After several spy shots and many rumors, Ferrari has now officially unveiled the limited-edition 458 Speciale Aperta. The Italian marque says the new car is a "celebration of the dazzling success of the various versions of the 458".



Dedicated to just 499 Ferrari collectors, the 458 Speciale A (as it is also called) is the most powerful spider in Prancing Horse history, marrying extreme performance with the pleasure of drop-top driving. Its aluminum retractable hard top, which takes a mere 14 seconds to deploy or retract, helps reduce the weight difference with the Speciale coupé to just 110 lb (50 kg).



The 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta sports the most powerful naturally-aspirated road-going V8 engine ever built by Ferrari. Like in the coupe, it punches out a massive 597 hp and 398 lb-ft (540 Nm) of torque at 6,000 rpm yet only generates 275 g/km of CO2 emissions. The three international Best Performance Engine awards the V8 has won are acknowledged on a special plaque in the cockpit.



The new car sprints from 0-60 mph in just 2.9 seconds and has a Fiorano lap time of 1'23"5. These superb results are thanks in great part to its front and rear active aerodynamics, the rigidity of a chassis that incorporates 10 aluminum alloys, and Side Slip Angle Control (SSC) which guarantees unparalleled sporty driving in all conditions, underscored by the seductively exhilarating signature Ferrari soundtrack.



As is the case with all Prancing Horse cars, the 458 Speciale A's sculpted forms are performance-oriented. A series of innovative and original bodywork solutions has made the 458 Speciale A the most aerodynamically efficient Ferrari spider ever.



The 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale A is being premiered at the Paris Motor Show in a unique triple-layer yellow livery with a Blu Nart and Bianco Avus central stripe as well as five-spoke forged wheels in Grigio Corsa.



The cockpit has a distinctive racing-inspired look: lightweight yet exclusive materials have been adopted throughout. The dash, the door panels and central tunnel were made out of exclusive blue carbon-fiber (also used for the treadplates). The seats feature a new design in Alcantara with contrasting stitching and 3D technical fabric.