Ferrari announces the launch of the 488 Spider, its most
powerful ever mid-rear-engined V8 car to feature the patented retractable hard
top along with the highest level of technological innovation and with cutting-edge
design.
Ferrari was the first manufacturer to introduce the RHT
(Retractable Hard Top) on a car of this particular architecture. This solution
ensures lower weight (-25 kg) and better cockpit comfort compared to the
classic fabric soft-top. Just like all previous spider versions of Ferrari’s
models, this is a car that is aimed squarely at clients seeking open-air
motoring pleasure in a high-performance sports car with an unmistakable Ferrari
engine sound.
Every area of the car has been designed to set new technological
benchmarks for the sector: from the aluminium spaceframe chassis and bodyshell
to the new turbo-charged V8, aerodynamics that reconcile the need for greater
downforce with reduced drag along with the specific cabin air flow demands of
an opentop car, and vehicle dynamics that render it fast, agile and instantly
responsive.
The world premiere of the 488 Spider will be at the
Frankfurt International Motor Show in September but can be seen from today
finished in the new Blu Corsa livery at www.ferrari.com.
The heart of the 488 Spider
Beneath the engine cover throbs the 3902 cc turbo-charged V8
that debuted just a few months ago on the 488 GTB. Its performance levels are
nothing short of extraordinary: a maximum power output of 670 CV combined with maximum
torque of 760 Nm at 3000 rpm send the 488 Spider sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h
in 3 seconds flat and from 0 to 200 km/h in 8.7 seconds. This is also an
exceptionally efficient engine as it is not only 100 CV more powerful than the
previous naturally-aspirated V8 but also has lower CO2 emissions.
The turbo V8 has a unique character, delivering increasing
levels of power right across the rev range, and completely eliminating the
traditional turbo lag with a throttle response time of just 0.8 seconds.
This
is thanks not merely to components such as the turbos, but also to a
sophisticated production process only made possible by Maranello’s leading-edge
facilities which are shared with the Scuderia to foster the transfer of racing
technologies to the road cars.
In line with Ferrari tradition, this model has its own
absolutely distinctive soundtrack created using solutions such as exhaust
headers with longer, equallength piping and a flat-plane crankshaft. It was
also further enhanced by an indepth study of harmonics and tonality at
different engine speeds. The sound is seductive but never invasive when the top
is dropped, with both volume and clarity increasing as the engine instantly
responds to the accelerator pedal and revs rise, reinforcing the sensation of
massive performance.
Sculpted by the wind
This is also the most aerodynamically efficient Ferrari
spider ever built, thanks to a series of complex aero solutions designed to
guarantee optimal downforce whilst reducing drag, two normally
mutually-exclusive objectives. Maranello’s engineers managed to achieve both
goals simultaneously by introducing several innovative devices, including a
blown spoiler and an aerodynamic underbody incorporating vortex generators.
The air flow studies also took into account factors relating
to in-car comfort. The electric glass rear wind stop can be adjusted to one of
three positions to guarantee maximum comfort when the top is lowered. Fully
lowering the wind stop allows the occupants to enjoy the engine soundtrack even
with the roof raised regardless of the weather or driving conditions.
Form and function sculpted in aluminium
Designed around the concept of the retractable hard top, the
488 Spider has a spaceframe chassis made of 11 different aluminium alloys
combined with other noble metals, such as magnesium, each one used in a highly
specific way. This yields the same torsional rigidity and beam stiffness
figures as the coupé, improving the chassis’ performance by 23% over that of
its predecessor. Na extraordinary result, given that the roof is structural,
that is only possible thanks to the expertise of the Scaglietti centre of
excellence that engineers Ferrari’s aluminium chassis and bodies.
The RHT folds backwards in two overlapping sections to rest
flush on the engine in a very compact solution. The mechanism is exceptionally
smooth and takes just 14 seconds for the top to fully retract or deploy.
Working with aluminium is important not only in functional
terms but also because, by tradition, it demands every detail be treated
sculpturally to express the technical excellence of the project through its
beauty. Cases in point are the flying buttresses which optimally channel air
flows to the engine cover, the ribbing on the engine cover and the air intakes
with sculpted mesh grilles which lend that area of the car a sense of
incredible dynamism. To achieve this result the Ferrari Styling Centre
completely reworked the aesthetics compared to the 488 GTB.
Speed and control across the board
The introduction of a sophisticated simulator, similar to
the one used by the Formula 1 Scuderia, allowed the human factor to influence
the car’s design from the earliest stages by giving the engineers instant
feedback from the testdrivers long before the first 488 prototype was physically
built.
To make its dynamic behaviour even more engaging, the
development team honed the car’s mechanical set-up in tandem with its
electronic systems which are now fully integrated with the SSC2 Side Slip Angle
Control System, resulting in 12% faster acceleration out of corners than the
458 Spider.
Over all, response times are 9% more rapid than the previous
Spider without any compromise whatsoever being made in comfort. The car’s
design was adapted to efficiently meet the typical the demands of open-top
driving and use. In fact, the Spider’s dynamic behaviour is effortless on even
the most challenging routes. It is remarkably easy to drive on the limit thanks
to flawless handling even on the most demanding of roads.
Ferrari
488 Spider
Technical
specifications
ENGINE
Type
90° V8, turbo-charged, dry sump
Total
displacement 3902 cc (238.1 cu. in)
Bore
and stroke 86.5 x 83 mm (3.4 x 3.3 in)
Maximum
power * 492 kW (670 cv) at 8000 rpm
Maximum
torque * 760 Nm at 3000 rpm in VII gear
Specific
output 172 cv/l (2.07 kW/cu. in)
Compression
ratio 9.4:1
DIMENSIONS
AND WEIGHT
Length
4568 mm (179.8 in)
Width
1952 mm (76.9 in)
Height
1211 mm (47.7 in)
Wheelbase
2650 mm (104.3 in)
Front
track 1679 mm (66.1 in)
Rear
track 1647 mm (64.8 in)
Kerb
weight** 1525 kg (3362 lb)
Dry
weight** 1420 kg (3131 lb)
Weight
distribution 41.5% front – 58.5% rear
Boot
capacity 230 l (8.12 cu. ft)
Fuel
tank capacity 78 l (22.7 US gallons)
TYRES
Front
245/35 ZR20 J9.0
Rear
305/30 ZR 20 J11.0
BRAKES
Front
398x223x36 mm (15.7 x 8.8 x 1.4 in)
Rear
360x233x32 mm (14.2 x 9.2 x 1.3 in)
TRAMISSION
AND GEARBOX
7-speed
F1 dual-clutch transmission
ELECTRONICS
CONTROL
E-Diff3,
F1-Trac, High-Performance ABS with Ferrari Pre-Fill, FrS SCM-E, SSC
PERFORMANCE
Maximum
speed > 325 km/h (203 mph)
0
– 100 km/h (0 – 62 mph) 3.0 s
0
– 200 km/h (0 – 124 mph) 8.7 s
0
– 400 m (0 – 437 yd) 10.55 s
0
– 1000 m (0 – 1093 yd) 18.9 s
Dry
weight/power ratio 2.12 kg/cv (6.35 lb/kW)
CONSUMPTION
***
11.4
l/100 km
C02 EMISSIONS***
260
g/km
*
with 98 octane fuel
**
With optional equipment
*** Combined
cycle with HELE system (ECE+EUDC)