Ferrari set to lift lid on Laferrari as limited-run Spider confirmed

Ferrari Laferrari Spider One-off Speciale earns its stripes

A SPIDER version of the Laferrari is on the way, with a small production run of 150 cars confirmed. The open-top version of Ferrari’s hybrid hypercar has already been shown to select buyers, and CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed the car’s existence in an interview with a US magazine.

Thanks to its carbon-fibre construction, the drop-top Spider is unlikely to be any slower than the coupé, as little extra strengthening will need to be added. It will use the same mid-mounted 6.3-litre V12 engine and Formula One-style electronic KERS system, producing 950bhp. A top speed of over 220mph and a 0-62mph time of less than three seconds are possible, too.

The Laferrari Spider could get a fabric roof, but it’s more likely that Ferrari will use a folding hard-top, like the one seen on the current 488 Spider. As a result, it’ll look very similar to the coupé with the hood up. The Laferrari is 4,702mm long and 1,992mm wide, with a 2,650mm wheelbase – and the Spider should adopt identical dimensions. Active aerodynamics such as a flexible front diffuser and underbody vanes, as well as an active rear spoiler and diffuser, will likely make their way to the drop-top, too.

It’s set to cost significantly more than the £1million coupé, though; Ferrari built 499 hard-tops, but this quantity will be slashed by more than half for the Spider.

In other news, the Ferrari 488 GTB’S 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 has been named International Engine of the Year. The same unit also won the Performance Engine and New Engine categories, and took top honours in the 3.0 to 4.0-litre displacement group. It also features in the Ferrari California T.

Graham Johnson, co-chairman of the International Engine of the Year Awards, said: “It’s a giant leap forward for turbocharged engines in terms of efficiency, performance and flexibility. It truly is the best engine in production today.” Previous winners of the award include Fiat’s 875cc two-cylinder Twinair. THE 488 GTB might be Ferrari’s hottest new model, but the Italian supercar marque has just revealed a special one-off version of its predecessor.

The 458 MM Speciale is based on the 458 Speciale, and has been designed in-house by the Ferrari Styling Centre, built for an “enthusiastic British owner”, whose identity is still unknown.

Even though it shares its underpinnings with the Speciale, the aluminium bodywork has been uniquely handcrafted. The buyer specified a ‘visor’ effect for the front and side windows, blending all three into a wraparound design, thanks to a black A-pillar and lowered roofline. The MM Speciale also gets new carbon-composite bumpers, revised air intakes, side scoop and rear light clusters.

There’s Biano Italia paint, and stripes inspired by the Italian flag, with an enhanced sound system and white-stitched leather upholstery inside. No price has been announced, but this one-of-a-kind special is likely to command a seven-figure sticker.

“One-of-a-kind special should command a seven-figure price”

New folding hard-top hypercar on way, with 950bhp V12 Only 150 to be produced News