New 746kW Ferrari SF90 Spider unleashed

Ferrari has unveiled a new Spider version of the Ferrari SF90 Stradale hypercar that blends the coupe's same advanced 746kW twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 and mind-blowing levels of performance with an ultra-lightweight folding retractable hard-top.

On sale in Europe in the second quarter of 2021, the Ferrari SF90 Spider will be priced from €473,000 ($A768,000) – about 10 per cent more than the coupe.

Like the Stradale coupe, the SF90 roadster generates a whopping 746kW of power, combining a 546kW/800Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and three electric motors that generate 360kW of power, plus a small 7.2kWh lithium-ion battery.

Channelling its prodigious output through all four wheels, Ferrari claims the SF90 matches the Stradale's 0-100km/h time of just 2.5 seconds, as well as its 340km/h top speed (with the roof up).

Perhaps more surprisingly, around its Fiorano test track, Ferrari claims the SF90 Spider is only 0.5sec slower than the Stradale which makes it still 0.2sec faster than the LaFerrari hypercar.

When it's not being driven flat-out, Ferrari claims the plug-in hybrid can still travel up to 25km on pure-electric power alone.

Like the Ferrari F8 Tributo Spider, the drop-top SF90 uses a retractable hard-top that can open and close up to speeds of 45km/h.

Claimed to weigh 40kg less than other similar roofs, the folding Ferrari hard-top uses lightweight aluminium and is claimed to need 50 litres less storage space than conventional roofs.

Roof up or down, behind the driver and passenger is a small glass window that can be raised or lowered. Roof down, glass up reduces buffeting at speed, while roof up/glass dropped allows more of the twin-turbo V8's soundtrack to enter the cabin.

In total, removing the roof has added a hefty 100kg to the kerb weight of the SF90 Spider, with the drop-top Ferrari plug-in hybrid tipping the scales at 1670kg (dry). Of that extra mass, 80kg is attributed to the roof and just 20kg to the extra strengthening.

Now featuring a pair of rear flying buttresses, the switch from Stradale coupe to Spider has involved a significant redesign, with stylists focusing on cutting turbulence and noise within the cabin for more pleasant roof-down cruising.

Lots of wind tunnel testing also ensured there would be minimal aerodynamic penalty from gas-axing the roof.

Like the Stradale, the SF90 Spider benefits from rims that reduce wheel-arch turbulence and a rear spoiler that changes shape at speeds for optimum downforce.

The biggest challenge while developing the roadster version of the SF90 was managing under-bonnet temperatures that can reach nearly 900 degrees Celsius. That explains why engineers have added a pair of rear bonnet openings that vent hot air without affecting downforce or drag.

Final changes over the coupe involve the addition of a new blade within the cockpit which is designed to funnel air away from the driver and passenger.

Speaking of the cabin, it's not clear from the images, but Ferrari was actually forced to push the passenger compartment further forward within the chassis to package the roof.

To compensate, the front screen has a steeper rake, although the roofline is actually 20mm lower than the coupe.

Inside the SF90 Spider it's business as usual for the Ferrari hypercar, with the cabin dominated by a 16.0-inch wrap-around infotainment system.

Like the Stradale coupe, if you plan to track your SF90 Spider, Ferrari will offer an optional Assetto Fiorano upgrade package that adds Multimatic shock absorbers and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, plus kilo-cutting measures that shave 21kg from the kerb weight.

Set to arrive in Australia by the middle of 2021, Ferrari has not confirmed how many cars will head Down Under but stresses the SF90 Spider will not be a limited-run model.

Ferrari predicts, on average, 70 per cent of all SF90 Spiders produced will go to existing owners, but says there will be little overlap with those who bought the SF90 Stradale coupe.

When it arrives here it's believed the Ferrari SF90 Spider will cost $931,577, 10 per cent more than the $846,888 Stradale coupe.