Car Reviews > Ferrari > 458 Spider > Ferrari 458 Spider Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Prices: £198,856
Engine: 4.5-litre V8
Power/torque: 562 bhp/ 540 Nm
0-62 mph: 3.4 seconds
Top Speed: 198 miles per hour
Equipment: Ceramic brakes, electric wind deflector, dual clutch gearbox, adjustable dampers, leather, launch control, fully electric roof, multifunction wheel, Xenon lights
On Sale: Now

As much as 60 per cent of buyers in the United Kingdom are expected to choose the new drop-top Ferrari 458 Spider instead of the 458 Italia Coupe and it is not too hard to figure out why.

The Ferrari 458 Spider is set to become the best selling model for the Italian supercar manufacturer, anticipated to end up accounting for around a third of all its worldwide sales. With anticipation at such a high, therefore, this is one new release that must live up to expectations.

It certainly makes for a grand first impression, with a fully retractable aluminium hardtop that makes the Spider look every bit as stylish as the Italia Coupe once the roof is up. The only possible downside to mention is that the roof mechanism does rather rob it of the Coupe’s adorable transparent engine cover. However, it remains stunning, particularly with those sharp buttresses and that very delicately designed rear end.

The undeniable attractions of open-top motoring are what really make the Ferrari such an appealing prospect however, and it does not take long for the Spider to transform, with the roof flipping backwards in as little as 14 seconds, in a manner very similar to the extremely rare 575M Superamerica , and able to slot beneath a panel that rises up in front of the cover of the engine.

This clever mechanism is able to hide the stowed roof in the bulge just ahead of the engine and in a manner that compromises neither aerodynamics nor performance. Indeed the buttresses are actually specifically designed so that air will be channelled toward the grilles that are situated in the downward sloping engine cover. In addition to all of that, the one-piece aluminium roof is as much as 25 kilograms lighter than the traditional fabric hood and the well-designed packaging also means that there is enough room for a luggage bench to be placed behind the seats.

The Spider also arrives complete with an electric wind deflector – basically a glass screen that comes up between the buttresses when activated and is very efficient at reducing buffeting so that even on the open road, the cabin is very well isolated from wind roar. Of course, there are some noises that you definitely do want to hear and once the roof is down you will be able to experience the soundtrack delivered by the 458’s amazing 4.5-litre V8 engine – capable of a bhp rating of as high as 562 – in a manner superior even to that offered when sitting in the Coupe.

Ferrari have clearly recognised the importance of being able to savour this aural treat, given that it has tweaked the triple exhausts in order to make the absolute most out of that fabulous bark, a hard-edged howl which will be sure to put a big smile on any driver’s face. One very neat aspect of all this also is that even when the weather is less than sunny, the glass screen can be dropped, even if the roof is still in place, allowing the noise of the engine to enter the cabin.

Purists may complain that removing the roof lowers rigidity and increases vehicle weight, yet the V8 engine is so powerful that the 50-kilogram weight increase is in truth barely noticeable and does not detract from this stunning driving experience.

by Autoweb