Ferrari opens up about F8 Spider

FERRARI has revealed the second body style in its new F8 supercar line-up, with the aptly named Spider featuring a retractable hard-top that will allow its lucky occupants to easily hear its thumping V8 in all its glory.

“The F8 Spider is the latest addition to an exclusive and prestigious bloodline of open-top V8 cars begun with the 308 GTS in 1977. It is less extreme than the 488 Pista Spider but sportier than the 488 Spider, which it replaces in the range,” the Italian brand said in a statement.

Weighing 20kg less than its 488 counterpart but 70kg more than its Tributo sibling, at 1400kg, the F8 Spider is only 20kg heavier than the track-focused 488 Pista Spider that served as the swansong for the previous series.

The F8 Spider’s retractable hard-top needs just 14 seconds to open or close, either of which can be completed at speeds up to 45km/h. Even when topless, aerodynamics are said to be 10 per cent better than before.

Like its F8 Tributo relative, the Spider is motivated by an upgraded mid-rear-mounted 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged petrol engine that produces a staggering 530kW of power at 8000rpm and 770Nm of torque at 3250rpm – a 38kW/10Nm increase over its 488 forebear.

A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (with paddle-shifters located behind a smaller-diameter steering wheel) exclusively sends drive to the F8 Spider’s rear wheels.

As a result, the F8 Spider can sprint from standstill to 100km/h in a scant 2.9 seconds while on the way to 200km/h in 8.2s before hitting its root-pulling top speed of 340km/h –improvements of 0.1s, 0.5s and 15km/h respectively over the 488.

For added fun, the F8 Spider features a new version of Ferrari’s Side Slip Angle Control (SSC 6.1), which allows drivers to manage oversteer for sustained drifting on the racetrack. It can now be activated in the Race drive mode.

Similarly, the latest iteration of Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE+) is also found in the F8 Spider, working with SSC 6.1 by adding braking support to ensure control when exiting a drift.

Aerodynamics have also been honed, with the S-Duct introduced on the 488 Pista adopted for the F8 Spider’s front end, with it flanked by horizontal LED headlights that incorporate air intakes, which cool the brakes in conjunction with their counterparts on the sides of the front bumper.

At the rear, the engine cover features a central spine with flanking black strakes that have three air vents apiece to further improve cooling, while the spoiler now wraps around the tail-lights that have returned to using the marque’s signature twin-cluster design.

The driver-orientated two-seat cabin features a redesigned dashboard, door panels and transmission tunnel, while the new-generation HMI infotainment system is complemented by a 7.0-inch touchscreen for the passenger as well as round air vents.

To ensure all F8 Spiders keep ticking over nicely, each receives its first seven services for free. Intervals are every year or 20,000km, whichever comes first.

The F8 Spider is expected to enter Australian showrooms next year, although exact timing and its pricing are yet to be confirmed. For reference, the F8 Tributo costs $484,888 plus on-road costs, while the 488 Spider was priced at $526,888.