Ferrari unveils 488 Pista Spider 28 | 08 | 2018
FERRARI HAS LIFTED the wraps from its new Special Series model, the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider. The reveal took place during the Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach in California. (Related: Ferrari unveils most powerful V8)
Delivering an identical performance to the coupe, it hits 62mph from standstill in 2.85-seconds and continues to a max of 211mph, thanks to its power output of 710bhp and maximum torque of 568lb/ft.
That power comes from same 90-degree twin-turbo 3.9-litre V8 as the coupe, and Ferrari claims the Pista Spider is the most technologically advanced drop-top to date. That’s despite the relatively recent introduction of the ultra-exclusive LaFerrari Aperta hypercar.
At 1380kg dry, the Spider is 100kg heavier than the coupe’s 1280kg, though Ferrari highlights weight has been saved by the use of lightweight, pared-back components. As well as the generous use of carbon-fibre and Alcantara throughout, the carpets have been replaced by patterned aluminium foot plates and the driver’s-side door handle is now a simple strap.
The car features new diamond-finish 20in alloys with a novel 10-spoke star-effect interpretation of Ferrari’s traditional mid-rear engine berlinetta-style rims. Also available are the optional one-piece carbon-fibre wheels which offer a 20% weight reduction over the standard forged alloys.
The Pebble Beach car was finished in an exclusive new ‘central livery’ which runs the whole length of the car, expanding towards the rear where it finishes at the end of the rear wing next to the spoiler. According to Ferrari, this continual expansion of the stripe “recalls the movement of the airflow and exalts the lines of the car”.
Ferrari has yet to confirm how many Pista Spider models it will build, but when it does go on sale it will certainly cost more than the £252,695 of the coupe.
Related: UK debut for Ferrari FXX-K Evo
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Jim McGill