Ferrari 458 Spider arrives in PH

Autostrada Motore Inc., the local distributor of Ferrari cars in the country, has officially brought to the local market the beloved mid-engine sports car the Ferrari 458 Spider. This convertible car is entirely made of light-weight aluminium and has a hard top that is 25 kilograms lighter than traditional folding soft-tops and has a deployment time of 14 seconds. The 458 Spider is the first car to combine a retractable folding hard top and a mid-rear engine, delivering a comfortable cabin. It was first unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show to replace the equally familiar Ferrari F430.

Under the hood

The new Ferrari stalwart uses a 4.5 liter V8, naturally aspirated, direct injection gasoline engine that gives the feisty car 570 horsepower and 540 Nm of torque. Combined with a 7-speed, GETRAG dual clutch gearbox, it can travel at top speeds of 320 kph and accelerate from 0-100 kph in less than 3.4 seconds. The engine of the Ferrari 458 Spider is the first direct fuel injection type to be paired with a mid-engine setup. Because of this, the naturally-aspirated piston produces the highest specific output of 127 PS/L, topped only by its “Speciale” variant at 134 PS/L.

Optimum handling

This sports car has improved longitudinal acceleration and cornering by as much as 32 percent compared to its predecessors. This is thanks to its F1-Trac and E-Diff traction systems that are featured on the car’s double wishbone suspension at the front and a multilink setup at the back. Equipped with Carbon Ceramic brakes and the standard ABS, this car has a stopping distance of 32.5 meters for a car travelling at 100 kph. It is also equipped with magnetorheological dampers with prefilled function brakes.

Design and feel

Keeping up with Ferrari’s customs, the 458 Spider’s body was designed by Italian car designer Pininfarina. The car’s exterior was designed to be aerodynamically efficient. The car’s front grilles have deformable winglets that reduce drag and increase down force. The car also has high beams and turning signals, controllable through its multi-display dashboard. Formula 1 legend and top Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher was also reported to have contributed to the car’s interior design.  

Technical specifications

 

Dimensions

Length: 4527 mm Width: 1937 mm Height: 1211 mm Wheelbase: 2650 mm Weight Distribution: 42 percent Front/ 58 percent Rear  

Tires

Front: 235/35 ZR20 8.5” Rear: 295/35 ZR20 10.5”