Maranello, 10th February – 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 (3-13 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 - first developed by
the racing division for the Scuderia’s all-conquering F1 cars – which improves traction and
roadholding under all conditions. The Spider also features the steering wheel-mounted
commutator 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 thus 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 nolder
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 (over 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).
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