Ferrari has revealed the Amalfi Spider as the latest iteration of its front-engined V8 drop-top.
Evolved from the Roma Spider, the new-look Aston Martin Vantage Roadster rival packs an upgraded twin-turbocharged 3.9-litre V8, which is good for 631bhp and 561lb ft of torque.
It matches the Amalfi coupé’s 0-62mph time of 3.3sec despite the inevitable added weight of a folding roof mechanism, which here makes the Amalfi Spider 86kg heavier than its sibling, at 1556kg dry.
The Amalfi Spider has been designed so that its silhouette and aerodynamic credentials were as close as possible to that of the hard-top car’s with the roof closed – which is why the hood now extends over the rear deck, having previously stopped at the base of the rear screen.
There’s also a new active rear wing that adjusts automatically according to aerodynamic load. It’s said to generate up to 110kg more downforce than the previous item at 155mph while reducing drag by 4%.
That combines with a suite of wind-cheating bodywork tweaks already introduced to the coupé.
“Particular attention has been paid to passenger comfort when the roof is open,” Ferrari said, highlighting the installation of an electric wind deflector behind the rear seats, which can be raised or lowered while the car is in motion.
The roof can be raised or lowered in just 13.5 seconds, making it one of the quickest electric soft-tops on the market, and at vehicle speeds of up to 37mph.
Ferrari hasn’t yet announced pricing for the new roadster, but the coupé starts at around £202,000 and this will command a small premium over that.
Deliveries are due to get under way in the coming months.
