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2020 Ferrari F8 Spider unveiled

As night follows day, an open-topped Ferrari follows the release of the hard top sports car.


The difference this time around, though, is that the Ferrari F8 Spider will amplify the sounds of one of the most powerful V8s in the sports-car world.

The twin turbo 3.9-litre V8 has the same output as the F8 Tributo (530kW of power and 770Nm of torque) in a car weighing 1400kg dry – 20kg less than its predecessor and 70kg heavier than the Tributo. The extra weight hasn't slowed the Spider compared to the coupe, it'll still hit 100km/h in 2.9 seconds.

The F8 Spider, with its retractable hardtop roof, is the latest in a “bloodline” of open-top V8 cars beginning with the 308 GTS in 1977. 

The roof takes 14 seconds to open and close, a function which can be done at the press of a button while on the move top to 45kmh.

Ferrari says it is “less extreme than the 488 Pista Spider, but sportier than the 488 Spider which it replaces in the range”. 

The engine is a development of the V8 that won International Engine of the Year for four consecutive years (2016 to 2019), unleashing its power with no discernible turbo lag.

To help the engine breathe, the air intakes have been moved from the flanks to the rear, to ensure greater air flow to the engine and, therefore, increase power. 

The air flow also benefits from increased dynamic pressure created by the shape of the rear spoiler. 

Unlike other performance engines with a ‘soft’ rev limiter, the F8 has a ‘hard stop’ at 8000rpm, rather than artificially feathering the throttle on the approach to 8000rpm. 

This is deigned to squeeze as much from each gear ratio as possible on a race track. Probably best not to try it on the street, as the sudden stop in acceleration could give you a black eye.

As with he hardtop F8 Tributo, the F8 Spider’s rear spoiler is larger than before and wraps around the tail lights. Two large fins (one behind each driver’s seat) help reduce air turbulence with the roof down.

Ferrari claims the new shape, designed in a wind-tunnel, improves engine cooling and downforce any high speeds and is said to be 10 per cent more aerodynamic than its predecessor. 

To help stay on terra firma, Ferrari has deployed the latest stability control system which gives drivers total control over how much or how little electronic assistance they would like in corners.

And just in case you plan on buying one, you might like to know the service intervals are 20,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first, and routine serving is free for the first seven years.

Price is due to be announced closer to the F8 Spider’s showroom arrival next year, but its predecessor, the Ferrari 488 Spider, cost $526,888.

Joshua Dowling

Joshua Dowling has been a motoring journalist for more than 20 years, spending most of that time working for The Sydney Morning Herald (as motoring editor and one of the early members of the Drive team) and News Corp Australia. He joined CarAdvice / Drive in 2018, and has been a World Car of the Year judge for more than 10 years.

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