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The new Ferrari 458 Spider: the world's first mid-rear engined berlinetta equipped with a retractable hard top debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show
The new 458 Spider joins the 458 Italia, widening the range of Ferrari's mid-rear engined V8s and offering the same uncompromising technological solutions, handling and performance in a refined open-top configuration. It is equipped wîth a Ferrari patented, fully retractable hard top, a world first for a sports car wîth this lay-out.The 458 Spider is powered by Ferrari's naturally-aspirated, direct-injection 4.5 litre V8 which was nominated as the 2011 International Engine of the Year for its engineering excellence in terms of driveability, performance, economy and refinement. The power is transferred to the road by Ferrari's class-leading dual-clutch F1 paddle-shift transmission through the sophisticated E-Diff, itself integrated wîth the F1-Trac traction control and high-performance ABS for maximum handling dynamics.
Certain of the car's features, such as its accelerator pedal mapping and the damping of the multilink suspension, have been calibrated to guarantee maximum sportiness and absolute driving pleasure wîth the top down, in line wîth Maranello's exclusive spider tradition. Even the engine soundtrack has been honed to ensure that the car's occupants are completely captivated by the drop-top driving experience.
Entirely in aluminium, the hard-top solution adopted for the 458 Spider offers a number of advantages over the traditional folding soft-top, including a reduction of 25 kg in weight and a deployment time of just 14 seconds. Fully integrated into the styling of the car, the hard-top was engineered to fit neatly ahead of the engine bay without compromising aerodynamics or the performance of the car. The small space needed to house the roof enables the designers to include a generous rear bench for luggage behind the seats.
The rear of the car is characterised by innovative forms wîth the buttresses designed to optimise the flow of air to the engine intakes and the clutch and gearbox oil radiators. For maximum comfort whilst driving top down the 458 Spider features a generously-sized adjustable electric wind stop. The design was perfected to slow and diffuse the air in the cockpit, enabling normal conversation to be held even at speeds over 200 km/h.
New technical solutions adopted for the chassis guarantee identical levels of structural rigidity wîth the roof up or down. The result is a car that is truly exciting to drive, blending extreme performance wîth the responsiveness that has always characterised Ferrari's open-top berlinettas.Source - Ferrari
Ferrari 458 Spider debuts at Frankfurt
Ferrari's exclusive new 8-cylinder, the 458 Spider has finally been unveiled to the public at the 64th Frankfurt International Motor Show.The latest addition to the Ferrari range is a mid-rear-engined two-seater featuring a fully retractable aluminium hard-top, a world first for a sports car wîth this layout.
The 458 Spider's innovative new hard-top is not only 25 kg lighter than a traditional folding soft-top, but is also quieter and thermally more efficient when raised. Aside from taking just 14 seconds to open or close, the hard-top was engineered to occupy a very small space when stored so that the designers were able to include a generous rear bench for luggage behind the two seats.
The rear windscreen doubles as an effective wind-stop which is electrically adjustable. When the hard-top is folded away the wind-stop opens to the height that guarantees the most efficient aerodynamics, reducing buffeting in the cockpit.
The 458 Spider is powered by Ferrari's 570 CV 4,499 cc V8 which was named International Engine of the Year 2011. This is coupled wîth Ferrari's class-leading dual-clutch F1 paddle-shift transmission which delivers 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in under 3.4 seconds and a maximum speed of 320 km/h.
The all-aluminium chassis incorporates new alloys and castings, also adopted on the coupé, which ensure the 458 Spider already conforms to 2020 safety legislation.
Its category-topping performance aside, the new car also boasts class-leading fuel consumption and emissions levels. Thanks to the HELE (High Emotion Low Emission) system, in fact, fuel consumption on the combined urban cycle stands at 11.8 l/100 km wîth CO2 emissions of 275 g/km.
Tailor-Made Programme
Ferrari chose Frankfurt to introduce a new service, displaying an area of the stand dedicated to the Tailor-Made Programme which will enable owners to reach an even more personal level of distinctiveness wîth the specification of their cars.The Tailor-Made Programme provides clients wîth an extensive range of exclusive cloth trim, colours, finishes and technical materials for a final specification inspired by unique classic Ferraris and by motor racing. The selection is available in three innovative collections - Classica, Scuderia and Inedita – specifically conceived by Ferrari's Styling centre.
In creating a truly bespoke car clients will be assisted by their own Personal Designer throughout the decision-making process, right up until delivery.
The Carrozzeria Scaglietti programme continues the range of personalisation options open to clients.
The Ferrari range
Lining up alongside the 458 Spider is the entire Ferrari range, including the 458 Italia, the maximum expression of an extreme, high-performance driving experience. Today the V8 berlinetta is even more sporty.New control software for the magnetorheological dampers improves body control, enhancing the feedback in sporty driving.
With the manettino in RACE - in other words, at the highest level of performance wîth all the dynamic vehicle control systems still engaged - an evolved software for the F1 dual-clutch transmission makes gearchanges even more decisive, while there's even faster acceleration out of bends thanks to an improved calibration of the F1-Trac traction control.
Also being showcased on the Ferrari stand is the Ferrari California, the mid-front-engined V8 GT that melds performance, versatility and driving pleasure. The example on display is finished in an elegant two-tone Bianco Fuji wîth a Nero Daytona roof and bordeaux interior.
