Not content with developing its 599 GTB Fiorano into the fastest road going Ferrari, the 599 GTO, and, with the 599XX, the fast production-based car to lap the notorious Nurnburgring, Ferrari is preparing an open top version of its V12 supercar, Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo has revealed during a visit to London.

Montezemolo met with the UK’s specialist car sector media, in the run-up to the launch of an exclusive “open-top” version of the 599 of which a very limited number will be built.

“This is a very unusual car and it will certainly surprise you. It’s only going to be available to a very select number of clients who’ve been asking us for an open-top version of the 12-cylinder for quite some time now. We won’t be unveiling it at a show though. Instead we’ll be organising private presentations.”

With regard to the adoption of new technologies, including those focused on fuel consumption reduction, the Ferrari chairman confirmed the company’s interest in hybrid cars and stressed that Maranello’s engineers are working on all fronts. When asked for details on V6 or turbo engines, Montezemolo commented that, technologies aside, what will continue to drive emissions and fuel reductions for Ferraris will, as always, be innovation, extreme technology and a constant exchange of information with Formula 1, aimed at maintaining the sportiness and driving pleasure that make Ferraris unique.

“Ferrari is synonymous with driving emotion, beautiful design and ongoing technological innovation, characteristics that are shared by all of our models. One of the focuses of our constant drive for technological innovation is emissions reduction,” said Montezemolo. “So far, we have achieved significant results that will continue to improve as time goes on. In fact, we’ve already unveiled an innovative 12-cylinder hybrid based on our experience with KERS in Formula 1.”