Ferrari has graciously given the world yet another fabulous car that only a handful of people can actually afford, but is so nice to look at we can all enjoy it. The gnomes at Maranello have even graciously put a glass panel in the engine cover so we can see the 5.4-litre V-8 at work.
This is of course the F430 Spider, the next model in the Prancing Horse brand's V-8 lineup of cars. It will go before envious onlookers for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in early March.
While the rest of the automotive world goes racing to sell cars, Ferrari famously began selling cars so that Enzo Ferrari could go racing, and it shows in the technology that ''hint'' at the brand's pedigree and its spectacular F1 record in recent years.
First up in that regard is the innovative electronic differential that improves traction and road holding under all conditions, and was understandably helpful to the Scuderia's bright red race cars.
The Spider also features the steering wheel-mounted ''commutator'' switch, which is known to the Scuderia's drivers as the ''manettino,'' which allows the car's set-up to be adjusted easily and quickly.
Designed by Pininfarina, the F430 Spider has sinuous lines that were, in fact, fine-tuned using state-of-the-art computer aerodynamics simulation programmes usually employed exclusively by the F1 team.
The F430 Spider's shape is the result of lengthy testing and features a pronounced ''nolder'' which is integrated into the end of the engine cover, new bigger rear air intakes that emphasise the car's muscular stance, and a new rear valance that incorporates a diffuser of competition derivation.
Just like the berlinetta, the new Spider's front radiators are feed by two elliptical air intakes that have a shape inspired by Ferrari's racing cars from the 1961 season, especially the 156 F1 which Phil Hill drove to that year's F1 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 is powered by Ferrari's new 90-degree V-8, which delivers 490 hp at 8,500 rpm and 343 lb-ft of torque at 5,250 rpm. This combination will push the 1,520-kg car from 0 to 100 kmh in 4.1 seconds on the way to a top speed of over 310 kmh.
In case you're thinking of buying an F430 Spyder and want to mount it on a rack so everyone can stare at it, the key dimensions are a length of 4,512 mm on a wheelbase of 2,600 mm, and a height of 4,512 mm and a width of 1,923 mm. Oh, and the front track is 1,669 mm and the rear track 1,616 mm
photo:Ferrari North America
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While the rest of the automotive world goes racing to sell cars, Ferrari famously began selling cars so that Enzo Ferrari could go racing, and it shows in the technology that ''hint'' at the brand's pedigree and its spectacular F1 record in recent years.
First up in that regard is the innovative electronic differential that improves traction and road holding under all conditions, and was understandably helpful to the Scuderia's bright red race cars.
 |
Designed by Pininfarina, the F430 Spider has sinuous lines that were, in fact, fine-tuned using state-of-the-art computer aerodynamics simulation programmes usually employed exclusively by the F1 team.
The F430 Spider's shape is the result of lengthy testing and features a pronounced ''nolder'' which is integrated into the end of the engine cover, new bigger rear air intakes that emphasise the car's muscular stance, and a new rear valance that incorporates a diffuser of competition derivation.
Just like the berlinetta, the new Spider's front radiators are feed by two elliptical air intakes that have a shape inspired by Ferrari's racing cars from the 1961 season, especially the 156 F1 which Phil Hill drove to that year's F1 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.
 |
In case you're thinking of buying an F430 Spyder and want to mount it on a rack so everyone can stare at it, the key dimensions are a length of 4,512 mm on a wheelbase of 2,600 mm, and a height of 4,512 mm and a width of 1,923 mm. Oh, and the front track is 1,669 mm and the rear track 1,616 mm
photo:Ferrari North America
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