In much the same way that the F430 succeeded the 360, looked a lot like the outgoing car but was completely different in almost every other way, Ferrari promises that the 458 Italia is a completely new car in all ways possible. This includes the engine, design, aerodynamics, handling, instrumentation and ergonomics.

Looks-wise, it's roughly the same shape as the F430 but squatter, more purposeful and slimmer round the middle. The double-strut wing mirrors have gone as have the four air-induction scoops and the draw-in lines that fed them. The front lights are more angular and the rear clusters have been trimmed down to a single circular unit on each side instead of two. The lip-spoiler has been ditched by a more integrated and complicated looking system that channels the air under the tail-light area. The pronounced front double-intake from the F430 has gone; replaced by a large single intake that feeds the radiators on the underside of the car and the rear splitter looks like a similar arrangement to that on the Scuderia. It all adds up to a cleaner, less fussy and better-looking design - Pinninfarina's work, of course.

The 458 Italia is reportedly leaner than the outgoing car as far as emissions and fuel economy go - despite the fact that the new engine is significantly more powerful than the V8s that preceded it.

Ferrari's official figures say that the 458 Italia will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in under 3.4 seconds and has a maximum speed of 202 mph - that's the bottom line: it's quicker by loads and has a higher top speed - combine this with the better looks and added technology and we could be looking at a proper successor.