Ferrari virtually revealed the SF90 Spider. It’s a convertible version of its two-door, two-seat, plug-in hybrid hyper car. The Spider has a retractable hardtop that can open and close in 14 seconds and do so while moving at speeds up to 28 mph (45 kph). Ferrari worked hard to retain the performance levels of the coupe, the SF90 Stradale, and claims the Spider has the same levels of stiffness.
As for design, the Spider’s tonneau retains the visibility of the V8 through glass, just as in the Stradale. Part of that is due to a retractable hard top design taking little more than half the space of what the brand considers a typical system. Furthermore, extensively using aluminum means the top comes with a smaller weight penalty.
That said, the Spider’s dry weight is 220 pounds heavier than the Stradale at 3,682 pounds, adding a full tank of gas and all the other fluids and you’re probably close to a 3,900-pound curb weight. That’s not light, but also not heavy for a plug-in hybrid with a 7.9 kwh battery pack and three electric motors.
Speaking of, two motors are mounted at the front axle and one is with the engine behind the cockpit. Just as in the Stradale, it’s a turbocharged V8 producing a mighty 769 horsepower on its own. The three electric motors add an additional 217 for 986 total horsepower. Most of the power is channeled through an eight-speed dual clutch transmission and on to the rear wheels. Thanks to the two motors in front, however, the SF90 is all-wheel-drive.
The retractable hardtop’s added weight does hinder straight-line performance, but we’d put money on not being able to tell without a stopwatch. 62 mph passes in the same 2.5 seconds, but reaching 124 mph from rest takes 0.3 seconds longer than the Stradale at 7.0-seconds flat.
You can shave some weight back off the Spider, as the Assetto Fiorano trim level is available as it is on the Stradale. Choosing this package swaps in higher performance shock absorbers and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and uses additional carbon-fiber and titanium to take 46 pounds off the car.
Regardless of what the scales say, the car is striking. A swoopy silhouette of curves comes seemingly 3-D printed off the ground and catch the eye from several angles. And those curves are purposeful, too. Ferrari claims nearly 860 pounds of downforce is generated at 155 mph. This car might be for the open road, but it also wants to stay glued to it.
In summary, it’s an SF90 with a retractable rather than fixed hardtop. Ferrari says to expect it in the Spring, 2021 with a price about 10 percent more than the Stradale version. That means expect it to cost around $550,000. Or in other words, if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.
Tell us what you think of Ferrari’s latest creation in the comments below.
Source: Read Full Article