Ferrari reveals 488 Spider

Based on the 488 GTB, the new retractable hard top (RHT) convertible delivers typical Ferrari performance, as well as what's claimed to be new benchmarks in performance, weight saving, design and driving dynamics.

 

Built around a spaceframe chassis and body panels constructed from a number of aluminium alloys, as well as specific use of lightweight materials like magnesium, the new Spider is claimed to have the same torsional stiffness as the 488 coupe, as well as chassis performance increased by 23 percent compared to the 458 Spider it replaces.

 

 

Before the first 488 Spider prototype was built, Ferrari spent many hours with test drivers in a simulator similar to that used by their F1 team. The result was that many elements were sorted before body and chassis parts were actually constructed.

 

The body also features an aerodynamic undertray with vortex generators that, combined with a blown spoiler and other body-shaping measures, make the 488 Ferrari's most aerodynamically-efficient Spider ever. The Spider's overall shape, Ferrari says, provides the best balance between reduced drag, increased aerodynamic efficiency, as well as the specific airflow requirements for a convertible.

 

The 488 Spider's convertible top, which folds back in two overlapping sections over the engine bay, takes just 14 seconds to open/close (same as the 458 Spider), and is 25 kilograms lighter than a comparable soft top.

 

A power-operated glass wind stop reduces cabin turbulence when driving, and is driver-adjustable to three different positions. With the roof raised, the wind stop can be lowered to allow more engine noise ("seductive, not invasive," says Ferrari) to transfer to the cabin.

 

 

The 488 Spider uses the same 3.9-litre turbocharged V8 engine as the 488 GTB coupe. More powerful than the non-turbo 458's powerplant, this new V8 delivers 492kW at 8000rpm and torque of 760Nm at 3000rpm. Driving through a 7-speed F1 dual-clutch transmission, the 488 Spider is capable of a top speed in excess of 325km/h, with 0 to 100km/h achieved in 3.0 seconds. This is almost half a second quicker than the 458 Spider it replaces, despite the new model being 90 kilograms heavier (curb weight).

 

Sharing technology used on the Scuderia F1 cars, Ferrari claims to have virtually eliminated turbo lag on this latest engine, too, with a listed throttle response time of 0.8 seconds.

 

 

The usual raft of sophisticated electronics and driver aids are part of the 488 Spider package, with 'E-Diff3' (third generation electronic differential that accurately delivers torque to the rear wheels and eliminates wheelspin), 'F1-Trac' (F1-spec traction control for improved drive into and out of corners), Frs SCM-E (adjustable magnetorheological suspension control with frequency analysis system) and high-performance ABS braking with Ferrari Pre-Fill (moves calipers into contact with brake discs to eliminate lag between acceleration and braking) on the tech list.

 

More specifically, the new convertible features improvements in Ferrari's Side Slip Angle Control System (SSC2), which results in a 12 percent faster acceleration out of corners, as well as a 9 percent improvement in overall response times from the other driver aids.

 

 

Following its unveiling in Frankfurt, the 488 Spider is expected to be available in Europe and North American later this year, with release to other markets following in 2016.