According to Autoblog, the next Transformers movie, Transformers 3, will include the Ferrari 458 Italia in the lineup of Autobots. This information was supposedly confirmed via director Michael Bay, who happens to be a major car enthusiast (rather obvious from his movies), at a charity event.

If you had to make a choice, which would you take home? Megan Fox or the Ferrari Italia 458?

Felipe Massa is back at Ferrari after a major accident in July in Hungary after a spring from a Brawn GP car came loose and flew up off of the track to hit Massa in the brow while he was traveling at 150MPH. After suffering heavy injuries to his skull and nearly losing his left eye, Massa has been out of the driver’s seat ever since undergoing several surgeries and taking the slow road to recovery. Not surprisingly, Massa’s accident was one of the worst since the death of Ayrton Senna at Imola in 1994.

However, Massa is not unlike Niki Lauda and his incredible 6 week recovery after his frightening crash at the Nurburgring in 1976 – also bringing an end to Formula One racing on the old ‘Ring as everyone knew it. Ironically, both Massa and Lauda raced for Ferrari at the time of their respective accidents. And, even more ironic, in both drivers’ absences, people were jockeying for their spots and trying to edge them out of the picture. Lauda found himself at the mercy of Enzo Ferrari who was said to have been completely dispassionate  and looking for full-on replacement drivers as Lauda clung to life. Only a few weeks later, Lauda fought back and was found in the driver seat, covered in bandages, competing to stay in contention for the driver’s championship.

These days, Felipe must feel just like Niki Lauda did after his accident with everyone vying for his seat. First Schumacher tried to make a come-back taking Felipe’s seat, then came Badoer and most recently Giancarlo Fisichella. While nobody has been able to step into the seat with success yet, it must weigh on him that in only two months 3 the people who have been shaking his hand and wishing him a speedy recovery are trying to take his job. Lauda was called “The Computer” for his cold, calculating approach to racing. Massa seems to be driven much more by passion and in this promotional video released by Ferrari for the new 458 Italia – it looks like Massa has lost some of that passion.

Still sporting visible scars from his shunt in July, Massa is seen getting a gushing, over-the-top welcome back that seems very put on and fake to benefit Massa – who appears to have only a passing interest in the new Ferrari sports car. Perhaps we’re reading too much into it but the Ferrari staff and their demeanor just seem to try and mask all that has gone on since Felipe left. However, we’re counting on Massa for next year to prove Ferrari wrong, just as Lauda did after his accident, and that he has the fight left in him and will continue his streak of one of the best drivers of the Scuderia of the last decade.

See the video of the questionably styled all new 458 and the tiny Brazilian behind the wheel.

You’re going to love me for posting this video! This is a new release by Ferrari of it’s latest stallion to be welcomed into the family of Italian supercars. Currently on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show and making its way to a Ferrari dealership near you, the Ferrari 458 Italia is starting to steal the hearts of car enthusiasts all around the world. Enjoy the video below of two (yellow and red) Ferrari 458 Italia’s challenging each other around the Mugello circuit and Tuscan hills.

Now tell me you love me!

Several technical aspects of the new Ferrari 458 Italia are highlighted by Ferrari Senior Vice President Dany Bahar and his colleague, Roberto Fedeli, Technical Director, in this new promotional video recently released.

The video speaks for itself as you listen to the 4.5-liter V8 roaring to a tune that just cannot be replicated by other car makers. Enjoy the video below!

A new mid-engine V8 Ferrari set to replace the F430 has been officially announced as the 458 Italia. With all of the rumors and speculations in the past months, a new breath of fresh air hits the automotive blogosphere as a new Italian horse with a 4.5-liter direct-injected V8 with 570 hp, 398 lb-ft of torque and a 12.5:1 compression ratio sets to hit the market.

To direct all 570 ponies to the rear wheels is a 7-speed dual clutch transmission that should propel this 3,042 pound stallion from a standstill in 3.2 seconds while running the track at a steady top speed of 202 mph.

Look for the first public viewing at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Videos of the Ferrari 458 Italia: Ferrari 458 The Sound Makes Me DROOL

Below is the full press release of the Ferrari 458 Italia

ITALIA – Ferrari’s innovative new V8

The 458 Italia is the latest incarnation of the mid-rear engined berlinetta and will be unveiled at the next Frankfurt Motor Show

Maranello, July 28th 2009 – While it’s true that every Ferrari is innovative by definition, it’s equally true that in the course of the Prancing Horse’s history, certain cars have marked a genuine departure from the current range. This is very much the case with the Ferrari 458 Italia, which is a massive leap forward from the company’s previous mid-rear engined sports cars.

The new model is a synthesis of style, creative flair, passion and cutting-edge technology, characteristics for which Italy as a nation is well-known. For this reason Ferrari chose to add the name of its homeland to the traditional figure representing the displacement and number of cylinders.

The Ferrari 458 Italia is a completely new car from every point of view: engine, design, aerodynamics, handling, instrumentation and ergonomics, just to name a few.

A two-seater berlinetta, the Ferrari 458 Italia, as is now traditional for all Ferrari’s road-going cars, benefits hugely from the company’s Formula 1 experience. This is particularly evident in the speed and precision with which the car responds to driver inputs and in the attention focused on reducing internal friction in the engine for lower fuel consumption than the F430, despite the fact that both overall displacement and power have increased. However, Ferrari’s track experience makes its presence felt in the 458 Italia not only in terms of pure technological transfer but also on a more emotional level, because of the strong emphasis on creating an almost symbiotic relationship between driver and car. The 458 Italia features an innovative driving environment with a new kind of steering wheel and dashboard that is the direct result of racing practice. Once again input from Michael Schumacher – who was involved from the very start of the 458 Italia project – played an invaluable part.

