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Re: 458 Italia test in Quattroruote - incredible results
REALZEUS:
If this was a German or British car, everyone in here would applaud these results. I find it strange that Italian cars stir so much controversy on Rennteam...
Didn't I applaud the results ? 
Also don't forget that one of our moderators owns a Porsche AND a Ferrari and another one ordered a 458.
Other Rennteam members also own a Porsche AND a Ferrari.
We just love FACTS, this is why we are a tough audience. 
Ferrari has gained A LOT of ground in the past decade, before that their models were nice but not really competitive compared to Porsche. Things have changed, I already mentioned that Porsche needs a wake up call, otherwise they will loose a lot of ground to the already very strong competition from various manufacturers, including Ferrari.
Take the new Mercedes SLS for example, a real masterpiece from AMG.
The fact that so far only Quattroruote tested the 458 is not helping, we need to see more results from other car magazines. Don't worry, I actually think that the 458 will do very very well but you can't expect people to believe ONE source only, do you ?! 
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M, BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
Re: 458 Italia test in Quattroruote - incredible results
RC:
Things have changed, I already mentioned that Porsche needs a wake up call, otherwise they will loose a lot of ground to the already very strong competition from various manufacturers, including Ferrari.Take the new Mercedes SLS for example, a real masterpiece from AMG.
RC, you are not 100% correct because
- Porsche are very much awoken and have been trying very hard in the last decade with the current models compared to even the 996 and mostly before that when they produced basically the same air-cooled car between the 70s and the mid-90s. We must give them big credit for what they do. Also take price and usability in the equation and their products appear even better. I agree that their first attempts in the SUV and Limousine segments were not absolutely perfect in some areas but you can see the huge improvements even from one year to the next.
- IMO even mentioning Ferrari in the same context as Porsche is a huge compliment for the German manufacturer. Ferrari are not automobiles in the real sense, they are like expensive jewels or trophies for the very rich (albeit very fast under certain conditions) produced in very limited numbers. Ferrari ownership costs are made to look even more prohibitive if you take into account the miniscule mileage covered by owners per annum. Porsche have always been motor cars on the border of mainstream in terms of cost and usability. Of course they are not BMW that can produce less expensive cars from a substantial common parts bin.
- SLS could be a masterpiece according to people who had a chance to drive it but this doesn't necessarily make a Turbo S, for example a lesser car. BTW it was about time for M-B to come up with a decent fast car after 100 years of trying!
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It's not where you're going, it's how you get there that counts
Re: 458 Italia test in Quattroruote - incredible results
I will comment overall result for 458 from QR. They are indeed awsome-lets hope that German mags will repeat them. I doubt because some numbers are almost too good...
One other very interesting thing is overall gearbox ratios for 458-they are in my humble opinion key element for this excellent acceleration results. Also, they show relative lack of low end torque despite 540Nm value claimed by Ferrari.
Loos at this:
458 Italia(from QR):
1. gear 71km/h
2. gear 111km/h
3. gear 145km/h
4. gear 186km/h
5. gear 230km/h
6. gear 282km/h
7. gear 328km/h
997.2 Turbo PDK(italian Auto)
1.gear 64km/h
2.gear 109km/h
3.gear 157km/h
4.gear 211km/h
5.gear 263km/h
6.gear 312km/h
7.gear 308km/h
Since Porsche is using 7 gear almost like overdrive we can not compare them absolutely but... 458 third, fourth, fifth and sixth gear are very, very short. This proves my overall impression from my 458 test drive that this car is using way more revs then 997.2 Turbo PDK to achieve similar speed. ..and 997.2 Turbo PDK or 997.2 Turbo S is still most usable sportscar in over 500hp range. Also, most price effective one...
No doubt about it 458 Italia is a masterpiece. Just, I expect that McLaren MP4-12C will beat 458 numbers in every aspect.
Re: 458 Italia test in Quattroruote - incredible results
IMO the ratio of gear 7 is a representation of the character of both both cars.
Porsche is a usable car for (fast) traveling and that's how most owners will use it. Hence, overdrive 7th for low noise, consumption, mechanical longevity and emissions.
Ferrari is a toy car for short distances and fast sprints on the weekend that typically covers very few thousand kilometers in a year. Therefore, no need to economize of revs. Top speed in 7th gear and huge revs for the sake of a short thrill.
IMO both manufacturers are right given the expected use of their respective automobiles.
--
It's not where you're going, it's how you get there that counts
Re: 458 Italia test in Quattroruote - incredible results
racerx:
Aren't they all getting very close to the terminal point of diminishing returns?
Absolutely correct 
Performance figures will get more and more similar. What really makes the difference is the character of the car, the emotions triggered with the driver
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