28.08.2009
As the title implies this article is more about pictures than words, but there are several new details that Ferrari have chosen to share with us as they release these new images.
Driver oriented cabin
The 458 Italia’s interior features a new steering wheel and instrument binnacle that groups the main commands on the steering wheel with the secondary commands handily set in two satellite pods either side of the dash. There are now comprehensive instrument displays on the panel ahead of the driver. This layout enables the driver to concentrate fully on driving, and is derived directly from Ferrari’s F1 experience.
The Ferrari engineers have repositioned the major commands eliminating all steering-column mounted stalks, with the indicators, full beam, flash and windscreen wiper functions now being activated by buttons on the steering wheel boss. The button to select the shock absorber setting is now positioned next to the ‘Engine start’ button and behind the wheel are a number of secondary functions, such as the stereo, while the gearbox paddles have been lengthened, making shifts even easier from any steering angle.
The right-hand satellite pod on the dash incorporates controls for the infotainment, the Bluetooth connection, sat-nav, digital speedo and rear parking camera. Clustered on the left-hand satellite pod are the optional cruise control, buttons for choosing the video setting of the left-hand dash TFT screen and the on-board computer interface. The latter controls the trip computer, the Vehicle Dynamic Assistance and the display of the car’s set-up.
New Manettino settings
The Vehicle Dynamic Assistance (VDA) monitors the operating parameters of the most important areas of the car – engine/gearbox, tyres and brakes. The VDA is enabled in the following manettino settings – Race, CT off and CST off – and provides visual confirmation of the status of each component based on an algorithm from parameters reading lateral and longitudinal acceleration, revs and speed. This enables the driver to assess the ideal operating conditions for the car.
There are three status settings: WARM-UP (operating temperature too low), GO (ideal operating conditions) and OVER (one or more components are no longer at their optimum level and need cooling).
Ferrari are clearly delivering on their promise to bring F1 technology to the road and the new 458 Italia will most likely entice those people who found the F430′s manettino so useful.
More news will be available in the run-up to the Frankfurt show, but in the meantime here are those pictures I promised.
To find out a little more about the concept and technology behind the 458 Italia, take a look at the following video.
About Steve Davies
Steve is a media, venture, and technology advisor and a former Partner at KPMG Consulting, PriceWaterhouse Coopers and Managing Partner at EIM - his clients range from global web and media companies to small start-ups. He formed Drivers Republic (DR) in 2007, the UK's first digital automotive magazine, with a team of EVO and Autocar writers before creating SkiddMark, and also writes as a guest contributor on Unruly Media’s Meme Machine blog and for Econsultancy’s digital marketing blog.
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