While the rest of us await the official unveiling of the Ferrari 458 Spider at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, a limited number of lucky customers and press agents were able to slide into a private event in Maranello where the drop top 458 Italia was seen live and in color. One of these lucky few was TeamSpeed's moderator, GrayTT, who was kind enough to share the images with the rest of the world.

The Ferrari 458 Italia Spider is powered by the same 4.5-liter V8 engine from the hard-top version. With a total output of 570 HP at 9,000 rpm and 400 lb/ft of torque at 6,000 rpm, the wind-in-your-hair Ferrari will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and is capable of hitting a top speed of 198 mph.

Starting September 9, 2011, Ferrari will be accepting orders for the new 458 Italia->ke3479 and, according to people in Maranello, this is "the drop top you will want."

.