New Ferrari 488 Pista Spider: 211mph convertible debuts

Ferrari has revealed the new 488 Pista Spider at Pebble Beach, California. It’s the 50th open top Ferrari in the company’s history and the firm’s most technologically advanced convertible yet, even compared to the LaFerrari Aperta hypercar.

Based on the 488 Pista, the Spider is identical, on paper at least, to the coupe, even down to performance figures where Ferrari claims it will reach 62mph in 2.9-seconds and go beyond 211mph. This despite the Spider carrying an additional 100k - increasing its kerb weight to 1485kg (1380kg dry) - when all the lightweight options have been selected. Those options include a set of 20-inch carbon fibre wheels, which are 20 per cent lighter than the standard forged rims. 

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Producing 710bhp and 569lb ft of torque, the 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 is untouched from the coupe and the Spider also features Ferrari’s Dynamic Enhancer technology, which manages brake pressure across all four callipers to improve corner speeds and balance.

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Despite being able to go from a hardtop coupe to a open top Spider in under 30 seconds, the Pista Spider still benefits from the coupe’s most significant aerodynamic bodywork features, with no drop in downforce or increase in the drag when the roof is closed compared to the coupe.

As with the Pista coupe, the Spider’s weight saving program includes aluminium plate floors in place of carpets and door straps instead of handles. There’s also carbon fibre trim as far as the eye can see.

Currently Ferrari has yet to confirm a price for the new 488 Pista Spider, but we’d expect it to be in the region of £275,000 when it goes on sale later this year. That’s considerably more than Lamborghini’s Huracan Performante Spider, albeit the Sant’Agata car doesn’t quite have the straight-line performance to match the Ferrari. McLaren’s much anticipated 720S Spyder, however, will drive head long into a battle with Modena’s latest offering.