4.5L V8 (naturally aspirated) supplies 562 hp through RWD. The 458 Italia weighs 3,042 lb, starts around $239K, and is listed at 2015 model-year specification. The catalog lists 0–60 mph in 3 seconds and a 202 mph top speed.
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Performance, build, and ownership-cost composite.
The 458 Italia is Ferrari's answer to a question the segment keeps asking: how much performance can you make usable? 4.5L V8 (naturally aspirated) supplies 562 hp through RWD. The 458 Italia weighs 3,042 lb, starts around $239K, and is listed at 2015 model-year specification. The catalog lists 0–60 mph in 3 seconds and a 202 mph top speed.
Under the bonnet sits a 4.5L V8 (naturally aspirated), sending 562 hp to a RWD driveline. That's enough for 3 seconds to 60 mph and a 202 mph maximum — figures that say as much about the gearing and aerodynamics as they do about the engine. At roughly 3,042 lb it carries about 5.4 lb per horsepower, which is the number that actually predicts how it feels on a road rather than on a spec sheet.
A few things worth knowing mechanically. Dry weight — 3,042 lb.
The supercar segment is the most competitive part of the performance market — mid-engined or front-engined, priced in six figures, and judged on how it feels rather than only on how quickly it laps. At around $239,340, the 458 Italia is priced as a considered, low-volume purchase, and our value score of 8.3/10 reflects what you get for that against its direct rivals rather than against the market as a whole.
What keeps it interesting is the coherence of the whole package rather than any single specification.
Practical guide for everything a new owner asks on day one — starting the car, finding the gear selector, drive modes, infotainment, driver aids, and easy-to-miss features.
Step on the brake, then press the red Engine Start button on the steering-wheel — left spoke. The car beeps, the cluster flashes, and the V8/V12 fires. On PHEV models (296/SF90), the start button engages eDrive silently; you must press 'eManettino → Performance' to wake the ICE.
Ferrari uses steering-wheel-mounted carbon paddles plus center-console buttons labeled R, Auto, M, and Launch — there is no traditional stick. Press the brake, then tap 'Auto' to engage drive or pull the right paddle to manually grab 1st.
Drive modes are accessed via the Manettino dial on the steering wheel. Available modes typically include Wet, Sport, Race, CT-Off, ESC-Off, eManettino: eDrive/Hybrid/Performance/Qualify (PHEV). Each mode reshuffles throttle mapping, steering weight, adaptive dampers (if equipped), exhaust valves, and stability-control thresholds. On performance trims, an 'Individual' or 'Custom' slot lets you save your favorite combination so you can recall it with one click instead of nesting through menus.
The driver display is a Fully digital 16-inch curved cluster. Use the steering-wheel left thumb-pad to cycle layouts (Classic, Sport, Navigation, Minimal). When in Sport / Track mode the cluster automatically swaps to a wide tach with gear indicator and tire-temperature readout. The head-up display brightness, height, and content are configured from Settings → Displays → HUD.
Infotainment runs on Dual-screen with passenger display (296/SF90/12 Cilindri). Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard; pair from Settings → Connections the first time, then it auto-connects whenever your phone is in range. Steering-wheel push-to-talk wakes the in-car assistant for nav, climate, calls, and messaging without touching the screen. The main display also hosts vehicle-specific apps: tire pressures, performance data recorder (where fitted), drive-mode customizer, and the camera views.
Standard driver aids include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Toggle each system individually from the driver-assist menu (steering-wheel left-pad → Assistance). Highway-driving assist (hands-off in marked lanes on supported roads), automatic lane-change on indicator tap, traffic-jam assist for stop-and-go, and a 360° surround camera with transparent-hood mode are all available and worth enabling for the first time before driving in heavy traffic.
Premium unleaded (91 or 93 octane) is required on Ferrari performance models — the engine timing is set for it and lower octane causes audible knock and reduced power. Fuel-cap release is a button on the driver door panel; the cap is capless (just push the nozzle in).
Beyond the physical key, this car supports Ferrari smart key with passive entry. Set up phone-as-key from the Ferrari Connect app: it provisions a secure credential to your phone's wallet so a tap on the door handle unlocks the car and placing the phone on the wireless charging pad authorizes ignition. You can also share temporary keys to family members (with optional speed and area limits on performance trims) directly from the app.
A few things every new owner tells us they wish they'd known on day one: