Few automakers have enjoyed as much success as Ferrari when it comes to making V8 mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports cars. Ferrari's V8 sports cars continue to serve as benchmarks for masterful craftsmanship, intelligent design, and potent performance. The first of this kind to come out of Maranello was the Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS of 1975; then came the 328, 348 TB, F355, 360 Modena, F430, 458 Italia, 488 GTB/Pista, F8 Tributo, and now, the new Ferrari F8 Spider. The F8 Spider sets a new standard for open-top sports cars in terms of handling and performance. This Ferrari F8 Spider review reveals why this car is worthy of replacing the already spectacular 488 Spider. In its official press release, Ferrari stated that the F8 Spider is "less extreme" than the 488 Pista Spider but superior to the 488 Spider it replaces in terms of sportiness. Worth noting is that the F8 Spider's retractable hard top is the most advanced one yet from Maranello. In addition, this car is driven by Ferrari's most powerful Ferrari V8 engine yet – a 710-horsepower 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that revs to 8,000 rpm. Price-wise, the F8 Spider starts at $330,000.
The Ferrari F8 Spider draws inspiration from all the Ferrari V8 mid-engine sports cars that came before it. Ferrari's first mid-engine V8 sports car was the Ferrari 308 GTB, which was in production between 1975 and 1980. Pininfarina designed it as a replacement for the Ferrari Dino 246. It has flip-up headlights, a 252-hp 2.9-liter V8 engine, and a 5-speed manual gearbox. Its convertible version, the 308 GTS (Gran Turismo Spider), has a removable targa top. Next came the Ferrari 328 GTB – an upgraded version of the Ferrari 308. It features a 270-hp 3.2-liter V8 engine, and its GTS model also features a removable targa top. Ferrari then introduced the 348 TB in 1989. It was the last V8 sports car produced under the direction of Enzo Ferrari and had a larger 296-hp 3.4-liter V8 engine paired with a 5-speed manual. In 1994, another mid-engine V8 sports car was introduced – the Ferrari F355. It had updated styling and new technologies like a new 5-valve cylinder head design that translated to more horsepower per liter. This car's 3.5-liter V8 made 375 hp and 268 lb.-ft. of torque. Next in line was the 1999 Ferrari 360 Modena, which was named after Enzo Ferrari's birth town. The 360 Modena comes with modern supercar innovations like a 40-percent stiffer aluminum space frame. It is also the first mid-engined V8 Ferrari that deviated from flip-up headlights and the boxy exterior styling reminiscent of cars from the '80s. Pininfarina designed it with smoother and more fluid lines and curves. Under the hood of the 360 Modena is a 395-hp 3.6L V8 good for a 4.5-second 0-62mph sprint. The 360 Modena was then replaced in 2004 by the Ferrari F430, which got a larger 4.3-liter V8 engine good for 483 hp and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. The horsepower increase translated to a quicker 0-62mph sprint time of just 4 seconds. Five years later, Ferrari introduced its next iteration of the series – the renowned 458 Italia. This car kicked things up a notch with a new, sleek design, more advanced technologies from F1, and an even bigger 4.5-liter V8 engine that makes 562 hp and 398 lb.-ft. of torque. This car also saw the introduction of Ferrari's legendary F1-inspired 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission system. The Ferrari 488 GTB followed in 2015. It was the first of this series to feature a turbocharged V8 engine. Its horsepower figures also increased, with the GTB offering 660 hp and the Pista (its high-performance version) cranking out 710 hp. The Ferrari 488 GTB/Pista's replacement is the Ferrari F8 Tributo, upon which the current F8 Spider is based. Both the F8 Tributo and F8 Spider feature the turbocharged 3.9L V8 engine that drives the 488 Pista. All these models were manufactured at Ferrari's production facility in Maranello, Italy.
The Ferrari F8 Spider's engine is lauded as one of the most celebrated V8 engines in history. This 3902cc twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which is the same one that drives the Ferrari 488 Pista, won the 'International Engine of The Year' award from 2016 through to 2019 – four consecutive years. Thanks to it, the F8 Spider's horsepower and torque stand at 720 CV (709.8 HP) at 8,000 rpm and 770 Nm (567.9 lb.-ft.) of torque at 3250 rpm. Paired to this engine is one of the most critical components of the F8 Spider's powertrain – a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that uses F1 technology to facilitate rapid yet precise shifts. As a result, the F8 Spider's 0-60 mph time stands at 2.8 seconds. The car can also hit 100 mph from a standstill in just 5.3 seconds on its way to a ¼-mile time of 10.2 seconds. The F8 Spider's top speed is set at 211 mph. The car is able to achieve this level of performance partly because of its favorable power-to-weight ratio. The F8 Spider weighs 3,086 pounds (1,400 kg) — this makes it 44 pounds lighter than the 488 Spider it replaces and 77 pounds lighter than the F8 Tributo, which weighs 3163 pounds (1435kg). However, these are dry-weight figures. With fluids, the F8 Spider weighs north of 3,300 pounds (1500 kg). This translates to a power-to-weight ratio of roughly 2.1 kilograms per hp. By comparison, the Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 has a power-to-weight ratio of 2.55 kg (5.62 lb) per horsepower. The Ferrari F8 Spider also does relatively well in the fuel consumption department for a high-performance sports car/supercar, offering a combined fuel economy of 18 mpg (13 liters/100 km).