It is flanked by the Prancing Horse's two majestic 12-cylinder models. The FF is the revolutionary four-seater which, for the first time in Ferrari's history, employs a Ferrari-patented four-wheel drive system to combine unprecedented levels of performance from its 660-CV engine wîth comfort and versatility. The 599 GTB is shown at Frankfurt wîth the HGTE Package.
No Ferrari stand would be complete either, of course, without a Formula 1 single-seater to celebrate the most victorious team ever in this, the ultimate motor racing category.Source - Ferrari
458 Spider unveiled by F1 drivers Alonso and Massa at the Japan Premiere
Ferrari charity auction also held in the same eveningOver 70m JPY of donations raised this year, which will help build two after-school facilities in Ishinomaki
Tokyo, 11 October 2011 – Over 350 passionate clients, Ferrari tifosi and collectors participated in yesterday's charity auction held at Zojoji, the main temple of the Jodo-Buddhists, which makes for a spectacular sight at the foot of the Tokyo Tower.
At the Japan Premiere of 458 Spider, the Ferrari's new exclusive 8-cylinder model, Ferrari held a special charity auction to further support the city of Ishinomaki, the region severely hit by the earthquake in Japan last March.
Joined by surprise guests, the F1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, who had just finished the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka at the weekend, the auction was a great success. Special items, including the nose cone of the 150th Italia, the F1 car wîth the famous 'Gambare Nippon' message displayed at the opening Grand Prix of 2011 season in Melbourne were auctioned.
Following the charity auction held in July at the FF Japan Launch at the Italian Embassy where Ferrari raised over 53 million yen, over 12 million yen was raised by the Ferrari Owners Club of Japan, which will be added to this event's donation of another 8 million yen. The total donations collected by Ferrari has now reached over 70 million yen, which will enable Ishinomaki to build two after-school facilities.Source - Ferrari
Fernando Alonso behind the wheel of the 458 Spider
Maranello, 9 September – Right before the start of the race weekend of the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Fernando Alonso wanted to try the new 458 Spider, which will be presented at the IAA Frankfurt next Tuesday. The Scuderia Ferrari driver enjoyed the potential of the 8-cylinder mid-rear engine from the Prancing Horse - wîth hard top and fitted wîth the same most advanced technological content as the multi-awarded 458 Italia and now available in an 'en plein air' version - on the roads around Maranello.Alonso was extremely satisfied wîth the perfect combination of high performance, exceptional handling and the engine sound the 458 Spider is able to deliver.Source - Ferrari
| FDA: FUOCO DOES THE DOUBLE AT IMOLA | |
 | Imola, 12 May –16 year old Antonio Fuoco wanted to have his say on what has been a very special Sunday for Scuderia Ferrari. On the same weekend that Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa made it to the Barcelona podium, Fuoco did an amazing double, winning both races in the Formula Renault Alps series at the Imola circuit. Fuoco, at only his second ever event in the category, collected the maximum points available. In qualifying, he took a peremptory pole position, setting a time no less ...[Read more...] |
| MALAYSIAN GP – TORRID FRIDAY CONDITIONS | |
 | Red Bull took the top slot in the first practice session of the second round of the Formula 1 World Championship, just a few days after the season opener in Melbourne. Australia's Mark Webber lapped in 1.36.935, to finish ahead of Kimi Raikkonen (1.37.003) in the Lotus and the other Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel (1.37.104.) As usual, the Malaysian track was a furnace, with air and track temperatures reaching 33 and 42 degrees respectively. Fernando Alonso was fourth in a time of 1.37.319, while i...[Read more...] |
| ITALIAN GP - A PODIUM WITH A WINNING FLAVOUR | |
 | Scuderia Ferrari picked up twenty seven points in the Italian Grand Prix, the biggest haul of any team today. Fernando Alonso was the author of a great climb up the order to third after his problems in qualifying yesterday and made it onto the Monza podium for the third consecutive year, in as many races with Ferrari. Felipe Massa also had a great race, coming home fourth after giving his all throughout the race. After 13 rounds of the 2012 season, Fernando still leads the Drivers' classificatio...[Read more...] |
| Monaco GP - Alonso on top and Massa reborn | |
 | Another podium, the third of the season for Fernando Alonso and Scuderia Ferrari. The Spaniard finished the Grand Prix in third place while his team-mate Felipe Massa came home sixth. With this result, Fernando heads the Drivers' classification, while Felipe moves up to fourteenth. In the classification for Constructors, the Scuderia is now third, equal on points with Lotus. Both Ferrari men made a single pit stop, Fernando on lap 30 and Felipe on lap 31, switching from the Pirelli Supersofts us...[Read more...] |
| A working Monday in Maranello | |
 | The two F2012s that took part in the Monaco Grand Prix did not take long to get back home. Chassis 294 and 295, used by Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso respectively, were already in the Car Assembly area this morning, to undergo the usual post-race rebuild. In fact, there's no time to lose given that these same cars and all the technical equipment has to be sent off to Montreal for the next Grand Prix on Saturday morning. And someone else also lost no time in coming back to Maranello, namel...[Read more...] |
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