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Ferrari officially confirms the new convertible 488 Spider

Ferrari has officially announced the introduction of a new open top super-car, the 488 Spider.

It has been described by the Italian car maker as the most powerful convertible V8 super–car Ferrari has ever built.

Ferrari was the pioneer of Retractable Hard Tops, so it is only natural they should lead the way in the evolution of this super-car genre.

It will be the second iteration of the 488 family, the first unveiled only months ago back in February.

The new Ferrari 488 Spider

The new Ferrari 488 Spider
Ferrari


The 488 drop–top will makes its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year in September, and should be available in dealers sometime next summer.

The hard–top retractable roof is 25kg lighter than the classic soft-top fabric version used in the older F430 Spider, but the strengthening necessary to compensate for lack of a fixed roof will mean the 488 Spider is 50kg heavier than the 488 GTB.

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Ferrari


The hard top will be retractable in a smooth 14 seconds.

The top speed will be 203 mph with roof on or roof down, powered by the same 3.9-litre tw in-turbo V8 and seven-speed F1 dual-clutch transmission seen in the 488 GTB. With 660bhp at 8,000rpm and 760Nm of torque at 3,000rpm 0-62mph wil be achieved in 3.0 seconds.

To make the 488 Spider even more responsive to the driver’s touch, electronic driving aids have been adjusted and enhanced, such as the second-generation Slide Slip Angle Control System which enables a driver more scope on throttle inputs, and less restrictive traction control.

Put into numbers, Ferrari claims these modifications will produce a 12 per cent faster acceleration out of corners than the 458 Spider, and nine per cent improvement in steering and throttle response.

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Ferrari


The 488 Spider also has some specific features to resolve aerodynamic challenges unique to a drop top, such as the need for greater down force but less drag — an active front bumper and blown rear spoiler, also on the 488 GTB.

The cherry on top is an electric glass rear wind stop, which can be lowered to give the driver a more dramatic and visceral experience of that glorious V8 symphony. There is no official pricing for the 488 Spider as of yet, but it is expected to be in the region of around $400,000 – $500,000.

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Ferrari

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