Dirty Prancing

I KNOW I keep banging on about it. I know that this car has garnered reams of column inches and magazine pages and there’s only so much information about it you can take, but I can’t help it. I love Ferrari and the 458 Italia is quite possibly one of the best cars they’ve produced in years. Therefore I thought it only fitting to dedicate one last bit of space to it before I get letters from my psychologist proscribing some form of obsessive compulsive disorder medicine.

Replacing the F430, the 458 was officially unveiled in Frankfurt late last year. Anticipation and expectation for the machine was already through the roof and when it did punch its way into public view it did not disappoint. The F430 was many peoples’ (myself included) favourite car, number one on the fantasy buy list and, for a lucky few, their most prized purchase. Winning over such avid fans was always going to be a tall order but somehow Ferrari has managed it. From the stats, it’s easy to see why. First off it has a 4.5 litre V8 engine (the numbers in its name being a nod to this fact) producing a top speed of over 325 km/h. It can do 0-100 km/h in less than 3.4 seconds, which makes it one of the best performance cars around. Its main draw though is the way it looks.

The 458 Italia continues the Ferrari tradition of putting the thrill into driving as a result of track-derived technological innovations and stunning beauty. 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. Its curves provide a subtle change from the Ferraris of late. From behind, three exhaust pipes bellow out the tune of the engine, which is encased behind clear glass so everyone can get a glimpse of the heart that powers this phenomenal machine.

Inside is an even greater experience. Kitted out in the finest leather and a striking component set-up, you know driving it would be as graceful as watching Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, yet as exhilarating as riding the tallest roller coaster at Disney World. Everything is delicately poised to give you the ride of your life every time you sit behind the wheel. Being so low to the ground with that amount of power is the stuff dreams are made of.

With the 458 Italia, Ferrari has brought a highly distinctive new car to its 8-cylinder range. 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. In fact the only downside to the Italia’s launch is 1) I don’t get to have one gleaming in my garage and 2) even if I did hit up every relative that ever lived and raised the money, the waiting list is now two to three years long.

NEWS

NEWS: Seven Nissan vehicles completed the gruelling Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge this year, and two Patrols achieved podium positions, further enhancing the already excellent reputation of Nissan’s rugged SUV.

Frenchmen Laurent Rosso and Borsotto Francois came second in 26 hours, 43 minutes and three seconds. The third position was for Emirati Abdul Bari Bin Sugat and co-driver Ali Mirza, who finished the challenge in 34 hours and 40 minutes. Driver acumen and Nissan endurance ensured the Emirati the third place. The Emiratis also clinched the Nissan stage trophy on day three. The prize ceremony was held at Crowne Plaza Hotel at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi recently.

NEWS: Porsche Centre Dubai will hold a Porsche Service Clinic today. This event is specifically designed for Porsche customers with cars three years or older. The Porsche Clinic is being organised at the official Service Centre in Al Quoz and is part of Porsche’s best-in-class after-sales service offering.

Porsche customers with cars three years or older can bring in their vehicles for an all-round 24-point diagnostic check, get a complimentary oil and oil filter change, and enjoy preferred rates on extended warranties, Porsche Design Driver’s Selection items and the Tequipment range.

In addition to this offer, the event will also feature fun activities for the family. The Porsche Kids Driving School and other entertainment features will guarantee an exciting time for the young ones.

NEWS: The Chevrolet Camaro was awarded World Car Design of the Year by a design panel consisting of five highly respected world design experts. The award was presented to Chevrolet last month at the 2010 New York International Auto Show.

The Camaro is available in two trims in the Middle East. The LT has a standard 3.6L Direct V-6 engine that pumps out 304hp and propels the car from 0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds. The SS model comes with two equally impressive 6.2L V-8 engines. The manual transmission packs 426hp punch while the automatic transmission puts out 400hp. Both launch from 0-100km/h in a thrilling 4.7 seconds.

CLASSIC CUT

For our meander down memory lane this week, we bring you a car that many saw as the ultimate fifties vehicle – albeit twenty years later. Paint it white, put two silver lightning bolts down the side and you’ve got yourself ‘Greased Lightning,’ from the hit ’70s musical Grease. The 1948 Ford Deluxe does the hero Danny Zuko proud when racing against his rival gang and we’d be proud two if we had such a marvellous piece of vintage engineering.

AUTO STAR

We can’t b sure if she actually has one of these but posing along with her husband at the Mumbai launch of one, it’s pretty safe to say Malaika Arora Khan may have found a Ford Endeavour Thunder in the post. This all-encompassing 4x4 is perfect for the Mumbai roads and something you wouldn’t mind spending hours stuck in a traffic jam in. Well played.

• City Times