Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta Wows 2016 Paris Motor Show

In case you’re wondering, ‘Aperta’ is Italian for ‘open’. After revealing the convertible variant of the LaFerrari in July 2016, Ferrari has officially debuted it at the ongoing Paris Motor Show. Christened the LaFerrari Aperta, it is far more exclusive than its coupe sibling. Only 209 units will ever be made, out of which all the 200 ‘for sale’ units have already been sold. The nine units left will be used to celebrate Ferrari’s seventieth anniversary next year.

Powering the US $2 million (approximately Rs 13.32 crore) Aperta – which is nearly twice as expensive as the coupe – is the same hybrid set-up that is found under the coupe’s body. This means, with both the electric and petrol powerplants active, the Aperta can crack 100kmph from naught in under three seconds and claim a top speed in excess of 350kmph.

Ferrari’s top-of-the-line models have always had V-12s as the power source and the Aperta is no exception. It has a naturally aspirated 6.3-litre twelve-cylinder petrol engine pumping out 800PS of power and 700Nm of torque. Pairing the V-12 is a KERS (kinetic energy recovery system)-based electric motor, which pumps out an additional 163PS of power. The combined power adds up to 963PS and 900Nm of torque. The powertrain is mated to a seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox and drives the rear wheels only.

The Aperta receives a revised carbon fibre structure to ensure that it has the same torsional rigidity and stiffness as its coupe sibling. To achieve the same drag coefficient – without the roof installed – as the coupe, the Aperta has received some subtle aerodynamic changes.

The car in Paris featured a deep black paint with red strips on the bonnet and the bumpers. The same colour combination is carried inside with an all-black interior trim with red-coloured accents on the seats. Since every Aperta that rolls out of the Ferrari factory will be tailor-made to suit its customer’s requirements, no two of these cars will ever be the same.