488 Spider

The heart of the 488 Spider

Beneath the engine cover throbs the 3902 cc turbo-charged V8 that debuted just a few months ago on the 488 GTB. Its performance levels are nothing short of extraordinary: a maximum power output of 670 CV combined with maximum torque of 760 Nm at 3000 rpm send the 488 Spider sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in 3 seconds flat and from 0 to 200 km/h in 8.7 seconds. This is also an exceptionally efficient engine as it is not only 100 CV more powerful than the previous naturally-aspirated V8 but also has lower CO2 emissions.

The turbo V8 has a unique character, delivering increasing levels of power right across the rev range, and completely eliminating the traditional turbo lag with a throttle response time of just 0.8 seconds. This is thanks not merely to components such as the turbos, but also to a sophisticated production process only made possible by Maranello's leading-edge facilities which are shared with the Scuderia to foster the transfer of racing technologies to the road cars.

Speed and control across the board

The introduction of a sophisticated simulator, similar to the one used by the Formula 1 Scuderia, allowed the human factor to influence the car's design from the earliest stages by giving the engineers instant feedback from the test-drivers long before the first 488 prototype was physically built. To make its dynamic behaviour even more engaging, the development team honed the car's mechanical set-up in tandem with its electronic systems which are now fully integrated with the SSC2 Side Slip Angle Control System, resulting in 12% faster acceleration out of corners than the 458 Spider.

Over all, response times are 9% more rapid than the previous Spider without any compromise whatsoever being made in comfort. The car's design was adapted to efficiently meet the typical the demands of open-top driving and use. In fact, the Spider's dynamic behaviour is effortless on even the most challenging routes.

It is remarkably easy to drive on the limit thanks to flawless handling even on the most demanding of roads.