Ferrari will launch the 430 Spider at the Geneva Motor Show from 3-13 March 2005. Ferrari’s new drop-top includes a number of technical features which, says Ferrari, give hints of the car’s F1 pedigree. These include an electronic differential, first developed by the racing division for the Scuderia’s F1 cars. This improves traction and roadholding under all conditions, reckons Ferrari. The Spider also features the steering wheel-mounted rotary switch, known to the Scuderia’s drivers as the ‘manettino’, which allows the car’s set-up to be adjusted easily and quickly.
The Spider's aero features were also tweaked using computer aerodynamics simulation programmes usually employed exclusively by the F1 team.
Ferrari says the shape of the car is the result of lengthy testing and features a pronounced rear lip spoiler which is integrated into the end of the engine cover, new bigger rear air intakes that emphasise the car’s muscular stance, and a new rear valance that incorporates a diffuser of competition derivation. The engine is visible under a glass cover.
Just like the Berlinetta, the new Spider incorporates two elliptical air intakes that feed the front radiators. The shape of the intakes is inspired by Ferrari’s racing cars from the 1961 season, especially the 156 F1 which Phil Hill drove to that year’s F1 Championship title. The spoiler that joins the two intakes at their bottom edge is highly effective in directing the central air flow towards the flat underbody.
The F430 Spider boasts a compact, fully automatic electric hood that allows the engine to be seen in all its glory at all times and which, once lowered, takes up relatively little space, despite the uncompromising central-rear engine layout.
The F430 Spider is powered by Ferrari’s new 490bhp, 4.3-litre 90-degree V8 which is capable of pushing the car to a top speed of over 193 mph and covering the 0-62 mph sprint in 4.1 seconds. This lightweight and highly compact power unit produces a specific output of 114 hp per litre with a weight-to-power ratio of 2.9Kg (6.4 lbs) per horsepower (dry weight).
- Length: 4512 mm (177.6 in)
- Width: 1923 mm (75.7 in)
- Height: 1234 mm (48.6 in)
- Wheelbase: 2600 mm (102.4 in)
- Front track: 1669 mm (65.7 in)
- Rear track: 1616 mm (63.6 in)
- Kerb weight: 1520* kg (3,351 lbs)
- Type: 90° V8
- Bore x stroke: 92 mm x 81 mm (3.62 x 3.19 in)
- Unitary displacement: 538.5 cc (32.87 cu in)
- Total displacement: 4.308 cc (263 cu in)
- Compression ratio: 11.3:1
- Maximum power: 360.3 kW (490 hp/483 bhp at 8,500 rpm)
- Maximum torque: 465 Nm (47.4 kgm/343 lbs ft) at 5,250 rpm
- Specific power output: 114 hp/l
- Top speed: over 193 mph
- 0-62 mph: 4.1 seconds
* European market version
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