Ferrari's 190mph Hair Flier

We've spied a Spider! Only a week after Auto Express drove Ferrari's sensational new F430 coupé, this week's mag has spy shots of the drop-top version being put through its paces.

Auto Express Car Reviews

13th October 2004

Powered by the same 4.3-litre V8, the cabrio will be almost as fast as its stablemate, with 0-60mph in only four seconds and a top speed of more than 190mph.

Wind-in-the-hair motoring will be available thanks to an electrically operated folding canvas roof, stowed behind the engine bay.

Despite rumours of a folding hard-top, bosses said this would have compromised the F430's shape. Instead, the 360 Spider's inset rear screen and prominent buttresses have been retained.

Elsewhere, the Spider is identical to the F430 coup΃©, with its Enzo-inspired looks and aerodynamics based on Formula One technology. The car will also get the coup΃©'s Manettino switch, which adjusts damper stiffness, gearshift speeds, differential settings and the stability control. Options will include the F1 paddleshift transmission, ceramic brakes and satellite-navigation.

The Spider will go on sale next summer. It's expected to cost ΂£10,000 more than the regular F430, at around ΂£127,000.