Chopping off the roof is great for the ‘vain and the glorious’ but it isn’t so great for the torsional rigidity because the roof of any car is part of the structure. That’s not the case for the 488 Spider its actually as ridged as the coupe thanks to the use of exotic light weight alloys that have been used to brace the internal structure.
Ferrari has also worked on optimising the aerodynamics which is designed to reduce downforce whilst reducing drag at the same time. A blown spoiler and an aerodynamic underbody incorporating vortex generators ‘push’ the Ferrari securely into the ground at high speed.
To reduce buffeting when the roof is down the electric glass rear wind stop can be adjusted to one of three positions just so you can experience the sound of the 488 GTB’s engine uninterrupted.
The 488 GTB Spider can accelerate 12% faster than its 458 Spider predecessor, Ferrari have upgraded the mechanical and electronic software that integrates with the SSC2 Side Slip Angle Control System.
What Ferrari want you to know is that if you have the disposable income to buy one of these supercars then it is better than its 458 predecessor in every way, but it was never going to be worse was it?
The 488 GTB Spider will debut at the Frankfurt Motorshow, yes its going to be expensive but have any Ferrari s ever been cheap?
Ferrari 488 Spider
Technical specifications
ENGINE
Type 90° V8, turbo-charged, dry sump
Total displacement 3902 cc (238.1 cu. in)
Bore and stroke 86.5 x 83 mm (3.4 x 3.3 in)
Maximum power * 492 kW (670 cv) at 8000 rpm
Maximum torque * 760 Nm at 3000 rpm in VII gear
Specific output 172 cv/l (2.07 kW/cu. in)
Compression ratio 9.4:1
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
Length 4568 mm (179.8 in)
Width 1952 mm (76.9 in)
Height 1211 mm (47.7 in)
Wheelbase 2650 mm (104.3 in)
Front track 1679 mm (66.1 in)
Rear track 1647 mm (64.8 in)
Kerb weight** 1525 kg (3362 lb)
Dry weight** 1420 kg (3131 lb)
Weight distribution 41.5% front – 58.5% rear
Boot capacity 230 l (8.12 cu. ft)
Fuel tank capacity 78 l (22.7 US gallons)
TYRES
Front 245/35 ZR20 J9.0
Rear 305/30 ZR 20 J11.0
BRAKES
Front 398x223x36 mm (15.7 x 8.8 x 1.4 in)
Rear 360x233x32 mm (14.2 x 9.2 x 1.3 in)
TRAMISSION AND GEARBOX
7-speed F1 dual-clutch transmission
ELECTRONICS CONTROL
E-Diff3, F1-Trac, High-Performance ABS with Ferrari Pre-Fill, FrS SCM-E, SSC
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed > 325 km/h (203 mph)
0 – 100 km/h (0 – 62 mph) 3.0 s
0 – 200 km/h (0 – 124 mph) 8.7 s
0 – 400 m (0 – 437 yd) 10.55 s
0 – 1000 m (0 – 1093 yd) 18.9 s
Dry weight/power ratio 2.12 kg/cv (6.35 lb/kW)
CONSUMPTION ***
11.4 l/100 km
C02 EMISSIONS***
260 g/km
* with 98 octane fuel
** With optional equipment
