Report: Ferrari 458 program actually started with the Spider’s hardtop first
Here is an interesting tidbit that you probably didn’t know about the new Ferrari 458 Spider. While the Ferrari 458 Italia coupe was the first to hit showroom, the supercar brand actually started the development of the 458 program with the Spider’s aluminum retractable hardtop .
Ferrari teamed up with German roof supplier Webasto AG five years ago when it decided that the replacement for the F430 Spider would have an aluminum retractable hardtop.
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Following that, Ferrari got to work on the 458 Italia coupe and made sure that the design had fins behind the seats that would later be home the mechanism for the 458 Spider’s roof components.
The Ferrari 458 Spider goes form 0 to 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds but the top takes a good 14 seconds to come down.
Refresher: The Ferrari 458 Spider is powered by the same 4.5L V8 producing 570-hp at 9,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 398 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm. Mated to a dual-clutch 7-speed F1 gearbox, 0 to 62 mph come in 3.4 seconds (same as coupe) with a top speed of 198 mph (a drop of 2 mph when compared to the coupe). The Ferrari 458 Spider’s top comes down in just 14 seconds. Prices start at $275,000.
– By: Omar Rana
Source: Automotive News
