Ferrari is launching an open-top version of the midengine 458 Italia coupe introduced in 2010. We experienced the new sports car close to its home in Maranello, Italy, during a long drive over the Apennine mountain range and through the Emilia Romagna region of northern Italy.

The Italia was an instant hit, offering superb styling (naturally), inspired handling and a breathtaking 4.5-liter 570-horsepower V8 engine. The 458 Spider creates a class for itself: it's the first mid-engine sports car with a retractable hardtop.

The three-piece design, built from the same aluminum as body and chassis, is a brilliant piece of engineering It folds up or down in a mere 14 seconds and takes up only 3.5 cubic feet of space -- not to mention it's a full 55 pounds lighter than a comparable soft-top.

The 458 Spider also gives little away in terms of body stiffness. Only the damping settings of the BWI-Delphi magnetically variable shocks have been modified. Handling is exceptional; ride characteristics: just as impressive.

Performance is, as expected, otherworldly. The V8 purrs around town with the 7-speed dual-automated-clutc​​h gearbox shifting itself smoothly. Official 0-100 km/h (62.14 mph) acceleration – with launch control – is under 3.4 seconds and top speed is 199 mph.

The fact that the 458 Spider arguably is the best-looking retractable hardtop ever built only sweetens the deal, in a manner of speaking: pricing has not yet been finalized in the U.S., but is set at 228,000 euros for the home continent. Sales start this month.