- A rash of fires involving Ferrari 458 Italias has seen 10 supercars burn to the ground.
- The BBC has published a slide show of burning 458s on its Web site.
- The new agency reports that Ferrari is investigating the fires.
MARANELLO, Italy — The Ferrari 458 Italia is a hot car, but this summer it has been in more of its share of flame-outs.
The BBC has published a slide show of burning or burned-out Ferrari 458 Italia supercars from around the world. Among the reported fires are one that began burning on the street in Paris and one that destroyed a 458 in a warehouse at Heathrow Airport in London.
In addition to those, British newspapers are reporting six accidents and two other incidents in which the 458 Italia has caught fire, all within the past three months. Among these was an engine fire in a 458 in Costa Mesa, California, earlier this month. Bloggers are murmuring about a jinx or a curse on the critically acclaimed supercar.
The BBC reports that Ferrari is "aware of the fire-related cases and is looking into them."
The 458 Italia, which costs more than $230,000, made its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. It has a mid-rear-mounted 4.5-liter V8 engine that makes 570 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch F1 transmission.
Inside Line says: Alarming. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent
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mklrivowner says:
06:12 AM, 08/26/2010
Ferrari Driver - "Oh, look here in the glove box, there's a little red button! It's labeled 'destroy the evidence of ugly supercars. I wonder what it does? Well, supercars should never be ugly!" *press*
Ferrari 458 - >*`Foom'*<
Ferrari Driver - "Oh well. I'll use the insurance cash and lawsuit settlement to buy two more."
subafly says:
06:23 PM, 08/25/2010
No LFAs :D
desmolicious says:
04:41 PM, 08/25/2010
Why is it that when a Ferrari burns it is a jinx, but when a Toyota malfunctions it is a defect?
agnh says:
02:29 PM, 08/25/2010
Once again, Kingon brings a sense of clarity to the conversation. Thank you for posting what I'm sure, we were all thinking.
kingon says:
02:11 PM, 08/25/2010
I opposite RMR layout of Ferrari why in fact RMR with V8 is not good exotic supercar can explosive. If Lambo and Audi R8 are mid engine is not RMR. they are good layout M4 is mid engine four wheel drive with V8 or V10. unlike Porsche Carerra GT mid engine RWD with V10 is more than a half million dollars for very rare for two years. I suppose Porsche rear engine RWD with 6 fiat. I know Fiat is only rear engine RWD or RR layout for past original VW , Chevrolet Covair and Porsche. I suppose Ferrari's layout for FR front engine RWD and FMR front-mid engine RWD for supercars.
srlracing says:
01:21 PM, 08/25/2010
Enzo is displeased with the horrifically ugly 458 Italia and the lack of a gated 6 speed.
lotusshell says:
12:29 PM, 08/25/2010
It's not just Ferrari, infact most supercars catch fire when they have a "greater than a fender bender" type crash. Lotus cars have gone up in flames, Carerra GT's, Lambo's ... you name it.
There has been an enzo go up in flames as well here in Canada.
compressor says:
12:13 PM, 08/25/2010
Haven't Ferrari's always caught on fire?
jeremy_c: though interesting, your comment doesn't relate to new italian cars as they should come with the correct tubing/clamps from the factory.
angry_mushroom says:
11:05 AM, 08/25/2010
I thought it was a feature...
jeremy_c says:
10:32 AM, 08/25/2010
Having owned several Alfa Romeos and a Maserati Bi-turbo, this is a common problem for Italian cars. For some strange reason they use many rubber EFI hoses to connect the fuel rail to the fuel lines. Also they use really odd size rubber hoses (7.8mm) which is unique but the dangerous part is that the conventional 8mm EFI hoses will appear to fit over the metal pipe but leak under pressure. It is well known that these rubber hoses and the hose clamps harden over time from the heat in the engine and need to be replaced every 3 years or so. Most owners also replace the OE hose clamps with stainless fuel injection clamps and use double clamps on all connections. I learned the hard way the first time as I cranked the car, had no response, then smelled petrol. Opened the hood and found that the hose came lose and sprayed fuel all over the exhaust manifold. Good thing the engine was still cold!