2005 Ferrari Spider F430

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The new F430 will join Ferrari's range of V8-engined sports cars. The F430 made its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show and it is enhanced by a number of technical features, such as the innovative electronic differential, the steering wheel-mounted rotary switch, thus allowing for the car's set-up to be adjusted quickly and easily. The F430 Spider's sinous lines were designed by Pininfarina, being the result of lenghty testing. The end of the engine cover integrates a pronounced rear lip spoiler, while the car's muscular stance is emphasized by the new bigger rear air intakes. Furthermore, the engine is interestingly placed below a glass cover. Similar to the berlinetta, the new vehicle features two elliptical air intakes that are meant to feed the front radiators. In terms of directing the central air flow towards the flat underbody, the spoiler that joins the two intakes at their bottom edge is highly effective. It is possible to see the engine due to the compact, fully automatic electric hood, which, once lowered, takes up relatively little space. Power is delivered by Ferrari's new 490 HP V8 which delivers a maximum speed of over 193 mph, sprinting from zero to 100 km/h in only 4.1 seconds. The specific output of this lightweight and highly compact power unit is of 114 HP per litre, featuring a weight-to-power ratio of 2.9 kg per horsepower.

Ferrari Spider F430 review:

Ferrari’s range of V8-engined sports cars will be joined by the new F430 Spider when it is unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show (3-13 March 2005).
Ferrari’s new drop-top includes a number of important technical features which give hints of the car’s F1 pedigree, starting with the innovative electronic differential (E-diff) - first developed by the racing division for the Scuderia’s all-conquering F1 cars – which improves traction and roadholding under all conditions. The Spider also features the steering wheel-mounted rotary switch, known to the Scuderia’s drivers as the ‘manettino’, which allows the car’s set-up to be adjusted easily and quickly.

Formula 1 is again the inspiration for the development of the company’s road cars. Designed by Pininfarina, the F430 Spider’s sinuous lines, in fact, were fine-tuned using state-of-the-art computer aerodynamics simulation programmes usually employed exclusively by the F1 team.

The F430 Spider’s shape is the result of lengthy testing and features a pronounced rear lip spoiler which is integrated into the end of the engine cover, new bigger rear air intakes that emphasise the car’s muscular stance, and a new rear valance that incorporates a diffuser of competition derivation. The engine itself is attractively set below a glass cover.

Just like the berlinetta, the new Spider incorporates two elliptical air intakes that feed the front radiators. The shape of the intakes is inspired by Ferrari’s racing cars from the 1961 season, especially the 156 F1 which Phil Hill drove to that year’s F1 Championship title. The spoiler that joins the two intakes at their bottom edge is highly effective in directing the central air flow towards the flat underbody.

The F430 Spider boasts a compact, fully automatic electric hood that allows the engine to be seen in all its glory at all times and which, once lowered, takes up relatively little space, despite the uncompromising central-rear engine layout.

The F430 Spider is powered by Ferrari’s new 490 hp, 4,308cc 90° V8 which is capable of pushing the car to a top speed of over 193 mph and covering the 0-62 mph sprint in just 4.1 seconds. This lightweight and highly compact power unit produces a specific output of 114 hp per litre with a weight-to-power ratio of 2.9 kg (6.4 lbs) per horsepower (dry weight). End of Ferrari Spider F430 review.