Ferrari reveals 660bhp 488 Spider 31 | 07 | 2015
FERRARI'S MOST POWERFUL mid-engined cabriolet, the 660bhp V8 turbocharged 488 Spider, will go on sale in Scotland next Spring, priced close on £200,000.
The 488 Spider uses a similar folding hard-top to that of its predecessor, the 458 Spider, and the Italian sportscar maker says the hard-top is 25kg lighter than a cloth roof. Further good news is it takes just 14 seconds to fold up or down: perfect for the vagaries of Scottish weather!
Ingeniously, when folded down, the roof lies flat on top of the engine.
And thanks to its spaceframe chassis, Ferrari says the 488 Spider has the same torsional rigidity as the 488 GTB. In fact, thanks to the combination of 11 different aluminium alloys in conjunction with other metals, such as magnesium, Ferrari says the car actually benefits from a 23% improvement in chassis rigidity compared with the 458 Spider.
Only 50kg heavier than the coupé and is 10kg lighter than the 458 Spider, at 1420kg dry weight when fitted with optional lightweight equipment, it's only marginally heavier than the 488 GTB
Aerodynamically, the 488 Spider is the most streamlined drop-top Ferrari has made, and it's also one of the best looking, with its large flying buttresses — designed to send airflow to the engine cover and into the air intakes — which sit behind the two seats.
And while the rear spoiler — which channels air through a gap on the rear lip — remains unchanged from the coupé, the Spider also gets the GTB’s adjustable rear diffuser, which varies its position depending on speed and throttle input.
Ferrari designers have also added an adjustable rear wind stopper, in the form of an electric glass window, which the driver can place in three different positions to increase protection from buffeting. And if you want to increase the sound of the engine in the cabin, it can also be dropped while the roof is in place.
The cabrio's powerplant is identical to that of the GTB and gives the Spider the same claimed 0-62mph time of 3.0sec. The fact the 0-124mph takes marginally longer, at 8.7sec to the fixed-head car’s 8.4sec, is unlikely to put buyers off.
Top speed is 203mph, while — officially — it'll eke out 24.8mpg at the pumps, though in real driving conditions, expect high teens. It also emits 260g/km CO2.
Pricing will be confirmed at September's Frankfurt Motor Show, though given the fact the 488 coupé starts at £183,974, it's a fair guesstimate to predict around £200,000 for the cabrio.
Right-hand-drive cars are due to go on sale in late spring next year … so form an orderly queue.
Related: Vettel wins thrilling Hungarian Grand Prix
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/Scotcars
Jim McGill