The Ferrari 458 helped the brand transition from analog to digital, and now it could be yours

The Ferrari 458 Italia is one of the most important models in the brand’s history, for at least two reasons.

First, it helped Ferrari transition from analog to digital, and second, it was the first Ferrari to introduce the complex F1-style steering wheel.

This one, in excellent condition, has just surfaced for sale, and you can get your hands on it through SBX Cars.

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In a way, the 458 Italia reignited people’s passion and attention when it came to Ferrari.

The cars that came before it, the 355, the 360 Modena, and 430 Scuderia (even without the absurd Liberty Walk kit), are highly regarded now, with hindsight, but that wasn’t necessarily the case back then when they were new.

When the 458 Italia came along, it was a reminder of what Ferrari could, and can, do.

The Ferrari 458 Italia introduced the F1-style steering wheel

The complex, and let’s be honest somewhat complicated, F1-style steering wheel on a Ferrari is something we take for granted these days but it wasn’t always thus.

The Ferrari 458 Italia was the first to introduce a steering wheel with switches and dials and knobs inspired by Formula 1.

The engine start button was on the steering wheel, as were the indicators, wiper switches, and of course the Manettino.

You can use the Manettino to choose between Wet, Sport, Race, CT (Traction Control) Off, ESP (Stability Control) off.

All in all, the steering wheel on the 458 Italia has a grand total of 10 individual controls.

Left to right, you’ve got the left paddle, left indicator, light switch, suspension de-coupling switch, Manettino, windshield wipers, right paddle, right indicator and then there are two buttons for the horn, one on each side.

One of the best Ferrari engines ever made

The engine that powers the 458 is modern and technically advanced, but still fundamentally analog.

For starters, the 458 comes from the era when automakers would sometimes name cars after their technical specifications – 45, as in 4.5-liter, and 8 as in V8.

Under the hood, there’s a V8 with a cubic capacity of 4,497 cc (4.5 liters), sending 562 horsepower to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

A collector’s car that’s also a daily driver

There aren’t that many Ferraris that you can collect but also drive every day, and the 458 Italia is certainly one of them.

The one offered here is finished in Argento Nürburgring over Nero interior, coming in with 23,560 miles (37,900+ km) on the clock.

This car was bought new in 2012, so that’s an average of 1,900 miles driven every year.

It goes to show this is a collector’s car, but one you can enjoy daily.

The car, located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in the US, is available from SBX Cars and the auction ends on July 2nd.