Ferrari 458: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Ferrari 458 catalogue contains one generation, produced from September 2009 to March 2016 as a Roadster, and four listed versions—all named 4.5 DCT. The meaningful choice is therefore not between generations or transmissions, but between specifications: 570 hp or 605 hp, 4499 cc or 4497 cc, kerb weights from 1380 to 1535 kg, and top speeds from 318 to 325 km/h.
The Ferrari 458 catalogue contains one generation, produced from September 2009 to March 2016 as a Roadster, and four listed versions—all named 4.5 DCT. The meaningful choice is therefore not between generations or transmissions, but between specifications: 570 hp or 605 hp, 4499 cc or 4497 cc, kerb weights from 1380 to 1535 kg, and top speeds from 318 to 325 km/h. For maximum straight-line performance, choose a 605 hp 4.5 DCT; for the best power-to-weight ratio, the 1395 kg, 605 hp 4.5 DCT is the strongest option. If the lower-output specification is preferred, the 1380 kg, 570 hp 4.5 DCT is considerably lighter than the other 570 hp listing while matching or exceeding it in top speed.
Ferrari 458 generations and versions
There is only 1 generation, so no cross-generation upgrade decision is required. The 1 generation ran from September 2009 through March 2016, used the Roadster body, and contains 4 versions in the catalogue. Two listings begin in September 2009 and two in September 2011, but all remain part of the same generation and all end in March 2016.
Because every version carries the exact name 4.5 DCT, each must be identified by power and, where necessary, weight or top speed:
- 4.5 DCT, 605 hp, 1395 kg, 325 km/h
- 4.5 DCT, 605 hp, 1445 kg, 320 km/h
- 4.5 DCT, 570 hp, 1380 kg, 325 km/h
- 4.5 DCT, 570 hp, 1535 kg, 318 km/h
Ferrari 458 engine and specs comparison
All four 4.5 DCT versions use a Gasoline, naturally aspirated, centrally located V-shaped engine with 8 cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, direct injection, a 7-speed Robotic gearbox, and RWD. Their torque output is also identical at 540 Nm at 6000 rpm. The principal engine differences are output, displacement, compression ratio, and specified fuel grade.
| Exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 DCT, 605 hp, 1395 kg | 605 hp / 445 kW at 9000 rpm | 540 Nm at 6000 rpm | 4497 cc | 98 | 8, V-shaped | No | 7-speed Robotic | RWD |
| 4.5 DCT, 605 hp, 1445 kg | 605 hp / 445 kW at 9000 rpm | 540 Nm at 6000 rpm | 4497 cc | 98 | 8, V-shaped | No | 7-speed Robotic | RWD |
| 4.5 DCT, 570 hp, 1380 kg | 570 hp / 425 kW at 9000 rpm | 540 Nm at 6000 rpm | 4499 cc | 98 | 8, V-shaped | No | 7-speed Robotic | RWD |
| 4.5 DCT, 570 hp, 1535 kg | 570 hp / 419 kW at 9000 rpm | 540 Nm at 6000 rpm | 4499 cc | 95 | 8, V-shaped | No | 7-speed Robotic | RWD |
The 605 hp 4.5 DCT specifications produce approximately 134.5 hp per litre, while the 570 hp 4.5 DCT specifications produce approximately 126.7 hp per litre. The higher-output engine therefore adds 35 hp, or about 6.1%, while torque remains unchanged at 540 Nm. Its compression ratio is 14, compared with 12.5 for both 570 hp listings.
Ferrari 458 performance, mpg, and economy
| Exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 DCT, 605 hp, 1395 kg | 3.0 seconds | 325 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | 275 g/km |
| 4.5 DCT, 605 hp, 1445 kg | 3.0 seconds | 320 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | 275 g/km |
| 4.5 DCT, 570 hp, 1380 kg | 3.4 seconds | 325 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 4.5 DCT, 570 hp, 1535 kg | 3.4 seconds | 318 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The performance case for the 605 hp 4.5 DCT is clear: both listings reach 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds, making them 0.4 seconds quicker than either 570 hp version. That is about an 11.8% reduction in the recorded acceleration time.
Power alone does not determine the listed maximum speed. The 605 hp, 1395 kg 4.5 DCT reaches 325 km/h, but the 605 hp, 1445 kg 4.5 DCT is rated at 320 km/h. Likewise, the 570 hp, 1380 kg 4.5 DCT reaches 325 km/h, whereas the 570 hp, 1535 kg 4.5 DCT reaches 318 km/h.
City, highway, and combined fuel-consumption figures are not measured for every version. Consequently, an mpg comparison cannot be made from the supplied catalogue data. CO₂ output is 275 g/km for both 605 hp listings and not measured for both 570 hp listings.
Ferrari 458 dimensions, weight, tank, and wheel sizes
| Exact version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Front wheels | Rear wheels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 DCT, 605 hp, 1395 kg | 1395 kg | not measured | 120 mm | 86 L | 245/35 R20 | 305/30 R20 |
| 4.5 DCT, 605 hp, 1445 kg | 1445 kg | not measured | 120 mm | 86 L | 245/35 R20 | 305/30 R20 |
| 4.5 DCT, 570 hp, 1380 kg | 1380 kg | 1485 kg | 120 mm | 86 L | 235/35 R20 | 295/35 R20 |
| 4.5 DCT, 570 hp, 1535 kg | 1535 kg | 1750 kg | 120 mm | 86 L | 235/35 R20 | 295/35 R20 |
The kerb-weight spread is 155 kg, from the 1380 kg, 570 hp 4.5 DCT to the 1535 kg, 570 hp 4.5 DCT. The two 605 hp listings differ by 50 kg. Both have wider listed tyres than the 570 hp versions: 245/35 R20 rather than 235/35 R20 at the front, and 305/30 R20 rather than 295/35 R20 at the rear.
Ground clearance does not separate the versions because each has 120 mm. Tank capacity is likewise identical at 86 L. Every listing has independent spring suspension at the front and rear, plus ceramic ventilated brakes on both axles.
Which Ferrari 458 version should you buy?
The 4.5 DCT with 605 hp, 1395 kg, and a 325 km/h top speed is the numerical first choice. It combines the highest output, the quickest 3.0-second acceleration figure, the joint-highest maximum speed, and the best weight-to-power result at approximately 2.31 kg per hp. It is also 50 kg lighter and 5 km/h faster than the other 605 hp listing.
The 4.5 DCT with 605 hp, 1445 kg, and a 320 km/h top speed retains the full 605 hp, 540 Nm, and 3.0-second acceleration result. However, it carries approximately 2.39 kg per hp, so the lighter 605 hp version has the stronger specification when choosing strictly by the supplied figures.
Among the lower-output choices, the 4.5 DCT with 570 hp, 1380 kg, and a 325 km/h top speed is preferable on paper. At approximately 2.42 kg per hp, it is 155 kg lighter than the other 570 hp version, which has approximately 2.69 kg per hp. Both accelerate to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, yet the lighter car’s listed maximum speed is 7 km/h higher.
The 4.5 DCT with 570 hp, 1535 kg, and a 318 km/h top speed has the least favourable performance-to-weight combination in this catalogue, although it is the only version specified for 95 fuel rather than 98. No prices, fuel-consumption results, or reliability measurements are supplied, so the extra money required for any version—and whether that premium is worthwhile—cannot be calculated. On specifications alone, the 605 hp, 1395 kg 4.5 DCT is the version to buy for performance, while the 570 hp, 1380 kg 4.5 DCT is the strongest alternative among the 570 hp listings.