Ferrari’s legendary range of V8-engined sports cars has been joined by the new F430 Spider when it was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show (March 3-13 2005). The F430 is the first of a new generation of Ferrari 8-cylinder models. This new car takes Ferrari’s achievements with aluminum technology, begun with the 360 Modena, to a new level, and offers a series of innovations derived from the Ferrari Formula 1 single-seaters.
Ferrari’s new drop-top includes a number of important technical features which give hints of the car’s F1 pedigree, starting with the innovative electronic differential (E-diff) - first developed by the racing division for the Scuderia’s all-conquering F1 cars – which improves traction and road holding under all conditions. The Spider also features the steering wheel-mounted rotary switch, known to the Scuderia’s drivers as the ‘manettino’, which allows the car’s set-up to be adjusted easily and quickly.
Formula 1 is again the inspiration for the development of the company’s road cars. Designed by Pininfarina, the F430 Spider’s sinuous lines, in fact, were fine-tuned using state-of-the-art computer aerodynamics simulation programs usually employed exclusively by the F1 team.
The F430 Spider’s shape is the result of lengthy testing and features a pronounced rear lip spoiler which is integrated into the end of the engine cover, new bigger rear air intakes that emphasize the car’s muscular stance, and a new rear valance that incorporates a diffuser of competition derivation. The engine itself is attractively set below a glass cover.
Just like the berlinetta, the new Spider incorporates two elliptical air intakes that feed the front radiators. The shape of the intakes is inspired by Ferrari’s racing cars from the 1961 season, especially the 156 F1 which Phil Hill drove to that year’s F1 Championship title. The spoiler that joins the two intakes at their bottom edge is highly effective in directing the central air flow towards the flat underbody.
The F430 Spider boasts a compact, fully automatic electric hood that allows the engine to be seen in all its glory at all times and which, once lowered, takes up relatively little space, despite the uncompromising central-rear engine layout.
The F430 Spider is powered by Ferrari’s new 490 bhp, 4,308 cc 90° V8 which is capable of pushing the car to a top speed of over 193 mph and covering the 0-62 mph sprint in just 4.1 seconds. This lightweight and highly compact power unit produces a specific output of 114 bhp per liter with a weight-to-power ratio of 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) per horsepower (dry weight).
General Information
Price: $211,525
Miles Per Gallon:--/-- mpgCurb
Weight:3351 lbs
Dimensions Length × Width × Height in: 177.6" × 75.7" × 48.6"
Layout:Mid-Engine/RWD
Transmission:6-Speed Tiptronic
Engine
Type:V8
Displacement: 4308 cc
Horsepower: 490 bhp @ 8500 rpm
Torque: 343 lb-ft (465 Nm) @ 5250 rpm
Redline: 8500 rpm
Performance
0-60 mph: 4.0 sec
0-100 mph:- 7.9 sec
Quarter Mile: 11.7 sec @ -123 mph
Skidpad:. 1.00 g
Top Speed: 197 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph: 122 ft
Slalom Speed: 68.9 mph
