THE 5 HOTTEST SUPERCAR CONVERTIBLES OF 2019
Ferrari made headlines this week following the official debut of their newest model, the Ferrari F8 Spider, a hard-top convertible version of the Ferrari F8 Tributo. To celebrate the reveal of the Italian manufacturers latest open-top model, we decided to look at some of the finest open-top high performance machines that have been released over the past months. Note, the list is in no specific order.
#5: The Ferrari F8 Spider
It takes just 14-seconds to drop the hard-top roof to unlock an open-air symphony of an Italian V8 roaring behind your neck. That’s the biggest selling point behind the new Ferarri F8 Spider which was revealed earlier this week. It’s powered by a 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 that produces 530kW of power and 770Nm of torque, sending 100% of its drive to the rear wheels via a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. Interestingly, the F8 Spider weighs in at 1400kg, which is a mere 20kg heavier than the stripped down, track-focused 488 Pista. The result is a 0-100km/h sprint in 2.9-seconds.
#4: The McLaren 720S Spider
The McLaren 720S Spider features incredibly similar specs to the Ferrari, making it the most competitive rival in this segment. The twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 produces an identical 530kW of power and 770Nm of torque. The 720S Spider also features a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, sending all of its power to the rear wheels. Unlike the F8 Spider, the McLaren is a bit heavier at 1482kg but it makes up for the weight by dropping the top in 11-seconds. That doesn’t mean it’s any less quicker, clocking 0-100km/h in 2.9-seconds.
#3: The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante
Keeping things in the UK, we head to Aston Martin and their incredibly long named droptop DBS. It makes use of a massive 5.2-litre V12 engine, coupled to a pair of turbochargers. It takes 14-seconds to open the roof to an unobstructed experience of a screaming V12. You might also hear some tyre-screeching from the 533kW of power and 900Nm of torque that are sent to the rear wheels by an 8-speed automatic transmission, propelling the 1870kg brute from 0-100km/h in 3.6-seconds.
#2: The BMW M8 Competition Convertible
At the moment the M8 Competition is the pinnacle of BMW M and finds itself on the list because of its mind-boggling performance. A 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 is the source of entertainment in the Competition Convertible, producing 466kW of power and 750Nm of torque. The roof will fully retract in 15-seconds, bringing the total weight of the German droptop to 2010kg. The real party trick of the M8, though, is its drivetrain. The 8-speed ZF automatic transmission can send power to all-wheels, or it can send 100% of the power to the rear-wheels. With launch control and AWD, the M8 Competition Convertible will do 0-100km/h in 3.3-seconds. Whether you want to get the best 0-100km/h launch or turn your tyres into dust, the M8 can do it all.
#1: The Audi R8 V10 Performance Spyder
The Audi R8 received a very recent facelift, which also happened to include a power boost. The result is an Audi R8 Spyder with 456kW of power and 580Nm of torque from a naturally aspirated V10 engine. A 7-speed S-tronic transmission chops and allocates the power between all-four wheels, which means that launching the 1770kg supercar can be done with a lot of precision. Throw it into Dynamic mode, switch the traction control off and the R8 V10 Performance Spyder will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.2-seconds.
FAQ
Q: What does a supercar convertible cost in South Africa in 2019?
The Ferrari F8 Spider starts at around R6.2 million in South Africa, whilst the McLaren 720S Spider will set you back approximately R5.8 million, and the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante commands a hefty R7.5 million before options.
Q: Which is faster, the Ferrari F8 Spider or McLaren 720S Spider?
Both the Ferrari F8 Spider and McLaren 720S Spider hit 0-100kph in an identical 2.9 seconds, making them dead even in straight-line performance despite the McLaren being 82kg heavier at 1482kg versus the Ferrari's 1400kg.
Q: How long does it take for these convertible roofs to open?
The McLaren 720S Spider drops its top in just 11 seconds, beating both the Ferrari F8 Spider and Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante which both take 14 seconds to fully retract their roofs.
Q: Are supercar convertibles worth buying over the hardtop versions?
Supercar convertibles are worth the premium if you prioritise the open-air driving experience and don't mind sacrificing some structural rigidity, but expect to pay an extra R800,000 to R1.2 million over the hardtop equivalent.
Should You Buy It?
If you've got R6 million burning a hole in your pocket and want the ultimate open-air driving experience, the McLaren 720S Spider at R5.8 million offers the best value in this rarified segment. It matches the Ferrari's performance whilst undercutting it by R400,000, plus you get that 11-second roof operation that's genuinely impressive at the traffic lights. The Ferrari F8 Spider is the emotional choice for purists who want that prancing horse badge, but at R6.2 million it's harder to justify. Skip the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante unless you absolutely must have a V12, because R7.5 million is serious money for a car that's more grand tourer than pure supercar. For most South African buyers, honestly, a Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet at R3.2 million delivers 90% of the thrills for half the price.
