Top 3 things you need to know about the Ferrari SF90 Spider
In 2019 Ferrari unveiled the SF90 Stradale model to the world and now a year later the Italian marque is introducing the Spider open-top variant. We take a closer look at the SF90 Spider and list the top 5 things you need to know about the new model.
Provided that both coupé and open-top models are fitted with a mid-mounted V8 petrol motor, it is easy to assume that the SF90 is the successor of the 488 models. This, however, is a wrong assumption as the SF90 vehicles form part of a new branch in the family tree. The SF90 models are the first series-production plug-in hybrid model to roll off the production line in Modena.
Related: Ferrari F8 Spider (2020): Scuderia South Africa unveils the new Ferrari F8 Spider.
While the Ferrari 488 range was replaced by the F8 range, the SF90 is one of the first of a series of hybrid models that will be unveiled by the brand. At a recent investor meeting, CEO Louis Camilleri said that Ferrari will never go fully electric, at least not in his lifetime, however, will be introducing a variety of hybrid models.
1. The roof
The SF90 Spider is the open-top variant of the SF90 model and utilises a retractable hardtop instead of a canvas top. This not only ensures that there is better noise insulation but also improves the body rigidity. The hardtop which can be actioned 14 seconds and while driving also allows for higher top speeds and takes up 100-litres of space instead of 150- to 200-litres as with traditional soft-top systems.
Most impressive is the fact that if the roof is closed, the SF90 Stradale will achieve the same 340 km/h top speed of its coupé counterpart Also whether the roof is up or down, the V8 motor remains visible through the rear window.
2. Vehicle dynamics
In order to achieve the most from the internal combustion and electric motors combination, Ferrari had to develop new traction and stability control systems. With the focus on traction, braking and torque vectoring, the Italian firm developed a new eSSC (electronic Side Slip Control) system. This system regulates the amount of power sent to all four wheels to ensure the vehicle remains under control even when the rear wheels break traction.
Furthermore, Ferrari incorporated Electronic Traction Control (eTC) which manages the torque availability for both the petrol and electric motors. This is bolstered by an updated torque vectoring system which controls the traction on the inside and outside wheels on the front axle during cornering to ensure precise steering dynamics.
The ABS and EBD systems incorporate a brake-by-wire system which splits the braking between the braking system and torque braking from the electric motors. This improves the braking dynamics while allowing regenerative recovery under braking for the batteries.
3. Powertrain
One of the main areas in which the SF90 stands apart from the rest of Ferrari's range is its plugin-in hybrid powertrain. While the system still utilises a 4.0-litre, turbocharged, V8 petrol motor, it also incorporates three electric motors. There are two electric motors fitted to the front wheels while one features at the rear of the vehicle. The two in the front uses a RAC-e (Cornering Angle Regulator, Electric) system while the one at the rear works off an MGUK (Motor Generator Unit, Kinetic) configuration, similar to that in Formula 1.
The combined power output of the electric and petrol motor comes to a staggering 735 kW with the torque rated at 800 Nm. With this combination and the 8-speed automated dual-clutch transmission, the SF90 Spider achieves 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, 200 km/h in 7.0 seconds and a top speed of 340 km/h. This all while returning an average fuel consumption figure of 6.1 L / 100 km and producing 154 g/km of CO2 emissions.
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