Ferrari

599 SA Aperta

Ferrari 599 SA Aperta: The Hidden GTO

In the realm of modern Ferrari collecting, the most highly sought-after vehicles are often those that combine the elegant, understated styling of a Grand Tourer with the violent, track-focused powertrain of a special edition.

Unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the Ferrari 599 SA Aperta is the perfect embodiment of this philosophy. To the untrained eye, it looks like a standard 599 GTB Fiorano with the roof removed. In reality, it is essentially a convertible version of the terrifying, track-focused 599 GTO, hiding a 670-horsepower race-derived V12 beneath its sweeping hood.

The car was built specifically to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the legendary design house Pininfarina. The “SA” in the name stands for Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina, the father and son whose close relationship with Maranello defined the aesthetics of Ferrari for over half a century. “Aperta” simply means “open” in Italian.

The Heart: The GTO’s 670 HP V12

The defining secret of the SA Aperta lies in its engine bay. Instead of using the 620-horsepower V12 from the standard 599 GTB, Ferrari transplanted the absolute ultimate iteration of that engine—the unit developed specifically for the 599 GTO (and derived directly from the 599XX track car).

This 6.0-liter (5,999 cc) naturally aspirated Tipo F140 C V12 produces a monumental 670 cv (661 hp) at 8,250 rpm and 620 Nm (457 lb-ft) of torque.

Because the SA Aperta lacks a fixed roof, the auditory experience of this engine is fundamentally transformed. Without a roof to reflect the sound away, the driver is completely enveloped in the mechanical violence of the F140 V12. The exhaust system, also borrowed from the GTO, features bypass valves that open aggressively, delivering a high-pitched, metallic shriek that is widely considered one of the greatest automotive sounds ever produced.

The Chassis: Stiffening the Roadster

Chopping the roof off a massive, front-engine V12 supercar normally results in a significant loss of structural rigidity, leading to “scuttle shake” and compromised handling.

Ferrari engineers went to extraordinary lengths to ensure the SA Aperta handled exactly like a closed-roof berlinetta. They reinforced the aluminum chassis extensively, thickening the sills and adding bracing around the bulkhead. Remarkably, despite these heavy reinforcements, the SA Aperta weighs only slightly more than the standard 599 GTB.

The suspension was slightly softened compared to the brutally stiff 599 GTO to better suit the car’s Grand Touring nature, but the SA Aperta still features the advanced SCM2 magnetorheological damping system and a highly responsive steering rack. The car utilizes the 6-speed “F1 Superfast” automated manual transmission, executing shifts in a violent, concussive 60 milliseconds.

Design: Subtle Aggression and an Emergency Roof

The design of the SA Aperta is a masterclass in subtle modification.

  • The Windshield: The windshield is raked back at a steeper angle than the standard 599 GTB, giving the car a lower, more aerodynamic profile.
  • The Buttresses: Behind the two seats sit two beautiful, aerodynamic flying buttresses that integrate roll-over protection and smoothly channel air toward the rear spoiler.
  • The Nose: The front bumper incorporates larger air intakes to cool the massive GTO engine, and the front grille is finished in a unique silver matrix pattern.

The “roof” of the SA Aperta is an interesting compromise. Ferrari explicitly stated that the car was designed to be driven open. There is no folding metal hardtop or complex electronic soft-top mechanism. Instead, the car comes with a simple, manually installed canvas soft-top that Ferrari calls an “emergency roof.” It is intended only to be used if the driver is caught in a sudden rainstorm and is only certified for use at speeds up to 130 km/h (80 mph). A carbon-fiber hardtop panel was available as an incredibly expensive option.

Exclusivity Guaranteed

Because the SA Aperta was a celebration of Pininfarina’s 80th anniversary, Ferrari explicitly limited production to exactly 80 units globally.

Prior to its public unveiling in Paris, Ferrari invited 80 of their most loyal VIP clients to a private viewing. Predictably, all 80 cars were completely sold out before the general public ever saw a photograph of the vehicle.

The Ferrari 599 SA Aperta remains one of the ultimate “if you know, you know” modern Ferraris. It lacks the massive wings and aerodynamic aggression of the GTO, allowing it to blend into traffic relatively unnoticed. Yet, a simple flex of the right foot unleashes the fury of a Le Mans-derived V12. It is a masterpiece of dual-personality engineering and a perfect tribute to the Pininfarina legacy.