Ferrari's roar of approval

REMOVING the top is almost always a good thing - a beer, for example, is much better without the lid.

spider

REMOVING the top is almost always a good thing - a beer, for example, is much better without the lid.

It's rarely a bad thing unless we're talking about cars. Many hardtops that are hacksawed into convertibles don't make the grade sans roof.

The Ferrari 458 Spider is most certainly not one of these. It is a gorgeous four-wheeled supermodel, which is an improvement over the hardtop.

VALUE

When a pricetag more like that of a family home is on the windscreen, "value" isn't the first word to spring to mind. When this car looms into view, spectacular, gorgeous and phenomenally fast are the more likely responses.

The features list is extensive, leather and carbon-fibre trim abound, the chunky steering wheel with almost everything mounted on it, including the "manettino" drive system to keep it pointing in the right direction, the three-screen instrument panel and information display system, paddle-shifters for the seven-speed auto and full iPod integration (but why you'd have anything competing with the mid-mounted engine's note is beyond me).

TECHNOLOGY

The Spider, as with the coupe, is powered by a naturally aspirated direct-injection 4.5-litre V8 with continuously variable valve timing. Outputs are unchanged at 425kW and 540Nm and more than 80 per cent of that impetus is available from 3250rpm. The repositioning of the air intakes has warranted changes to the exhaust to rebalance the aural impact of the car resulting in an even better sound than the 50kg heavier coupe.

Also retained for the Spider is the twin-clutch F1 paddle-shift seven-speed transmission sending drive rearward using the trick E-Diff. The 1430kg Spider gets a tweak for topless duties in the throttle pedal electronics and in the damper software.

Fuel use is down - with the option of further drops via the Ferrari HELE (High Emotion Low Emission) system to a combined figure of 11.8L/100 km, emitting 275g/km of CO2.

The patented retractable aluminium hardtop does its stuff in 14 seconds. The company claims it's 25kg lighter than an old-school ragtop and flips its lid to neatly somersault into its home above the engine bay without compromising aerodynamics.

The only real compromise is the absence of a view of the engine bay, something coupe owners get but Spider drivers don't. They'll just have to make do with the aural sensations and open-air experience.

DESIGN

The snout is unchanged but the rear of the car is all-new and sleek, thanks to not requiring big hips at the rear to accommodate a conventional folding hardtop.

Dominated by the buttresses (with integrated roll-over protection), the new rear panels direct air flow to the engine intakes as well as the cooling system in the sleek rump. The roof mechanism uses the rear window as a device to reduce cabin turbulence, which it does remarkably well at high speed. It can also be retracted with the roof up, just to maintain the aural appeal.

SAFETY

There are the standard four airbags but the electronic driver aids are all integrated. The ABS, traction and stability control, adjustable suspension and myriad other electronic functions are tailored to the selected drive mode via the wheel-mounted switch.

The highlights are massive Brembo-gripped carbon-ceramic brakes which only just squeeze in behind the wheels, with aluminium front calipers urged by six pistons at the front and four at the rear.

DRIVING

There's always a fear that when a coupe becomes a convertible that the tight, bulletproof feel of the former fails to translate. Fear not, Ferrari fans, the 458 loses little of its strong-bodied feel.

Rarely will a shimmy be sparked by a shocking road surface but it doesn't adversely effect the ride (which is very good given its abilities) or the drive experience, which is stupendous.

The 0-100km/h claim is near 3 seconds, the top speed 320km/h. The snarling V8 is maniacal as it heads for the 9000rpm redline - yes, 9000 - and it's a soundtrack that overloads the nervous system. The instant gear changes briefly alter the orchestra's pitch and the Spider devours the straight road ahead.

Tipping it into bends is child's play, the steering is quick and there's no misinformation, just a corner completed with considerable speed and little fuss, unless you have backed the electronics off and have the skills to play with the tail.The engineering team says the suspension and throttle mapping have been subdued a little for the Spider, which is more likely to be driven daily and with a passenger. It's a little less frenetic than the coupe - in a good way.

Cabin comfort, even on the optional carbon-fibre bucket seats, is remarkable. The magnetic-fluid dampers do an amazing job on bumps and corners and even though I'm 190cm-odd the roof lining never brushed what's left of my hair.Vision straight back is better than you'd expect, but if you like to double check over your shoulder all you see is trim.

VERDICT

The Spider's abilities - at the extremes as well as in daily driving - are astounding. Putting it into perspective, a Japanese luxury brand recently put $750,000 pricing on a super-coupe that is similarly astounding, but not $150K better.

In fact it makes the Spider look like good value, and you can still get hold of the Ferrari droptop.

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AT A GLANCE

FERRARI 458 SPIDER

RATING 4.5 stars

PRICE from $600,000 (est)

WARRANTY 3 years/unlimited km

SERVICE INTERVAL 12 months/20,000km

ECONOMY 11.8L/100km, 275g/km CO2

SAFETY Four airbags, ABS, EBD, stability and traction control; Crash rating N/A

ENGINE 4.5-litre V8, 425kW/540Nm

TRANSMISSION 7-speed twin-clutch automated manual, rear-wheel drive

BODY 2-door, 2-seat convertible

DIMENSIONS 4527mm (L), 1937mm (W), 1211mm (H), 2650mm (WB); weight 1430kg