The 458 Spider is the first two-seater mid-rear engined car to be equipped with a fully retractable hard top made entirely of aluminium. The main advantage of this innovative solution, patented by Ferrari, is that it allows a saving of 25 kg in weight and takes just 14 seconds to open or close.
The hard top merges seamlessly into the styling of the car. It fits neatly in front of the engine bay, taking up a minimum of space. It does not compromise the excellent aerodynamics, to the benefit of overall performance, and also makes it possible to fit a convenient luggage shelf behind the two seats.
The form of the rear end of the 458 Spider is very innovative, with buttresses designed to optimise the air flow through the engine bonnet and the intakes of the clutch and transmission oil radiators. For maximum comfort when the roof is open, the 458 Spider is fitted with an efficient, electronically adjustable glass wind stop, which effectively distributes the air flows inside the passenger compartment, making it possible to hold a normal conversation at speeds above 200 km/h.