Performance Review: Ferrari 458 Spider 4.5 V8 - [2011]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 458 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 458 Spider 4.5 V8 is the 7 speed / Paddle Shift version and was first brought out in 2011. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo.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 1430 kgs (3152 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 458 Spider 4.5 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 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 McLaren MP4-12C 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo Spider (417.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 458.

The Ferrari 458 has a Power to weight ratio of 393.0 bhp per ton and 278.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2011 458 competing with the 2012 McLaren MP4-12C 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo Spider (417.9 bhp per ton) or the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport (417.4 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 278.3 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 2017 Mercedes E Class 63 S AMG 4Matic Estate (302.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 Jaguar F Type SVR 5.0 V8 (302.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.4 secs, this made the Ferrari 458 Spider 4.5 V8 as fast as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (3.30 secs) the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (3.30 secs) the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (3.30 secs) the or the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (3.30 secs). This Ferrari 458 Spider 4.5 V8 is also faster than 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 and the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 5.2 Twin Turbo (3.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 458 and the 1984 Ferrari Testarossa 5.0L Boxer

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 458 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.39 secs @ 120.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1984 Ferrari Testarossa 5.0L Boxer (11.34 secs), the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (11.35 secs), and the 1965 Ford Mustang GT 350 Shelby (11.36 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2011 version of the Ferrari 458 Spider 4.5 V8 has a maximum speed of 199mph.

Top Speed of the 2011 458 equals the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C7 (210 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2011 Ferrari 458 Spider 4.5 V8 then how about the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C7 (210 mph), the 2018 Lamborghini SC18 Alston 6.5 V8 (210 mph), or the 2017 Pagani Huayra Roadster 6.0 V12 (210 mph).

Related Links:

2011 458 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison