Ferrari SA Aperta Celebrates Six Decades of Classic Open Ferrari V12’s
Automobile connoisseurs of all stripes have strong opinions of what they believe to be the greatest, most significant, most beautiful or most memorable automobiles of all time. Sure to take places on most of those lists, however, are the limited-production, open Ferrari V12 classics, among them the 250 GT California, 330 GTS and 365 GTS/4 “Daytona” Spider. In the past decade, the 550 Barchetta and 575 Superamerica continued that tradition, and last fall, the newest modern classic open Ferrari V12, the 2011 SA Aperta, joined their ranks.
It’s no secret that Ferrari clients and collectors had been hoping for a new open V12, and it’s probably not a surprise that the one Ferrari produced would join the 599 GTO in the brand’s limited series. Like the GTO, the SA Aperta also is built around the 599 GTB Fiorano architecture. And, as the 599 GTO became the fastest-ever front-engine Ferrari V12 berlinetta, the SA Aperta immediately took its place as the fastest-ever open Ferrari V12 model. Powered by the most recent version of the 6.0-liter V12 offering 661 horsepower, that was to be expected. In the SA Aperta, the V12 is teamed to the F1 six-speed transmission.
The Ferrari SA Aperta (“Aperta” is Italian for “opened”) celebrates not only the tradition of the open Ferrari V12, but also the nearly six-decade collaboration between Ferrari and Pininfarina. This renowned design house has been responsible for most Ferraris since the mid 1950s — and certainly the most memorable open variants. The car’s “SA” wordmark honors Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina.
The designers’ goal for the SA Aperta was to craft a true open roadster, providing a light soft top for weather protection when needed. Mainly, the SA Aperta was designed for enjoying high-powered driving along the world’s great roads on those perfect top-down days. Just a glance at this special car can inspire visions of taking the long sweeping curves and tight corners along the West Coast’s U.S. 1 or France’s Cote d’ Azure.
From any angle, the SA Aperta looks hungry to devour a road, yet its lines speak more of powerful elegance than brutal performance. Accordingly, the SA Aperta is the most refined open Ferrari V12 ever, combining the comfort and available luxury of the 599 series cars with the added excitement of an open roadster. A low-slung windshield accentuates the SA Aperta’s low-to-the-ground stance, while in profile, retaining the flying buttress design from the 599 GTB provides a continuity of line from the A-pillar rearward. The buttresses rise up to meet fairings behind the two roll bars; these mimic the contour of the seats to provide the sleek appearance of the classic Ferrari sports racer.
Significantly, in building an open car on the 599 platform, Ferrari has preserved exceptional strength and stiffness of the berlinetta while adding minimal weight. Notably, Ferrari’s heritage points to numerous open V12 models that likewise preserved the performance characteristics of a closed coupe; Ferrari clientele would accept nothing less.
Like any new Ferrari, the SA Aperta offers clients nearly endless choices in personalization, with both the standard palettes in the Carrozzeria Scaglietti program or custom opportunities through Ferrari Atelier, the latter now available through the Ferrari Showroom in New York City. The virtually endless combinations of materials, trim and colors ensure individuality for each SA Aperta and ensure that each will be a one-of-a-kind classic.
Specifications and Features
Dimensions and weight
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- Overall Length 4700 mm (185.0 in)
- Overall width 1962 mm (77.2 in)
- Height 1300 mm (51.2 in)
- Wheelbase 2750 mm (108.3 in)
- Front track 1680 mm (66.1 in)
- Rear track 1640 mm (64.6 in)
- Dry weight* 1595 kg (3516.4 lb)
- Kerb weight* 1705 kg (3758.9 lb)
- Weight distribution 47% fr – 53% r
- Fuel tank capacity 105 l (27.7 US gal – 23.1 UK gal)
- Boot capacity 350 l (12.4 cu ft)
Tyres
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- Front 245/35 ZR20”
- Rear 305/35 ZR20”
CCM brakes
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- Front 398 x 36 mm (15.7 x 1.4 in)
- Rear 360 x 32 mm (14.2 x 1.3 in)
Electronics
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- CST with F1-Trac system Control for stability and traction
- TPTMS Tyres Pressure and Temperature Monitoring System
Engine
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- Type 65° V12
- Bore and stroke 92.0 x 75.2 mm (3.62 x 2.96 in)
- Unit displacement 499.9 cm3 (30.51 cu in)
- Total displacement 5999 cm3 (366.08 cu in)
- Compression ratio 11,9:1
- Maximum power** 493 kW (670 CV) at 8250 rpm
- Maximum torque** 620 Nm (63 kgm – 457 lbft) at 6500 rpm
- Fuel consumption – Combined ECE* 17.5 l/100 km
- CO2 Emissions – Combined ECE* 411 g/km
Performance
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- Top speed 325 km/h (202 mph)
- 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) 3.6 sec
Chassis
- Gearbox – F1 6-speed + reverse
- Suspensions – SCM Magnetorheological damping control
* European market version
** Engine power is quoted in kW, in accordance with the International System of Units (SI) and in CV for reasons of homogeneity.
At Paris the exclusive SA APERTA and the Ferrari California featuring the HELE system, leading its class with a 23% reduction in city driving emissions
Paris, 30th September – At the Paris Motor Show Ferrari is presenting the SA APERTA, a strictly limited edition of just 80 cars, and the Ferrari California sporting the first application of the HELE (High Emotion Low Emissions) system which is designed to enhance driving pleasure whilst reducing environmental impact.
The SA APERTA celebrates Pininfarina’s 80th year of activity and pays homage Sergio and Andrea. The SA APERTA is a new concept: a completely open-top interpretation of the architectural philosophy of the 599. It is an authentic roadster and comes with just an emergency soft top designed for use only if the weather gets particularly bad.
The SA APERTA features a lowered windscreen which, combined with the fact that the ride height has also been reduced, makes the car lower and sleeker. In profile the A-post creates an arc that ends with two aerodynamic buttresses integrating the two roll hoops which follow the outline of the seats. Each individual detail of the SA APERTA, designed by Ferrari Centro Stile in collaboration with Pininfarina, has been chosen to highlight the craftsmanship involved in its creation, with the finest materials – such as leather, carbon-fibre and Alcantara – used throughout from the dashboard to the roomy boot.
The SA APERTA is powered by a V12 producing 670 CV at 8250 rpm and maximum torque of 620 Nm at 6500 rpm, while gear changes are effected in just 60 milliseconds. These figures translate into absolutely outstanding performance. Backing up the performance is a chassis that has been redesigned to guarantee the same structural rigidity of the berlinetta without adding weight.
Also on the stand is the Ferrari California equipped with the HELE system. In an urban driving cycle that realistically reproduces a clients’ use of the car, these solutions reduce emissions by 23 per cent compared to the 299 g/km announced at launch. Over the homologated combined cycle (ECE+EUDC) CO2 emissions are cut to a best-in-class 270 g/km. This is thanks to a finely tuned balance between energy demanded (vehicle efficiency) and the increase in energy generated (engine efficiency), a result achieved through the introduction of innovative solutions and the optimisation of numerous technological features.
HELE also incorporates the Stop&Start system designed specifically for sporty driving – intelligent engine fan and fuel pump control, electronically-controlled variable displacement air-conditioning technology and gear shifts that adapt to driving style. These solutions combine to reduce emissions and boost driving pleasure. The Stop&Start system restarts the car in just 230 milliseconds, guaranteeing maximum rapidity in getting underway again.
The Ferrari California thus seamlessly melds sportiness and versatility. The latter attribute, in fact, extends not only to its use, but also to the now even richer array of trim and personalisation options possible. As well as the 16 standard exterior colours in the range, clients can also opt for two-tone finishes or three-layer paint technology. Other options include an even wider choice of leather finishes, including water-repellent leather. Along with the SA APERTA and the Ferrari California on the stand at Paris will be the 458 Italia and the 599 GTB Fiorano with the HGTE pack, as well as the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro Formula 1 car that Alonso drove to victory in the last two Grands Prix.