Drop-top Ferrari F8 Spider lands from $536,888

FERRARI’S all-new F8 Spider hard-top convertible has touched down in Australia, with the 488-replacing two-door joining the existing F8 Tributo coupe in the local line-up.

Asking $536,888 plus on-road costs, opting for the folding hard-top adds a considerable $52,000 to the pricetag of the Tributo, but is only $10,000 dearer than the outgoing 488 Spider.

Its price pits it against other hi-po drop-tops including the McLaren 720S Spider ($556,000), Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder ($532,635) and Aston Martin Vanquish S Ultimate Volante ($555,995).

The F8 Spider is underpinned by the same savage, award-winning 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 as the Tributo, mounted mid-ship and producing a dizzying 530kW at 8000rpm and 770Nm at 3250rpm – an improvement of 38kW/10Nm over its 488 predecessor.

Power is delivered exclusively to the rear wheels via Ferrari’s seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, complete with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The defining trait of the F8 Spider is its retractable hard top, which can open or close in 14 seconds, and can be done at speeds of up to 45km/h.

The roof mechanism adds 70kg to the weight of the Spider over the Tributo, but is nevertheless 20kg lighter and more aerodynamic than the 488 Spider.

Despite the weight penalty, the Spider still completes the sprint from standstill to 100km/h in just 2.9 seconds – the same time as the Tributo – however it is slightly slower to 200km/h (8.2s) before topping out at a wig-pulling 340km/h.

To help enhance dynamics, a new version of the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE+) has been integrated into the Side Slip Angle Control (SSC 6.1) traction control system, which allows consistent drifting into corners and stable exits.

Ferrari drew upon its racing experience to help optimise aerodynamics, fitting rearward-angled front radiators which help make the F8 Spider 10 per cent slipperier.

Exterior styling is largely an evolution of the 488, with a wide front splitter and dual side air intakes, raking LED headlights and a large, aerodynamically scalloped bonnet.

From the rear, Ferrari’s signature quartet of circular tail-lights are retained, while a slick lip spoiler, twin-exit exhaust and a large carbon-fibre diffuser complete the unmistakably Ferrari look.

Inside, all controls are housed on the steering wheel in an obviously F1-inspired nod, while the dash incorporates an aluminium sail panel and is horizontally divided by a strip of exposed carbon-fibre.

The new HMI infotainment system can also be optionally paired with a 7.0-inch touchscreen passenger-side display.

Buyers will be treated to Ferrari’s seven-year scheduled servicing program, with intervals of 20,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first.

2020 Ferrari F8 pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs