Carrera D132 Ferrari 458 Italia (red & yellow)

Review by CoMod JoergW of the Carrera DIGITAL 132 Ferrari 458 Italia (30539/30540)

So here we have the 2009 model from the prestigious Italian automaker in 1:32 scale, and at first glance, it’s nothing more than one Ferrari in a long line of Ferraris… I think that’s exactly what it’s supposed to be ;-)

The Ferrari 548 Italia was released in 2009 as the successor to the Ferrari 430. A base price of just under 200,000 euros naturally makes it a rather rare vehicle. Weighing just under 1.4 metric tons, it’s powered by a direct-injection V8 engine producing 570 PS, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and reaching a top speed of approximately 325 km/h. Traction is provided by 20-inch alloy wheels with 235/35 tires on the front axle and 295/35 tires on the rear axle. The car is really a hot machine, which is why all the vehicles had to be sent back to the workshops. In some cases, the vehicles burned out because an adhesive used in the engine compartment had ignited due to the heat.

Appearance:
The two models, in Ferrari red and the yellow also typical of Ferrari, are styled true to the real thing. The micro-lettering and emblems, as well as the paintwork, are cleanly executed and rich in detail. As far as I know, the cars haven’t competed in any real-world racing series yet, but on the Carreratrack, their understated racing look makes them perfectly suitable for GT races. A race against older supercars—like the Bond-era Aston Martin, etc.—would likely be significantly more challenging due to technical innovations in the suspension, … but you can certainly give it a try. In the display case, that doesn’t matter, and the new Ferrari 548 Italia fits in beautifully here. Brake calipers and perforated brake rotors further enhance the car’s appearance.

Technical details:
The headlights on the digital versions are quite bright and show almost no side light. Otherwise, the increased front-wing rotation angle—which also has a positive effect on this vehicle’s drifting performance—has been standard equipment for quite some time. The tires provide sufficient grip even without further preparation. Since the ultra-low-profile tires are very thin, special care is needed when sanding them down and rounding the edges.

Workmanship:
The wheels don’t sit quite flush in the wheel wells, but if you look at photos of the real-life models, that’s also the case in person. The axles and rims rotate smoothly and freely. There is sufficient space in the chassis to accommodate pieces of rolled lead. The side panels, in particular, are ideal for this purpose. Up front, the space is tighter and flatter, so you’ll need to experiment a bit.

Handling:
The handling is brisk and unremarkable. The car runs quietly and is virtually unshakable, especially with magnets. With a few stickers and race numbers, you could turn it into a nice race car. Given the real-world performance data, I wouldn’t be surprised if one or two 548s show up on the racetrack soon.

CoMod JoergW

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*Test report by CoMod Lotus on the Carrera DIGITAL 132 Ferrari 458 Italia
(30539/30540) 

Fire under the seat

! Yes ! That’s probably what comes to mind when you think of the Ferrari 458, introduced in 2009 and on sale since early 2010: 8 cylinders, 570 PS, 540 Nm of torque, a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission—and all that in a car weighing just 1,340 kg. A car like this really sets your heart racing. Unfortunately, it does so not just figuratively, but also literally—which is why it’s now also known as the “Flambé Ferrari.” Ten of them have already gone up in flames.

Here’s a video: Ferrari on fire! (You can find more examples on YouTube as well.)

The reason for the spontaneous combustion is a special high-tech adhesive that secures a protective shield between the wheel well covers and the engine compartment to protect the tires and body from the heat of the mid-engine. Under extreme driving conditions and high outside temperatures, the adhesive can vaporize and ignite. And just like that, the 197th000,00 € one is going up in flames .

Well, the child in every man sometimes comes up with the silliest ideas. Back in my youth, during Carrerathe good old days of the Universal 132, my cousin Frank and I once coated those old cigar-shaped race cars with Pattex, lit them on fire, and raced them around the track. They smoked like crazy. Of course, we only did this in the backyard—it would have been way too dangerous inside the apartment. When I saw the pictures of the burning 458, an idea popped into my head… But

I immediately dismissed that crazy notion, because the new Carreramodel is simply far too good to waste that way . The Carreradesigners have done an outstanding job with the car; the proportions are perfect. The interior of the body is partially painted black so that the LEDs don’t show through (on the digital model). There’s plenty of room in the chassis for lead weight enthusiasts, but the car drives perfectly even without any lead weights. It stays on track thanks to its very wide track and good grip. Personally, I like the yellow one better than the red one, though I agree with my colleagues: as a race car with a war-themed paint job

, this car would be a hit!And finally, a reminder—especially for the kids: don’t try this with Pattex! It’s too dangerous, and above all, it’s a shame to ruin the cars!