In Italy, there are only two ways to attract more attention from the locals than by driving the all-new 2016 Ferrari 488 Spider: You can be Pope Francis driving the same car, or be a gorgeous woman behind the wheel. Meaning, few natural wonders have the capability to turn heads like the latest release from the Maranello concern.
At every opportunity, the convertible hardtop drew attention like a hypnotist on a hot streak. Of course, the fact that it wasn’t warm enough for top-down motoring caused a bit of a stir. My hair was in particularly good form, too. But I’m under no illusions â€" the shape of the latest Ferrari alone, top up or top down, regardless of whom happened to be driving, was more than enough to stop traffic, in any country.
There’s one thing absolutely clear from the look of the 488 Spider: This thing means business. The curves have purpose, the trailing edges have depth, the cutaways have ferocity. Really, the designers at Ferrari have done a fantastic job: The 488 is clearly related to its predecessor, the 458, but it’s clearly not derivative. The design also includes one noteworthy aerodynamic element: a patent-pending blown rear spoiler, the kind of thing only a manufacturer involved in Formula One could get away with.
The interior is more familiar, a minor evolution of the 458 with its F1-inspired steering wheel, vibrant and customisable gauge set (faster and with improved graphics) and driver-focused controls. The seats were covered in slick leather, which wasn’t ideal, and the seat bottom was a bit short for my liking, but these are minor quibbles in the grand scheme of things. This is because the interior of any modern Ferrari is an inspired blend of racy functionality and top-flight craftsmanship. For a true motorsport fanatic, it does not get any better than sitting in the driver’s seat of a car such as the 488 Spider.
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