Ferrari has yet to make any changes to the F8 Spider for 2024, and quite frankly, it doesn't need to for now. The car is perfectly dialed in in all the aspects that matter, which is why it is one of the leaders in its segment.
The Ferrari F8 Spider's interior mirrors the sophisticated and driver-centric nature of the F8 Tributo's cabin. Its dashboard has Ferrari's signature race-car design with a sporty, flat-bottomed steering wheel complete with the manettino switch, a dynamic gauge cluster designed around a pronounced, yellow tachometer, and circular air vents positioned high on both sides of the steering wheel. Ferrari's F8 Spider design also places different dials and buttons in close reach of the driver and sets the leather-wrapped, fully bolstered racing seats optimally to inspire confidence during spirited driving. The F8 Spider's dash, doors, and center console are also swathed in fine leather and Alcantara trim. However, the highlight of this car's cabin is its retractable hard top. Once engaged, this electronically deployed hard top detaches, folds, and stows itself away behind the cabin in just 14 seconds at speeds of up to 28 mph. When the retractable hard top is down, the car's occupants get to enjoy the exhilarating feeling of having the wind blow through their hair as they accelerate to breakneck speeds and as the sounds of that glorious V8 permeate through the cabin more prominently. In the front, this car also offers a 7-cubic-foot frunk.
As expected, the Ferrari F8 Spider exterior design is a lot like that of the F8 Tributo on which it is based. The front bumper features large air intakes and a central s-duct that scoops air and channels it up over the car's bonnet and roof to provide front downforce. Its sleek headlights are also designed with air channels that redirect air into the wheel arches to help cool the brakes and enhance the car's aerodynamics. At the back, the F8 Spider design language is again seen in its spoiler, modern quad circular taillights, twin centrally mounted exhaust outlets, and rear diffuser. On the sides, this car features shark-like fins over the side air vents and 20-inch alloy wheels front and rear, complete with large carbon-ceramic brakes for maximum stopping power.
The F8 Spider tech features include dual-zone automatic climate control, a premium 6-speaker sound system with Bluetooth phone and audio streaming capability, digital gauge cluster screens around the car's central yellow tachometer that can be configured to display vehicle data, and an integrated navigation system. It also only offers Apple CarPlay integration; Android Auto integration is yet to be included. The F8 Spider technology also includes advanced handling-enhancing systems such as the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer +. When cornering, this system monitors the car's movements to establish the amount of brake pressure that ought to be applied at each wheel to facilitate sharper handling. The F8 Spider also comes equipped with an electronic Side Slip Control (eSSC) system, which controls the distribution of engine torque to all four wheels to reduce traction loss when cornering or driving at high speeds.
The Ferrari F8 Spider price starts at $324,342 (MSRP), and that is before adding a $3,950 destination charge. Considering that this car deserves to be mentioned among the likes of the Lamborghini Huracan STO, which starts at $340,190, and the McLaren 720s, which starts at $310,500, the F8 Spider is reasonably priced. There is no long list of F8 Spider trim levels, just a single, well-equipped model, so Ferrari has made it easy for you to choose. Like other supercars of its caliber, this car can be had with various optional customizations that can increase that price significantly, e.g., a carbon-fiber package, titanium exhaust pipes, two-tone paint schemes, forged wheels, and much more.
'Tributo' means tribute in English. With the F8 Tributo and F8 Spider, Ferrari pays homage to all the mid-engined sports cars it has made over the last half-century. And so, to make it a true celebration car, Ferrari made it a bit better than its predecessors, dialing in its steering, handling, and performance and adding innovative handling-enhancing technologies. No, it is not without its imperfections, but in comparison with its predecessors, this car is a notable step forward. So, are you in the market for an ideal exotic sports car? We at Exotic Car Trader pride ourselves in being one of the best websites to buy or sell new or classic Ferraris (and other car options) by owner. We have a broad selection of luxury cars, supercars, classic cars, exotic cars, and military vehicles, and we have taken steps to make the buying process straightforward. You can also sell your car or request a trade-in on our platform. We'll handle everything for you, from photography and listings. The F8 Spider may not be as quick as a Mclaren 720s Spider or as loud as a Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder, but it still offers a blend of handling and performance that is hard to beat.
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