The Ferrari F8 Goes Topless For A New Generation Drop-top Sports Car
Ferrari has unveiled the F8 Spider, the new generation drop-top sports car equipped with the most successful mid-rear-mounted V8 in history.
The F8 Spider is the latest addition to an exclusive and prestigious bloodline of open-top V8 cars. Consequently, the Spider sets a new benchmark for the “en plein air” sports car in terms of usable performance and exceptional handling, providing an incredible rewarding driving experience.
Designed in parallel with the F8 Tributo Berlinetta, the F8 Spider features the Prancing Horse’s compact and efficient retractable hardtop, which influences the lines of a model that leads its category. The key to the whole design was the shifting of the separation line between the car’s body and the roof from its conventional position at the belt-line to above the B-pillar. The top itself is thus more compact and two-dimensional, with the result that it can be divided into two parts and stowed on top of the engine. The RHT takes just 14 seconds to deploy or retract and can be closed or opened at speeds of up to 27mph.
The front view of the car is characterized by the S-Duct around which the entire front end has been redesigned to highlight the extensive aerodynamic modifications made to this are of the car. The treatment of the engine cover is one of the F8 Spider’s most distinctive characteristics. The manta-like look of the cover is created by a central spine that starts from the rear screen and disappears under the wing of the blown spoiler, following the air flows themselves.
The F8 Spider’s cockpit retains the classic, driver-oriented look typical of Ferrari’s mid-rear-engined berlinettas. The dash incorporates an aluminum sail panel supporting the central satellite and continuing the dash itself. Also, to create a sense of visual lightness, a sliver of carbon fiber divides the upper and lower parts, streamlining the whole look. This section also incorporates the optional 7” touchscreen passenger-side display and the dash is completed by the classic instrument cluster with its central rev-counter.
Powering the 2020 F8 Spider is a 3.9-liter V8 engine that pushes 710 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, the upcoming supercar has a redline of 8,000 rpm. Even with the extra weight of the drop-top, the car still goes from 0-62 mph in 2.9 seconds and has a top speed of 211 mph.
