Ping open the driver-side door — it's a high-pressure die-cast piece, all metal and yet light as carbon fiber and it does indeed open with a resounding ping. You're presented with a fairly challenging new cabin design, as Ferrari has been brave here and rethought many of the standard control functions of a sports car.
It doesn't take long for the 4.5-liter V8 to come alive. Given the stratospheric specific output of 570 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and peak torque of 398 pound-feet at 6,000 rpm, it works from surprisingly low revs. Throttle response is razor-sharp, and the exhaust noise, as you'd expect from Ferrari, is sensational.
Was it a mistake to fit a dual-clutch gearbox? Quite simply, no. The seven-speed automated manual transmission involves you to just the right degree, but retains that almost otherworldly smoothness and efficiency only present with a dual-clutch design.
The 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia is not just a Ferrari; it's one of the most modern sports cars on the road. It says that Ferrari is not just about passion and performance but also about technology and leadership.
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