Geneva Quickie; Ferrari F430 Spider revealed.(News)

Byline: GREG KABLE

If you think the recently introduced Ferrari F430 is a smartly styled machine, the exotic shape flaunted by its two-seat open-top stablemate, the F430 Spider, should blow you away.

Shown in these official photos released just ahead of its Geneva motor show premiere in early March, the new Ferrari continues a long tradition of stunning convertibles from the Italian carmaker. With a North American price tag of more than $200,000, it is a car that only a handful of truly wealthy enthusiasts will ever dream of owning.

Though the Pininfarina-styled F430 Spider is an evolution of its predecessor, Ferrari says the car's scope of styling and mechanical changes makes it a brand-new model.

Borrowing cues from the F430, the new car receives a heavily restyled aluminum body that engineers honed in Ferrari's wind tunnel. Two large oval air ducts mounted low down in a restyled bumper dominate the front end, joined by smaller headlights that instantly help distinguish the new car.

The sides get greater contouring, with reshaped air scoops for the mid-mounted engine and rear brake assemblies, restyled exterior mirror housings and new 10-spoke, 19-inch wheels shod with Pirelli PZero Rosso tires.

The rear receives new circular taillights similar to those used on the Enzo supercar. There is also a larger glass engine cover, a more prominent lip spoiler for added downforce, and a new bumper containing an additional cooling duct for the engine bay and a larger diffuser element.