Hire a car: Ferrari 430 Spider

Great sport car for rent: Ferrari 430 Spider

The F430 Spider joins the F430 as the latest addition to the new generation of Ferrari V8-engined sports cars. The F430 Spider's innovative aerodynamics, honed to generate dynamic air flows to increase down-force and improve cooling, and the F1 gearbox featuring upgraded software, are just two examples of how Ferrari's technological excellence has been transferred from the track to road.

The F430 Spider's all-aluminium bodywork and chassis have also been carefully strengthened, to guarantee both occupant safety and the structural rigidity demanded by a car of such high performance.

Two very robust steel roll-bars are integrated into the windshield structure to guarantee maximum occupant protection. The electric hood is fully automatic and folds away under its own flush-fitting tonneau cover, allowing Ferrari engineers to hone the aerodynamics of the car with the hood down.

Ferrari's range of V8-engined sports cars will be joined by the new F430 Spider when it is unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show (3-13 March 2005). Ferrari's new drop-top includes a number of important technical features which give hints of the car's F1 pedigree, starting with the innovative electronic differential - first developed by the racing division for the Scuderia's all-conquering F1 cars ' which improves traction and roadholding under all conditions. The Spider also features the steering wheel-mounted commutator switch, known to the Scuderia's drivers as the 'manettino', which allows the car's set-up to be adjusted easily and quickly. Formula 1 is thus again the inspiration for the development of the company's road cars. Designed by Pininfarina, the F430 Spider's sinuous lines, in fact, were fine-tuned using state-of-the-art computer aerodynamics simulation programmes usually employed exclusively by the F1 team.

A sport rental car

The F430 Spider's shape is the result of lengthy testing and features a pronounced nolder which is integrated into the end of the engine cover, new bigger rear air intakes that emphasise the car's muscular stance, and a new rear valance that incorporates a diffuser of competition derivation. The engine itself is attractively set below a glass cover.

Just like the berlinetta, the new Spider incorporates two elliptical air intakes that feed the front radiators. The shape of the intakes is inspired by Ferrari's racing cars from the 1961 season, especially the 156 F1 which Phil Hill drove to that year's F1 Championship title. The spoiler that joins the two intakes at their bottom edge is highly effective in directing the central air flow towards the flat underbody. The F430 Spider boasts a compact, fully automatic electric hood that allows the engine to be seen in all its glory at all times and which, once lowered, takes up relatively little space, despite the uncompromising central-rear engine layout.

The F430 Spider is powered by Ferrari's new 490 hp, 4,308cc 90° V8 which is capable of pushing the car to a top speed of over 310 km/h (over 193 mph) and covering the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in just 4.1 seconds. This lightweight and highly compact power unit produces a specific output of 114 hp per litre with a weight-to-power ratio of 2.9 kg (6.4 lbs) per horsepower (dry weight).

Technical characteristics - Ferrari 430 Spider