2005 Ferrari F430 Spyder Preview

Ferrari engineers believe there’s one surefire way to improve a 490-horsepower supercar that springs to 60 mph in about four seconds and taps out at about 200 mph: cut the top off. Both coupe and Spyder variants of the new Ferrari F430 will replace the departing 360 Modena, which is fractionally smaller and offers 90 fewer horses. In addition to a significant boost in horsepower, torque is also up 68 lb.-ft. to 343. Furthermore, when compared with the outgoing 360 model, the Ferrari F430 line includes a more sophisticated exterior design, thanks to new headlight and taillight treatments, revised front and rear fascias, and larger side vents that blend better with the F430’s accent lines. The F430 Spyder swaps out the smooth lines of the hardtop for an automatic retractable soft top which folds neatly into a pocket rear of the integrated roll bars. Supercar aficionados, call your contractor and get him working – you’ll need a new stall added to your stables for the 2005 Ferrari F430 Spyder.

Pricing

Officially, pricing has not been announced for the F430 Spyder, but will likely be in the $200,000 range, representing a decent jump over the $185,000 Ferrari 360 Spyder. Frankly, if we had $200 large, we’d rid our bursting two-car garages of baby clothes, college textbooks and holiday decorations to make room for a pair of Dodge Vipers or Chevy Corvettes. However, for you high-society folks who seek the ultimate drop-top Italian thoroughbred, there may be nothing better suited to your needs than the 2005 Ferrari F430 Spyder.

Powertrain

Power for the 3,351-lb. Ferrari F430 Spyder comes from a mid-ship mounted 4.3-liter V8 that puts out 490 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 343 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,250 rpm. For comparison, the outgoing Ferrari 360, weighing in at 3,197 lbs., houses a 3.6-liter V8 good for 400 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque. Buyers will have the choice of either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.

Performance

So much for the prancing horse emblem – this stallion is built to run at full-tilt. Ferrari claims that the 2005 F430 Spyder will sprint from zero to 60 mph in about four seconds, with a top speed of 193 mph. Be careful – that’s fast enough to rip out your hair plugs or strip the bleach from your mane. Brembo drilled discs, measuring 13 inches, work with antilock braking to slow things down, and traction control kicks in when things get really hairy. Adding to the overall driving experience is the F430 Spyder’s improved weight distribution, with 43 percent of the weight carried up front and 57 percent out back (compared to the outgoing 360’s 42/58 distribution).

Design

With a casual glance, the 2005 Ferrari F430 Spyder and departing 360 Spyder look to be the same. Upon close inspection, however, the numerous differences become apparent. Up front are reworked headlights that are narrower and travel rearward on the fenders, and inlets in the lower front air dam are larger. Along the side, new 19-inch wheels debut (the 360 had 18s) and raised rear quarters incorporating larger air inlets feed the engine, which is located behind the seats and forward of the rear axle. The automatic soft top retracts into a compartment directly behind the integrated roll bars; a wind deflector keeps interior wind gusts to a minimum. Out back, there’s a revised fascia and taillights that have been moved up higher. Also visible from the rear is the glass panel over the engine and the diffuser situated between two sets of dual exhaust pipes.

Features

As if the exquisitely styled body and potent engine weren’t enough, the 2005 Ferrari F430 Spyder has more features to offer, both visible and hidden. Readily apparent to even the most casual observer will be the 19-inch alloys, and a quick shot inside will reveal an interior awash in fine leather. Under the lustrous paint is an all-aluminum body, which rides on a fully independent aluminum suspension. Also out of sight is the F430 Spyder’s electronic differential.

Photos courtesy of Ferrari