The Ferrari 458 Italia’s Pininfarina design provides further evidence of the complete departure from the past that this new car hails. The Ferrari 458 Italia has a compact, aerodynamic shape, underscoring the concepts of simplicity, efficiency and lightness that inspired the project. As with every Ferrari, the car’s styling has been very heavily influenced by the requirements for aerodynamic efficiency, as can be seen from the downforce of 140 kg at 200km/h generated by the new model. The front features a single opening for the front grille and side air intakes, with aerodynamic sections and profiles designed to direct air to the coolant radiators and the new flat underbody. The nose also sports small aeroelastic winglets which generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator inlets and cut drag.

The new 4499 cc V8 is the first Ferrari direct injection engine to be mid-rear mounted. It has a very low piston compression height typical of racing engines which contributed to achieving its compression ratio of 12.5:1. Equipped with the traditional flat-plane crankshaft, the engine delivers 570 CV at 9000 rpm and, with an outstanding power output of 127 CV/litre, sets a new benchmark not only for the whole Ferrari range and the history of company, but also for the entire market segment. Maximum torque is 540 Nm at 6000 rpm, over 80 per cent of which is available from 3250 rpm. Specific torque is a record 120 Nm/litre. However, what is truly extraordinary is the amount of torque available while still maintaining high levels of power at low revs.

The car’s soundtrack is also typical Ferrari, with an exciting, powerful growl emerging from the engine before it channels through to the exhaust’s three rear tailpipes.

The 458 Italia is equipped with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission which increases performance whilst providing very smooth shifts even at full throttle. The engineers have developed specific, sportier gear ratios to match the power and torque curves of the new V8, guaranteeing high torque even at lower engine speeds and allowing the car to reach its maximum speed in top gear.

This new Ferrari is also a major leap forward when it comes to cutting emissions. Despite the fact that the new engine is significantly more powerful than the V8s that preceded it, the Ferrari 458 Italia produces just 320 g/km of CO2 and fuel consumption is 13.7 l/100 km (combined cycle), the best in the entire segment.

The engineers also focused on weight reduction during the design phase for similar reasons. Consequently, the Ferrari 458 Italia has a dry weight of 1380 kg with a power-to-weight ratio of 2.42 kg/CV. Weight distribution is also optimal with 58 per cent over the rear axle. The result of the engineers’ endeavours can be summed up in to two simple statistics which together perfectly encapsulate the Ferrari 458 Italia’s exceptional performance: 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 3.4 seconds and a maximum speed in excess of 325 km/h.

For the new chassis, once more in aluminium, Maranello’s engineers incorporated various types of advanced alloys along with aerospace industry-derived manufacturing and bonding techniques.

With regard to vehicle dynamics, the Ferrari 458 Italia’s suspension features twin wishbones at the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear tuned for maximum roadholding and superlative handling. Along with a more direct steering ratio, the 458 Italia thus offers extremely rapid turn-in and body control whilst maintaining superior ride comfort.

The integration of the E-Diff and F1-Trac (now controlled by the same ECU) and their respective mappings is even greater, resulting in a 32 per cent increase in longitudinal acceleration out of corners compared to previous models. The evolution of the control logic, with even faster and more accurate calculation of levels of grip, ensures even greater roadholding, better handling and ease of control on the limit.

The same ECU also governs the high-performance ABS, providing even more precise control over the logic threshold and greater efficiency. The brakes also feature a prefill function whereby the pistons in the callipers move the pads into contact with the discs on lift off to minimise delay in the brakes being applied. This combined with the ABS has cut the 100-0 km/h braking distance to a mere 32.5 metres.

The Ferrari 458 Italia’s interior is another area of the car that exalts its sporty personality. The driver is welcomed by a new layout and a revolutionary ergonomic interface where the main controls are all clustered on the steering wheel.

With the Ferrari 458 Italia, Maranello has brought a highly distinctive new car to its 8-cylinder range. The company now offers two models that share a common, race-derived DNA, both exceptionally sporty and fun to drive in true Ferrari tradition, but aimed at two very different kinds of client. While the Ferrari California was created for owners requiring a more versatile sports car with a practical edge, the 458 Italia is designed for owners for whom the priority is uncompromising on-road performance with occasional track day capability, but who still demand a car that is useable in day-to-day driving like all Ferrari’s recent models.

Ferrari 458 Italia – Technical specifications

Dimensions

Length 4527 mm (178.2 in.)

Width 1937 mm (76.3 in.)

Height 1213 mm (47.8 in.)

Wheelbase 2650 mm (104.3 in.)

Dry weight 1380 kg (3042 lbs)*

Weight/power ratio 2,42 kg/CV (7.16 lbs/kW)

Weight distribution fr/r 42%/58%

Engine

Type V8 – 90°

Displacement 4499 cc (274.5 cu in.)

Maximum power 570 CV (425 kW)** @ 9000 rpm

Maximum torque 540 Nm (398 lbs/ft) @ 6000 rpm

Specific power output 127 CV/l

Compression ratio 12.5:1

Tyres

Front 235/35 ZR20 8.5″

Rear 295/35 ZR20 10.5″

Performance

Maximum speed >325 km/h (>202 mph)

0-100 km/h

Fuel consumption + emissions

Fuel consumption*** 13.7 l/100 km

Emissions*** 320 g CO2/km

Gearbox

Dual-clutch, 7-speed F1

Electronics

E-Diff3, F1-Trac, high-performance ABS

* With forged wheels and Racing seats

** Including 5 CV of ram effect

*** Combined cycle (ECE+EUDC)