Sculpted Masterpiece: Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari 458 Italia

The latest iteration of the Italian supercar!

Exotic car maker Ferrari has scored big in 2009. Earlier this year, customers of the Ferrari California with its famed retractable roof began to see their orders filled. In September, the hard top Ferrari 458 Italia was introduced, the most modern and technologically advanced Ferrari ever. With seven models now available, enthusiasts of the celebrated Italian sports car marque have a stable of “Prancing Horse” stallions to choose from, the largest line up in the automaker’s outstanding eight decade history.

An All New Ferrari

Completely new inside and out, the Ferrari 458 Italia is a two-seater “berlinetta” (little saloon) model, which derives its name from its all new engine — a mid-rear mounted direct injection 4.5L V8 — as well as from its country, Italy. Ferrari thought that it was important to offer tribute to its native land, noting that its newest model reflects her people’s passion, creative flair and embracement of cutting-edge technology.

Bodily evidence of this is found in the 458 Italia’s Pininfarina styling which gives the car a look that is both beautiful to behold as well as highly aerodynamic. Sharp edges, defining bulges and sporty, crisp lines mark the new model which takes its styling cues from the now retired one million dollar Ferrari Enzo F1 racer. The Ferrari 458 Italia officially replaces the aged and heavier Ferrari 430, offering a larger and more powerful engine than its predecessor, yet realizing important fuel economy improvements while emitting fewer emissions.

Sleek Design, Potent Engine

The front of the new Ferrari features a single opening for the grille and side intakes, utilizing aerodynamic sections and profiles which have been designed to direct air to the coolant radiators and to its new, flat underbody. Ferrari included small aeroelastic winglets in the nose piece which helps to add downforce and deform as speed increases, reducing the size of the radiator inlets and further decreasing wind drag.

The engine itself is an engineering achievement and represents Ferrari’s first attempt to mount a direct injection engine in the mid-rear section of the car. An exhilarating, powerful and familiar growl emerges from the engine the moment it kicks on, thundering through the entire frame and out through the exhaust’s triple tip rear tailpipes. Producing 562 horsepower with 398 pound-feet of torque, the engine harmonizes with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, enabling the 458 Italia to travel from zero to sixty in about 3.3 seconds, while topping out at just over two hundred miles per hour. Time to contact the Kansas Speedway about their track rental times!

With no manual gearbox available and no plans to build one, the 458 Italia lacks the only thing that F1 drivers do – shift gears. Still, with the paddle shifters at the ready a measure of control remains with the driver, which is probably for the best when most of your driving is on I-70 or cruising down Metcalf Avenue.

Formula One Champ Advises

The 458 Italia’s cockpit is as close to a F1 duplicate as you’ll ever find thanks to the work of retired seven-time world drivers champion Michael Schumacher who is now a Ferrari advisor. Schumacher counseled Ferrari to move all of the key controls to the steering wheel (shift paddles, start/stop switch, etc.) in an effort to help the driver maintain road concentration, while maximizing control over the supercar.

The Ferrari’s instrument cluster features an ample, central tachometer that redlines at 9,000 rpm and measures up to 10,000 rpm, along with a smaller speedometer on the right side that exceeds 200 mph and a digital information display located on the left side. Secondary controls including heating and air-conditioning, lights and audio are located on either side of the steering wheel.

Controlling Your Ferrari

A car as powerful as the Ferrari 458 Italia needs its share of safety features to make sure that it stays on road or track at all times as well as protects occupants in the event that control is lost.

The newest Ferrari features improved lateral traction, enhanced anti-lock braking and a shorter braking distance than the model it replaces. A more direct steering ratio improves handling, while its 42/58 weight distribution and a curb weight of just over 3000 pounds work in tandem to help rein in the power of this mighty stallion.

Riding on 20” wheels, the Ferrari’s 235/35 tires up front are joined by larger rubber in the back, 295/35 tires which enhance rear grip. You won’t be taking your supercar out in bad weather, but in the event that a sudden storm blows in you’ll still have the confidence that you can return home – in low gear, of course.

Satisfied Workers Build Fantastic Cars

Just 27 Ferraris are built each day at the company’s production facility in Maranello, Italy, which has been rated as the best place to work in the entire automotive industry. Production there is divided between Ferrari’s two newest models – the California, which is sold out until 2011 – and the 458 Italia, the latter which will begin to be delivered to its first customers in early 2010.

