Thursday 14th July 2011

Folding Hard-Top For Ferrari 458 Spider

PH insiders tell us that cloth is out for new drop-top 458

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Not the 458 Spider...

Word has reached PHHQ that the Ferrari 458 Spider will have a trick folding hard-top, rather than the cloth roof worn by its predecessor the F430 Spider.

A folding hard-top 458 has been the subject of much speculation, especially in light of the Ferrari California's folding metal roof. It was thought for the F430 spider that a folding hard-top was too heavy and complex, but it seems Ferrari has solved these problems for the drop-top 458.

Our trusty mole was pretty thin on details, but it seems that the transparent engine cover of the coupe has been dropped, although the 562bhp 4.5-litre V8 beneath it remains thankfully unchanged.

We still don't know if the new roof arrangement will be a glass or metal job, however, or whether it will tuck down behind the seats when open, as some web rumours have predicted.

We'll know more soon, though - the 458 Spider is earmarked for a public debut at the Frankfurt motor show this autumn, so we should see pictures and details of the new car some time later this summer.

[tom felty]

sounds good, im guessing its going to be something like the

[Whitean3]

I don't know why heavy folding metal roofs have not become much lighter composite folding roofs. Given that a convertible should be designed so it is structurally rigid with the top down the roof is surely just a cover. So why not save a lot of high-up weight with something in carbon fibre?

[timewatch]

I know that the round rear lights on this car are a Ferrari signiture, but having radically changed the front I don't understand why they did not make the rear end design more interesting and progressive like the front?

Think they've let it down a bit in that department.

TW>>>

[MrCarCoach]

I just hope they get the look right, personally I think the California is too heavy in the rear. Give me a fabric roof every time because to date, they always look better.

All this seems unnecessary weight with added complexity, which to me in a Ferrari is wrong.

[ZOLLAR]

tom felty said:

sounds good, im guessing its going to be something like the

Christ man I can't take the suspense!!!!, like the what???????

[Davey S2]

Why not just make it with the folding roof in the first place rather than as a hard top first?

If it has a folding hard top they only need 1 car to cover all buyers which must be far cheaper than producing 2 separate models.

[RosCabezas]

Davey S2 said:

Why not just make it with the folding roof in the first place rather than as a hard top first?

If it has a folding hard top they only need 1 car to cover all buyers which must be far cheaper than producing 2 separate models.

That's the reason. One car to cover all buyers. This way, they can sell the same buyer the closed top first and the open top then in a couple of years... Marketing

[MarJay]

Using my psychic powers I guess that Tom Felty was just about to say "California!".

[steve_n]

Davey S2 said:

Why not just make it with the folding roof in the first place rather than as a hard top first?

If it has a folding hard top they only need 1 car to cover all buyers which must be far cheaper than producing 2 separate models.

The hard top is always ultimately better in terms of perfomance.

The gap has narrowed but is still there and some people actually don't want a convertible.

[gtoguy]

The glass engine cover hasn't gone

[Mr Whippy]

I actually like fabric folding tops.

Metal folding ones just look naff with all their panel breaks.

Oh well.

[ajprice]

ZOLLAR said:

tom felty said:

sounds good, im guessing its going to be something like the

Christ man I can't take the suspense!!!!, like the what???????

To be continued....

[PaulFontaine]

Whitean3 said:

I don't know why heavy folding metal roofs have not become much lighter composite folding roofs. Given that a convertible should be designed so it is structurally rigid with the top down the roof is surely just a cover. So why not save a lot of high-up weight with something in carbon fibre?

Higher profit margins. Also it seems to me at least in the US they ususally soften up the drop top version compared to their hard top siblings. There is added weight already for structural reinforcement so maximum weight savings is already not a priority with most convertible buyers. The hardtop will always weigh less than a convertible. This is nothing to get excited about it's something Mercedes and Lexus have been offering for over a decade.

[ZesPak]

Mr Whippy said:

I actually like fabric folding tops.

Metal folding ones just look naff with all their panel breaks.

Oh well.

Saw a white 3-series cab the other day, those panel breaks look dire!
You'd need to get that in black or a dark colour so they don't show that well.

[DS240]

Well done to them if they can pull off a folding hard top in a mid engined car without ruining the way it looks.

Going to have to be some pretty clever folding going on to fit it in.

Keep seeing a California and although it looks alright, the back end is still arkward and they didn't have the problem of having an engine there!

Personally I hope it is fabric. Keep weight down and keep the looks.

[pb63]

They should offer a harcore convertible with a ragtop to lose the weight further...hmmm watch this space...

Lets hope it's still a 'fly' in the handling dept. and it doesn't pile on the pounds...

[kambites]

Whitean3 said:

I don't know why heavy folding metal roofs have not become much lighter composite folding roofs. Given that a convertible should be designed so it is structurally rigid with the top down the roof is surely just a cover. So why not save a lot of high-up weight with something in carbon fibre?

I think the answer is that it's not the roof itself that's heavy, it's all the motors and mechanism to drive it.

You also need quite a lot of sound deadening. I've driven an Elise with just a hard plastic roof and the noise was awful because of the way it echoes.

[kambites]

DS240 said:

Well done to them if they can pull off a folding hard top in a mid engined car without ruining the way it looks.

How do you know they haven't ruined the way it looks? Have you seen it? Mind you, it's already a rather arse-heavy looking car... maybe this is why?

ETA: Oops, can't read.

[ZesPak]

kambites said:

DS240 said:

Well done to them if they can pull off a folding hard top in a mid engined car without ruining the way it looks.

How do you know they haven't ruined the way it looks? Have you seen it?

He didn't say that... he said he hopes they won't ruin it.

[hornetrider]

Mazda have managed it with the MX5 having only a 37kg weight penalty and no loss to boot space. Can't see it being rocket science for Ferrari to manage the same unless the Ferrari engine being mid-mounted presents design issues.