Ferrari F8 Spider priced

The Ferrari F8 Spider has been launched in Australia, where it will be priced from $536,888 plus on-road costs.

Competitors such as the Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder ($532,635) and McLaren 720S Spider ($556,000) offer similar levels of performance but Ferrari's badge cachet and heritage are arguably superior.

The $536,888 outlay for the Ferrari F8 Spider buys a 530kW/770Nm mid-mounted twin-turbo V8 along with a sleek new design that incorporates a hard-top folding roof.

Unlike the Ferrari F8 Tributo coupe, which costs around $50,000 less and has a fixed roof, the Spider's metal roof can pivot open at the touch of a button, transforming the striking Italian exotic car into an open-air missile in 14 seconds.

The roof mechanism can be opened or closed in 14 seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 45km/h.

Although the transforming roof makes the F8 Spider 70kg heavier than the Ferrari F8 Tributo coupe on which it is based, the vehicle still manages to be 20kg lighter than its predecessor, the Ferrari 488 Spider.

Propelled by a mid-mounted 3.9-litre V8 positioned behind the driver, the F8 Spider pumps out 530kW at 8000rpm and 770Nm of torque at 3250rpm.

With improved aerodynamics and more power and torque (up 38kW/10Nm) than its precursor, the F8 Spider has an eye-watering top speed of 340km/h. The claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time is just 2.9 seconds.

McLaren and Lamborghini rivals complete the 0-100km/h dash in a claimed 2.9 and 3.1 seconds respectively, while top speeds are slightly higher (341km/h) and lower (325km/h).

The Ferrari convertible's turbo V8 power is channeled to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that can be manually overridden with steering wheel paddle shifters. It also features several clever traction controls, one of which (side slip angle control) helps drivers perform progressive, extended powerslides or drifts.

Ferrari Scuderia F1 driver Charles LeClerc was at the Melbourne-based Australasian launch of the new model, where he was scheduled to drive in the (now cancelled) Australian F1 GP.

Ferrari execs at the event said Australia was a crucial market for the brand, reflecting a sales increase of six per cent in 2019, while in 2020 sales are up more than 20 per cent year on year in January and February (from 48 to 58 vehicles sold).

Those lucky enough to sit in the new Ferrari Spider will be greeted with F1-inspired controls, most of which are clustered on the steering wheel. There's lashings of carbon-fibre and a new 7.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system has been added on the passenger side of the car.

Ferrari offers a seven-year warranty (extendable to up to 15 years) and a seven-year scheduled servicing program is available as well, with 12-month/20,000km intervals.