Pricing for the Ferrari 458 Italia is set at the dealer level where information about the Ferrari Driving Experience, a two-day precision driving school where students learn about threshold braking, weight transfer, managing acceleration,identifying the ideal driving line on track and discovering the limits of vehicle adhesion in both wet and dry driving situations is also shared. The school, of course, is located in Italy which gives interested Ferrari fans the opportunity to tour the production facility while sampling local culture.

Photo Credit: S.p.A.

Ode To Saab: Premium Swedish Brand

The following is an older review of the Saab line, first published in 2008 and presented herein as a tribute to the Swedish automotive brand.

The European premium car market is dominated by several brands including Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and Volvo. Further behind the pack is Saab, a Swedish automaker now owned by General Motors, but with a marketing distinction all of its own.

Founded in 1947, Saab has a history of automotive innovation which includes the very first implementation of headrests as standard equipment, the introduction of headlamp washers and wipers, the first passenger air filter, and a host of other engineering and safety initiatives. This heritage of emphasizing quality, passenger safety, and leading edge technology has served Saab well and is very much evident in the brand’s three lines of vehicles today.

The Name Of The Game

In keeping with Saab nomenclature, every model is preceded by a 9 and followed by a second number and in some cases ending with a letter. The 9-3 (nine-three) is Saab’s entry-level model while the 9-5 and 9-7X serve as the brand’s executive and sport utility models respectively. The first two models are produced at an assembly plant in Sweden while the recently discontinued, but still available 9-7X was built in the US. That model is being replaced by the 9-4X, a small crossover vehicle which is expected to arrive stateside in early 2010.

Saab 9-3: From Entry Level Luxury To Full Performance Model

As the most popular Saab, the 9-3 embodies four vehicles in eight variations including Sport Sedan, Convertible, SportCombi (wagon), and the high performance Turbo X. Passenger seating is for five or four in the convertible. The base 2.0T Sport Sedan offers a 2.0L turbo-charged I4 engine as standard equipment or buyers can choose the Aero performance package featuring a 2.8L turbo V6. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard with five or six speed automatic transmissions optional. All wheel drive is optional, while front wheel drive is standard.

All variations of the 9-3 offer a remarkable amount of safety and security equipment including OnStar emergency and navigation services, traction control, electronic stability control, anti-locking brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, adaptive front passenger airbags, side impact airbags, head curtain protection, and more. For the ultimate 9-3 experience, Saab now offers the Turbo X, a performance sedan designed to compete against the likes of the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4. This full time all wheel drive limited edition model features enhanced steering and handling, black leather seating, and one distinction that would have made Henry Ford proud: the Turbo X is available only in metallic black.

Saab 9-5: The Classical Saab Executive Model

First introduced in 1998, the 9-5 has received some minor changes since, with an all-new model in the production pipeline. For now, customers will find their executive car equipped with a 2.3L I4 engine, producing 260 horsepower that comes equipped with a five speed manual gearbox. That combination produces 28 mpg on the highway, just one mpg less than the base 9-3 model.

Passenger space is generous in the 9-5 with seating that offers superior comfort and ample support. Expansive windows and a well organized dash gives the driver unfettered command of the cabin while the capable engine offers just the right blend of power and fuel economy. For slightly improved performance, the Saab 9-5 Aero package offers increases in horsepower and torque, while providing appearance enhancements including two-tone seating, custom wheels, and metallic trim.

Saab 9-7X: An American SUV With A Swedish Touch

2009 marks the final year for the 9-7X SUV, the sole Saab model built in the US. Sharing the same platform as the GMC Envoy and Chevrolet TrailBlazer, its General Motors stable mates, the 9-7X is the most luxurious of the three sport utility vehicles. A 4.2L V6 engine is standard, while 5.3L or 6.0L V8s are optional. This SUV holds five passengers and offers all wheel drive standard.

A shifting market from truck based sport utility vehicles to lighter and more fuel efficient car based crossover models means that the 9-7X will be replaced by the 9-4X, sharing its platform with the Cadillac SRX. The 9-4X will be powered by a 2.0 turbo-charged four, offer all wheel drive standard, while providing class leading fuel economy, and all of the usual Saab amenities in a state of the art cabin.

Model Prices And Saab’s Future

Prices for the 9-3 series run from $29-46,000 depending on model variation and equipment selected; $38-40,000 for the 9-5; and $43-50,000 for the 9-7X. To bolster sales, Saab is continuing to offer generous bonus cash or financing incentives, which serve to provide significant savings off of the sticker price. All Saab models offer a 4 year or 50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty as well as five year or 100,000 mile powertrain coverage.

