Ferrari 458 Spider, a tailormade gem
The charms of the brand new Ferrari were unveiled in September at the 64th Frankfurt International Motor Show. A real gem, coiffed by a fully retractable aluminium hard top, a world first in its category.
Two years after the Berlinetta, the 458 Italia has gone topless. Offering improved thermal and noise insulation, the hard-top roof weighs 25 kg less than a traditional soft-top version and deploys silently in just 14 seconds. The cherry on the cake : once stored in front of the engine bay, it takes up very little room (100 litres), leaving a generous rear bench for luggage behind the seats. There is, however, one drawback : the top cannot be removed once the car is on the road. The multi-function concept is exemplified by the rear windscreen which doubles as a wind-stop. Adjusted electrically to the right height, it ensures ultra-efficient aerodynamics while reducing buffeting in the cockpit and, promises the manufacturer, “making normal conversation possible, even at speeds over 200 km/hr”.
Ferrari’s naturally-aspirated, direct injection 4.5-litre V8 engine powers the 458 Spider, designed by Pininfarina in the classic tradition of the Prancing Horse. It was named International Engine of the Year 2011 for its engineering excellence in terms of driveability, performance, economy and refinement. The engine roar, admittedly revised, leaves no room for doubt, as witnessed by the reaction of passers-by who happen to be within hearing range. The car also benefits from Ferrari’s class-leading dual-clutch F1 transmission with paddle shift, giving acceleration from 0 to 100 km/ hr in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 320 km/hr. The all-aluminium chassis incorporates alloys and cast-ings ensuring that the car already conforms to 2020 safety legislation. Contrary to all expectations, given its category-topping performance, it boasts levels of fuel consumption (11.8 l/km under urban conditions) and CO2 emissions (275 g/km) that are unique in its segment. Multiple controls are concentrated on the steering wheel, so as not to detract the driver’s attention. The Spider’s very racy character does not sacrifice the comfort of passengers in search of thrilling sensations. In this respect, the BWI-Delphi magnetic variation shock absorbers deserve a special mention. In short, the very appealing Spider plays on both sportiness and driving pleasure.
The Italian manufacturer chose Frankfurt to launch its Tailormade Programme, a service enabling lucky owners to obtain an even higher level of personalized distinction for their cars. Ferrari proposes a wide range of colours, finishes, cloth trims and technical materials. The selection is available in three collections designed by the in-house styling centre, called Classica, Scuderia and Inedita. From initial choices to final delivery, the client benefits from expert assistance at every stage from his own personal designer.
By Laetitia Rossi
