LaFerrari Aperta - Paris 2016

Of course all 200 are sold already, but what a car they're getting

Credit where it's due to Ferrari, it knows how to conduct a press conference. All was silent at the Mondial de l'Automobile as the covers came off the GTC4 Lusso T plus a few cars in gorgeous retro liveries, all leading up to the main event: the LaFerrari Aperta.

Well if Lamborghini isn't going to show up...

It's a car that's been seen before now, that knowledge largely reflected in Ferrari's brief presentation. Key points were highlighted - the torsional rigidity matches the coupe, as does the drag - and then the car was shown on film at Fiorano, V12 howling and Sebastian Vettel at some very, very sideways angles. A simple but effective tool for reducing a crowd of cynical journalists to quivering Ferrari fanboys.

Anyway, to the rest of the car. The Aperta is mechanically identical to the LaFerrari, meaning the same 963hp hybrid powertrain (800hp from the V12, 163hp from the electric) and seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. With only "a small increase in weight" over the coupe - no exact figure is disclosed - Ferrari claims 0-62mph in less than three seconds, 0-124 in 7.1 seconds and a top speed in excess of 220mph. Whether that requires the soft-top or optional carbon hard top to be in place isn't known yet...

The significant changes are in the aero and chassis, Ferrari adamant that the Aperta will be "at the top of [the] supercar category in terms of dynamic performance." Predictably the chassis has been strengthened, but note also the carbon insert (with vent) by the front wheelarch; this means the doors can rotate, with the doors rising to a slightly different angle for safety reasons too.

Can we see Tour de France Blue?

The aero changes to get that drag figure are more significant. The angle of the radiators has been changed (with a new duct to channel that air), the front dam is longer and there are two L-shaped flaps in the on the windscreen corners to "generate a coherent vortex" that reduce compression at the rear of the cabin. And there's a wind stop to keep it refined when you're cruising around.

How far LaFerrari Aperta customers will care about the aero and chassis work is a matter for debate, but the demand is in no doubt: all 200 have been sold before the debut. With appetite for these hybrid hypercars showing no signs of slowing down, does that mean we can expect more from Porsche and McLaren? Here's hoping!

Here is the official video