The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider, Ferrari’s 50th convertible model and the latest Special Series from the Prancing Horse stables, made its world premiere at this year’s Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach in California. This month, it made its European debut at the Paris Motor Show. The 488 is the most powerful series production Spider that Ferrari has ever produced. If that was not enough, it also possesses the finest race-developed technology which when combined with “the joy of en plein air driving,” delivers an exhilarating experience behind the wheel.
The 488 Pista Spider’s 3.9 litre V8 twin-turbo engine is capable of unleashing 710 hp; making it the most powerful V8 ever sported by a road-going Ferrari in terms of both its overall and specific power outputs. It delivers this power with higher levels of torque across the entire rev range.
The torque is managed by the redesigned Ferrari Variable Torque Management system to deliver a feeling of consistently smoother, more powerful acceleration all the way to the red line. It also delivers the highest power increase, of about 50 hp, over the base model on which it is based. No wonder the engine has been voted “Engine of the Year” for three years running: 2016, 2017 and 2018.
A slew of high-performance systems has been introduced to allow drivers to exploit the fullest potential of the engine. The most notable example being the new boost control strategy which optimises the response time it takes to deliver seemingly instantaneous power, and as much power, as demanded by the driver. The rev-limiter’s “Wall Effect” strategy is another leap forward that enhances extreme engine performance. Rather than gradually limiting the revs towards the limiter, it cuts off right at the red-line of 8,000 rpm mark, thus maximising the amount of power available in dynamic driving situations. The sporty driving feedback is further enhanced by the high-performance gear shifting which reduces shifting times by as much as 30 ms.
The vehicle dynamics developed for the Spider include, among others, the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE) which makes controlling the lateral dynamics in high-performance situations more intuitive, controllable and predictable; the Side Slip Control System improves the efficiency of the braking system; and the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE) regulates the lateral dynamics, including side slip angle estimation.
The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider represents the natural evolution of the design DNA of the coupé version without compromising on the perfect marriage of aerodynamic efficiency, purity of form and racing spirit. The most noticeable innovation is the aerodynamic S-Duct at the front which visually shortens the car’s nose and creates an original floating wing effect. This concept is echoed in the dolphin-tail rear spoiler which appears suspended to provide an impression of lightness. The most noticeable difference on the flanks is the fact that the splitter in the side air intakes has been removed. The Spider has a distinct racing livery that runs the entire length of the car, starting at the front bumper, and expanding as it flows towards the rear.
The interior features extensive use of lightweight, exclusive technical materials such as carbon-fibre and Alcantara. These are combined with the meticulous crafting and sophistication that is a signature of all Ferrari cockpits such as contrasting hand-stitching, tread plates and heel rests in triangular pattern aluminium, and sculpted door panels. The driver zone has been enhanced by two newly-developed all-carbon-fibre instrument clusters around the main instrument panel. The glove compartment has been removed and replaced by handy storage pockets on the rear bench and the doors. The effect is to visually slim down the volume of the under-dash area.
Ferrari offers an unprecedented extended seven-year maintenance programme for the 488 Pista Spider. Available across the entire range, it covers all regular maintenance for the first seven years of the car’s life.
