With the Frankfurt Motor show happening in September, Ferrari are set to announce their next super-car, the Ferrari 458 Italia.

Some interesting facts about the car:

Powered by a new direct-injection 4.5-litre mid-mounted V8, 562 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque will be on tap.

Like last year’s California, all that massive power will be directed to the 458′s rear wheels via a double-clutch, seven-speed transmission.

A two-seater berlinetta, the 458 has received a lot of Formula One technology and input from Michael Schumacher

According to Ferrari, “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 Ferrari 458 also does 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds with a top-speed of 325km/h.

For me, a Ferrari has never been about the 0-100 time or the top-speed. It’s about the history, their involvement with Formula 1 and the iconic status of the brand that has drawn me to it since I was old enough to recognise an Audi from a BMW.

These pictures don’t do the car any justice as the real life pics will always look way sexier. Until September though, this is all we have to drool over. :)

[more from carblog.co.za]