We've heard "early 2011" for the sales launch of the Ferrari 458 Italia Spider, which we expect will debut at or around this fall's Paris Auto Show. Today there's a report that Ferrari will emply a retractable hardtop on the 458 Italia convertible -- just like on the Ferrari California.
There's reason to be skeptical of course, given that retractable hardtops add weight (lots, usually). And although such a compromise might be OK on the "everyman's" California, it seems less forgivable on the quintessential Ferrari model line. Still we've marveled over the Pringles-like stacking of the top components on the California, so maybe Ferrari is about to pull off some great feat of engineering so that 458 Italia Spider owners can forget they're driving a convertible.
Rendering: Fox Syndication
kernals12 says:
12:29 PM, 06/ 3/10
i just realized how different the 458 is from it's predeccesors(F430, 360) it looks more like the old F50
Stylish yes
Traditional not so much
I don't know if that's a good thing
stovt001 says:
10:39 PM, 06/ 3/10
I didn't like the styling on the 458 coupe, but I like this.
Mazda managed to keep weight down on the MX-5 Miata PRHT, so there might be hope for Ferrari to keep the weight down here. Subjectively, I see retractable hardtops more befitting a GT, and softtops for sports cars.
lostboyz says:
04:22 AM, 06/ 4/10
true sports cars aren't convertibles, coupes get you the most rigidity with the least amount of weight. Sporty cars on the other hand...
estreka says:
08:55 PM, 06/ 4/10
If it's a dedicated convertible, I think it's a genuine sports car. The Porsche Boxster, Honda S2000, and Mazda Miata all fit the description.