Topless Ferrari F60 America celebrates brand's US birthday

Ferrari has commemorated 60 years of selling cars in the USA with a striking open-top version of the Ferrari F12, fittingly named the F60 America. Strictly limited to just 10 units exclusively offered to American collectors, the F60 is predictably sold out already, despite its $2.5m (£1.5m) price tag.

Far from simply chopping the roof and pillars from an F12 Berlinetta, the F60 America has seen some interesting re-engineering. Take the front and rear aprons – their appearance has been tweaked from the heavily aero-focused F12, with the front grille now aping the California T’s, and the rear diffuser sprouting new central vanes.

The classic round taillights now bulge out of the aluminium bodywork, whereas the F12’s sit flush in the car’s rump. There are also new side vents, diamond-cut wheels, and a new bonnet which no longer forces airflow down through an aperture in the car’s front wings.

4

Carbon-fibre-trimmed roll hoops sit atop the rear deck, peering down into Ferrari’s most outlandish interior yet. It’s a two-tone arrangement that swathes the driver’s side in eye-searing red leather and trim, while the passenger has a black bucket seat and surroundings.

The wild look is supposed to hint at the F60’s racing heritage – like the livery and limited production number, the two-tone upholstery is inspired by 1960’s North American Racing Team Ferraris. Lightweight carbon features throughout the two-seat cockpit, while the chairs themselves feature inset American flag logos.

4

The America is powered by the standard F12’s 6.3-litre V12 and seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, which deals out 730bhp to the rear wheels. The acceleration figure remains a pulverising 3.1 seconds from 0-62mph but there’s no word on the outright top speed. Ferrari has at least advised that the supplied fabric roof, which must be erected manually, is only guaranteed to cling onto the F60 up to speeds of 75mph.

The F60 America will be unveiled in Beverley Hills on 11 October 2014, and makes history as the first new Ferrari in 23 years not unveiled under the stewardship of enigmatic ex-chairman Luca di Montezemolo.

Which convertible Ferrari would you rather own, this F60 America or the Ferrari 458 Speciale A shown in Paris? Give us your verdict in the comments section below...