2011 Ferrari 458 Reviews

Removing the top is almost always a good thing - a beer, for example, is much better topless. It's rarely a bad thing unless we're talking about cars - many hardtops that are hacksawed into convertible status don't make the grade sans roof.The Ferrari 458 Spider is most certainly NOT one of these - it is a gorgeous four-wheeled supermodel, which despite a drop in torsional rigidity over the coupe and some rear end changes, is an improvement over the hardtop.VALUEWhen a pricetag not out of place on a family home is sitting on the windscreen then "value" isn't the first adjective to spring to mind when this car looms into view - spectacular, gorgeous and phenomenally fast are more likely, along with a few expletives if you're lucky enough to drive one.The features list is extensive, leather and carbon-fibre trim everywhere, the chunky steering wheel with almost everything mounted on it, including the manettino drive system to keep it pointing in the right direction, the three-screen instrument panel and information display system, paddle-shifters for the seven-speed auto, full iPod integration is on offer but why you'd have anything competing with the mid-mounted sound system is beyond me.TECHNOLOGYThe Spider is powered by the same naturally-aspirated direct-injection 4.5-litre V8 with continuously variable valve timing displacing 4.5 litres that propels the coupe - outputs are unchanged at 425kW and 540Nm and over 80 per cent of that impetus is available from 3250 rpm.The repositioning of the air intakes has warranted changes to the exhaust to re-balance the aural impact of the car - the work on the Spider has made it sound even better than the 50kg heavier coupe.Also retained for the Spider is the twin-clutch F1 paddle-shift seven-speed transmission - sending drive rearward using the trick E-Diff, but where the 1430kg Spider gets a tweak for topless duties is in the throttle pedal electronics and within the damper software - both changes are for the better.Fuel use is down - with the option of further drops via the Ferrari HELE (High Emotion Low Emission) system - to a combined figure of 11.8 l/100 km with 275g/km of CO2 emissions; the coupe's launch claim was 13.7 and 307g/km.The flip-top lid goes a step further than the limited-edition Superamerica's somewhat-similar system - the patented retractable hard-top does it's stuff in 14 seconds, and is made of aluminium.The company claims it's 25kg lighter than an old-school ragtop and flips its lid to neatly somersault into its home above the engine bay with no aerodynamics compromises."We took inspiration from the 575 SuperAmerica, but that's a front-engined car, but we wanted more - we thought about integrating the roll bars into the buttresses and using a multi-panel hardtop or a concertina fabric roof," says 458 product marketing manager Michele Comelli.The only real compromise is the absence of a view of the engine bay, something coupe owners get but Spider drivers don't - they'll just have to make do with the aural sensations and the open-air experience.DESIGNThe snout is unchanged - it's a sharp looker already so no need to mess with a fince face - but the rear of the car is all-new and sleek, thanks to not requiring big hips at the rear to accomodate a conventional folding hardtop.Dominated by the buttresses (with integrated roll-over protection), the new rear panels direct air flow to the engine intakes as well as the cooling system contained within the sleek rump.The roof mechanism is quick at 14 seconds and uses the rear window as a device to reduce cabin turbulence - which it does remarkably well at high speed, and it can also be retracted with the roof up, just to maintain the aural appeal.SAFETYThe standard four airbags are on stand-by in case of impending dooms, but there are electronic driver aids are all integrated and on speaking terms. The traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes, adjustable suspension and myriad other electronic functions are all tailored to the selected drive mode via the wheel-mounted switch. The highlight is massive Brembo-gripped carbon-ceramic brakes which only just squeeze in behind the wheels, with 6-pot aluminium front calipers and 4-pot aluminium rear calipers.DRIVINGThere's always a fear that when a coupe becomes a convertible that the tight, bulletproof feel of the former fails to translate to the latter - fear not, Ferrari fans, the 458 has lost little of its strong-bodied feel.Only sporadically will a shimmy be sparked by a shocking road surface, but it is rare and doesn't adversely effect the ride (which is very good given its abilities) or the drive experience, which is stupendous.The 0-100km/h claim remains near three seconds and the top speed claim is 320km/h - nothing about the road drive suggests those figures are optimistic.The snarling V8 is maniacal as it heads for the 9000rpm redline - yes, 9000rpm - and it's a soundtrack that overloads the nervous system.Instant changes from the seven-speed twin-clutch briefly change the orchestra's pitch and straights are obliterated.Tipping the Spider into the bends is child's play, the steering is quick and there's no misinformation - just a corner completed with considerable speed and little fuss, unless you have backed the electronics off and have the skills to play with the tail.The engineering team say the suspension and throttle mapping have been wound back a little for the Spider, which is more likely to be driven daily and with a passenger - it's a little less frenetic than the coupe in a good way.Cabin comfort, even on the optional carbon-fibre buckets, is remarkable - the magnetic-fluid dampers do an amazing job on bumps and corners - and even at 190-odd cm the roof lining never rubbed what's left of the hair on my head.Vision straight back is better than you'd expect for the segment, but lane changes can sometime be a concern if you like to double check over your shoulder - all you'll see is trim.VERDICTAt $600,000 this is certainly rarified air, not many will make onto Aussie roads but the level of ability - at the extremes as well as in daily driving - is quite astounding. Putting it into perspective - a Japanese luxury carmaker recently put $750,000 pricing on a super-coupe that is similarly astounding, but not 150-grand better - in fact it makes the Spider look like good value, and you can still get hold of the Ferrari droptop. If you could muster up the extra cash the 458 Spider has the best of both aspects - the security of a hard-roofed machine without the storage issue, as well as open-air appeal and performance off the scale.FERRARI 458 SPIDERPrice: from $600,000 (estimated)Warranty: 3 years, unlimited kmResale: N/AService interval: 20,000km or 12-monthsEconomy: 11.8 l/100km; 275g/km CO2Safety equipment: four airbags, ABS, EBD, stability and traction control.Crash rating: N/AEngine: 425kW/540Nm 4.5-litre naturally-aspirated variable-valve direct-injection V8.Transmission: seven-speed twin-clutch automated manual, rear-wheel driveBody: 2-door, 2 seatsDimensions: 4527mm (L); 1937mm (W); 1211mm (H); 2650mm (WB)Weight: 1430kgTyres: 235/35 20in fr, 295/35 20in rear

