RM2m dream car hits town

Yet another RM2 million supercar from Europe has hit Malaysian roads in just over a week.

It was the Ferrari 458 Italia's turn to wow the local crowd yesterday, hot on the heels of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG launch late last week.

The 458 Italia is a mid-engine sports car produced by Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari. It was officially introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 15 last year.

Malaysia has the distinction of being the first Southeast Asian country to unveil and parade the 5-litre super speedster in conjunction with the Malaysian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Sepang this weekend.

"The 458 Italia exudes style, creative flair, passion and cutting-edge technology," the Naza group's joint executive chairman Datuk SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin said at a media preview in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

"Ferrari is a niche car. So it's not a volume game. The 458 Italia is a must for Ferrari fans and enthusiasts in Malaysia," he added.

Naza has been the local Ferrari distributor through wholly-owned Naza Italia Sdn Bhd since March 31 2008.

In Ferrari's first official announcement of the car, the 458 Italia was described as the successor to the F430.

However, it arose from an entirely new design, incorporating technology developed from Ferrari's experience in Formula 1 racing.

The 458 Italia sells at about RM2 million here, but will cost more because customers can personalise their unit under Ferrari's Carrozzeria Scaglietti programme.

"Ferrari clients can personalise their car according to their taste and requirements. We are helping them to build their dream car," SM Faisal said.

There are four main personalisation areas for the 458 Italia: racing and track, exterior and colours, interior and materials, and equipment and travel.

If you place your 458 Italia order today, be prepared to wait at least 18 months, which SM Faisal said is the current waiting period for the car.

Naza Italia has received bookings for 14 units of the 458 Italia.

Overall, it has sold 23 Ferrari cars from five models.

Other Ferrari models in its line-up are the F430, 599 GTB Fiorano, 612 Scaglietti, Ferrari California and Scuderia Spider.