The Ferrari F80 has only recently begun reaching customers, yet Maranello is already preparing the next chapter in its flagship hypercar story. For the first time, what appears to be the Ferrari F80 Aperta has been spotted testing on public roads outside the factory, giving an early glimpse of what is almost certainly the open top version of Ferrari's latest halo model.
The sighting is especially significant because it comes only a couple of months after Ferrari filed a series of trademarks linked to the F80 programme. Those applications included the names F80 Aperta, F80 Roadster and F80 Targa, strongly suggesting an open version was already in development. At the same time, Ferrari also secured trademarks for F80 XX and FXX 80, pointing towards an even more extreme track focused derivative.
You can’t hide that roof
The prototype was photographed near Maranello. Despite the extensive camouflage, the overall design remains unmistakably that of the F80, with its dramatic front fascia, sculpted side profile and prominent active rear wing all appearing unchanged.
Photo: Ilias Abawi
The biggest difference is found above the cockpit, where Ferrari has disguised the roof with an unusual camouflage structure designed to hide the final design. Unlike many modern convertibles, there is no obvious space for a complex folding roof mechanism or the body modifications usually required to store one. Instead, the prototype strongly suggests Ferrari is following a much simpler and lighter solution with a manually removable roof panel.
Following the LaFerrari Aperta
A removable roof would be entirely in keeping with Ferrari's approach to previous flagship models. The LaFerrari Aperta used a lightweight roof that could be removed by hand rather than relying on an electrically operated folding system. Owners could choose between a fabric roof or an optional carbon fibre panel, allowing Ferrari to preserve both the car's structural rigidity and its performance.
Photo: Ferrari
There is every reason to believe the F80 Aperta will follow the same philosophy. The coupe was engineered with aerodynamics, weight reduction and chassis stiffness as absolute priorities, making a powered convertible roof an unlikely choice. A removable panel would add only a small weight penalty while allowing drivers to enjoy the sound (if you get that race exhaust…) and drama of Ferrari's latest hybrid powertrain in the open air.
What about the name?
Although Aperta appears to be the most likely name, Ferrari has not confirmed what the production car will ultimately be called. The recent trademark filings revealed three possible options, including F80 Aperta, F80 Roadster and F80 Targa, giving the company several directions it could take before the official launch.
Photo: Ilias Abawi
Of the three, Aperta feels like the natural successor to the LaFerrari Aperta and would immediately connect the new model with Ferrari's modern flagship lineage. Roadster is another possibility, while Targa would accurately describe a car with a removable roof panel if Ferrari chooses that configuration. Until Maranello makes an official announcement, however, all three names remain viable candidates.
Performance of the F80 Aperta
Based on everything visible from the prototype, there is little reason to expect any mechanical changes beneath the bodywork. The Ferrari F80 Aperta should retain the same remarkable hybrid powertrain as the coupe, combining a 3.0 litre twin turbocharged V6 with three electric motors to produce a combined 1,200 hp. The system also incorporates Ferrari's Formula 1 inspired MGU K technology, making the F80 one of the most advanced road cars the company has ever produced.
Photo: Ferrari
With the coupe accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.15 seconds and reaching a top speed of 350 km/h, the Aperta is unlikely to sacrifice much performance. Additional chassis reinforcement and the removable roof will inevitably add a small amount of weight, but any differences are expected to be marginal. Ferrari has consistently demonstrated that its open top flagship models lose very little compared with their coupe counterparts.
More exclusive than the coupe
The Ferrari F80 coupe is already one of the most exclusive road cars the company has ever built, with production limited to just 799 examples. Every allocation was effectively spoken for before the car even made its public debut, highlighting the extraordinary demand that still exists for Ferrari's halo models.
History suggests the Aperta will be even rarer. Ferrari produced 499 examples of the LaFerrari coupe before following it with only 209 LaFerrari Apertas. Whether Ferrari repeats that exact formula remains to be seen, but it would not be surprising if the F80 Aperta were limited to only a few hundred cars.
Photo: Derek Cornelissen
That exclusivity naturally raises another question. When the LaFerrari Aperta was introduced, customers generally secured either the coupe or the Aperta rather than both. The F80 programme is larger than its predecessor, so Ferrari may choose a different allocation strategy this time, but existing F80 owners are almost certain to receive priority when invitations are issued.
Ferrari's 80th anniversary
Current expectations point towards a launch during 2027, a date that would carry significant meaning for Ferrari. Next year marks 80 years since the introduction of the 125 S, the first production model to wear the Ferrari name. That historic car was itself an open sports car, making the introduction of an open top F80 during the anniversary year an especially fitting tribute to Ferrari's origins.
Photo: Ferrari
An anniversary unveiling would also provide Ferrari with the perfect stage to showcase the latest evolution of its flagship hypercar. The F80 already represents the company's most advanced road car and an Aperta version would naturally become one of the centrepieces of Ferrari's celebrations throughout 2027.
The Ferrari F80 family
The appearance of this prototype confirms what many enthusiasts suspected from the moment the F80 was unveiled. Ferrari's flagship models have traditionally evolved throughout their life cycle and the latest hypercar is no exception. An open top version was always the logical next step, while the earlier trademark filings suggest an even more extreme XX derivative is waiting in the wings.
Render: Ildar Project
Whether Ferrari ultimately chooses the Aperta, Roadster or Targa name, the formula appears to be firmly established. The coupe's breathtaking hybrid performance will be combined with a lightweight removable roof, greater exclusivity and the unmistakable appeal that only an open Ferrari flagship can deliver. With testing now underway around Maranello and Ferrari's 80th anniversary approaching, it may not be long before one of the most anticipated hypercars of the decade makes its official debut.
How should Ferrari name this car?
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