Like every drop-top Ferrari, the 488’s roof can only be operated when the auto is stationary for safety reasons, but it can then be neatly and electrically stowed under the new flying buttresses in 14 seconds. It will the share the same 3.9-litre turbo-charged V8 seen in the 488 coupe, which produces 670PS of power using a Variable Torque Management system.
50 kg heavier than the 488 GTB.
The shape of the vents on its rear deck looks different to that on the 458 Spider; no doubt they’ve been designed in such a way as to circulate more air around the car’s force-fed mill. It’s 25kg lighter than the fabric roof used on the old F430 Spider. The engine, a twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V-8, is the same unit found in the 488 GTB and here its output is unchanged at 660 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. The latter is said to now be just 0.06 seconds, which is an incredible 9 percent improvement on the 458 Spider’s response time. Roof up or down, the 488 will top out at 203mph, yet Ferrari claims 24.7mpg and Carbon dioxide emissions of 260g/km. In fact, the Retractable Hard Top provides protection from noise and elements even when it’s lowered, thanks to a glass wind-stop adjustable to three different positions.
Beautifully executed, the Ferrari 488 Spider upholds the legacy of its predecessor, the classic 308 GTS, while offering spectacular performance, handling and exhileration for anyone lucky enough to get behind the wheel. Some of the features include a blown spoiler and an aerodynamic underbody incorporating vortex generators. The technicians and engineers worked on the magnetorheological dampers to guarantee maximum sportiness without compromising on comfort, while the new SSC2 Side Slip Angle Control system also makes it easier for non-professional drivers to drive on the limit. The 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration takes 3 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) it can do it in 8.7 seconds.
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