Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina would be proud. The Ferrari SA APERTA has made its global entrance, so stare at it while you can because you might never see one in person. Just 80 sans-roof examples of the front-engined V12 hot-rod will be built. That number serves to honor the 80th anniversary of Pininfarina, just as the letters S and A honor Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina.

It’s not entirely topless, though. It does come with a lightweight soft-top which can be installed if the rain begins to fall. We imagine the procedure for putting that top on is surprisingly difficult and it would be smarter to just drive faster and evade the weather. It would be a shame to muffle the open-air song from that 6.0-liter 12-cylinder engine, even just a little bit.

The Ferrari SA APERTA (aperta is Italian for “open”) is a wonderful way to pay tribute to two men and a company that have played an important role for Enzo’s company. 

Ferrari Press Release:

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.

SA  APERTA  Technical  Specifications:

Electronics

CST with F1-Trac system

Control for stability and traction

TPTMS

Tyres Pressure and Temperature Monitoring System

Engine

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

Performance

Top speed

325 km/h (202 mph)

0-100 km/h (0-62 mph)

3.6 sec

Gearbox

F1

6-speed + reverse

Suspensions

SCM

Magnetorheological damping control

Fuel consumption

Combined ECE*

17.5 l/100 km

CO2 Emissions

Combined ECE*

411 g/km

Note

*

European market version

Note 2

**

Engine power is quoted in kW, in accordance with the International System of Units (SI) and in CV for reasons of homogeneity.

What do you think about the Ferrari SA APERTA?

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Source: ferrari.com, autoblog.com and zercustoms.com

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE China Limited Edition

As a sign of how important Ferrari takes the emerging marketplace in China, the exotic Italian automaker has announced a limited edition Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE China Edition model. Just twelve China Edition cars will be made in a special Rosso Fuoco red exterior paint, with the roof and pillars painted in gray.

Ferrari teamed up with Chinese artist Lu Hao, who provided a number of aesthetic additions to the interior. “Xiao Zhuan,” an ancient Chinese font, replaces most of the lettering, including the numbers on the tachometer. The starter button illuminates in jade green which is jade from a renowned Italian jeweler and inscribed with Chinese characters. The car’s accompanying luggage shows a map of the Silk Road as envisioned by the famous Italian explorer Marco Polo. A red and white two tone paint job finishes the package.

If that’s not quite unique enough, one HGTE will also receive an exterior finish of cracked glaze pattern of the coveted Song Dynasty-era Ge Kiln porcelain, and signed by the artist. This unique supercar will be auctioned off for charity in Beijing on November 3.

The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE China Edition price has not been announced yet.

What do you think about the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE China Edition cars?

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Source: autoguide.com, wot.motortrend.com, autoblog.com, zercustoms.com

2009 Ferrari 599 GTB HGTE

Earlier this year at the Geneva International Motor Show, Ferrari unveiled the HGTE version of the 599 GTB, a more track oriented variant of the Italian exotic car makers flagship. The Prancing Horse announced that the Ferrari 599 GTB HGTE is now available as a Ferrari Genuine Accessories package and that it can be fitted at authorized dealers.

Two different versions of the HGTE package are available, depending on the year of the vehicle. For 599 GTBs built before 2008, the HGTE package includes the handling, exhaust, and aesthetic kits. For post-2008 vehicles, the dealer HGTE package includes all three of the pre-2008 parts plus a performance kit.

Ordering the dealer installed HGTE package nets you the same setup as on the factory 599 HGTE. As part of it, the suspension is lowered 10mm with recalibrated Sport and Race suspension configurations. The springs are also replaced with stiffer units as well as the rear anti-roll bar.

As part of the aesthetic and handling part of the package, the stock wheels are replaced with lighter, 3-piece forged units with grippier tires to aid traction. The rest of the aesthetic kits includes a new design chromatic grill and burnished finish Prancing Horse emblems.

Rounding out the HGTE package is an enhanced exhaust system and performance  package. Unfortunately for those that ordered their 599 with a third pedal, the performance package cannot be added to manual transmission models or pre-2008 models. But, included in the performance kit is enhanced F1 gearshift actuation, which improves shift times to 85 milliseconds and a remapped throttle response. The enhanced exhaust includes new silencers and two-tone finish tailpipes.

The dealer installed HGTE package is available from any U.S. Ferrari dealership and costs 17,213 GBP ($28,300) for pre-2008 vehicles and 19,703 GBP ($32,400) for post-2008 vehicles.

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Source: printthis.clickability.com, zercustoms.com, and autoguide.com

Michael Schumacher in the Ferrari 599 GTB HGTE

Michael Schumacher was on hand recently at the Fiorano race track to run a few laps with the new Ferrari 599 GTB HGTE.

Schumacher, the seven-times World Formula One Champion, was a guest at a Pilota Ferrari driving course held by the Italian automaker. He took about 20 laps around the track to test out the new technologies of the HGTE model.

HGTE stands for Handling GT Evoluzione (or Evolution), a new performance package first introduced at the Geneva International Motor Show last March. HGTE features a lower, more stiffened suspension, magnetorheological damper settings which will promise better body control and a new sport exhaust sound for the 599 GTB. The package also comes with a few cosmetic enhancements such as an interior carbon-fiber cabin finish with a meaner-looking grill and a set of new specialized 20-inch wheels on the outside.

Ferrari offers a variety of driving courses, restricted to Ferrari owners, including one that prepares drivers to race in the Ferrari Challenge event. There are four levels of courses that are available-Basic, Advanced, Evolution and Challenge, along with a special On Ice course, and they are available in the U.S., China, Japan and of course, Italy.

What do you think about the Ferrari 599 GTB HGTE?

Please leave a comment and answer the eight question survey to the right of the article where it says, “We Want Your Opinions!: Click Here to take our survey.”

Check me out at Twitter: http://twitter.com/FerrariDreams .

Source: worldcarfans.com, easycarblog.com and motorauthority.com