PARIS MOTOR SHOW: LaFerrari Aperta revealed

Ferrari has shown off its long-awaited and long-rumoured LaFerrari Aperta for the first time.

Unveiled on the stands of the Paris show overnight, the convertible will be limited to a production run of just 209 vehicles – 200 of those sold-out customer cars and the rest to be retained by Ferrari and used for “celebrity” promotional purposes.

The LaFerrari employs the same 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine as the coupe combined with a 120kW electric motor in a Formula One-style HY-KERS configuration. Combined, the total petrol-electric system produces 708kW and 700Nm in coupe guise, a factor which will lend the Aperta a 0-200km/h time of less than 7.0sec.

The distinguishing difference between coupe and convertible is a carbon-fibre roof panel which is said to enable the same level of torsional rigidity as the regular LaFerrari (which ended production in 2015). Ferrari will offer the Aperta with a soft-top roof or a removable hard-top made of carbon-fibre.

It’s thought each LaFerrari Aperta will set their owners back more than $2m. However, don’t expect to see one on Australian roads; production is strictly limited to left-hand drive.

The LaFerrari didn’t have the stage to itself in Paris, with Ferrari also formally unveiling a production version of its V8-powered four-seater, the GTC4LussoT.

Employing the same turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 used in the 488 GTB and Spider, the LussoT sits beneath the regular V12-powered GTC4 Lusso yet still generates 449kW and 760Nm and offers a 0-100km/h sprint of 3.5sec. It sends drive to the rear wheels only, unlike its more powerful sibling – so snow trips are out of bounds.

Completing Ferrari’s unveilings in Paris was a timely throwback to its heritage, with a preview to a suite of new 2017-model 70th year special anniversary models based on the marque’s regular production models.

Harking back to some of its most historic moments, the Prancing horse confirmed 350 sold-out one-off models due to be released next year.

They include a red a white livery that mimics Michael Schumacher’s 2003 Formula One Machine, a brown hue with tan leather that replicates Steve McQueen’s exploits and a classic blue and white livery harking back to Sir Stirling Moss’ 1961 Tourist Trophy car.

Ferrari officials would not be drawn on details of Schumacher’s commemorative edition, including whether they consulted with the racing driver’s family during development.