Tuesday 23rd August 2011

First Pics: Ferrari 458 Spider

Open-top folding aluminium roof set-up gets its first public airing on 458 Spider

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Ferrari has finally lifted the lid (no more puns like that, please - Ed) on the new Ferrari 458 Spider, ahead of the car's debut at the Frankfurt show.

As we've reported before, the new 458 Spider features a fully retractable aluminium folding hard top, a world-first (we think, though we're prepared to be corrected) for a mid-engined supercar-ey thing.

The main mechanical vital stats are the same as for the coupe, meaning a 562bhp, 398lb ft 4.5-litre V8 coupled to a twin-clutch transmission.

Overall, the 458 Spider is 50kg heavier than its coupe cousin, however, so adds a tenth to the 0-62mph time (3.4secs) as a result, with top speed dropping by 5km/h to 'just' 320km/h (that's 199mph).

The new aluminium hard top can be raised or lowered in just 14 seconds, while the whole unit is actually 25kg lighter than that fitted to the old F430 Spider.

Serious attention has also been paid to high-speed roof-down motoring, with the throttle mapping, spring and damper rates, and even the soundtrack being tweaked specifically for open-top motoring.

The rear of the car also has aerodynamic 'buttresses' that are designed to optimise the flow of air over the car's oily bits, while an adjustable electronic 'wind stop' that, says Ferrari, allows 'normal' conversation with the roof down even at speeds of 125mph.

 

 

 

[cosdog]

mmmmmmm thats gorgeous

[Kong]

Mmmmmmmm this is even better than i expected it to be. Love the F50 style buttresses

[Roberty]

That is awesome, I actually prefer it for not having a glass engine cover.

Lovely.

[MogulBoy]

Top marks to Ferrari! From that video, the operation of the top looks superb!

[Rawwr]

Well I'll be first to pitch in with an 'ewwwwwwwwwww!'.

Too fussy.

[Lordbenny]

Nice but a)Certainly wouldn't want a red one and b)Would wait for the Scuderia version!

[Papa Hotel]

That's just awesome.

Right, my job doesn't pay enough...

I have access to firearms though...

Is it worth the risk? I'd say so.

[Retset]

It took me many months to 'get' the styling of the 458. Now that I do, this new Spider is automotive porn! I would (but can't afford) to take this over the hard top any day - the noise and open experience has got to be worth the tiny performance loss IMHO.

[rpguk]

I love that (I also loved the F50 though!)

[Mini1275]

Rawwr said:

Well I'll be first to pitch in with an 'ewwwwwwwwwww!'.

Too fussy.

Absolutely agree .

[DS240]

For sale... Healthy non essential body organs. Price works out at the cost of a 458 spider surprisingly!

That is just stunning.

[minimatt1967]

That's very nice indeed.

[AWG]

Lordbenny said:

Nice but a)Certainly wouldn't want a red one and b)Would wait for the Scuderia version!

Is this in the pipeline then?

[DS240]

AWG said:

Is this in the pipeline then?

If they follow the pattern of the 430 then I'd say so.

[adeelster]

Just the best thing EVER.

I love 2 seater convertibles. I love Ferraris. This is both, honed to perfection. When the second hand ones hit 50k I think I may have one (so in around the year 2030).

[minicab]

Sex wee

That is just simply gorgeous!

[Pozzy]

I think this looks absolutely fantastic, which is really quite odd since I think the hardtop is a bit of a munter...

[DS240]

Just seen the vid also.

Why would bother buying the coupe, when you can get the best of both worlds with this.

One day I will have one.

[caine70]

They could shave that 50kg off if they dumped the dual-clutch and fitted the F1 'box from the GTO.

Looks fantastic though.

[ChipsAndCheese]

Stunning, absolutely love that.

Only slight downside is that it is a shame to lose the window with the view of the engine.