Harry Metcalfe, main man and founder of renowned British automobile magazine EVO, just had the chance to go with a friend to Ferrari’s factory in Maranello and pick up a brand new Ferrari SA Aperta, the car that his mate had ordered 12 months earlier. Only 80 units of this exclusive model will be produced, and it features the sort of top-notch finishing, materials and accessories that you would expect in a car of this leverage, as well as the usual Ferrari’s elegance, appeal and, obviously, performance. Ferrari SA Aperta is equipped with the same V12 unit powering the 599 GTO (producing 670 hp and 620 Nm of torque), and goes from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.6 seconds, with 325 km/h of top speed.

In this footage, Mr.Metcalfe takes the SA Aperta out for spin on the lovely hills of Tuscany and explains why the soft top version is more comfortable then its coupe counterpart, how the traction control got better and so on, providing an excellent all-round review of the model. Almost needless to say, the sound of the V12 makes for a perfect background soundtrack.

via | EvoTV

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Renowned German tuner Novitec put its hands on one of the 80 Ferrari SA Aperta ever produced and turned it into its own Novitec Rosso Ferrari SA Aperta. The V12 of the standard version (also equipping the 599 GTO) delivers 670 hp, but the extensive work done on the unit by Novitec boosted that figure up to 888 hp (with 862 Nm of peak torque), thanks to a pair of high-performance superchargers, a new intercooler, larger fuel injectors, revised electronics and sports air-filters. This tuning also uses a new stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system, with 90mm tail pipes and butterfly valves that can be controlled by the driver. According to Novitec, their SA Aperta can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds, from 0 to 200 km/h in 9.1 seconds and from 0 to 300 km/h in 21,9 seconds, reaching top speed at 340 km/h.

In order to handle this kind of performance, aerodynamics have been modified as well with the addition of a lip-spoiler, side skirts and a 599 GTO-derived rear diffuser. 21″ alloys on the front and 22″ on the rear, a ride height lowered by 25 mm and a front-end lifting device complete the profile of this outstanding tuning.

View the full Novitec Rosso Ferrari SA Aperta photo gallery

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Ferrari has paid homage in grand style to Pininfarina at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, revealing the Ferrari SA Aperta open-top based on the 599 GTO model. Only 80 of these models will be made and that they’ve already been sold could be testament to just what a beautiful car this is. But we think the live gallery of the SA Aperta works even better to prove that.

The exclusive model has the same 6.0-litre V12 engine as the 599 GTO with 670 hp and 620 Nm. We’ve seen all the lovely combinations of the SA Aperta with its online configurator and we’re particularly fascinated by the roof. Unfortunately we didn’t actually get to see it up at the Paris show, but the aluminium inserts that run along the length of the car really complete the beautiful lines.

Oh, by the way, there is also the Ferrari California HELE at the Ferrari stand with 29 g/km less of CO2 emissions. The High Emotion Low Emissions car is part of Ferrari’s plan to get its environmental qualifications improved and the California HELE has start&stop technology which helps to reduce fuel consumption by 23 percent. Now back to the SA Aperta….

Continue reading: Ferrari SA Aperta live at the 2010 Paris Motor Show

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The Ferrari SA Aperta configurator is online so that we imagine we can play with the car we’ll never have, given that all 80 units of the SA Aperta that will be made have already been sold. But anyway, if you want to see just what kind of combinations you can get with your 599 GTO engine of 670 hp, check out the dedicated section of the Ferrari website.

There’s Nero Stellato black exterior with beige leather interior, Blu Elettrico with black interior, and of course a Rosso Fuoco (fire red) exterior and black interior. There’s also a video online where we can see the SA Aperta soft-top roof working and it looks very smooth with two aluminium features that continue the curved profile of the windshield and the rear carbon-fibre roll bar. This is one for day dreaming on a Wednesday.

Continue reading: Ferrari SA Aperta configurator online: what you can't have

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The Ferrari SA Aperta is the open-top version of the Ferrari 599 and will be officially presented at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Not only is it a sexy little machine, it should also be a very sophisticated drophead example of the 599 with Ferrari claiming it has done plenty of chassis work to keep things stiff. The ‘SA’ acronym is for Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina, to whom this car is dedicated.

The SA Aperta will be equipped with the same 599 GTO V12 engine with 670 hp. The dedication to Pininfarina may have been a difficult one to pull off but Ferrari has done a good job with the rear roll bars incorporated into the profile of the seats, creating a smooth and sporty look. Only 80 of these will be produced and they’ve already been sold so we’ll be having a first and likely last look at this Ferrari at the Paris show - live pics to come later this week.

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