Ferrari SF90 Spider: electric drive

He is sublime. Especially in this ultimate Spider version. Hair in the wind. With 1,000 horsepower, the first electric convertible Ferrari is intriguing and awe-inspiring here in the Principality of Monaco… especially dense gold has something to seduce. “Turn around! Look here! Everything is beautiful!”. Italian automotive art. It exudes haute couture, dominating its proportions, aerodynamics and style. He also technically replaces his lens. The Prancing Horse that needs to be retamed. We certainly couldn’t miss it. That’s why we asked the Maranello managers to borrow it: they brought it to us on a tray. for the turbo. A special test of an extraordinary hypercar.

It’s been a long time actually, a car has never fascinated me this much. He is very successful! Her dress is incredibly modern… The prancing horse’s first rechargeable hybrid Spider created a sensation. Aerodynamics, as always, has been the absolute subject of research, abandonment of round optics, gorgeous stern, that skinny face frozen, with a smile, your gaze. We only see it.

It also benefits from a retractable roof. An all-aluminum roof that opens automatically in just 14 seconds at speeds up to 35 km/h… A nice way to explore its features in more detail. A technical solution launched by 458 Spider ten years ago. It’s a nice cutscene though. The stiffening of the chassis makes the build a hundred kilograms heavier compared to the coupe launched in 2019, bringing the whole to 1670 kg. It is important. But with 1000 horsepower! Still, the hardtop has gained 40 kg here compared to the previous model… When folded, it occupies 100 liters of the rear trunk. In fact, all that remains is the small 74-liter front trunk where you can put your toothbrush.

Other than that… Now we discover a round bag in which he is hiding. electrical outlet used to charge the newcomer’s very complex hybrid system. A Ferrari electrical outlet! You will probably have to get used to it, as the manufacturer has passed a very important stage in its development.

A Ferrari electrical outlet

The SF 90 Spider is therefore a modern hypercar. The plug-in hybrid was well anchored in its time. Ferrari had to make the leap to guarantee unbelievable power, a performance combined with an “ecological attitude”.and thus avoid excessive consumption (up to 6.1 l / 100 km on average), therefore emits CO2 (162g / km) and eliminates noise pollution in the city, as here in the beautiful Principality of Monaco. SF takes Ferrari into a new era, a technically viable era. For this, Ferrari has slid all its technological know-how deep into this sports car.

First, we will find out that the socket is not used very much (if the SF has not been used for a long time, just to charge the required electrical capacity), because while driving, with this much power, the system in turn quickly recharges itself. about to get Electric range of just over 25 km. In addition, it can accelerate to 135 km / h without any thermal support.

Four engine options: drive, rear drive or all-wheel drive

The SF 90 Spider actually has 4 engines! The 4.0-liter turbo V8 (780 hp – 900 Nm) is coupled with three electric motors. In “edrive” mode, Ferrari only two electric motors on the front axle: ideal in the city. But again, in this particular case, we’re now moving forward in a draw! A Ferrari pull!

In “Hybrid” mode, only the V8 (rear center position) works and the third electric motor, also at the rear, located between the transmission and the heat engine: the SF then becomes pure propulsion and optimizes the best of both worlds ! Finally, the last two dynamic modes: “Performance” and “Qualified”, the four engines come to life together (in this last mode, the electric motors provide maximum power, i.e. 220 hp – 162 Kw) and, if necessary, offer: up to 1000 hp. The SF90 then converts to all-wheel drive. In short, three cars in one, depending on the way of use. The saddle is something to take back!

And when you first discover its cockpit, the universe has changed, it has been greatly modernized, and its built-in technology: 16-inch screen, multiple digital displays depending on the modemultifunction steering wheel with tactile buttons… the environment is particularly attractive and the quality does not spoil anything.

rolling rocket

Therefore, regardless of the season, outside temperature and weather, you can enjoy the SF 90 Spider when the wind is in your hair. But we have to admit that cold and humidity are taking over the roads at this time of year and it’s probably wiser to leave it warm. But we are not smart. So we brave the heat, the rain, and the freshness, and make use of all that cavalry that is like a rocket to be accepted.

The accelerations are insane, intoxicating, even unimaginable, because all the engines offer astonishing power for a production car, no matter how sporty. The 1000 horses released therefore require a little more concentration and precision in the movements. It is necessary to impose a usage mechanic. On paper, the performance is outstanding: 2.7 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, just 7 seconds to reach 200 km/h, 340 km/h chrono, we are borderline in competition statistics. It’s also true that without the sound of the V8 you have to get used to this excess energy, it’s a bit off, giving you the usual working tips.

The athlete has breath, It sounds like a thunderstorm, but is a breath of common sense, especially at low revs, unfortunately, because the addition of electric motors offers other feelings on board. You have to learn to recognize your lineage, to understand their reactions, to enjoy all that controlled power in the open air that this SF90 spider imposes.

The rigidity of the chassis and the precision of the chassis are adapted to this enormous power. Electronics plays a decisive role. The SF has an electronic traction control that distributes traction to all four wheels as best as possible. A torque vector also comes into play to improve very fast corner exits. It’s hard to fault the behavior because everything is done to make this Spider pleasant and reassuring. Responds very quickly, remains agile despite its weightespecially fast support…

Technical specifications Ferrari SF90 Spider (2022)