The Ferrari 458 Italia is a charming demon in the hands of a F1 test driver

The local automotive industry may be small, but the perks are relatively plenty. In the past two years alone, we've sampled (almost) everything from sizzling hot hatches to performance cars guised for the everyday common man and sleek mid-rear engine sports cars to a handful of performance grand tourers.

Yet, we've not experienced the wrath of an award-winning supercar at the hands of a former Formula One driver - until now.

Just before the Sepang Grand Prix weekend at the end of March, Shell gathered a small team of automotive journalists from the surrounding region to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to participate in a drive experience like no other. 

Before the event, the only clue we had was - the drive was not taking place in Sepang - and the 'secret' car would be driven by Scuderia Ferrari test drivers.

On a hot and humid Thursday afternoon, the mystery unfolded, at an airplane hangar in Subang Skypark - the former international airport of Kuala Lumpur. Adjacent to the empty hangar, was a simple course consisting of several V-Power branded slalom - interrupting the otherwise straight tarmac and run off areas at either ends.

James Fairwood, from Shell, gave a short introduction and soon after, two small shutters on either side of the hangar rolled up, and two very familiar prancing horses arrived - the sleek and alluring Ferrari 458 Italia. Not the Spider or the newer, track-inspired, Speciale - just the stock 458 coupes - in white and red, driven by Marc Gene and Pedro de la Rosa respectively.

The journalists were split into two teams and we were the second to have a go in the 458 - with Pedro at the wheel.

The car may have been in production for five years now - yet it functioned flawlessly and obediently to every command from its jockey.

At its heart is an award-winning, naturally aspirated 4,499cc V8 engine that churns out 570 Maranello horses at 9,000rpm and 540Nm of torque at 6,000rpm.

The mid-rear engine layout meant precise manoeuvrability and perfect handling balance - like a Dassault Rafale multi-role fighter jet - which was particularly evident during the tight and brisk turns while navigating the slalom course.

The speed and precision in which the sports car responds to driver inputs is second to none and from the other seat, the car seemed effortless to drive - in fact no more challenging than a hot hatch - despite measuring 4,527mm in length, 1,937mm in width and standing 1,213mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,650mm.

Of course, it is barbaric if we didn't give due credit to the talents of Pedro - a former Formula One driver and current test driver with the Scuderia Ferrari team.