Currently reading: Ferrari 458 'designed by aero'
Design chief said aerodynamic needs dictated shape

The Ferrari 458 Italia's exterior design was dictated by the demands of aerodynamics, according to styling chief and Pininfarina president Paolo Pininfarina.

The 458 Italia's body helps to create 365kg of downforce and, talking in a promotional video for the car, Pininfarina says: "All the design choices are driven by aerodynamics, but the final result is very light and essential."

See the latest Ferrari 458 picture gallery

He highlights the car's front spoiler and rear design as examples of this, saying: "The mouth has one central pillar that is sustaining two fins that change formation in high speed to improve aerodynamic performance.

"The side fin is conveying air to the rear radiators for optimisation of the aerodynamics, while the main feature of the upper part of the rear end is the exit for air from the engine."

The Ferrari 458 Italia will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show next month.

Twitter - follow autocar.co.ukSee all the latest Ferrari reviews, news and video

Advertisement

Read our review

Car review

The Ferrari 458 Italia has set a new standard by which supercars are now judged

Join the debate

Comments
12
Add a comment…
daddy 3 29 August 2009

Re: Ferrari 458 'designed by aero'

Stunning........

Now the wifes gone out i can say this is more beautiful than her.

OK its the next most beautiful she comes first.

BriMarsh 29 August 2009

Re: Ferrari 458 'designed by aero'

JS15278 wrote:
this is copy from a galardo front, carrera gt airvent, flat bottom steering wheel and led audi/vw the first german ferrari copy paste it is easy

I guess you are as drunk as I am when you posted this; how else would you explain such incomprehensible b*ll*cks for your first post...

BriMarsh 29 August 2009

Re: Ferrari 458 'designed by aero'

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the two most important Autocar questions; how soft are the plastics of the passenger footwell kick plate, and will the depreciation be less or more than a Polo 1.6 TDi?