Ferrari 458 Italia Sound

To optimize efficiency, the Ferrari 458 Italia has been designed to satisfy the dual objective of providing the driver with the most complete feedback typical from a Ferrari V8 engine whilst also guaranteeing high levels of acoustic comfort. The silencers are equipped with by-pass valves that are activated at maximum performance. At lower revs, or on a partial throttle, the exhaust gases exit from a second pair of smaller diameter tubes. The result is a Ferrari 458 Italia's engine sound not invasive at low revs but fuller and richer at increasing performance. Under low performance, the by-pass valves close, trapping the exhaust gases in the two silencers. At high performance and in particular under hard acceleration, the ECU responds by opening the valves and feeding all of the exhaust gases directly to the two outer tailpipes.

The catalytic converter is attached to the central section of the exhaust by a flexible element which allows reducing the amount of vibrations transmitted to lighten the overall system. Similarly, the pre-catalytic converter has been eliminated, lowering overall weight and reducing back pressure whilst still complying with strict Euro 5 and LEV2 emissions legislation. Despite the more powerful engine of the 458 Italia compared to the one from the F430, the new Ferrari produces just 307 g/km of CO2 whether fuel consumption is 13.3 l/100 Km (combined cycle), reaching the best value in the entire segment.

Under full acceleration, the Ferrari 458 Italia sound is deeper than the F430 and it incorporates all the harmonics from 2nd to the 10th range. The predominance of these harmonics allows a full and powerful sound spectrum but also comfortable and unobtrusive. The Ferrari 458 Italia's triple exhaust tailpipes recall those of the F40 underlining the car extreme performance and character. The ignition carries a fuel control system that uses ionization currents, first developed for the FXX and later employed on the 430 Scuderia.

One of the most innovative technologies implied in the 458 Italia is the dual-clutch gearbox which contemporaneously boosts performance and driving comfort. Mounted longitudinally in the rear, it is a seven-speed electrohydraulic gearbox without torque converter. It is capable of combining the fun driving experience of a sequential gearbox with the comfort typical of an automatic one. This dual achievement is reached thanks to the gear shifting time reduction to near zero and to the torque interruption abolition. This interaction enhances the torque delivery and the car's sporty feeling: the response to the gear-shifting the engine acceleration are instant providing an extreme driving comfort.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6151284