In 2017, Ferrari turns 70. To celebrate this achievement, the luxury automaker took the wraps off the LaFerrari Aperta soft-top hypercar and also detailed plans to build 350 limited edition takes on its current supercar lineup at this year’s Paris Motor Show.
While competitors like Lamborghini and Bentley chose to skip over this year’s Paris motor show, Ferrari has decided to throw a party, for itself.
And the biggest guest at the bash in turns of sheer force of character is the new LeFerrari Aperta. Like its hardtop sibling, this new hypercar offers hybrid hyper performance, thanks to an electric motor and V12 engine working in perfect harmony — 0-100km/h in under 3 seconds plus a top speed of 350+km/h — but dials the drama up to 11 by taking the roof off, something that was a very, very complicated process.
Removing the roof means robbing the car of structural rigidity and aerodynamic prowess. However, Ferrari’s engineers and designers have done everything within their powers to ensure that there is no noticeable difference between the hard top and soft top versions.
And this is important because most buyers are expected to already have the ‘standard’ LaFerrari in their garages.
The car will come with a fabric soft top as standard or a carbon fiber removable hardtop can be specified as an option.
As well as a new hypercar, Ferrari also detailed plans to build 350 limited edition cars, 70 examples of each vehicle in its series production range — one for each year of the company’s existence — to mark its anniversary.
However, each of these special models will stand out visually but not in terms of performance. Ferrari’s Tailor Made Atelier (which usually handles ground-up bespoke commissions) has created 70 individual liveries inspired by the most iconic Ferraris in history, some of which, but by no means all, were on show.
The California T “Steve McQueen,” for example, is inspired by the 250GT Berlinetta lusso the actor and racing driver once owned. Like the original car, it’s finished in a deep brown and has a camel leather interior.
The company has also looked to racing success for ideas, including the 1961 Tourist Trophy winning 250GT Berinetta SWB. Applied to an F12Berlinetta on the stand, it boasts Blu Scuro racing livery, a number roundel and a white horizontal stripe across the hood.
