Automotive

Ferrari's 458 Spider - mid-rear engined berlinetta with retractable hard top

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Ferrari's new 458 Spider
Ferrari's new 458 Spider
Ferrari's new 458 Spider
Ferrari's new 458 Spider
Ferrari's new 458 Spider
Ferrari's new 458 Spider
Ferrari's new 458 Spider specs
Ferrari's new 458 Spider
Ferrari's new 458 Spider
View gallery - 8 images

Owning an open top Ferrari is perhaps one of the most common male fantasies, though with a five liter V8 providing motive force, it's infinitely more practical to have the protection and quietness of a hardtop when atmospheric conditions aren't optimum. Hence Ferrari's new 458 Spider with its automated folding aluminum hard-top solution makes infinite sense.

In all respects other than the Ferrari-patented, fully retractable hard top, the Spider is identical to the 458 Italia, with the same direct-injection 4.5 liter V8 that won a nomination for the 2011 International Engine of the Year, dual-clutch F1 paddle-shift transmission, E-Diff, F1-Trac traction control and high-performance anti-lock brakes.

Ferrari's new 458 Spider

The hard top though is pretty special as a piece of engineering. In comparison to the Italia's folding soft-top, it is a full 25 kg lighter, and has a deployment time of just 14 seconds. It fits ahead of the engine bay and takes up so little space that there's still room for rear bench behind the seats.

Ferrari's new 458 Spider

There's also an electrically-adjustable windstop designed to facilitate normal conversation at speeds up to 200 km/h.

The Ferrari 458 Spider will make its world debut at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show next month.

Ferrari's new 458 Spider specs

View gallery - 8 images
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3 comments
dapper
I WANT TWO OF THESE PLEASE! THANK YOU!
genesiscreation
I would be pleased just to get a ride in one. :)
Nelson
While Nero drives through Rome as it burns. It is disgusting to see all these toys for the wealthy as the Earth and most of its people go down in the flames of Global warming. Resources could be better utilized to help many than just a few.