Ferrari continues to impress as king of supercars with the 2020 F8 Spider, possibly best described as an evolution of the 488 Spider. Notable changes to the new design on the F8 compared with the 488 include amped up power, a more luxurious interior, and an even sexier exterior. There’s also that incredible drop-top capability—offering a thrilling open-air experience at the touch of a button.
Ready to hear more? We take in some of the Spider’s finer details below.
A Look Under the Hood
Those enrolled in auto mechanic school may be fascinated to learn that this powertrain is an upgrade from the 488 engine that already won International Engine of the Year from 2016-2019. The Spider F8’s 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 knocks out 710 horses and 568 pound-feet of torque, producing a primal screech about as thrilling as the 0-to-60 mph acceleration time of 2.9 seconds quoted by Ferrari.
Drivers get a supremely responsive experience from the seven-speed dual automatic transmission and rear-wheel-drive, with added goodies such as Side Slip Angle Control to regulate drift, and Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer for individual wheel braking. Drive modes include Race Mode and Bumpy Road, which raise the bar further, and are activated by the simple touch of a button located on the steering wheel.
A Head-Turning Exterior
As a convertible version of the Ferrari F8 Tributo, the Spider has a few of the hardtop’s same features, such as LED headlights running alongside the S-duct and taillights in a quad layout. The F8 still manages to stand out, with its unique massive intakes and 20-inch wheels, and a body-coloured rear panel that does away entirely with the rear window of the Tributo, using that space instead to store the removable rooftop. If you want to become a certified mechanic, you’ll no doubt be impressed by the numerous grilles, ducts, and active spoiler that tie up the head-turning package.
Check out the car more closely here:
A Quick Cabin Inspection for Those Who Want to Become a Certified Mechanic
The two-person-only interior is a reminder of the driver experience-centric purpose of the supercar. That said, drivers are treated to plenty of luxury cockpit features, such as dual-zone auto climate control, power folding heated wing mirrors, keyless entry, and digital displays for reads on speed and temperature. Drivers control Ferrari’s Human Machine interface infotainment through the steering wheel, with the option for a 7-inch touchscreen passenger display to access details on rpm and speed, as well as details on navigation and media, and performance metrics such as cornering forces and acceleration.
Overall, the Spider’s interior exudes slick supercar sophistication, but reviewers do note a lacklustre sound system coming from the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto inclusion—not that most drivers will notice, focussing on the sweet wail of that Ferrari V8 and a distinct call of the wild brought on with the roof down.
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