Ferrari 360 Spider - model information

Introduction

The F430 Spider boasts all the F430's stunning technology, the product of a close working relationship with Ferrari's Gestione Sportiva F1 racing division.

The F430 Spider is the only uncompromising mid-rear engined convertible to boast a compact, fully automatic electric hood that allows the engine to be seen at all times. This stylistic flourish comes courtesy of a soft top system designed to take up very little space indeed. The rear window is made of exceptionally flexible polycarbonate which folds away easily, and can be simply and rapidly replaced.

Design

The aggression and performance of the F430 has been effortlessly transferred to the Spider so that the new model exudes all of the breathtaking elegance typical of a Ferrari drop-top.

The Spider's nose is characterised by two distinctive elliptical air intakes that channel air into the generously dimensioned radiators that cool the powerful engine. Their shape was inspired by the Ferrari 156 F1 that Phil Hill drove to his F1 World Championship title in 1961. The two intakes are linked at their lower edge by a spoiler that directs the air towards the car's flat underbody.

The Spider's vertically stacked headlights are extremely compact thanks to the use of Bi-xenon technology. When the lights are on, the unique shape of the side light, which is incorporated into the outer edge of the headlight, emphasises the profile, making the car immediately recognisable even at night. Large air vents just ahead of the front wheels channel the air out of the radiators and along the car's flanks. Generous scoops at the top of the rear wheelarches channel air into the engine. The side view is completed by the 19'' wheels with 5 twin-spoke layout that combine classic Ferrari design flair with exceptional levels of structural rigidity combined with light weight.

The Enzo Ferrari was the inspiration for much of the rear styling of the new F430 Spider. The type and arrangement of the lights are the same with the latter protruding quite prominently from the bodywork. Another similarity is the shape of the air vent for the engine with the chrome Prancing Horse at its centre. Ferrari's meticulous aerodynamic and styling detailing is also reflected in the design of the rear boot lip spoiler incorporated in the engine cover and the new rear diffuser integrated into the bumper, which boasts race-derived dimensions. The F430 Spider's extreme performance is further underlined by such styling details as the new exhausts with ball-polished steel tailpipes. The large glass panel in the rear engine compartment cover offers a view of the strikingly compact engine too.

Extreme care was also lavished on designing the exterior details. The wing mirrors, for example, have specially profiled twin mounting arms that channel airflows to the engine intakes. The F430 name has also been embossed on the back of the driver's side mirror. Even the finish of the engine bay is a work of art in terms of its distinctive shape and materials. The F430 Spider's interior has also been given a distinctly sporting ambience too (instrument binnacle, dash, a slimmer central tunnel), whilst still paying close attention to such practical details as the number and size of the storage compartments.

The F430 Spider is the only uncompromising mid-rear engined drop-top to boast a compact, fully automatic electric hood that allows the engine to be seen at all times. This stylistic flourish comes courtesy of a soft top system designed to take up very little space indeed. The rear window is made of flexible polycarbonate which folds away easily, and can be simply and rapidly replaced. Given the existing engineering, performance and stylistic constraints, this design is the ideal solution as it doesn't affect either weight distribution or handling. The new F430 Spider's wind deflector has been improved and is now much more effective than the 360 Spider's. The hood itself is available in a range of four colours: black, navy, beige and bordeaux.

Opening or closing the F430 spider's hood takes 20 seconds from start to finish. The driver is alerted that the movement is complete by an audio signal. For safety reasons' given the high-performance nature of the F430 Spider - the hood can only be operated when the car is moving at under 5 km/h (3 mph) and the engine cover is closed. This restriction also helps reduce the weight of the hood system and thus the car.

Technical Features

The F430 Spider is powered by the 90' V8 featuring Ferrari's traditionally uncompromising design approach with a flat-plane crank (180' between throws). This is an all-new unit that does not share any components with the 360 Spider's engine. The improvement in terms of performance, weight and reduction of overall dimensions is yet another result of Ferrari applying its wealth of F1 experience to its road cars. Despite a 20% increase in engine displacement over the 360 Spider's power unit (from 3586cc to 4308cc), engine weight has grown minimally by just 4 kg, while performance is considerably improved across the board. Torque has increased by 25% (465 Nm at 5250 rpm, 80% of which is already available at 3500 rpm) and power by 23% (490 hp at 8500 rpm). The engine is extremely compact with a cylinder spacing of just 104 mm. Similarly, Ferrari's engineers integrated the sump and main bearings in a single casting which, along with a smaller diameter twin-plate clutch and flywheel, has reduced the engine height between the bottom of the oil sump and the crankshaft to just 130 mm (from 145 mm on the 360 Spider power unit).

