Red Hot: Ferrari Previews F430 Successor

There’s nothing like the curves of a new Ferrari to bring optimism back to the table. Ferrari today revealed its latest V8-powered sports car, the 458 Italia. The new model will succeed the current V8 hottie, the F430. Sporting a sexy new design by long-time Ferrari styling partner Pininfarina, the 458 Italia gets a new, high-compression 4.5-liter V8 producing 570 horsepower and 398 pounds-feet of torque. Top Speed: 202 mph. That makes it the first stock V8 Ferrari to break the 200-mph mark.

The new engine is paired with Ferrari’s latest seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Lower drag, weight-saving aluminum construction and direct-injection tech hooked to the V8 combine to improve fuel economy (stop snickering) to 17.1 mpg combined. Of course, the whole point is racecar performance. Ferrari says the 458 Italia can get from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.4 seconds.

Expect a full unveiling at the Frankfurt motor show this fall, where some are expecting will materialize a Ferrari concept car fitted with a gas-electric hybrid powerplant.

[via Autoblog]