Ferrari drops the top, full specs on new 458 Spider [w/video]

[Apex Motorsports]

Ferrari drops the top, full specs on new 458 Spider [w/video]





By Noah Joseph RSS feed
Posted Aug 23rd 2011 10:00AM

254

Comments11

Earlier this morning, we showed you the first video of the coming Ferrari 458 Spider, but now we have a batch of images and more information to share with you.

Engineering a mid-engined exotic with a retractable hardtop is a bit tricky. Which is why it's never been done before – that is, until now. Feast your eyes on what Maranello's crafty engineers have wrought.

The convertible version of the 458 Italia fills the space left by the F430 Spider and the 360, 355 and 348 Spiders before it. But whereas those went with cloth roofs, the newest variation on the theme uses a folding – or more accurately, flipping – hard panel. The mechanism is similar to the one on the Superamerica, but whereas that model's roof panel simply rests under the open sky on the rear deck, the 458 stows under the deck lid, protecting it from collecting dust or rain that would otherwise be deposited on the driver and passenger when deployed.

The function is simpler than most folding contraptions and resulting form is more pleasing to the eye as well, but the one disadvantage is that the 4.5-liter direct-injection V8 (with all its 562 prancing horses and trademark crackled red cam cover) is now hidden below decks instead of displayed as on the 458 Italia coupe. Which only goes to show that while you can come close to having your proverbial cake and eating it too, even this level of performance roadster has its trade-offs. This, though, strikes us as one we could live with. You know, if we really had to.

Follow the jump for the video and full press release, and be sure to scope out the initial batch of high-resolution images in the gallery as we gear up for the 458 Spider's debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show just a few weeks from now.

[ssump29]

hmmmm I think I'm liking this alot. If this says within the 230,000 range I may seriously look at getting one of these. thanks for sharing

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by ssump29

hmmmm I think I'm liking this alot. If this says within the 230,000 range I may seriously look at getting one of these. thanks for sharing

MSRP on the 458 coupe is $225,000. The 430 Spyder was $40,000 more than the coupe so I would expect the 458 Spyder to run in the $265,000 range.

[drummer5679]

spoiler alert:

it's red

[ssump29]

Originally Posted by Apex Chase

MSRP on the 458 coupe is $225,000. The 430 Spyder was $40,000 more than the coupe so I would expect the 458 Spyder to run in the $265,000 range.

Oh well thats not to bad, and yeah I was basically going off the coupe range and hoping it wouldn't be too much more then that but then again with that tech and the brand 260,000 range sounds more like it. Well I'll check on them when they finally go on sale here in the states and hope the waiting list isn't too far out.

[cab2g]

looks nice.... real nice.

[1o.f00t.570rk]

[Apex Paul]

Originally Posted by Apex Chase

MSRP on the 458 coupe is $225,000. The 430 Spyder was $40,000 more than the coupe so I would expect the 458 Spyder to run in the $265,000 range.

You know that I am a spider guy in almost every case, but I think I prefer the 458 with the hard top. I like the top mechanism, just don't love the the look of the lines with the roof down. However, I will hold my opinion until I get a first hand look.

As for the cost, you know my philosophy; never buy an exotic new. Wait two years and buy one with 1500 miles and save $75 - $100K. 5 year old F430's are under $120K at this point.

[helmincamaro]

wow, I like that a lot more than the coupe

[5thGenOwner]

Originally Posted by drummer5679

spoiler alert:

it's red

Ferrari's shouldn't come in any other color!


And that one there... looks like they should remake Magnum P.I.

[helmincamaro]

Originally Posted by 5thGenOwner

Ferrari's shouldn't come in any other color!


And that one there... looks like they should remake Magnum P.I.

I saw a silver 360 spyder today.... looked pretty good

[Indpowr]

Sexy..

We are considering a Ferrari or a Lambo for our next car. Granted it maybe a 5/10 years away but having to plan it out. Wife is already aboard so it will be great to see these amazing cars coming out knowing what we can afford by then.

LP640 Spyder
458
458 Spider

2012 Lambo will still be out of the price range.

[8cd03gro]

Originally Posted by Apex Paul

You know that I am a spider guy in almost every case, but I think I prefer the 458 with the hard top. I like the top mechanism, just don't love the the look of the lines with the roof down. However, I will hold my opinion until I get a first hand look.

As for the cost, you know my philosophy; never buy an exotic new. Wait two years and buy one with 1500 miles and save $75 - $100K. 5 year old F430's are under $120K at this point.

True, but then you're buying a $120k exotic car with no warranty. . . yikes.

[LostInMoscow]

I talked to a couple Ferrari dealers in Houston 2 years ago about getting on the list for one of these. One tried to talk me into buying a used F430, saying basically that I hadn't earned the right to buy a new 458 spider with their dealership. The other dealer was relatively new and said they would take a $10K deposit to get me on their list. Since then, I've soured on the idea of buying a Ferrari due to the insane maintenance costs. My whole idea was to buy one from the dealer, drive it for a few months and sell it for a profit, which is very easy when no one else can get one. Even that sounded unappealing with the thought of each scheduled maintenance costing several thousand dollars.

Having said that, I think I f*cked up! Do want!