Thursday 30th September 2010

Paris: Ferrari SA APERTA

Just as desirable in the metal, but PH fails to order a 599 rag-top...

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Ferrari’s entry to the Paris show is this, the open-top 599-derived SA APERTA. Only 80 will ever be made and they’ve all been sold for £340k. So even if you beg Ferrari to make you one they’ll probably laugh and walk away. (Goy. Try smartening yourself up a bit next time… Ed.)

Unlike Ferrari’s previous big GT drop tops, the SA APERTA doesn’t have a flip-top-bin lid style roof. There’s only a light soft top made of a couple of alloy poles and a bit of canvas to be used in case of dire emergency - or down-pour. Apparently once fitted it will stay attached at speeds of up to 120mph, after which you'll be relying on the sticky tape to hold on to your hairpiece. (In case you were wondering, rain goes over the top at speed anyway.)

To keep things sportier, the SA APERTA has been given a reduced ride height and a lower windscreen, and to make sure the car is as safe as it should be Ferrari has integrated roll bars into the two rear mounted aerodynamic fins. They’ve also stiffened the chassis but the changes are said to have made little impact on the car’s weight.

Ensuring it goes like a Ferrari should, it’s equipped with the 670bhp V12 from the GTO, an option we're told probably won't be made available to regular 599 customers as that machine is getting on a bit.

[Daggerpie]

Absolutely beautiful, Chris Evans is a very lucky man!!

[BigI]

Those seats look horrible.

[R.P.M]

I'm not sure that it looks special enough to justify the price IMHO.

[Jonny671]

BigI said:

Those seats look horrible.

No, they look very good.

Especially that bit for the back of your Quads.. Very nice!

[Galsia]

There is something not quite right about it but I cannot put my finger on it. Doesn't really look special. Maybe the 599GTO has spoiled me.

[soad]

Looks very similar to the California from the side.
Quite nice though

[LuS1fer]

They must have used the last bottle of inspiration on the 458.

[Davey S2]

R.P.M said:

I'm not sure that it looks special enough to justify the price IMHO.

Its a Ferrari and there are only going to be 80 of them. Its special enough.

[SleeperCell]

R.P.M said:

I'm not sure that it looks special enough to justify the price IMHO.

Take a look under the bonnet then.

670 horses and barely a pretence of effort at a roof to get in the way of enjoying that sound and the best part is that it isn't festooned with stupid wings, two tone horrible clashing colours and extra bling wheels that seem to be the norm with most other 'special' versions of supercars these days. There mere fact that it turns off people who like more blingy showy cars is reason enough to love this car.

The initial price maybe high but with a mere 80 being built, it being the only drop top V12 powered Fezza in a while and probably for a while and with a GTO engine to boot this should hold it's value rather nicely I would think.

[jake15919]

The last time I remember silver over cherry being used was on a series one Hyundai SCoupe. Otherwise a very nice car.

[geoffracing]

At that price, Ferrari dares to be as skimpy as Porsche!
Not any real roof; seems even worse than on a Cobra replica!

No wonder you see so many Fords and Peugeots!

[Ward76]

Aw now that's just STUNNING