Ferrari’s dramatic new 430 Spider has broken cover just a few weeks after its coupé sibling was made public. Unlike the 360 Spider, which arrived two years after the coupé, Ferrari is clearly not wasting any time getting the open-top 430 to market.
The 430 should be a significant step forward over the 360 for ride and handling. Although Autocar’s 2001 test of the 360 Spider detected only a hint of scuttle shake and vibration, the 460 will be more rigid.That’s because Ferrari says the 430’s aluminium spaceframe chassis is significantly improved over the 360, being 20 per cent stiffer torsionally and 10 per cent stiffer in bending. It needs to be: the new V8 engine sees power jump from 400 to 483bhp.The 360’s frisky rear end also came in for criticism – we said it was ‘a bit too stiff and uncompliant for British roads’. This should be tamed by the 430’s electronically controlled E-differential, which can apportion engine torque according to wheel slip. Don’t expect the car until at least mid-way through 2005.
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