Welcome The New Ferrari F8 Spider, A 711HP Convertible
It’s the time of year where Ferrari takes its top off – off of the F8 that is, making it the perfect place to sit and listen to the howl of the 711bhp twin-turbo V8 from the 488 Pista. And, with the use of an updated 488GTB chassis, it’s rather comfortable, too.
It’s still fast, with 50bhp over the outgoing 488 Spider and 20kg lighter, but compared to the competition, falls short slightly. The McLaren 720S remains 40kg lighter with its carbon tub architecture, while retaining its rigidity. The F8 Spider’s metal chassis needs metal girders to replace the strength lost when you take off the roof, but let’s think clearly for a second… who’s going to but a drop-top Fezza and yearn for more chassis rigidity?
It’s not like this new Italian convertible isn’t incredibly fast, with a 0-60 time of just 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 211mph. That’s plenty of Top Trump-busting numbers to keep your mates down at the pub (or champagne bar) jealous.
Of course it’s aero has had a going over to maintain efficient cooling and to stop your hair being messed up at stupid speeds with the top down, and it’s got all the downforce you’d ever need. But let’s face it, the more important question is how fast the top can go up and down. It takes 24 seconds at anything under 28mph.
At £210,000 before options, that’s a bargain at under a £1 per mph. But if you’re wanting people to look into your car to spy a sea of carbon fibre and fancy leather, then you’re going to be ticking those option boxes. And as you know, on a Ferrari, those add up.
