheel turn signal blinker activation buttons come from the steering wheel of the P 4/5.
2006 Pininfarina “P 4/5” Concept Car Interior View
Interesting to see a car company take so many ideas from a car that at the time was but a wild fantasy. Who knew in 2006 we were looking at what was to become a real car.
As I was photographing the car, I got to enjoy the styling nods to the, storied V12 Enzo and F1 racing in the reverse cantilever air splitter (air foil) front grill.
I also noticed the round, bubble, tear drop shape center cabin that nods to Daytona Prototype sports cars. I must say I do love the angry “face” they gave this car. It looks to even have eyebrows, angled down in a scowl as to say “get out of my way…NOW!” No, not later now, move Bit*h!!
The overall shape of the car is sexy and Italian. Beautiful, sculpted, and meticulously shaped. Giving the appearance that this sports car does not appear to be made from crude metal, fire, and computers, but more of a marble, hammers and chisels. Sculpture, worked by hand for years to create an awe-inspiring masterpiece for the ages.
The intended purpose of this sleek looking outer shell, is so that the car may slip through the air, creating the least amount of drag while creating considerable downward air pressure to keep all four tires well planted at speed. Who knew drag coefficients and down force could be so sexy?
Um… the answer to that would be Ferrari.
When you visually arrive at the back of the car you see a dedicated and unique rear end. This car will not be mistaken with any other on the road when you pull up behind it. That is if you are so lucky as to get close to this Italian missile. There are just two lights in the rear. Thanks to LED technology that’s all you need now a days. The 458 also has the now super car obligatory ground effects rear end is in place flanking what can only be described as truly Ferrari not one, not two but, three piped center mounted exhaust.
For those who don’t know, this is a styling and functionally nods to the Ferrari F40. The center pipe is the main exhaust used when casual drive. The two outer pipes are when the go petal is pressed with earnest, and super hot exhaust gasses flow unrestricted from the motor down and out of the side pipes with a Ferrari roar and cackle that will turn heads from at least two blocks away.
The car is beautiful, tight, compact, and blazingly fast. With a 4.5 Liter direct injected V8 kicking out 560 HP and 540 LBS of torque this red rocket will get up and go so fast your eyes might melt. With the Ferrari 458 Italia’s beautiful look, if you are so lucky as to see one in person. It might just make your mouth water , and your eyes melt with joy by simply gazing upon the car standing still.
I was not able to add all my photos of the 458 to this post. For even more sexy photos from my shoot with this car clikc the link below.
Ferrari Italia full photo shoot
Enjoy!
Call me crazy but that cars looks like a more modern rendering of an NSX …. very nice still
I see that a little too… guess there are only so many things you can do with a red mid engine car.
I wonder if we will ever see a new NSX?
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[...] – this is a video that I shot of the Ferrari 458 when it was at the Collection in Miami. I took lots of photos but, there is noting like video to show every nook and cranny of this fiery red time [...]