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Ferrari 458 Spider

We drive the new 458 Spider. It looks set to become Ferrari's best-selling model and it's easy to see why…

Ferrari 458 Spider front tracking

By Owen Mildenhall

October 2011

  • Rating:
The Ferrari 458 Spider is set to be the Italian supercar maker’s best-selling model, expected to account for a third of worldwide sales. With expectations that high it can’t afford to disappoint.

And first impressions are good - designed around a fully retractable aluminium hard top the Spider looks just as good as the 458 Italia coupe with the roof up. About the only negative is the roof mechanism robs it of the Coupe’s wonderful see-through engine cover. But with sharp buttresses and a delicately designed rear end, it’s a stunning thing.

Video: watch Owen Mildenhall drive the new Ferrari 458 Spider

 

But it’s the attractions of open-air motoring that really make this Ferrari such a tantalising prospect and the Spider doesn’t take long to transform. The roof flips backwards – just like the ultra-rare 575M Superamerica – in just 14 seconds, slotting underneath a panel that rises up ahead of the engine cover. 

Once stowed the clever mechanism hides in the bulge ahead of the engine and doesn’t compromise aerodynamics or performance. In fact the buttresses are designed to channel air towards the grilles in the downward sloping engine cover. Not only that, the two-piece aluminium roof is 25kg lighter than a traditional fabric hood while the clever packaging provides enough space for a luggage bench behind the seats.

The Spider comes with an electric wind deflector – effectively a glass screen that rises up between the buttresses – and it’s very effective at reducing buffeting. On the open road wind roar is well isolated from the cabin. But there are some noises you want to hear and with the roof down the soundtrack delivered by the 458’s sensational 562bhp 4.5-litre V8 engine can be savoured with even more passion than in the coupe. 

In fact such is the importance that Ferrari attaches to this aural treat that it has retuned the triple exhausts to maximise the fabulous bark. And it makes a terrific noise – a hard-edged howl that can’t fail to put a smile on your face. The good part is that if the weather isn’t so sunny, you can drop the glass screen when the roof is in place, allowing the engine noise to still enter the cabin.  

Yet purists will argue that taking the roof off reduces rigidity and increases weight, diminishing its capabilities. The 458 Spider is 50kg heavier thanks to chassis strengthening – but the V8 is so devastatingly powerful, the increase barely registers. The Spider hurtles from 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds, just a tenth slower than the Italia, while few people will be disappointed by the top speed dropping from 202mph to 198mph. 

A far more important question to answer is whether the Spider has retained the pin-sharp handling the Italia is famed for. And without a doubt, it has. The steering has the same sharp steering reactions as the coupe and the whole car changes direction with the same enthusiasm, darting into corners and gripping hard. Only over very broken surfaces is there the hint of some wobble through the windscreen pillars. 

The sensational dual clutch gearbox delivers seamless upshifts and a glorious blip on the downshifts; the ceramic brakes provide incredible stopping power, while with the steering wheel-mounted manettino switched into its raciest setting race mode, the Ferrari can be balanced beautifully with the throttle on the exit of corners. 

The constant stream of feedback through the controls means delicate steering adjustments help you place the car precisely in the corners. Yet for all the scintillating performance and tactile handling, the Spider’s composed ride means it’s a capable cruiser, too. 

It’s also efficient. Ferrari’s HELE High Emotion Low Emission stop start system is available as a £980 option in the UK and drops CO2 emissions from 307g/km to 275g/km – given the performance on offer, that’s impressive.  There’s no doubt the 458 Spider is an astonishingly capable and involving supercar. 

Priced at £198,856 it commands a considerable £25,675 premium over the coupe, but it’s certainly worth it. Ferrari predicts the UK will be one of the Spider’s biggest markets, with 60 per cent of buyers opting for the drop-top over the Italia. After driving it’s easy to see why. 

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14 Comments

The front looks a mess. As though they started from the ground up, got most of it done and went "oh buggar, we forgot a bonnet. Lets just lay some metal down between the lights". Is this the pinnacle of design? The Italians have it by the balls. Is this what gets passed off as design? Ferraris just get uglier and uglier......some design.

By barina47 on 6 October, 2011, 7:32am

Great piece of Design!

I think Ferrari are leaders in innovative creative Design at the moment. This car is just overspilling with Design flair! Barina47 I think you need to take another look and then look again and then again! If you understand and educate yourself on Design you will appreciate more!

By JTravolta77 on 6 October, 2011, 9:34pm

Sign me up!

I want one...in red (of course)..lol

By badboyrocco on 7 October, 2011, 12:34pm

Chunky Rendition of Earlier Design Classic

JTravolta77, I'm sorry but I have to agree with barina47. Having seen a Dino 246 in the tin and the now 458 Italia, the 458 is like a step backwards. It's almost as if the designers tried to redraft the Dino on an early version of cad - chunky graphics, sharp lines and all - and then called it a day....

By mjgray100 on 9 October, 2011, 2:50am

To mjgray100

Well, you entitled to your opinion but I disagree with you both. As a designer myself I can see what you maybe cannot see, I can appreciate great design when I see it and the 458 Italia is a triumph because it's brings Design innovation and creativity to a new level in the segment, it breaks the mold in other words! This is what design excellence is, breaking convention, finding new ideas and developing them to the final product. Your argument seems like Ferrari should just go back to the past! just because you maybe have a preference for 60's design. Infact Ferrari already has the California with it's 60's style! The 458 is a different marketplace.

