Ferrari has just released a new video along with some photos of the real life 458 Italia tearing up a racetrack in the nude and some more reveling images of the interior. The topic of Maranello’s latest feature is style, and who better to tell us about it than Paolo Pininfarina, the Chaiman of Pininfarina S.p.A. So when he tells you that there were a lot of historical elements that went into the 458’s design, you can take his word for it.
However the Italia’s styling is not all about looking good, in fact it is quite the opposite. Paolo explains that the design was driven by aerodynamic efficiency “Every part of the car, from the mouth to the side fins to the rear air outlets are built to improve the car’s aerodynamics, he says."All the design choices are driven by aerodynamics, but the final result is very light and essential." This resulted in a very light sports car that is capable of outperforming the outgoing F-430. The 458 Italia maintains the classic side profile of the modern day Ferrari but has a bit more focus on airflow. The side skirts were designed to act like rudders pushing air away from the turbulent rear wheels just like the front bumper on our Prius.
Looking at the 458 from behind you would think that the majority of the hot air in the engine compartment would be escaping through those two large mesh grills, but in fact almost all of it rises out from either side of the back glass. Those grills were as meticulously designed as the scoops that feed them in order to get as much air the mid engine sports car’s radiators without affecting how the car cuts through the air. However in true Ferrari fashion they manage to keep us on the edge of our seats, Paolo’s last word into the camera is that the center element hanging from the chassis of the car will have “two exhaust pipes, and one center pipe.” We are hoping for an F-40 inspired unit. If our guesses are correct from yesterday’s interior reveal, a turbo all wheel drive Ferrari sure would be sweet.
