Motoring shorts

The Ferrari F8 Spider, latest addition to an exclusive and prestigious bloodline of open-top V8s that began with the 308 GTS in 1977, has been unveiled locally by Scuderia South Africa at the newly renovated Ferrari showroom in Bryanston, Johannesburg. Designed in parallel with the F8 Tributo the Spider, using the Prancing Horses’ compact RHT (Retractable Hard Top), is less extreme than the 488 Pista but sportier than the 488 Spider which it replaces. Its 3.9-litre V8 turbo engine has won the “International Engine of the Year Award” for four consecutive years (2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019) and raises performance to unprecedented heights. It unleashes 530 kw and 770 Nm of torque virtually instantaneously with zero turbo lag, whilst retaining the V8’s unique and special soundtrack. Equipped with a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox, E-diff3 and F1-trac the F8 Spider can sprint from standstill to 100 km/h in only 2.9 seconds and to 200 km/h in 8.2 seconds. As replacement for the 488 Spider it improves on all aspects of its specifications. Power is up by 37 kw over its predecessor, its engine is 20 kg lighter and weighs only 20 kg more than that of the more extreme 488 Pista Spider. The F8 Spider is also more aerodynamically efficient and features the new 6.1 version of the Italian marque’s Side Slip Angle Control system. Scuderia South Africa also unveiled the new corporate identity of its showrooms, incorporating several new features, including enhancements to the primary showroom floor, Atelier, Heritage Library and delivery bay facilities.