Performance Review: Ferrari 458 4.5 V8 - [2009]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 458 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 458 4.5 V8 is the 7 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2009. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2010 Hennessey Venom GT 6.2L V8 and the 2010 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 Super Sport.This particular Ferrari 458 has a 4499cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 458 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 458's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1485 kgs (3273 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 458 4.5 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 458 shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 4499cc 32V V8 engine produces 562 bhp (419 kW) @ 9000 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 398 lb-ft (539.6 Nm) @ 6000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (406 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari 458 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series 6.2 V8 (401.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 458.

The Ferrari 458 has a Power to weight ratio of 378.4 bhp per ton and 268.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2009 458 competing with the 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series 6.2 V8 (401.2 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Noble M400 3.0 V6 (400.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ferrari 458 generating around 268.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (292.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2L V8 (292.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.5 secs, this made the Ferrari 458 4.5 V8 as fast as the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (3.40 secs) the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive (3.40 secs) the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo Roadster (3.40 secs) the or the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 5.2 Twin Turbo (3.40 secs). This Ferrari 458 4.5 V8 is also faster than the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible (3.50 secs) the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (3.50 secs) the 2022 BMW 4 Series M4 CSL 3.0 Twin Turbo G82 (3.50 secs) the and the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto (3.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 458 and the 2013 Mercedes A Class 45 AMG 2.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 458 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.3 secs @ 121.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Mercedes A Class 45 AMG 2.0 Turbo (11.25 secs), the 1986 Porsche 911 Turbo SE 930 (11.26 secs), and the 2016 Ford Focus RS 2.3 Turbo (11.26 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2009 version of the Ferrari 458 4.5 V8 has a maximum speed of 202mph.

Top Speed of the 2009 458 equals the 2005 Pagani Zonda F (214 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2009 Ferrari 458 4.5 V8 then how about the 2005 Pagani Zonda F (214 mph), the 2006 Ascari A10 5.0 V8 (215 mph), or the 2017 Ford GT 3.5 V6 Bi-Turbo (216 mph).

Related Links:

2009 458 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison