Ferrari’s newcomer at Geneva comes in the form of the Pininfarina-designed F430 Spider, the successor to the highly praised 360 Spider which was launched back in October 2000.

The new F430 Spider is a logical evolution of its predecessor, updating it both technically and visually with its recently introduced sister, the F430 berlinetta.

Two F430 Spiders were on display at the lavishly designed Ferrari stand. The main focus was on the Rosso Corsa example, presented on a revolving turntable.

A statically presented metallic grey example with black interior, presented the F430 in a more subdued and classy colour, further underlining that modern Ferrari’s can be driven as everyday cars.

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 - first developed by the racing division for the Scuderia’s all-conquering F1 cars – which improves traction and roadholding under all conditions.

The F430 Spider also features the steering wheel-mounted commutator 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 thus again the inspiration for the development of the company’s road cars. 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 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 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, 4.308 cc 90° V8 which is capable of pushing the car to a top speed of over 310 km/h (over 193 mph) and covering the 0-100 km/h (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). A separate engine unit is presented on the Ferrari’s Geneva stand.

The F430 Spider will aide Ferrari’s drive towards another record year. Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo highlighted how the F430 berlinetta has already received 1.500 orders, which accounts for the entire production run of 2005. Montezemolo is upbeat that the recently unveiled Superamerica along with the 575 Maranello will continue to sell well, thanks to strong demand from the US market. This year’s sales figures have so far indicated that the record year of 2004 will be surpassed.

News from Scuderia Ferrari included Montezemolo’s satisfaction at the new sponsorship deal with Shell and Vodafone, which are expected to give financial backing into 2008.

by James Granger & Edd Ellison in Geneva