Ferrari 458 Italia Spider leaks out. Probably.

We have the first photos of the drop-top 458 – the Ferrari 458 Italia Spider – leaked ahead of its debut at Frankfurt 2011.

It’s only a couple of weeks since we reported that Ferrari would be taking the convertible 458 to Frankfurt, and now we have a set of three leaked photos of the Ferrari 458 Italia Spider in all its glory, doubtless leaked out from a magazine printers.

We’re not completely convinced the photos of the 458 Spider are real – they seem familiar somehow and could be good Photoshops – but if they are real there’s no doubt Ferrari won’t be amused – as Italians seldom are under these circumstances.

But assuming the photos are real they just tell us what we already know – the 458 Spider is the regular 458 Italia with its roof chopped off. But actually, this time round, we think Ferrari has got a bit cleverer.

We think the 458 Italia Spider is sporting a retractable tin-top instead of the rag top we’ve seen before. We confess we don’t know why Ferrari would have a tin-top convertible and a coupe of the same car, but they must have their reasons. We also don’t see any evidence in these photos of the mechanism or the storage.

The 458 Italia Spider will still have Ferrari’s 570bhp V8 and stunning performance. Yes, the edge will come off that performance a little because the roof mechanism will be heavier and, we assume, Ferrari will have to stiffen up the 458 with an RSJ or two. But it will still be very quick.

If they’re real we’ll probably see Ferrari reacting with the real deal photos of the 458 Spider quite quickly. But they could be Photoshopped.

What do you think?

Ferrari 458 Itali Spider Leak Photo Gallery

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(click thumbnail for full size version)

Source: Cheers and Gears (via Jalopnik)