These photos, snapped on mobile phone cameras, provide the first public glimpse of the Ferrari F430 Spider in its full, un-camouflaged glory.

Taken in Dubai, the photos reveal the car as a logical derivative of the F430 Berlinetta, and a true evolution of the 360 Spider. What is completely clear is that the car has a soft-top roof, not the Superamerica-style revolving hardtop that was anticipated by certain rumours.

The F430 Spider will make its official debut at the 2005 Geneva International Motor Show this March. The new model will arrive in Ferrari showrooms this autumn.

In the passenger seat, enjoying some female company, is Dario Benuzzi, chief test driver at Ferrari for road car development. The reason for the F430's stay in Dubai probably focuses on hot weather testing, but on the day the photos were taken the weather was reported to be only 25 degrees C. The local car enthusiast, who by coincidence spotted the car on two consecutive days, also stated that it was raining the day before the photos were taken. The car was fitted with Dubai commercial registration plates, with a taped-over Italian plate also being prominent.

The F430 Spider, with its Formula 1 developed differential and traction control system, should provide even sharper handling than the outgoing 360 Spider model.

The F430 Spider will follow just six months after the F430 in coupe form, which arrived with much fanfare at last autumn's Paris Mondiale de l'Automobile. Itself based on the outgoing 360 Modena, the F430 boasted 70% new components and an exciting new 4.3-litre engine. This, together with brutal styling adopted from the Enzo supercar, sees the new breed set to win back lost ground from the Lamborghini Gallardo.

The F430 is a technical masterpiece, particularly with its new six-speed F1 gearbox. It also comes with an electronic differential, which can be controlled internally by the driver through a dial on the steering wheel.

In accordance with the exterior, the interior has also undergone changes with a new steering wheel and centre console being the most obvious. Compared to the 360 Modena, the F430's interior has much sportier overtones. The steering wheel is more adjustable, while the speedometer background is available in yellow or red. The centre console is also available in either aluminium or carbon finish.

With the European version of the car developing 490bhp, the 1,350 kg F430 has a power-to-weight ratio equal to that of the 360 Challenge Stradale. Performance is stunning, with the sprint from 0-60mph taking only 4 seconds. Zero to 100mph takes 9.2 seconds, whilst the faintly ridiculous 0-150mph time is 21.4 seconds. The car does the standing quarter mile in 12.8 seconds at 118 mph, whilst the top speed lies at 197 mph. Optional Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes help ensure that this power remains under control.

Once the F430 Spider has joined the F430 Coupe in production, Ferrari's attention will turn towards developing a Challenge Stradale version, which will undoubtedly be a sportscar with simply breathtaking ability.

James Granger (ItaliaSpeed) - 2 Feb 2005