With the SF90 Stradale being Ferrari’s most powerful production-series model at the time of release, it was just a matter of time before the Prancing Horse lifted the top off its plug-in hybrid machine to create... its first-ever electrified model with a retractable hard top (aka RHT).
That time is now, as the Maranello-based Italian supercar manufacturer has lifted (pun intended) the virtual curtain off the brand new SF90 Spider for the official (online) presentation of the first pictures and (juicy) details.
Ferrari isn’t beating around the bush by calling the new model anything else than it really is – the “spider version of the SF90 Stradale” has been aptly dubbed as the SF90 Spider, packing just about the same PHEV credentials as the coupe sibling, complete with the 1,000 ps (986 hp / 735 kW) powertrain.
It’s the company’s first production-series plug-in hybrid vehicle, with everything “engineered to melt the driver and car together: two bodies, one soul, to discover the ultimate essence of pure driving emotion. It’s an experience you will never forget,” according to Emanuele Carando, the brand’s marketing head honcho.
As such, the new RHT allows for the customary open-air experience in 14 seconds, even while on the move. Those who fear there would be any performance loss attributed to the changes necessary for the droptop configuration, need not worry, because Ferrari diligently upgraded the RHT to be 40 kg (88 lbs.) lighter than a conventional assembly.
The top also occupies just 100 liters (3.53 cu. ft.) of space, releasing additional cargo space for those extra-long shopping days. As far as other benchmarks are concerned, it’s where the Assetto Fiorano pack comes into play, ensuring there’s 390 kg (860 lbs.) of downforce at 250 kph (155 kph), while the car is 21 kg (46 lbs.) lighter than stock.
Of course, we also need to address the PHEV “elephant in the room” - Ferrari’s 1,000 ps (986 hp / 735 kW) powertrain, consisting of a 780-ps V8 and three electric motors (two at the front in RAC-e configuration, one MGUK at the rear) that bring another 162 kW, drawing power from a 7.9 kWh battery pack.
It’s enough for the SF90 Spider to reach 100 kph (62 mph) in 2.5 seconds, 200 kph (124 mph) in 7 seconds flat, as well as a maximum speed of 340 kph (211 mph). Go for the EV mode, and the hypercar will go quiet as a whisper for up to 25 km (15.5 miles) up to a speed of 135 kph (84 mph).
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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