Ferrari’s 488 Pista Spider is directly derived from the 488 Pista, which encapsulates all the racing experience gathered on world’s circuits with the 488 Challenge and the 488 GTE, and as a result, the new Spider offers the highest level yet of technological transfer from the racetrack to a road-legal drop-top car.
The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider is the 50th drop-top model from the Prancing Horse marque and the new convertible sets a new benchmark for Ferrari in terms of spider performance, with an unprecedented weight-to-power ratio of 1.92kg per hp.
This result is made possible by the adoption of the most powerful Ferrari V8 engine ever. The 3902cc twin-turbo V8 unleashes 720hp and combines that power with increasing torque (770Nm maximum) at all engine speeds for continuous and unending acceleration all the way to the redline. The unique engine sound is now even more riveting thanks to the open-top configuration.
The 488 Pista Spider represents the natural development of the defining design of the coupe version. The Ferrari designers’ primary objective was to maintain unaltered the perfect marriage of aerodynamic efficiency, purity of form and racing spirit.
This concept is underlined by the characteristic central livery which runs the whole length of the car, expanding towards the rear where it finishes at the end of the rear wing next to the spoiler. This continual expansion of the stripe recalls the movement of the airflow and exalts the lines of the 488 Pista Spider.
The philosophy that imposed an uncompromising choice of materials for the bodywork is also revisited in the interior solutions, with weight being saved by the use of lightweight, pared-back components. As well as the generous use of carbon-fibre and Alcantara throughout, the carpets have been replaced by patterned aluminium footplates and the driver’s-side door handle is now a simple strap.
In terms of engineering, the 488 Pista Spider is directly derived from the 488 Pista which encapsulates all the racing experience gathered on world’s circuits with the 488 Challenge and the 488 GTE. As a result, the new Spider offers the highest level yet of technological transfer from the racetrack to a road-legal drop-top car.
The vehicle dynamics honed for this special series 8-cylinder convertible deliver a seamless combination of razor-sharp acceleration, braking efficiency, lightning-fast gearshifting, precision steering, grip, stability and superb handling. The result on road and track alike is a completely captivating and unprecedented driving experience. This was achieved thanks partly to the new lateral dynamics control system, the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE), which makes on-the-limit driving more intuitive, controllable and predictable.
The 488 Pista Spider features new diamond-finish 20-inch alloy wheels with a novel 10-spoke star-effect interpretation of Ferrari’s traditional mid-rear-engine berlinetta-style rims. Also available are optional one-piece carbon-fibre wheels which offer a 20% weight reduction over the standard forged alloys.
Ferrari’s 488 Pista Spider is directly derived from the 488 Pista, which encapsulates all the racing experience gathered on world’s circuits with the 488 Challenge and the 488 GTE, and as a result, the new Spider offers the highest level yet of technological transfer from the racetrack to a road-legal drop-top car.
