Car of the Day - Ferrari F430 Spider

Car of the Day - Ferrari F430 Spider

Ferrari started the mid-engine V8 “Berlinetta” Spider lineage with the 348 in 1993, since that time it has been one of the most successful models in the range. The latest Spider (until the 458 Italia Spider is released), the F430, was introduced at the 2005 Geneva Auto Show.

Pininfarina, under the design directorship of Frank Stephenson, has again successfully delivered a design that looks superb with the roof stowed and almost equally as good with it in place. A feat that is not easy with a mid-engine configuration. The fully automatic electric hood frames the engine cover which exposes the beautifully engineered and visually stunning V8 under a glass panel.

The buttresses cleverly flow into the individual roll bars and give a visual indication of extended headrests. With the top up the metal torneau buttresses form the base for the soft-top roof which mimics the lines of the coupe.

Mechanically identical to the coupe, the Spider is powered by the same 490 hp, 4,308cc 90 degree V8 which allows the less aerodynamic configuration to still reach speeds over 310 km/h (over 193 mph), a drop of only about 8 km/h or 5 mph on the coupe. 0-60 time comes in at just 4.1 seconds, down 0.2 on the coupe, while the 1/4 mile gives 0.6 seconds.

The very slight drop in performance is a small price to pay for the pleasure of open air touring.

For further mechanical details see the related articles.

Rod Halligan