2010 Ferrari F430 Spider

The F430 Spider joins the F430 as the latest addition to the new generation of Ferrari V8-engined sports cars. The Spider boasts all of the F430's stunning technology, itself the product of a close working relationship with Ferrari's Gestione Sportiva F1 racing division. The F430 Spider's all-aluminium bodywork has also been carefully strengthened as has its chassis to guarantee both occupant safety and the structural rigidity demanded by a car as high performance as this. Two very robust steel roll-bars are integrated into the windshield structure to guarantee maximum occupant protection. The electric hood is fully automatic and folds away under its own flush-fitting tonneau cover, allowing Ferrari's engineers to carefully hone the aerodynamics of the car with the hood down.

STYLING
The F430's lineshape, created by Pininfarina in collaboration with Frank Stephenson is inspired by the car's exceptional engineering. The aggression and performance of the F430's design has been effortlessly transferred to the Spider so that the new model exudes all of the breathtaking elegance typical of a Ferrari drop-top. In design terms, this means that the new Spider has an even stronger personality and more muscular stance, both of which strongly hint at its powerful engineering and blistering performance. Their shape was inspired by the Ferrari 156 F1 that Phil Hill drove to his F1 World Championship title in 1961.

HOOD


The fully-lined electric hood is completely automatic, and is opened and closed by seven electrohydraulic actuators. The hood folds over twice before disappearing completely into a well just ahead of the engine compartment. Opening or closing the F430 spider's hood takes 20 seconds from start to finish. The driver is alerted that the movement is complete by an audio signal.

ENGINE

The F430 Spider is powered by the new 90° V8 featuring Ferrari's traditionally uncompromising design approach with a flat-plane crank (180° between throws.) The improvement in terms of performance, weight and reduction of overall dimensions is yet another result of Ferrari applying its wealth of F1 experience to its road cars: + 25% (465 Nm at 5,250 rpm, 80% of which is already available at 3,500 rpm) and power by 23% (490 hp at 8,500 rpm.)

E-DIFF/E-DIFF ELECTRONIC DIFFERENTIAL


The E-Diff or electronic differential, the real new feature on F430, is now standard equipment on the Spider. On the track, the E-Diff guarantees maximum grip out of bends, eliminating wheel spin. On the road it is a formidable technological refinement that improves roadholding. For the driver, the E-Diff increases handling balance and grip (which noticeably improves acceleration,) improves roadholding on the limit and also guarantees even better steering feel.

F1 GEARBOX AND TRANSMISSION

As the Coupé, also the F430 Spider features a new cast aluminium transmission casing that houses the gearbox in unit with the electronic differential and bevel type final drive, as well as the engine oil tank. The 6-speed gearbox incorporates multicone synchronizers. The F430 Spider is available with either the classic Ferrari open-gate manual gearbox or with the F1 paddle shift that Ferrari has continuously developed and refined over recent years for its road-going berlinettas.

MANETTINO COMMÚTATOR SWITCH AND VEHICLE SET-ÚP

ICE: performance is significantly restricted for maximum stability - indispensable for driving in very slippery conditions.

The chassis of the F430 Spider fully exploits cutting-edge aluminium technology that allows considerable structural stiffness, excellent driver and passenger protection with minimal weight. To offset the loss of the roof, the Spider's chassis has been significantly reinforced. The sill members have been strengthened with extremely light, rigid aluminium foam inserts where they connect to the rear B-pillar chassis members. Similarly, at the front the sill members are strengthened by a robust connection with the A-pillars which include the Ferrari-patented integral door mounting points and the base of the windscreen surround. The reinforced door structure, inner wheelarches and chassis, the positioning of the collapsible arm rest and a more enveloping seat shape provide excellent protection, as emerged from the very high scores achieved in side impact tests.

AERODYNAMICS

Traditionally, Ferrari has clothed its mechanical package in forms that are dictated by the need for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. In the case of the F430 Spider, just like Coupé, this principle has been developed to the extreme, employing exactly the same engineering approach to computer development models and wind tunnel testing as used by the F1 team. Particular attention was focused on studying the air flows in the cockpit to ensure that the F430 Spider would be as comfortable for occupants with its hood down as up. Experimental techniques and fluid-dynamic calculations were used to establish the distribution of the loads and velocities on the occupants. This in turn led to the definition of the dimensions and position of the wind deflector to ensure optimal comfort in terms of wind and noise.

Source - Ferrari

F430 Spider secures Auto Motor und Sport 'Best Cars' award 3rd year running

Maranello, 5th February 2008 - The readers of the German specialist journal 'auto motor und sport', with 11 international editions and 7 cooperations - such as Autocar (ÚK) und Quattroruote (Italy), certified the success of the Ferrari F430 Spider in the traditional 'Best Cars' survey, where the readers vote for their favourite cars in 20 different categories. The 'Best Cars' award has been held for the 31st time this year.

The F430 Spider won the award for the third year running in the category 'Imported Convertibles' with 12.6% of the votes. The 8-cylinder mid-engine from Maranello, designed by Pininfarina, enables to travel on board of a car with extraordinarily sporty temperament, certifying the success of the years 2006 and 2007. Previously the 360 Modena Spider was the car dominating this category.

Amedeo Felisa, director general at Ferrari S.p.A., personally accepted the award at the ceremony held in Stuttgart on 30th January.

Source - Ferrari

Created by Pininfarina, the F430 Spider is inspired by the car's exceptional engineering and Formula 1. The nose, which is characterised by two distinctive air intakes, draws inspiration from the Ferrari 156 F1 that Phil Hill drove to his F1 World Championship title in 1961. The Enzo Ferrari was the inspiration for much of the rear styling of the new F430 Spider, and the Ferrari meticulous aerodynamic detailing is reflected in the design of the nolder incorporated into the engine cover and the new rear diffuser integrated into the bumper, which boasts race-derived dimensions.

Extreme care has also been lavished on designing the exterior details. The wing mirrors now have specially profiled twin mounting arms that channel air flows to the engine intakes, and the F430 name has been embossed on the back of the driver's side mirror. Even the finish of the engine bay is a work of art in terms of its distinctive shape and materials.

Source - Ferrari