The Ferrari F8 Spider Offers A Perfect Balance of Power, Luxury, and Open-Air Thrills

The Ferrari F8 Spider, an open-top convertible, and the Ferrari F8 Tributo, a sleek coupe, hold a special place in Ferrari’s legacy. If you trace back the lineage of these mid-engine V8 two-seaters, you’ll see roots that reach as far as the 308, introduced in 1975. Now, since this particular model is the Spider, maybe it makes more sense to start at the 308 GTS of ‘77. Whichever way you look at it, the F8 leans on nearly 45 years of automotive heritage in its design and spirit.

You may notice a resemblance between the F8 and its predecessor, the 488. That’s intentional. Ferrari didn’t completely overhaul it; instead, they refreshed it, adding a facelift rather than creating something brand new. And if you rewind further, the F8 shares DNA with the 458 from 2009 and the 488 that arrived in 2015. This isn’t just a stylistic choice—it’s part of Ferrari’s approach to making supercars viable today.

Ferrari’s strategy? They like to switch it up. Unlike McLaren, who uses the same carbon-fiber tub, layout, and engine across their models, Ferrari keeps its lineup interesting, blending V8s, V12s, front-engine, mid-engine, AWD, or rear-drive options to keep enthusiasts guessing.

Ferrari F8 Spider in Review

Trim Levels

Ferrari’s F8 hit the scene back in 2020, setting a high bar from the get-go. With both the 2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo and the F8 Spider out, buyers had two sleek options, though only one trim to pick from. That’s not an issue though—it comes stocked with enough premium features to make any enthusiast look twice. Personally, I lean toward the Spider, partly ’cause it’s got that open-air feel and it’s usually lighter on the wallet than the coupe. Sure, it’s a supercar with a price tag to match, but Ferrari makes sure you can add a unique twist. They let you pick from a wide variety of interiors, and if you’re feeling extra, upgrades like titanium exhausts or carbon-fiber accents are all on the table. And those brake calipers? Name your color.

Changes Throughout Its Lifecycle

Since its debut in 2020, the F8 soldiered on mostly unchanged. After a couple of years of cruising mostly unchanged, something big happened in 2023—Ferrari stopped taking orders for the F8 Tributo coupe. So, only the Spider remained for buyers (or dreamers) still planning to grab one.

Engine

The Ferrari F8 Spider took over from the 488 Spider, which hit the roads in 2015. Under the hood, this Ferrari convertible got a serious beast—a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, code-named F154CD. This engine punches out the same power as the 2018 488 Pista Spider, hitting 710 horsepower along with 568 lb-ft of torque. A true rocket, it flies from 0-62 mph in only 2.9 seconds and zooms up to 124 mph in just over eight seconds. And when the pedal’s down, it’s not stopping till it reaches 211 mph, making it one of the fastest Ferraris of present times.

Despite all that power, the Ferrari F8 is lighter than you’d think, weighing around 1,400 kg, giving it less than 2 kg per horsepower, pretty nuts if you ask me. And while it’s fast, it’s not what you’d call “fuel-efficient” exactly. Around town, the EPA estimates a mere 15 mpg, with highway numbers just a bit better.

Exterior

As you look at the F8 Tributo and F8 Spider, it’s like they’re just screaming “Look at me!”—following right along with the jaw-dropping, showstopper vibe of the Pista. Right up front, you’ve got the S-Duct, practically demanding attention, flanked by these new, thinner LED headlights that somehow manage to stretch and make the whole front of the car feel both lean and mean. I mean, the intake placement’s shifted back a bit too—makes sense for getting that air flowing straight to the engine. And those side skirts? Tapering out toward the rear wheels, they’re sleek but good luck keeping them clean! Dust magnets, for real, like they’re designed to catch every bit of road grime. Maybe that’s the one time Ferrari didn’t marry form and function.

Then there’s the return of the quad tail lights, a nod to the F430 days. These things pop in a way no photo can capture. Deep, almost mesmerizing in real life. The rear setup looks straight out of the Pista playbook too, with a wide, sweeping diffuser and those big twin exhaust pipes. And because it’s a spider, the engine’s mostly tucked under the foldable hard top, making the rear a little bit of a mystery.

Under the front hood is where it gets pretty special. They’ve sculpted these carbon fiber details around the trunk, like a reminder that Ferraris are in a league of their own—little design touches other brands probably wouldn’t bother with.

Interior

Leather and carbon fiber own the place. The seats—solid, snug carbon fiber racing seats that hug you just right, with enough room to feel comfy even if you’re tall. And the center console is low, almost disappearing into the design, making the whole cabin feel open and spacious.

Tech-wise, this sexy car is stacked. You’ve got a six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth for calls and streaming, and even an LCD monitor duo, plus voice-activated navigation. Options go all the way up to a 7.0-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay’s in, but no Android Auto, which feels like a bit of a missed note.

Read Also: Sexiest Features of a Car

Price

While not the rarest Ferrari, the Ferrari F8 Spider’s price does match other most expensive Ferrari cars.

Verdict

Picture the F8 as a spruced-up version of the 488. So, if you step into this Spider expecting that, odds are you won’t walk away let down. Though, truth be told, disappointment’s not likely at all—especially if you’re the kind who gets that spark from a car’s handling above everything else. The F8 is thrilling, really. The engineers seem to have worked magic on the steering and suspension, making it feel more balanced than the 488, with sharper, cleaner handling. But, to be honest, it doesn’t quite push the envelope forward or even match the leaps McLaren took with their 720S. Then there’s this scuttle shake—doesn’t ruin the drive, not at all, but it’s definitely noticeable.

Yet, who can argue with the twin-turbo V8 engine here? That engine is pure genius, a masterpiece, really. More than anything else, and as it always should be in a Ferrari, this powerhouse of an engine sets the stage. It gives the F8 a raw energy and edge that others just can’t match, even if some rivals might sound a little sweeter to the ears.

One thing, though—the F8 gives off the vibes of a car that didn’t get quite the TLC it deserved. Maybe it’s not shocking, considering Ferrari’s been juggling projects like the SF90, Roma, and the Purosangue SUV. A busy bunch, that’s for sure. But, when you’re behind the wheel of the F8 Spider, none of that matters. All you’re focused on is the pure, unfiltered fun of the drive.