Following its unexpected world premiere at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider now makes its European debut at the Paris Motor Show.
Ferrari sees the venue as the perfect occasion to drop full technical details about its most powerful production drop-top ever, and boy there’s a lot to talk about.
With a weight-to-power ratio of 1.92 kg/PS, the 488 Pista Spider sources its engine, dynamics, and aerodynamics from two track cars: the 488 Challenge and the 488 GTE. The 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 produces 720 PS (710 hp) at 8,000 rpm and 770 Nm (568 lb-ft) of torque from 3,000 rpm.
Therefore, it is 50PS (39hp) more powerful than the regular 488 Spider and has 115PS (113hp) more than its predecessor, the 458 Speciale Aperta. Mated to an F1 seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that shifts gears 30 milliseconds quicker than in the 488 Pista, the V8 engine allows the hardcore roadster to achieve stellar performance.
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) takes 2.85 seconds and 0-200 km/h (0-124 mph) is dispatched in just 8 seconds. The top speed is 340 km/h (211 mph), and the 488 Pista Spider laps the Fiorano track in just 1 minute 21.5 seconds. That makes it the quickest spider ever built by the Prancing Horse.
The 488 Pista Spider is quick when it comes to stopping as well. It brakes from 100 km/h (62 mph) in 29.5 meters (96.8 ft), and from 200 km/h (124 mph) in 116 meters (380.6 ft) — improving the 488 Spider’s 200-0 km/h braking distance by one meter.
As you can imagine, vehicle dynamics are at a high level, thanks in part to the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE) lateral dynamics control system, the Side Slip Control System (SSC 6.0), the improved braking system, and the new Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires. Add to that the recalibrated SCM-E dampers and the 10 percent stiffer springs and you start to understand how the Pista manages to offer a 13 percent higher longitudinal acceleration than the 488 Spider.
Furthermore, the aerodynamic efficiency of the 488 Spider has been improved by 20 percent, for higher absolute speed and lap times on medium-fast tracks as well as “sheer fun” behind the wheel.
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