Skip advert
Advertisement

Ferrari 458 Italia

Our Performance Car of the Year test is always eagerly anticipated, but a heavyweight supercar showdown provided added spice in 2010 with the 458 Italia going head-to-head with the SLS AMG.

Ferrari 458 Italia

As the summer draws to a close, one very special road test provides the highlight of the Auto Express calendar. 

Our Performance Car of the Year test (Issue 1,134) is one of the most highly respected shoot-outs in the world and is a must-win for any manufacturer serious about being known as a maker of the ultimate driver’s car.

Advertisement - Article continues below

In 2010, we had no shortage of mouthwatering metal to put in the laps at our Anglesey test circuit. Everything from SEATs to Subarus and BMWs to Bentleys had made the trip to north Wales, and any of our 20 contenders could have emerged victorious. But one model turned out to be so special that the entire road test team was unanimous in its verdict.

While it might seem a cliché to crown a Ferrari as our champ, the 458 Italia really is a special car. Redefining our expectations of prancing horse models, it serves up a mind-blowing mix of scarcely believable pace, jaw-dropping styling and 21st century supercar handling. No rival comes close for providing the sort of driving experience you will never forget every single time you get behind the wheel.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,825 off RRP*Used from £8,600
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £6,040 off RRP*Used from £12,495
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £11,925
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,271 off RRP*Used from £11,595
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer
Volvo EM90 - front

New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer

Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it’s for China only
Road tests
20 Jun 2025
Groundbreaking Nissan solid-state EV batteries due on sale by 2028
Nissan Leaf - front cornering

Groundbreaking Nissan solid-state EV batteries due on sale by 2028

The industry is in a race to bring solid-state to the market, and Nissan isn’t too far behind the leaders
News
17 Jun 2025
New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there’s a whole lot more too
Audi Q3 - front

New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there’s a whole lot more too

Audi’s not taking any risks with its all-new Q3; watch it sell like crazy
News
16 Jun 2025