The halo vehicle for Ferrari's 70th anniversary next year will be a convertible version of the LaFerrari hypercar. Called the LaFerrari Aperta, and powered by the same 950-hp hybrid powertrain, it will be the fastest open-top road car ever produced by Maranello, capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds, and reaching a top speed of more than 220 mph.

The Aperta's naturally aspirated 6.3-liter V-12 engine delivers 789 hp, and is augmented by a 161-hp electric motor that uses F1 energy recovery and deployment strategies. The powertrain drives the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Ferrari claims it is not worried by more powerful hybrid hypercars coming from F1 rivals Mercedes-AMG and Aston Martin Red Bull. "To see the competition doing what we have already done is a good thing," says Enrico Galliera, chief marketing and commercial officer for Ferrari.

© Motor Trend Staff Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta front three quarters

The Aperta is not a simple cut-and-shut job. The car's entire carbon-fiber structure has been revised to ensure it has the same torsional rigidity and stiffness as the LaFerrari coupe. Aerodynamic changes ensure that with the roof removed and the side windows up, the Aperta also has the same drag co-efficient.

The Aperta has the same butterfly doors as the LaFerrari coupe, but they open to a slightly different angle. As a result, the body side is slightly different, with a carbon fiber vent inserted into the front fender. The angle at which the radiators are set has been changed to direct hot air out along the underbody of the Aperta, instead of over the hood as in the coupe, to avoid roasting the occupants. That meant a new front duct on the hood, and new vortex generators underneath.

Two small L-shaped flaps on the upper corners of the windshield divert air upwards to avoid pressure buildup in the rear section of the cabin with the roof off. An angled wind-blocker behind the seats carefully channels the high-speed airflow from the top of the windshield through the cabin to both reduce drag and ensure occupant comfort.

Ferrari will build just 209 LaFerrari Apertas, and 200 of them have already been sold. The remaining nine will be kept for promotional use during Ferrari's 70th anniversary celebrations next year.