The intake manifold features straight inlet tracts to the two central plenums which, in turn, have trumpets individually cast at the top of the tracts for each cylinder to ensure optimum air flow to the cylinder heads. A rotating drum - actuated pneumatically by the engine control unit ' compensates for variations in the effective volume inside the two plenums to optimise the intake resonance characteristics and therefore maximise the torque curve throughout the rev range. The set performance targets were achieved thanks to unrestricted intake and exhaust ducts for optimum gas flow efficiency and the high compression ratio (11.3:1).

One of the technical features that sets the F430 apart is the E-Diff or electronic differential. This solution has been used for years in F1 single-seaters and has been continuously developed and refined, effectively transferring massive torque levels to the track under extremely high cornering g-forces. The E-Diff is now standard equipment on the F430 - the first time that a production car has been equipped with such a sophisticated system for high-performance roadholding.

The F430 Spider features a new cast aluminium transmission casing that houses the gearbox in unit with the electronic differential and bevel type final drive, as well as the engine oil tank. The 6-speed gearbox incorporates multicone synchronizers, while both the 6th gear and the final drive have been lengthened to make the most of the greater power and torque of the new engine, and to guarantee reliability. The F430 Spider is available with either the classic Ferrari open-gate manual gearbox or with the F1 paddle shift that Ferrari has continuously developed and refined over recent years for its road-going berlinettas.

Just like in Formula 1, the F430 Spider driver can change various areas of the set-up of his car using a single selector set on the steering wheel. The manettino, as it is called by Scuderia Ferrari drivers, is a rotary switch that has been adopted directly from racing, where total commitment to driving requires maximum efficiency and speed in controlling the car's various functions. This switch quickly and simply controls the electronics governing suspension settings, the CST stability and traction control, E-Diff and the change speed of the F1 transmission, as well as the integration between each of these individual functions. The manettino is located on the steering wheel and is an example of the rationalisation studies that went into positioning all the controls inside the car. The manettino enables car settings to be changed to suit personal preferences, road surface conditions and available grip. The settings available to the driver have been concentrated in five different levels.

The F430 Spider features Ferrari's uncompromising forged aluminium, double unequal-length wishbone suspension set-up front and rear with anti-dive and anti-squat geometries. It also boasts new-generation software for managing the car's adaptive suspension to provide the perfect balance between handling and comfort. Two sensors are mounted on the lower front wishbones to read suspension travel, two on the upper shock absorber mounting points to measure body movement, one on a rear shock absorber mounting point to measure roll and yaw, and a last sensor on the steering column to measure steering angle. The control logic adjusts the shock absorbers' damping characteristics within a certain range based on the settings selected by the driver using the manettino on the steering wheel. The wheels are fitted with 19'' rims with 225/35 tyres at the front and 285/35 at the rear. There is also the option of run-flat tyres combined with electronic pressure control. When flat, these tyres can be driven for 120 km at a maximum speed of approximately 50 mph.

The chassis of the F430 Spider fully exploits cutting-edge aluminium technology. As with the 360 Spider, the first Ferrari built entirely from aluminium, the F430 Spider's chassis is constructed at the Scaglietti facility in Modena in collaboration with Alcoa. The choice of aluminium and the design methods used have enabled two main objectives to be achieved: considerable structural stiffness, and excellent driver and passenger protection with minimal weight.

The spaceframe chassis consists of a mix of aluminium extrusions, panelling cast nodes and has been completely revised using finite element analysis to further reinforce key areas. Chassis rigidity, which is indispensable for optimal handling, has been increased by 10% in terms of torsion and by 5% in terms of flexure.

To offset the loss of the hood, the Spider's chassis has been significantly reinforced. The sill members have been strengthened with extremely light, rigid aluminium foam inserts where they connect to the rear B-post chassis members. Similarly, at the front the sill members are strengthened by a robust connection with the A-posts which include the Ferrari-patented integral door mounting points and the base of the windscreen surround.

Particular attention was focused on studying the air flows in the cockpit to ensure that the F430 Spider would be as comfortable for occupants with its hood down as up. Experimental techniques and fluid-dynamic calculations were used to establish the distribution of the loads and velocities on the occupants. This in turn led to the definition of the dimensions and position of the wind deflector to ensure optimal comfort in terms of wind and noise.