PEOPLE who say you cannot teach an old dog new tricks have not spent any time with the Ferrari 458 Italia. It's a car that absolutely forces you to think again. And again.The latest Ferrari frontrunner is a supercar with a capital S, yet also refined and luxurious and easy - yes, easy - to drive. It's so easy and so good that it has changed this old dog from a Porsche lover into a major-league Ferrari fan.You know the question about cars for lottery wins? Well, until this week my answer was always the same - the fastest Porsche in the business, probably a 911 GT2 RS. Not now.The only real challenger to the 458, if there is one, is the all-new McLaren MP4-12C that's coming to Australia later this year.VALUEWhat can you say about a car that costs a minimum - yes, minimum - of $526,950 and competes for attention with big boy toys like boats and holiday houses and not much else unless you're talking about helicopters and private planes? The 458 Italia is massively costly, even in the rare air at the top end of the sports car business.There are other go-fast two-seaters that cost more, including the ridiculously expensive Bugatti Veyron that cannot come to Australia - no right-side steering despite a $1.2 million showroom sticker - but few that deliver the same sort of bang- for-your-buck return. The Ferrari is genuinely hand built at Maranello in Italy using huge lashing s of the most exotic and costly materials, dominated by aluminium and carbon fibre, and the Australian specification includes carbon-ceramic brakes and even an SUV-style rear-view camera.The final finishing also means choices in everything from seat sizes to leather treatments and all the rest. The 458 is stupidly costly compared to a Hyundai i20 that can also deliver you to the shops and work without fuss or trouble, or even a jet-quick, track-focussed Nissan GT-R. But when I hear that 458 customers typically spend $180,000 on extras, any value discussion evaporates. With this car, if you can then you do.TECHNOLOGYLots of rubbish is sprouted about F1 technology in road cars, but the 458 has heaps. There are active aero parts that change shape at speed, a V8 engine with 419 kiloWatts and 540 Newton-metres of torque from just 4.5 litres, an F1-style seven-speed paddle-shift gearbox, a competition- focussed differential and magnetically-adjusted race-style suspensi on. Even the steering wheel is high-tech - and the home for the wiper and turn-signal switches - with F1-style lights to signal the need for an upchange.DESIGNThe 458 is gorgeous. Simple as that. The Pininfarina design house has created a shape that is both elegant and effective, and the cabin is both driver-focussed and luxurious. Older Ferraris were awful inside and required all sorts of contortions to drive, while some of the recent efforts - the Enzo and even the new FF - challenged conventional ideas on beauty. Not the 458. It's both a looker and a worker.SAFETYHow do you really know when even the cashed-up Euro NCAP organisation cannot buy a 458 for its independent crash testing? Not that Ferrari would sell a car to have it destroyed ... On the crash-avoidance scale it rates incredibly highly, thanks to great brakes, superb steering and massive cornering grip, and what other driver is going to want to get tangled in the drama, paperwork and insurance claims of a crash?DRIVINGI don't drive the Ferrari all that far, or all that fast, but it's not necessary. In less than six hours on familiar roads in and around Sydney the 458 wins me over completely. The first 500 metres proves the Italians have tamed the beast inside the 458 but left it on a short leash for the times .. well, you know.It will trickle happily in traffic, has surprisingly supple suspension - at least, using the 'bumpy road' setting that's totally appropriate for these patchy and potholed streets - and is equipped with comfy seats, great aircon and a wonderful soundtrack from its blaring exhaust.I lash out a couple of times to sample the claimed 3.4-second sprint to 100km/h, but not the 325km/h - that's 202 miles-an-hour - top speed, and also hussle through some corners and give the brakes a bit of a punish. But the 458 is never remotely troubled and switches straight back from F1 fast to Hyundai humble in a flash.I admit there are some moments in the Harbour Tunnel, with the cruise control locked below the legal limit, that I tickle the seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox just to hear the wonderful music the car makes. I am also absorbed by the luxury, enjoy the technology and feel of the wheel, and feel flat-out scared as I edge through a two-small parking garage.There is no sign of the 'small man' signals I expect, but perhaps that's because the car is yellow and not look-at-me Ferrari red. The 458 reminds me so much of my best mate, Mark. He's one of those blokes who is wonderfully mannered, relaxed, refined, smart and great company, but quite capable of making the difference - in your favour - if things really turn nasty. In the Italia you can be cruising happily at 60km/h in stop-start traffic knowing - hoping?- that if the road ahead unravelled into a grand prix track the car would be just as good. No, it would be far, far, far better and better than even the most talented non-race drivers. The 458 is a car you can love. And I do.VERDICTAn utterly brilliant drive and a landmark car. The only reason it doesn't get a perfect score - yet - is its price and an upcoming run in a McLaren MP4-12C. Then we'll know ...FERRARI 458 ITALIAPrice: from $526,950Safety: Not tested by NCAPEngine: 4.5-litre, V8 petrol, 419kW/540NmBody: two-door coupeWeight: 1485kgTransmission: seven-speed dual-clutch manual, rear-wheel driveThirst: 13.3L/100km, CO2 307g/km"Would you? Of course you would."