A Spyder (or Spider) is a term used by automotive brands, particularly Ferrari and Porsche, to describe a specific type of high-performance, lightweight, two-seater convertible. It originally referred to small, nimble horseless carriages in the early 1900s, but today it almost exclusively signifies a premium, open-top sports car that prioritizes a direct, exhilarating driving experience over pure comfort.
The core distinction lies in the roof mechanism. Unlike a standard soft-top convertible, many modern Spyders feature a retractable hardtop that stows automatically, offering the security of a coupe when up and the thrill of open-air motoring when down. Furthermore, the Spyder designation often implies a more focused driving machine than its convertible counterpart. For example, the Porsche 718 Boxster is the standard model, while the 718 Spyder is a lighter, more powerful, and track-influenced version with a manually operated soft top to save weight.
| Brand | Model Example | Key Spyder Characteristics | Horsepower (approx.) |
|---|
| Ferrari | 488 Spyder | Retractable hardtop, mid-engine V8 | 660 hp |
| Porsche | 911 Spyder | Lightweight manual soft top, high-revving engine | 502 hp |
| McLaren | 765LT Spider | Retractable hardtop, extensive carbon fiber use | 755 hp |
| Lamborghini | Huracán Spyder | Retractable soft top, all-wheel drive | 602 hp |
| Audi | R8 Spyder | Naturally aspirated V10 engine, quattro AWD | 562 hp |
Essentially, if you see "Spyder" on a car, you're looking at a special, often more extreme version of a convertible that’s engineered for passionate drivers who value a pure, unfiltered connection to the road and the engine's sound.
