Ferrari 488 Spider unveiled ahead of 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show



The makers of the unmistakable ‘Prancing Horse’ has just taken the wraps of their newest creation, the 488 Spider ahead of the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. Ferrari took a can opener to the recently launched 488 GTB, and the company is also the first manufacturer to feature an RHT or retractable hard top technology onto this caliber of cars. It is the most powerful mid-engined convertible in the company’s history.

It’s said that the RHT architecture on the Spider is almost 25 kg lighter as compared to the conventional fabric folding setup, and only takes 14 seconds to erect from close. But like all previous drop top Ferraris in the past, it’s made squarely for those who want unlimited headroom and a better ear on that 3,902cc twin-turbo V8 power house. Ferrari has mentioned that the handling is unchanged from the GTB but suffers a 50 kg penalty.

2015-Ferrari-488-Spider-01 (7) 

Shimmering underneath that gleaming paint-job is the heart of this immense beast – a 3.9-litre twin turbo V8 mill that makes 660 hp with a maximum torque figure of 760 Nm at 3,000 rpm. This sends the Spider sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds flat, with a 0 to 200 km/h time of just 8.7 seconds. Top speed is 325 km/h. Mated to the engine is a seven-speed F1 dual clutch transmission by racing gearbox aficionado, Getrag.

Ferrari has quite boldly said that the Spider is the most aerodynamically efficient Ferrari spider ever built, thanks to a series of complex aero solutions designed to guarantee optimal downforce whilst reducing drag. Maranello’s finest engineers have bolted on a blown spoiler and an aerodynamic underbody vortex generators.

Ferrari 488 Spider, model year 2015

The Ferrari 488 Spider will debut at the upcoming 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. It is expected to retail on our shores for an estimated excess of RM 2 million with prices estimated at £205,000 (approx. RM 1,222,827) in the UK. Watch this space for more timely updates.


IMAGE GALLERY