The Ferrari 458 Spider debuts in June at Scottsdale Ferrari Maserati, and a Maranello new arrival on McDowell may never have looked so exhilaratingly sexy and classically beautiful.
Customers at the Penske Automotive dealership, 6825 E. McDowell Road in Scottsdale, will be able to see and drive the world’s first mid-engine spider with a retractable hard-top. Base price will be $263,762.
“We’ve all been waiting for this gorgeous car, and the wait has been worth it, I’m sure Ferrari lovers will agree,” says John Schlitt, general manager for the dealership, one of more than 150 Penske locations nationally and 325 worldwide.
“In just two years, the 458 Italia has been one of the most requested cars in Prancing Horse history, and the 458 Spider has already generated orders here in Scottsdale and from Ferrari dealerships worldwide, he adds. “We can’t wait for the Spider, a mid-engine car with a hard-top convertible that handles and sounds fantastic — not to mention looks sexy!”
Simplicity, Efficiency, Lightness — and F1 Inspired
Announced last year to match the already popular 458 Italia Coupe and appearing first at the 64th Frankfurt Motor Show Sept. 13, 2011, the Pinninfarina-styled 458 Spider is powered by Ferrari’s naturally-aspirated direct-injection 4.5-liter (274.5 cubic inches) engine, which delivers approximately 562 horsepower at 9000 rpm and 398 foot pounds of torque at 3,250 rpm from 12.5:1 compression.
The 90-degree V-8 has already performed admirably: It was named the 2011 International Engine of the Year for combining drivability, performance, economy and refinement — one of 40 awards the Italia has driven home to the automotive holy land of northern Italy.
A dual-clutch F1 paddle-shift 7-speed transmission delivers this power through the E-Diff, incorporating F1-Trac traction control and high-performance ABS to optimize handling. Put the manettino in RACE, the highest performance level without disengaging the vehicle-control systems, and the tranny makes razor-sharp gear changes, while the traction control optimizes acceleration out of turns.
The slick suspension incorporates twin wishbones at the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear, maximizing control and ride comfort. Aerodynamic efficiency comes by way of design and features such as a grill opening with flexible winglets.
Tires are ZR20s developed for the 458: 235/35s on the front and 295/35s on the back. New software for the magnetorheological dampers improves the car’s body control, which improves the experience of driving. Weight distribution is 42/58 front to rear.
The approximately 3,153-pound all-aluminum chassis car will put down 0 to 60 mph times of about 3.2 seconds, and the open top won’t stop until about 199 mph, which will make your jaunt to the neighborhood grocery store or the cool-off San Diego trip refreshingly quick ones. At the same time, fuel consumption and emissions levels are class lows.
When he introduced the 458 coupe two years ago, Ferrari Sales Manager Gary Simon told the crowd at the Penske Auto Museum in north Scottsdale: “The new Italia not only represents the cutting edge in current automotive technology. It also shows how Ferrari uses its racing expertise to define their street cars: the aerodynamics, the engine technology, the stability systems. All are based on experience gained on the race track.”
He added: “The amazing thing is they have been able to combine all of this technology in a car that is easier to drive, gives us better gas mileage and lower emissions and requires far less maintenance. It can match an Enzo’s lap times around Fiorano, a 599’s 0 to 60 times and still gives you 18 mpg on the highway. What more could you want?”
458 Spider — What You Want But With A Difference
The aluminum hard-top is about 15 pounds lighter than traditional canvas configurations, and the deployment takes a brisk 14 seconds, which will protect you from even the most capricious desert monsoons.
The hard-top fits neatly ahead of the engine bay without affecting aerodynamics or performance. The small space needed for the roof creates a generous rear bench for luggage behind the seats, top up or down.
Engineering ensures that, in either motoring configuration, the 458 Spider blends the performance with responsiveness which has characterized Ferrari’s spiders through the years. For example, air flow to the engine intakes and the clutch and gearbox oil radiators has been optimized.
Inside, while the top is down, the 458 Spider’s adjustable rear windscreen diffuses cockpit air, enabling conversation even at high speeds. When the hard-top is folded away, the wind-stop opens to the height that guarantees the most efficient aerodynamics, reducing buffeting in the cockpit.
Even small components have been engineered for top-down sportiness and pleasure, such as accelerator pedal mapping and multi-link suspension damping. The signature Ferrari engine sound, rumbling through three rear tailpipes, has been tuned for the unique experience of a high-performance convertible.
While you can option your Spider with items such as carbon fiber interior components, Ferrari’s Tailor-Made Program enables you to further personalize the car with cloth trims, colors, finishes and technical materials. These include three innovative collections: Classica, Scuderia and Inedita.
“To create a truly unique car, Ferrari even assigns each client a personal designer — right up until the car is delivered,” Schlitt says. “That’s bespoke service, for sure.”
Scottsdale Ferrari Maserati — A Dealership That Rides with You
Schlitt leads a group of more than 30 sales, service and administrative staff at Scottsdale Ferrari Maserati, which is celebrating its 13th year serving the community.
The dealership maintains an inventory of new cars for both marques. In addition to the 458s Ferrari customers can see the California and the FF. Maserati fans can see models such as the GranTurismo coupes and convertibles and Quattroportes.
In addition, Scottsdale Ferrari Maserati maintains a $10 million inventory of high-end sports and recreational cars, including Lotus, Aston Martin, Hummer, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The dealership is regularly in the top three of the 35 Ferrari dealers nationwide in used Ferrari sales.
“If you’re looking for a used exotic vehicle priced right, we are the premiere dealership, not just locally but nationally,” says Schlitt, who notes that most of the used car sales are to out-of-state-buyers.
A 20-bay service department, with factory-trained technicians, supports both new and used sales. Only factory-certified parts are used: “There are no short-cuts here,” he says.
In addition, Scottsdale Ferrari Maserati will install window tinting, clear bras and other products as well as provide detailing services. Loaner and town car services are also available. “We want to be our customers’ one-stop shop,” he says.
Schlitt adds: “When you have experienced, knowledgeable sales consultants selling world-class cars like the 458 Spider or spectacular used cars like a 10-year-old Modena, serviced by factory-trained technicians, you know you have very special products on the floor and very special people working for you and doing business with you.”
Scottsdale Ferrari Maserati, 800.556.4986, www.scottsdaleferrari.com
