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The Ferrari 812 GTS invites an obvious comparison with the 812 Superfast: the same front-mounted V12 idea, now with open sky. But the roof, rear glass and air management deserve their own evaluation. For a US buyer planning coastal drives, interstate weekends or early starts from a neighborhood garage, those details may shape ownership more often than the maximum-power figure.
This is a guide to an established model introduced in 2019, rather than a new-model announcement. The useful question is how its convertible engineering translates into the way you actually travel.
Two openings, different purposes
The aluminum retractable hardtop can complete its operation in 14 seconds, at a standstill or at speeds up to 45 km/h, approximately 28 mph. Ferrari explains the mechanism and its comfort goals in its September 2019 812 GTS feature. Treat that moving-operation limit as a specification, not an invitation to operate the roof while navigating traffic. A stationary demonstration gives you more opportunity to observe the sequence safely.
The rear window is a separate part of the experience. Ferrari's official dealer model description explains that the electrically operated glass serves as a wind stop with the roof open and can also be lowered with the roof closed. That second configuration is particularly interesting: it offers another way to hear the engine without committing to a fully open cabin.
Try both arrangements at sensible road speeds. Ask your passenger whether ordinary conversation remains comfortable. Wind sensitivity, seating position and tolerance for noise are personal; a showroom roof demonstration cannot answer those questions.
The conversion involved more than removing a panel
Ferrari describes chassis reinforcement and revised magnetorheological damper control to accommodate the GTS configuration. Its rear deck and buttresses also differ from the coupe. This matters when comparing examples: aftermarket body pieces, suspension changes or roof adjustments should be documented rather than dismissed as cosmetic details.
The mechanical attraction remains substantial. Ferrari's original GTS technical release specifies 800 cv at 8,500 rpm and a rev limiter at 8,900 rpm. The output is approximately 789 mechanical horsepower, not 800 SAE horsepower simply because an advertisement substitutes the letters. These are factory specifications, not a measurement of an individual used car.
Make the inspection a complete roof cycle
Ask a Ferrari-qualified technician to check the roof mechanism, seals, drainage paths, panel alignment and rear-window operation. Request a demonstration of any emergency procedure in the owner's documentation. A smooth opening sequence alone does not establish the condition of every sensor, seal or moving component.
Then inspect the car in the configuration you intend to use. Sit in it roof-up with your normal sunglasses and driving shoes. Check sightlines through the rear glass and mirrors. With permission, bring your actual weekend bags and confirm how they fit around the car's designated luggage space and roof-clearance requirements.
Plan the return trip too
An open-top drive often begins in pleasant weather and ends somewhere less forgiving. Before delivery, learn the controls well enough to close the roof without searching through menus, and understand the manual's restrictions. On your test route, include ordinary expansion joints and parking approaches rather than only smooth scenic pavement.
The best 812 GTS match is an example whose closed-roof comfort, open-roof airflow and mechanical condition all suit your plans. Its most persuasive feature may be the ability to choose among those experiences on the same trip.
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