[TK-421]

EDIT: It's official

THE NEW FERRARI 458 SPIDER

The world's first mid-rear engined berlinetta equipped with a retractable hard top debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Maranello, 23rd August 2011 - The new 458 Spider joins the 458 Italia, widening the range of Ferrari's mid-rear engined V8s and offering the same uncompromising technological solutions, handling and performance in a refined open-top configuration. It is equipped with a Ferrari patented, fully retractable hard top, a world first for a sports car with this lay-out.

The 458 Spider is powered by Ferrari's naturally-aspirated, direct-injection 4.5 litre V8 which was nominated as the 2011 International Engine of the Year for its engineering excellence in terms of driveability, performance, economy and refinement. The power is transferred to the road by Ferrari's class-leading dual-clutch F1 paddle-shift transmission through the sophisticated E-Diff, itself integrated with the F1-Trac traction control and high-performance ABS for maximum handling dynamics.

Certain features, such as its accelerator pedal mapping and the damping of the multilink suspension, have been calibrated to guarantee maximum sportiness and absolute driving pleasure with the top down, in line with Maranello's exclusive spider tradition. Even the engine soundtrack has been honed to ensure that the car's occupants are completely captivated by the drop-top driving experience.

Entirely in aluminium, the hard-top solution adopted for the 458 Spider offers a number of advantages over the traditional folding soft-top, including a reduction of 25 kg in weight and a deployment time of just 14 seconds. Fully integrated into the styling of the car, the hard-top was engineered to fit neatly ahead of the engine bay without compromising aerodynamics or the performance of the car. The small space needed to house the roof enables the designers to include a generous rear bench for luggage behind the seats.

The rear of the car is characterised by innovative forms with the buttresses designed to optimise the flow of air to the engine intakes and the clutch and gearbox oil radiators. For maximum comfort whilst driving top down the 458 Spider features a generously-sized adjustable electric wind stop. The design was perfected to slow and diffuse the air in the cockpit, enabling normal conversation to be held even at speeds over 200 km/h.

New technical solutions adopted for the chassis guarantee identical levels of structural rigidity with the roof up or down. The result is a car that is truly exciting to drive, blending extreme performance with the responsiveness that has always characterised Ferrari's open-top berlinettas.

458 Spider technical specifications

Dimensions
Length 4527 mm (178.2 in.)
Width 1937 mm (76.3 in.)
Height 1211 mm (47.7 in.)
Wheelbase 2650 mm (104.3 in.)
Dry weight 1430 kg (3153 lbs)*
Weight/power ratio 2.51 kg/CV (7.42 lbs/kW)
Weight distribution fr/r 42%/58%

Engine
Type 90° V8
Displacement 4499 cc (274.5 cu in.)
Maximum power 570 CV (425 kW)** @ 9000 rpm
Maximum torque 540 Nm (398 lbs/ft) @ 6000 rpm
Specific power output 127 CV/l
Compression ratio 12.5:1

Tyres
Front 235/35 ZR20 8.5”
Rear 295/35 ZR20 10.5”

Performance
Maximum speed >320 km/h (>198 mph)
0-100 km/h <3.4 s

Fuel consumption + emissions
Fuel consumption*** 11.8 l/100 km
Emissions*** 275 g CO2/km

Gearbox
Dual-clutch, 7-speed F1

Electronics
E-Diff3, F1-Trac, high-performance ABS
* With forged wheels and Racing seats

** Including 5 CV of ram effect

*** Combined cycle with HELE system (ECE+EUDC)

[TK-421]

The humps behind the seats are a little sharper than I thought they'd be... but it's still at the very top of my "if I win the lotto" list.

[xerox445]

wow. amazing

[Year's_End]

eh, need to see it in motion

[Q4P]

I like it but I'd still get the coupe... as perfect as it is, it won't handle as well as the coupe. See top gear R8 convertible vs 911 convertible episode for explanation.

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by Questforpower

I like it but I'd still get the coupe... as perfect as it is, it won't handle as well as the coupe. See top gear R8 convertible vs 911 convertible episode for explanation.

Yeah but when you're out on a drive on the weekends on some windy backroads, I highly doubt you'll notice the handling differences (especially when you've got the top down and you can hear that engine at 9000rpm).

[Silver-Bolt]

The new Auto Week has a photo.

[SilverII]

so nice... do want

[Pangloss]

For the difference in convertible price alone you could probably buy an M3.



/stillwant

[TK-421]

OP updated with official pics/video/press release

[hks786]

I was going to say the coupe is still better until I seen the new roof. I think it looks great with the folding hardtop roof. I'd love to keep the roof down on that thing and listen to that V8.

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by hks786

I was going to say the coupe is still better until I seen the new roof. I think it looks great with the folding hardtop roof. I'd love to keep the roof down on that thing and listen to that V8.

Yeah, the roof was the one thing I was a bit worried about but I think they pulled it off quite nicely. I would kill to have one of those and be able to drive with the top down after installing a nice muffler, like this one:

[RON1X]

^HOLY $HIT that is the best sound i've ever heard
novitec perfection...

[PsychoSlug]

Oh my....

[DASHOCKER]

Beautiful!When it comes to tailor made suits & automobiles, Italy is king.

[montreal red]

wow novitec exhaust sounds incredible!

[Wraith.]

Had no idea it was going to be a Hard Top. Perfect.

[Impervious]

Originally Posted by shift@red

eh...looks too busy

My thoughts exactly.

Both the coupe and spider are too busy. I'm still a F430 guy.

[dtwyim]

I'll take mine in yellow, thankyou.

[b0bab0i]

Originally Posted by Impervious

My thoughts exactly.

Both the coupe and spider are too busy. I'm still a F430 guy.

+1

I think they downgraded exterior wise.

[Los Angeles]

Originally Posted by benmoooon

+1

I think they downgraded exterior wise.

All in the name of physics.


In person though, this car makes your fucking jaw drop. You'll be singing a different tune once it pulls up right in front of you.

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by Los Angeles

All in the name of physics.


In person though, this car makes your fucking jaw drop. You'll be singing a different tune once it pulls up right in front of you.

+1

The 458 has a presence to it that very few cars can match.