Ferrari F430 Spider: First look

By Feann Torr

Road Test: Ferrari F430 Spider Driven

Sharing the F430 coupe's V8 engine and gearbox, the sensational new Ferrari F430 Spider stunned show goers at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show.

Replacing the 360 Spider, the new drop top, fresh from the Ferrari compound in Maranello, not only looks incredibly horny, it's also a dangerously fast rag-top, able to surpass the hallowed triple tonne (metrically speaking).

But a top speed of 310km/h alone won't sell a car, especially one that commands an exotic pricetag, so it comes as no surprise that Ferrari has gone to great lengths to ensure that it's new entry-level convertible provides drivers with the all-important Ferrari feel.

Because the F430 Spider has a cloth roof, the styling needed to be tweaked to ensure it would remain stable at high speeds and reinforcements to the car's structure were also needed to reduce flex.

Pininfarina was given the task of styling the Spider, and aerodynamics were a key prerequisite for the Ferrari engineers, so the Italian groups decided that a bit of F1 inspiration wouldn't go astray and were allowed to make use of the state-of-the-art computer aerodynamics simulation programmes employed exclusively by the Ferrari F1 team.

As a result of using these high tech aerodynamic simulations, the F430 Spider's "sinuous lines", as Ferrari calls them, not only provide for enough downforce at high speeds, with or without the roof closed, but they give the convertible a very eye-catching profile too.

A flat underbody helps to reduce under-car turbulence while the large and motor sports-inspired rear diffuser also helps smooth the airflow coming out from under the car, while increasing downforce over the rear wheels slightly.

Sitting low to the ground, the 4512mm long Ferrari retains the overall shape of its tin-topped sibling, the F430 coupe, including the new headlights and front end.

The curvy air intakes that live behind the front doors are also there, and their purpose is to allow the engine to take deep breaths when push comes to shove, and let's not forget the oh-so-cool glass-covered engine bay either: it's almost like a museum exhibit.

Minor changes to the rear of the car were needed to incorporate the automatic folding roof, but nothing that blemishes the otherwise smooth lines of the F430.

It is interesting to note that whether open or closed, the roof never blocks the view of the transparent engine bay; somehow Ferrari discovered enough space between the front seats and the mid-mounted engine to stow a folding cloth roof.

From some angles, it's almost as though Ferrari built the car around the engine, rather than around the driver.

Working in tandem with the aerodynamic, lightweight body, the highly visible Spider's engine is the same new V8 that made its debut in the F430 berlinetta in 2004.

Together with the same 6-cog transmission driving the rear wheels, the Spider is slightly slower than the coupe to 100km/h, but this is to be expected with a 70kg increase in weight.

The coupe tips the scales at 1450kg, while the new F430 Spider 1520kg.

But even with the extra weight, the Prancing Horse's latest drop top is still supercar quick, scorching the 0- 100km/h sprint in 4.1 seconds, with a top speed of 310km/h, or about 193mph (the F430 coupe's figures are 4.0 seconds and 315km/h respectively).

The Ferrari's lightning speed comes courtesy of the 4.3-litre V8 that beats away rhythmically behind the driver and his passenger.

The 90° V8 displaces 4308 cubic centimetres (92mm bore, 81mm stroke) or 263 cubic inches in the old money, has a high 11.3:1 compression ratio and generates a staggering 360kW @ 8500rpm (or roughly 490hp). Peak torque of 465Nm drives the rear wheels when the engine reaches 5250rpm, giving the Ferrari F430 Spider a very useful power band than spans 3250rpm.

Roll bars behind the driver and the front passenger seats will prove useful in the event of a roll-over and will ensure that broken necks are a thing of convertibles past, and a reinforced windscreen also contributes to the car's crashworthiness.

No price has yet been announced for the new Spider, but as is always the case the convertible models will command a premium over their slightly-quicker, but not quite as chic metal-roofed relations. You can also check out the detailed write-up of the Ferrari F430 - with direct comparisons with Lamborghini's Diablo - right here.