//:: __ :://: //:: Ferrari 458 Italia

Officially Official: Ferrari 458 Italia announced!

Months of speculations and spy shots while Ferrari tests their new car, Maranello has finally revealed the mid-engined V8 replacement for the already amazing Ferrari F430. The all-new Ferrari 458 Italia. It won't be shown in public until September's Frankfurt Motor Show, but the official details were released. A new direct-injected 4.5-liter V8 ups the ante under-hood, pumping out 562 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. Did you ask for the rev limit? 9,000 rpm!!!

As with last year's Ferrari California, the Ferrari 458 Italia gets an F1 style seven-speed dual clutch gearbox that directs power to the rear axle. Much has been done to reduce internal friction within the new V8, in addition aerodynamic drag improvements. As a result, the Ferrari 458 Italia's gas mileage improves to a combined 17.1 mpg (US) on the EU test cycle. As this is a Ferrari, talk of fuel consumption really does seem somewhat pointless, anyway. No mention of incorporating any type of KERS hybrid system has been made thus far. The KERS idea, you'll remember, had taken several spins around the rumor-mill over the last year or so; maybe that'll materialize at a later date.

Like its predecessor, the Ferrari 458 Italia's aluminum structure helps keep weight under control -- it tips the scales at just 3,042 pounds dry. So, we know you're wondering: How quick is it? Based on specs at least, this new coupe does't disappoint. Acceleration to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes just 3.4 seconds, and this will be the first volume production Ferrari V8 to top the 200 mph barrier, with a top whack of 202 mph.

The Ferrari 458 Italia will also be a new robot in the upcoming Transformer 3 Movie ... click here to watch video clips of the Transformers 3 filiming at Chicago.

Here's a teaser from youtube..