Recent investments in new products and manufacturing facilities by General Motors has assured Saab owners that the automaker is committed to strengthening its Swedish brand while continuing to provide a product that is unique and thoroughly enjoyable to drive and own. For buyers looking for an upscale European product, Saab offers a balanced blend of price, quality, and fuel economy worth your consideration.

Photo Credit: GM Corp.

Pontiac G8 GT Sports Sedan Excitement!

Pontiac has had mixed success over the years living up to its mainstream performance car billing, as parent General Motors has allocated more money and resources to Chevrolet than for its sporty brand. That neglect has been evident down through the years as fast cars such as the GTO and Firebird have come and gone, leaving Pontiac with a handful of copycat models that are sold and badged elsewhere across the company’s many other brands.

In an effort to revive Pontiac’s image, GM has turned to its quintessential Australian brand, Holden, to produce a modern sports sedan, one not completely specific to the automaker, but certainly unique to the American driver. Based on the Holden VE Commodore, the Pontiac G8 GT (Grand Touring) is acknowledged by most automotive experts to be one of the best Pontiacs ever built, a car that competes effectively with the BMW 5-Series, but for thousands of dollars less.

Rear Wheel Drive For Exceptional Handling

At the heart of the G8 GT is its rear wheel drive platform, a once common denominator for all large American cars, but replaced in varying degrees in favor of front wheel drive which yields more cabin room while sacrificing handling. To be truly successful as a performance sedan, only rear wheel drive can adequately navigate tight curves and, thanks to stability control and a sport tuned suspension, the problem of rear tail swagger has been eliminated.

Certainly not a lightweight, the five-passenger two ton G8 GT offers a solid street presence and is powered by a 6.0L V8 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Producing 361 horsepower and a robust 385 lb.-ft. of torque, the Pontiac still manages to achieve an EPA projected 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway. V6 power is available with the base G8 sedan while the top of the line G8 GXP is powered by a slightly detuned version of the 6.2L LS3 V8 engine found in the Chevrolet Corvette.

Finely Crafted Interior

Inside, the G8 cabin has one of the best designed interiors found on any GM model this side of Cadillac. The front passengers are treated to sculpted cloth bucket seats (leather is optional), crafted to hold occupants in place while navigating tight turns and especially comfortable for those long road trips. All controls are within easy reach and the gauges are visible and clear through the steering wheel. Rear seating is comfortable, even bearable for a shorter, middle seating passenger, with plenty of maneuverability for tall occupants.

An AM/FM stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD changer and MP3 playback, 6.5″ color LCD and Blaupunkt premium 11-speaker system is standard equipment along with dual-zone climate control with individual settings for both the driver and the front passenger. Various sound package upgrades are available.

Outside, the sport appearance of the G8 is emphasized thanks to its chiseled lines, dual hood scoops, machine faced alloy wheels, quad chrome exhaust tips, and clear lens tail lights. The front air dam and rear spoiler complete the G8′s fast track look, giving the sedan a powerful road presence.

Safety Is Standard Equipment

Safety is the name of the game for today’s motorists and the Pontiac meets that challenge. Anti-lock brakes are standard as is brake assist, with traction and stability control included to keep your G8 on the road under the worst of conditions. Front, rear and side head and body air bags offer crash protection while GM’s OnStar navigation and emergency unit can signal help if the airbags are deployed.

The G8 is most fully appreciated when taken out on the open road and given the chance to push all eight cylinders to their limit. From a dead stop to sixty miles per hour, the G8 hits that number in a respectable 5.3 seconds, a phenomenal speed when you consider the amount of weight being pushed. Passing a slow moving minivan is a snap as just a slight touch of the accelerator and couple of flicks of the steering wheel will put the family hauler in your rear view mirror within moments.

Just don’t expect to hear an aggressive growl from the rear as the exhaust note is surprisingly subdued, not matching the capabilities of the car. A minor disappointment, one that I would like to see Pontiac correct along with including paddle shifters and, if we dare to dream, an optional manual transmission.

Sedan V. Minivan: No Contest There!

For growing families desiring to upgrade to a larger vehicle, considering a minivan such as the Honda Odyssey is usually one option, but with the Odyssey EX and G8 GT being similarly priced and equipped (low 30s before discounts are applied) and with both vehicles getting 25 mpg on the highway, the fun driving belongs solely to the G8 driver. Unless, of course, you need additional cabin space and storage room, then you’ll have to work extra hard to sell the idea of a sport sedan to your spouse.

Thanks to Holden of Australia, Pontiac has a true world class performance sedan in the G8, one that is priced competitively while offering substantial savings over more costly European competition.