Ferrari launch ‘Spider’ version of the gorgeous 458 Italia
WEEKS BEFORE THE FRANKFURT Motor Show Italian sports car makers Ferrari have unveiled the 458 in a convertible avatar.
The beautiful 4.5-litre sports car now features a retractable hard top. It offers the same uncompromising performance, handling and driveability that made the 458 Italia a winner in many aspects. The 458 ‘Spider’ retains the same naturally aspirated 4.5-litre V8 that powers the Italia. However, Ferrari engineers have re-calibrated the throttle mapping and damping of suspension to ensure that you get the same amount of thrill without the roof. The exhaust note has also been honed to keep the occupants of the car captivated. The hard top is made entirely of aluminium and has a deployment time of just 14 seconds.Not only that, the aluminium roof also saves25 kg compared to a traditional soft top. Designers and engineers have made the hard top such that it easily fi ts ahead of the engine bay without hampering aerodynamics or the styling of the car.
The electric wind stop featured on the 458 Spider is well designed to slow and diffuse the air that enters the cockpit to increase the driving pleasure and comfort even at high speed.
The price and other details of the Spider are not known. We expect Ferrari to reveal these at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
