The debut of the rear-wheel drive convertible Ferrari F430 Spider was held in 2005 at the Geneva Motor Show. In the same year, sales began, first in Europe and then on the American market. Participation in Formula 1 and ring car races gives Ferrari an edge over other companies: on the track, you can perfectly test new technologies, and then apply them on regular, production models. The design of the Spider, down to the characteristic five-beam wheels, was designed with the participation of the bodywork studio Pininfarina - a traditional partner of the company Ferrari. Aerodynamics of the car was developed by Formula 1 technology using a virtual layout and computer simulation.
Each element of the body works on the correct distribution of air flow and optimal loading of axles, such as, for example, integrated into a transparent plastic cover that covers the engine compartment, rear fender. Front air intakes are reminiscent of racing Ferraris of the 60s. Spider has a two-door 2-seater body with dimensions of 4512/1923/1214 mm with a base of 2600 mm and a track 1669/1616 mm. Structurally, the model does not differ from the coupe.
As on the F430, the engine is located longitudinally in the base in front of the rear axle and is visible through the glass hood lid, the supporting space frame is made of aluminum alloy and additionally reinforced, and the outer panels are made of aluminum and carbon fiber. This model (in the closed and open version) confirms the achievements of the Ferrari aluminum technologies, which were first tested on 360 Modena. F430 Spider ("Spider") is equipped with a soft, folding for 20 seconds, the roof with an electric drive.
Trunk volume 250 liters. With Formula 1 cars, this stylish convertible is related to the electronically controlled E-Diff differential in the rear axle, which makes the most efficient use of motor power on surfaces with different friction ratios, as well as an off-the-wheel steering wheel with a rotary switch (known as “manettino” on the Scuderia Formula 1) to quickly change the settings of the vehicle systems and ensure optimal dynamic performance in specific road conditions. The following modes are possible: Sport (designed for a dry coating), Rase (when passing a winding road), "Rain", "Snow" and "Everything is disabled." The dashboard ergonomics are flawless.
The engine is started by pressing the “Engine start” button. Salon austere, which is secondary for cars in this category. Seats with excellent fixation allow you to feel the car every cell body. The generation of the F430 models marked the arrival of the new 8-cylinder engines: the Spider is equipped with the same engine as the F430 coupe - 32-valve petrol V8 jointly developed by the Maserati with distributed injection and the timing distribution system of 4,308 liters, 490 hp. at 8500 rpm and with a torque of 465 Nm at 5250 rev / s. With him, the car accelerates to "hundreds" in 4.1 seconds (0.1 seconds slower than the hardtop Ferrari F430), the maximum speed reaches 311 km / h.
Consumption of 98th gasoline is 13.3 liters per 100 km on the highway, 26.9 liters in the city and 18.3 liters in the combined cycle. The engine is aggregated with a 6-speed semi-automatic gearbox F1A with shifting gears with petal keys under the steering wheel. Suspension front and rear independent on double wishbone with anti-roll bars.
Both front and rear disc brakes are ventilated, developed in close collaboration with Brembo. Brake discs are made of a new special alloy using molybdenum for better heat dissipation. Another option is carbon-ceramic discs with increased efficiency and longer service life. The Spider is equipped with exclusive Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 EMT tires specially developed for the F430 model with 225 / 35ZR19 front tires and 285 / 35ZR19 rear tires. The ground clearance is sufficient for public roads - 120 mm. In 2008, the F430 Spider Bio Fuel concept, operating on bio-ethanol, was introduced at the Detroit auto show, with changes in the fuel supply system and in the settings of the CPU.
With these changes and the use of ethanol, the maximum engine power increased by 10 hp, the torque increased by 4%, and the harmful emissions decreased by 5%.