Technical Specification

Engine: Rear, Longitudinal, 90 degree V8
Bore and Stroke: 85x79 mm
Unitary Displacement: 448.2 cc
Total Displacement: 3586 cc
Valve Gear: Twin Overhead Camshafts
Number of Valves: Five per Cylinder
Compression Ratio: 11.1:1
Ignition: Bosch Motronic 7.3 Electrostatic
Coolant: Water
Front Suspension: Independent, Double
Wishbones, Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bar, Gas Dampers
Rear Suspension: Independent, Double
Wishbones, Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bar, Gas Dampers
Brakes: Disc
Steering: Rack and Pinion
Fuel Tank: 25 gallons
Front Tires: 215/45 ZR 18
Rear Tires: 275/40 ZR 18
Lubrication: Dry Sump
Maximum Power: 394 bhp at 8500 rpm
Specific Power: 109.9 bhp/ liter
Transmission: Rear-Wheel Drive
Clutch: Dry Single-Plate
Gearbox: in Unit with Engine, 6-speed +
Reverse, F1 or Manual
Body: Two-Seater Roadster
Chassis: Aluminium Space Frame
Wheelbase: 102.4 in.
Front Track: 65.7 in.
Rear Track: 63.6 in.
Length: 177.6 in.
Width: 75.7 in.
Height: 47.8 in.
Curb Weight: 3351 lbs
Top Speed: over 186 mph

Interior

The cabin of the 360 Spider is identical to the coupe's: the first things of note are the ease of access offered by the ample door aperture, whether the roof is up or down, and the striking effect of the aluminium kick panel that recalls the lightweight but extremely rigid extruded aluminium sill below. The Spider's interior dimensions are virtually identical to those of the berlinetta, offering a far more spacious cabin than the F355 Spider, right down to the golf bag slot behind the seats. The only differences are the practical, electrically operated strongbox set between the two seats at the centre of the roll bar structure and the two storage nets on each side of the rear console. The 360 Spider is available with a choice of 12 different leather trim options, highlighting the aluminium detailing that reflects the car/'s sophisticated construction technology. All the major instruments are grouped in a binnacle in the driver/'s line of sight, with the tachometer positioned centrally. The three-spoke steering wheel incorporates a full-size airbag.

The four roof colours are black, beige, dark blue and grey. There are 12 shades of leather trim for the roll bars. The extensive range of accessories covers everything from leather golf bags in every imaginable colour, CD players, spare wheels, a battery charger with socket inside the engine bay and xenon headlights to a portable fire extinguisher.

Vehicles 1 - 24 of 24

FERRARI 360 Spider F1 | California Rosso Fiorano with Nero 2001/ USD 94,950

FERRARI 360 Spider F1 | Scottsdale Grigio Titanio Metallizzato with Grigio Scuro 2003/ USD 108,755

FERRARI 360 Spider F1 | Scottsdale Grigio Titanio Metallizzato with Grigio Scuro 2004/ USD 109,550

FERRARI 360 Spider | Colorado Grigio Titanio Metallizzato with Blu Scuro 2002/ USD 109,753

FERRARI 360 Spider F1 | Blu Pozzi with Beige 2002/ USD 110,000

FERRARI 360 Spider | Hinsdale Nero with Beige 2004/ USD 117,895

FERRARI 360 Spider | Calabasas Nero with Beige 2002/ USD 118,860

FERRARI 360 Spider F1 | Orlando Argento with Beige 2004/ USD 119,000

FERRARI 360 Spider F1 | Calabasas Nero with Nero 2004/ USD 119,850

FERRARI 360 Spider F1 | Atlanta Grigio Titanio Metallizzato with Bordeaux 2004/ USD 119,900

FERRARI 360 Spider F1 | North Carolina Rosso Corsa with Nero 2001/ USD 119,900

FERRARI 360 Spider F1 | North Carolina Rubino Micalizzato with Beige 2004/ USD 124,900

FERRARI 360 Spider F1 | Plain View Grigio Titanio Metallizzato with Blu Scuro 2003/ USD 129,000

FERRARI 360 Spider F1 | San Antonio Rosso Corsa with Beige 2004/ USD 129,000

FERRARI 360 Spider | Plain View Argento Nurburgring with Nero 2005/ USD 129,900

FERRARI 360 Spider | California Giallo Modena with Nero 2003/ USD 134,000

FERRARI 360 Spider F1 | Colorado Rubino Micalizzato with Nero 2004/ USD 138,156

FERRARI 360 Spider F1 | Colorado Nero with Nero 2004/ USD 139,487

FERRARI 360 Spider F1 | Florida Grigio Titanio Metallizzato with Nero 2004/ USD 139,900

FERRARI 360 Spider | Florida Rosso Corsa with Beige 2004/ USD 139,900

FERRARI 360 Spider F1 | North Carolina Argento Nurburgring with Nero 2003/ USD 139,900

FERRARI 360 Spider F1 | North Carolina Grigio Alloy with Charcoal 2001/ USD 139,900

FERRARI 360 Spider | Plain View Rosso Corsa with Beige 2005/ USD 144,900

FERRARI 360 Spider | Florida Blu Tour de France with Beige 2004/ USD 149,900