Ferrari F430 Spider

The 2005 Ferrari F430 Spider made its much-anticipated debut at the 2004 Paris Motor Show with sales beginning in Europe during the spring of 2005 and in the U.S. that summer. A revision of the Ferrari 360 Spider, the Ferrari F430 Spider sells for around $168,000 USD (120,000 British Pounds and 175,000 Euro).

In a departure from the "Dino" V12s of previous models, the Ferrari F430 Spider has a 4.3-liter V8 petrol engine under the hood generating 483 hp / 360.4 kW at 8500 rpm - that's up 91 hp from the Modena. Torque at 5250 rpm measures 343 lb-ft / 465 Nm. Expect the 2005 Ferrari F430 Spider to tick off zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds (only a 0.1 seconds slower than the hardtop Ferrari F430) and to reach a top speed of 193 mph / 310 km/h.

This sexy sports car convertible (with power top) features an electronic differential taken from Formula 1 cars by Scuderia to boost traction and road-gripping performance. Armed with a Bosch Motronic injection system and a six-speed manual transmission (paddle-operated), the Ferrari F430 Spider returns both premier performance and that trademark Ferrari roar.

On the steering-wheel there's a rotary switch (also taken from Scuderia) called the "manettino". This allows the driver to quickly adjust suspension, traction, and stability controls. Settings include Race, Ice, Low Grip, Sport, and Everything Shut off. Ferrari collaborated with Brembo on the cast-iron alloy disc brakes (option for carbon ceramic) to improve heat dissipation.

With exterior lines by Pininfarina modeled from computer aerodynamic simulation software, the Ferrari F430 Spider is sleek and fast with improved wind deflection at all points. There's a pronounced lip spoiler to the rear as well as enlarged air intakes and polished stainless steel tailpipes. The rear-mounted engine sits beneath a glass cover waiting to be admired.

Up front, twin elliptical air intakes feed the radiator (harkening back to vintage 1960s Ferrari models) and are joined by a spoiler on the bottom edge to centrally direct air flow downwards past the flat underbody. Overall the 2005 Ferrari F430 Spider is a classic from the Italian automaker's stable and more than worthy to wear the prancing horse Ferrari badge.

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