Once again the Next Car Team is first in bringing important automotive news to Australian car enthusiasts. This time we're the first media outlet in Australia to present the news on the stunning F430 Spider! Additionally, we can boast we're amongst the first in the world with this story!

Ferrari’s range of V8-engined sports cars will be joined by the new F430 Spider when it is unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show (3rd-13th March 2005).

Ferrari’s new drop-top includes a number of important technical features which give hints of the car’s F1 pedigree, starting with the innovative electronic differential (E-diff) - first developed by the racing division for the Scuderia’s F1 cars – which improves traction and roadholding under all conditions. The Spider also features the steering wheel-mounted rotary switch, known to the Scuderia’s drivers as the ‘manettino’, which allows the car’s set-up to be adjusted easily and quickly.

Formula 1 is again the inspiration for the development of the company’s road cars. Designed by Pininfarina, the F430 Spider’s sinuous lines, in fact, were 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 rear lip spoiler 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. The engine itself is attractively set below a glass cover.

Just like the berlinetta, the new Spider incorporates two elliptical air intakes that feed the front radiators. The shape of the intakes is inspired by Ferrari’s racing cars from the 1961 season, especially the 156 F1 which Phil Hill drove to that year’s F1 Championship 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 boasts a compact, fully automatic electric hood that allows the engine to be seen in all its glory at all times and which, once lowered, takes up relatively little space, despite the uncompromising central-rear engine layout.

The F430 Spider is powered by Ferrari’s new 490 hp, 4,308cc 90° V8 which is capable of pushing the car to a top speed of over 310 km/h (193 mph) and covering the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in just 4.1 seconds. This lightweight and highly compact power unit produces a specific output of 114 hp per litre with a weight-to-power ratio of 2.9 kg (6.4 lbs) per horsepower (dry weight).

F430 Spider

Brief technical specifications

Dimensions and weight

Length: 4512 mm (177.6 in)

Width: 1923 mm (75.7 in)

Height: 1234 mm (48.6in)

Wheelbase: 2600 mm (102.4 in)

Front track: 1669 mm (65.7 in)

Rear track: 1616 mm (63.6 in)

Kerb weight: 1520* kg (3,351 lbs)

Engine

Type: 90° V8

Bore x stroke: 92 mm x 81 mm (3.62 x 3.19 in)

Unitary displacement: 538.5 cc (32.87 cu in)

Total displacement: 4.308 cc (263 cu in)

Compression ratio: 11.3:1

Maximum power: 360.3 kW (490 hp/483 bhp at 8,500 rpm)

Maximum torque: 465 Nm (47.4 kgm/343 lbs ft) at 5,250 rpm

Specific power output: 114 hp/l

Performance

Top speed: 310 km/h

0-100 km/h: 4.1 seconds

* European market version