The Ferrari 458 Italia Spider sports car

The Ferrari 458 Italia Spider: a close look at this sports car’s performance, technical data, features, rivals comparison, history, used prices

from classic to modern

CAR

The 458 Spider sports car, also known as the Ferrari 458 Italia Spider, was unveiled in 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and was priced at $ 257,000.

It was the convertible version of the 458 Italia and featured a unique retractable hardtop.

This was, in essence, a roadster that replaced the conventional soft top with an automatically operated hard top, made entirely of aluminum, which stored in front of the engine compartment in just 14 seconds and without affecting the car’s aerodynamics. The coefficient of resistance remained at 0.33.

The engine cover of the 458 Italia was modified to contain this new system, which actually weighed 25kg less than the soft top used on the F430 Spider.

An added benefit was that additional space was created behind the seats for storing luggage etc.

Externally, this sports car looked very similar to the coupe variant, with the front section unchanged, while the rear area received minor styling changes to maximize airflow to the engine cooling ducts and oil cooler.

Another innovation was that the 458 Spider was equipped with a large, adjustable and electrically operated windbreaker, which was designed to reduce speed and dissipate airflow throughout the cabin so that conversation between the occupants would not be impaired, even at high speed.

The Spider weighed 3,153 pounds, slightly heavier than the 3,042 pounds of the 458 Italia.

It had an aluminum body on an aluminum chassis that had been reinforced to withstand the additional stresses consistent with the removal of the roof section.

It used rear-wheel drive, with 20-inch wheels, and vented and perforated carbon ceramic disc brakes.

There was a steering wheel-mounted Manettino switch that controlled the limited-slip differential (E-Diff), traction control (F1-Trac), ABS, shocks, and transmission, all electronically activated.

THE MOTOR

The 458 Spider was powered by the same 4.5-liter V8 mid-engine, with the new direct fuel injection used in the 458 Italia.

It produced the same 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds, while top speed was 3 mph slower at 199 mph.

It had a whopping 12.5: 1 compression and used a seven-speed Getrag F1 style paddle shift gearbox with a double clutch.

The Spider produced 570 bhp at 9000 rpm (the red line) and 398 ft / lbs of torque at 6000 rpm, with most being available at 3250 rpm.

Total fuel consumption was 21 miles per gallon. Technical data:

COMPETENCE

Typical of the competition for the Ferrari 458 Italia Spider were the following sports cars: Audi R8 GT Spider and Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster. Ferrari performance:

SPORTS CARS FOR SALE

A Ferrari 458 Italia Spider in good condition could cost around $ 300,000, while an example in showroom condition could cost as much as $ 525,000.

Another Ferrari supercar.

This marks the end of my Ferrari 458 Italia Spider Sports Car Review.