Ferrari shows off SF90 Spider

Using the same mighty PHEV drivetrain as the Stradale, the Ferrari SF90 Spider is a 1,000hp convertible.

This is the Ferrari SF90 Spider, the open-top version of the Italian supercar company's incredible SF90 Stradale. It is Ferrari's first production plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) Spider and was unveiled during a digital even from the marque's HQ.

A 340km/h open-top

The new car is powered by the same V8 as found in the Stradale, a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 developing a massive 780hp at 7,500rpm and 800Nm at 6,000rpm. Augmented by a trio of electric motors, the drivetrain's peak output stands at a nice, round 1,000hp, all backed up by 900Nm of torque. Although there has been some weight gain as a result of the fitment of the retractable hard-top (RHT) when compared to the Stradale, the Spider still only weighs 1,670kg overall (split 45:55 front-to-rear) so you're looking at 599hp-per-tonne (not far off the fixed-roof Fezza's 637hp-per-tonne) and stats which are almost as searing as the bonkers Stradale: expect 0-100km/h in 2.5 seconds, 0-200km/h in seven seconds exactly, 100-0km/h in less than 29.5 metres, a top speed of 340km/h and a lap time at Ferrari's Fiorano test track of 1 minutes 19.5 seconds. Open-top it may be, but the SF90 Spider is serious.

And yet it can creep around in near-silence on its front two electric motors alone, with 162kW (220hp) of zero-emissions power available to it. Expect a range of 25km on electric only from the SF90 Spider, thanks to a 7.9kWh battery. Other mechanical items include 20-inch wheels all round, an eight-speed wet-clutch DCT gearbox and front brakes with 398mm discs. There is, however, only 74 litres of boot space, in order to accommodate the folded RHT.

Folding roof made of aluminium

Ferrari debuted an RHT on the 458 Spider of 2011, and it is retained for the SF90 in favour of a fabric lid. This is because it takes up just 100 litres of space in the back of the car, instead of 150-200 litres for a traditional system, and that's important in the frame of a vehicle where space is at a premium and you're trying to shove in all the magubbins of a PHEV powertrain. The SF90 Spider's lid can be opened or closed in just 14 seconds, including while the car is on the move at lower speeds, and the use of aluminium in its construction means it is 40kg lighter than similar hard-top arrangements.

Options will include the Assetto Fiorano pack, which includes Multimatic shock absorbers optimised for track use. There will also be more carbon-fibre and titanium parts to shave another 21kg from the kerb weight, as well as a carbon-fibre rear spoiler and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. You can also have the SF90 Spider's body in a two-tone livery to reinforce its motorsport credentials.

Published on: November 12, 2020