Soft-top? Certainly sir

Ferrari's 458 Italia models for Australia and New Zealand, which will arrive across the Tasman in June, will cost upwards of $500,000. Photo / Supplied

Ferrari will next year launch a convertible Spider version of the 458 Italia coupe it flew to Sydney this week to showcase its new Downunder headquarters, the $40 million brainchild of expat New Zealand businessman and yachtsman Neville Crichton.

Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa confirmed the soft-top 458 for next year after opening the new five-storey Ferrari Maserati centre.

The 458 Italia coupe on show was a left-hand drive model dedicated to global display duties. Its next stop is Ferrari's showroom in Dubai.

The first 458 Italia models for Australia and New Zealand are due to arrive across the ditch around June, costing upwards of $500,000.

More than 100 Australians and New Zealanders have signed up for the new coupe, which joins the California coupe-convertible and replaces Ferrari's entry-level 430 coupe.

Crichton says the new Sydney HQ was the culmination of a four-year programme to take the Ferrari and Maserati network to a new level for Australian and New Zealand customers.

"We now have all-new dealerships in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, with major upgrades in Adelaide and Auckland, along with a new Maserati dealer in Christchurch that also provides Ferrari owners with a service centre," he said. "This new Sydney dealership means that we now have a network of dealerships that can stand comparison with the best in the world."

Crichton is expected to be on hand at the Geneva motor show next month for Ferrari's next major showing - the appearance of a petrol-electric 599 model, the first fruits of its hybrid development programme.

The 599 hybrid's debut on March 2 was confirmed by Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo at the recent launch of marque's 2010 Formula One car.

Felisa said the full parallel hybrid drive system, which has been fitted to a Ferrari test mule for 12 months, would reduce fuel consumption and emissions in the 599 by up to 25 per cent.

"The new concept will be based on the 599, but that doesn't mean it will debut on that model," he said. "We have a plan to introduce on our cars new technology that will reduce consumption and emissions.

"The next step is to apply the technology on Ferrari cars without changing the characteristics they are famous for."

Felisa said the first Ferrari hybrid was at least five years away from production.