By JTravolta77 on 9 October, 2011, 10:56pm

This car was made for...

This car would look great in Hawaii, and it would look even better in a new series of Magnum P.I...

This car needs a movie, or mini-series...

Higgins baby would surely approve...

With the boys!

By LegioIXHispana on 16 October, 2011, 11:32am

Time To wake Up!

It’s a fantastic looking car, but £200K!!! I’ve been fortunate enough to own two Ferrari’s including an F430 Spider, which I have just changed for an Audi R8 V10 Spyder. The R8 has better build quality, a truly magnificent engine, a great cockpit and looks better than any Ferrari (past or present). Once you push yourself to get over all the brainwashing and hype, you kind of realise Ferrari have a magnificent £100k sports car with an additional £100k price tag for the name! Sorry Ferrari, I won’t be coming back!

By gointuk on 19 October, 2011, 6:33pm

@ goinuk

Audi R8 V10 Spyder?? 'better build quality and looks' hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!! I can't stop laughing, goinuk, I think maybe you should take up comedy you're really funny!!

By Kevin1982 on 20 October, 2011, 1:42am

Cue Music- Not!

I just watched the video for this from the e-mailed video page. 'We thought we'd let the car do the talking,' says you. Then you go and play some music over the top of the engine sound! How could you! You spoiled a great video with crappy music, and it's not the first time you have done this with a great car video. Please, stop it, right now. Or I'll get the UN to get cross with you. Not much of a threat is it?
I'm not much of a Ferrari fan, but I live this one, and the FF.

By bob809 on 21 October, 2011, 11:45pm

Oops!

Shoulda been love this one, not live it.

By bob809 on 21 October, 2011, 11:46pm

Forza Italia

It's nice to read some considered opinions on these pages for a change.

The Ferrari 458 is, in my opinion, the best looking Ferrari for some time and it's certainly an impressive car, but would I buy one? I'm not sure I would if I'm honest.

Ferrari's competitors have come a long way during the companies lean years and I feel Lamborghini in particular have stolen Ferrari's mantle. As good as the 458 is, it doesn't grab me the way a Ferrari should and I can't really say why because there is so much that's 'right' with it. The engine note is sublime and the 458 possesses an impressive sense of drama, as every Italian supercar should, but still there is something missing. Perhaps Ferrari have tried a little too hard to make the 458 perfect.

Italian past masters have always been flawed, that's why we love them so. The Lamborghini Countach for example was a terrible car to drive. You needed to be Mr Universe to depress the clutch pedal, the cabin could have been designed to house an Orangutan and the driver needed the powers of a score of Mystic Meg's to be able to reverse the damned thing. Despite all its flaws, its looks and performance grab you by the balls as it propels you toward the horizon in a thoroughly indecent manner. The Countach is akin to a Dominatrix and she won't let up until you have a huge and silly grin plastered all over your face. Compared to the Countach, the 458 is like Liz Hurley at an Oscar bash, beautiful, refined but somewhat unattainable.

Lamborghini's current range exhibits the Countach genes too, however these days it is possible to fit into, see out of and drive with relative ease any of Lamborghini's current range, but the Dominatrix still lives under the hood...

By sgtgrash on 22 October, 2011, 4:14pm

WHY the stupid music!!

What a great video shoot...and why the stupid music!! can we have the video without the music, just listening to the music that the car makes on its own please!!

i have a cd changer in my car and never use it, just open the window and listen to the magnificent sound of the engine!!

By carnut360 on 24 October, 2011, 10:51pm

Another spoilt Auto Express video (will they ever learn)

What is this limp wristed director playing at?? putting crap music over the sound of a Ferrari engine, or any engine as far as I am concerned.
This sort of arty-fartyness shows just how far away that this director is with regard to the product, and of course it shows and highlights the integrity of those who commissioned the video.

By Bobbybev on 27 October, 2011, 7:47pm

Ferrari 458 Spider

Ferrari Spider 458 - 2012, este carro realmente satisfaz os nossos desejos e prazeres.

Parabéns pelo video, Ferrari Spider 458 com está Música ao fundo excelente combinação.

By Valdir on 22 January, 2012, 9:47pm

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Pictures

Ferrari 458 Spider front tracking
Ferrari 458 Spider rear tracking
Ferrari 458 Spider dash
Ferrari 458 Spider detail
Ferrari 458 Spider badge
Ferrari 458 Spider rear cornering
Ferrari 458 Spider detail
Ferrari 458 Spider detail
Ferrari 458 Spider front three-quarters
Ferrari 458 Spider detail

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FIRST OPINION

    Ferrari was aiming to deliver a convertible version of the 458 Italia with no compromises and from what we’ve experienced, it’s mission accomplished. Handling is as sharp as ever, straight-line speed is blistering and with no roof between you and the howling 4.5-litre V8 it feels even more pure than the hard-top. If you can ignore the £25,000 premium over the coupe – and many spending £170,000 on a car can – then we can’t think of a single reason why you wouldn’t want the Spider. 
 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £198,856
    Engine: 4.5-litre V8 
    Power: 562bhp
    Torque: 540Nm 
    0-62mph: 3.4 seconds   
    Top speed: 198mph
    Equipment: Ceramic brakes, dual clutch gearbox, leather, fully electric roof, Xenon lights, multifunction wheel, launch control, adjustable dampers, electric wind deflector
    On sale: Now 
     
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