Skip to main content

Purebred perfection: 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta revealed

Apparently, ‘aperta’ means ‘open’ in Italian. Does anybody know how to say, ‘Oh my god it’s so pretty can I have one please??’

The purebred beauty you see above is the 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta, a limited-edition droptop celebrating Ferrari’s “most successful award-winning 8-cylinder model.”

Ferrari unveiled the convertible (also called the Speciale A) this week in anticipation of the upcoming Paris Motor Show. The car isn’t just gorgeous, though; it’s one of the most impressive open-top models Ferrari has ever crafted.

The Speciale churns out 605 prancing ponies from its 4.5-liter V8, 43 horsepower over the standard car and seven more than the Speciale Spider. It’s not quite as powerful as, say, the 662-hp 599 SA Aperta, but the Speciale A is nearly 800 pounds lighter.

Because of its featherweight status, the 458 dances from 0 to 60 mph in 3 seconds flat and laps Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in 1:23.5. For those keeping score at home, those are the exact same specs as the closed roof 458 Speciale.

Related: Novitech Rosso makes the Ferrari 458 Speciale even more special

Obviously, most of the acceleration credit goes to the increased power and decreased weight (the interior is bare bones and the chassis uses 10 lightweight aluminum alloys), but the slipperiness of the Italian deserves mention as well.

In fact, Ferrari is calling the Aperta “the most aerodynamically efficient Ferrari spider ever.”

It just so happens that the Special A is also one of the sexist Ferraris in recent memory. The pronounced venting on the hood and engine cover give the car much more aesthetic character, and the nostril-like bumper apertures are reminiscent of the spectacular F430 Scuderia. The blue carbon fiber accents on the interior are quite striking as well.

Just 499 examples of the limited-edition Ferrari will be produced. The Speciale A will be in France to kick off the Paris Motor Show, which commences October 4th.

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more
Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more