Set to take on McLaren’s 650S Spider is the Ferrari 488 Spider, launched six months after we first saw the beautiful new 488 GTB coupé.
The new Spider will make its first public appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid September and land on European dealership floors in Q2 2016. Its two-piece retractable hard-top is 10kg lighter than that of the 458 Spider and will deploy in just 14 seconds (but only when the car is stationary).
As with all drop-tops, thanks to the added strengthening the chassis requires to maintain its torsional rigidity, the 488 Spider is a little heavier than its coupé sibling – 50 kgs in this instance. Ferrari also claim a 23% improvement in chassis rigidity compared with the 458 Spider.
Same power
It’s also powered by the GTB’s new 492 kW, 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 and also features the same seven-speed F1 dual-clutch transmission. Ferrari claims a 0-100 km/h time of 3,0 secs and a top speed of 300 km/h plus for this 760 N.m monster. These match the times of the GTB coupé and make it Ferrari’s fastest-ever Spider.
More aero
It’s also said to be their most aerodynamic drop-top thanks to the active front bumper and blown rear spoiler carried over from the GTB. There are also a few visual changes from the coupé, most notably the large flying buttresses behind the two seats that are designed to send airflow to the engine cover and into the air intakes.
More fun
Like the 488 GTB, the 488 Spider has Ferrari’s second-generation Slide Slip Angle Control System (SSC2) that provides less intrusive traction control and allows more throttle input from the driver. Compared to the outgoing 458 Spider, says Ferrari, this means 12% faster acceleration out of corners and a 9% improvement in steering and throttle responses.
Ferrari has also tweaked the 488’s suspension for the Spider, increasing compliance to make it a little more comfortable than the GTB.
Pricing hasn’t been announced, but it’s likely to be around 10% higher than the GTB coupé.
