New Prancing Horses don’t come around too often, and when the newcomer has the evocative name of Ferrari 488 Pista Spider, it is even more special.

Click here to read about our drive in a Ferrari F40.

50 and counting

Ferrari unveiled the 488 Pista Spider at the world-famous Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach in California this past weekend. This is the 50th drop-top model created by the Prancing Horse. A US debut is quite fitting as North American clients are quite fond of high-performance convertibles.

The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider is a limited edition model much like its sibling. It follows in the footsteps of the 16MM and 458 Speciale Aperta, which are topless versions of high-performance coupes. Catch some video footage of the new model here.

To maintain its performance edge Ferrari has employed lightweight materials for the bodywork and interior. Race-spec carbon-fibre and Alcantara are used generously inside, while the carpets have been replaced by patterned aluminium foot plates and the driver’s-side door handle is now a cloth strap.

The new model features new diamond-finish 20-inch alloys with a 10-spoke interpretation of Ferrari’s traditional mid-rear engine berlinetta-style rims. If your budget allows, you can also plump for optional one-piece carbon-fibre wheels, which offer a significant 20 per cent weight reduction over the standard forged alloys.

Click here to read about our launch report of the Ferrari 812 SuperFast.

Blowing your hair back

The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider is derived from the 488 Pista so it shares much with its namesake. Under the engine cover is the award-winning 3,9-litre twin-turbo V8, which is mated with a twin-clutch transmission. Power remains unchanged from the hard-top Pista with 530 kW and 770 N.m on offer.

Ferrari says that a new lateral dynamics control system, Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE), makes on-the-limit driving more intuitive, controllable and predictable ie, more fun to slide – NICE!

No doubt well-heeled South African Ferrari collectors have already placed their orders.