2011 Ferrari 599 SA APERTA

The SA APERTA - the most exclusive Ferrari ever takes centre stage at Paris. A new V12 to celebrate Pininfarina's 80th anniversary.

Maranello, 24th September 2010 – Ferrari is delighted to announce the presentation of the SA APERTA at the Paris International Motor Show 2010. This is a special series model of which a strictly limited number of just 80 will be built. All have already been sold. Ferrari chose to build 80 SA APERTAs in celebration of Pininfarina's 80th anniversary. The SA nomenclature also pays homage to both Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina whose company and work have been linked to the most successful road-going cars ever built at Maranello.

The SA APERTA is a true roadster which allows its occupants to enjoy the superlative emotions afforded by our signature front-engined V12 architecture in a completely open-top setting. In fact, it has just a light soft top designed to be resorted to only if the weather gets particularly bad. A low-slung windscreen and the fact that it crouches lower to the ground than our other models lend the SA APERTA an exceptionally aerodynamic sleekness. Its profile arches back from the A-post to two aerodynamic fins beautifully integrating the two roll-bars which themselves cleverly mimic the outline of the seats.

The chassis has been redesigned to deliver a standard of stiffness comparable to that of a closed berlinetta and there is a negligible weight difference also, thanks to work done on the chassis structure.

Thanks to the 670 CV engine beneath its bonnet, the SA APERTA beautifully embodies the sporty spirit of the 599, incorporating Ferrari's most advanced technology to deliver absolutely benchmark performance and superb driving pleasure. Its interior too is stylishly sporty with particularly sophisticated materials, trim and colours used throughout. The virtually endless combinations available guarantee that each and every SA APERTA is absolutely unique.

by Ferrari

Coupe
Chassis number: ZFF72RHA8B0182822

Ferrari's SA Aperta was introduced in 2010 at the Paris International Motor Show and continued to the company's tradition of limited-edition drop-top V-12 grand tourers, joining the ranks of such legendary vehicles like the 550 Barchetta and the 575 Superamerica. The SA Aperta was built to commemorate coachbuilder Pininfarina's 80th anniversary, the 'SA Aperta' nomenclature pays homage to Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina, who helped create so many iconic Ferraris over many decades.

The SA Aperta was based on the 599 GTB and despite the additional reinforcements to the chassis to maintain rigidity and stiffness, gained only 37-pounds over its closed-roof coupe sibling. The windshield gained a steeper rake and the suspension was modified to provide a lower ride height. Two carbon-fiber fins, finished in contrasting silver, were placed behind the integrated roll bars recall the flying buttresses on the 599 GTB. The bumpers were given a minor redesign with larger intakes and outlets, and the side sills were also different and fashioned of carbon fiber, while the trunk lid is in aluminum. Mounted at all four corners were five-spoke, 20-inch wheels unique to the SA Aperta.

The interior was done in a two-toned motif with leather-lined roll hoops and an occasional and removable soft top designed for use up to 80 mph. The 6.0-liter V12 engine is sourced from the 599 GTO and delivers 661 horsepower - 50 more horsepower than the engine installed in the 599 GTB. It is backed by Ferrari's F1-Superfast six-speed automated manual transmission.

This particular example is finished in red, which Ferrari calls Rosso Dino, with a dark brown, or Marrone Scuro, soft top. The two-tone Iroko leather interior features, dash inserts painted in the exterior color, carbon-fiber trim, a yellow tachometer to match the yellow brake calipers, and Testa Di Moro carpets.

The odometer currently displays less than 350 miles.

by Dan Vaughan