Ferrari today unveiled the latest addition to its One-Off series, the Ferrari SP-8. Part of the brand’s Special Projects program and designed by the Ferrari Styling Center under the direction of Flavio Manzoni, it is a mid-engined, rear-engined V8 based on the F8 Spider, from which it takes its layout, chassis and engine. The one-off SP-8 joins the sacred ranks of the most exclusive segment of the Ferrari range, unique cars that are manufactured according to the specifications of individual customers and with the result embody the pinnacle of individualization of the Prancing Horse.
The vehicle’s name pays homage to the 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, one of the most critically acclaimed engines in history and winner of the prestigious Engine of the Year (IEOTY) award four times in a row. Since the customer who commissioned the SP-8 is from Taiwan, the number 8 is also significant as it is considered extremely lucky in Chinese culture and traditionally promises success, happiness and personal achievement.
The most unique feature of the SP-8 is the fact that it has no roof, making it a thoroughbred two-seat roadster in every respect, highlighting its sporty character and the instantly exhilarating open-air visual and driving experience. This solution required extensive aerodynamic refinement through a combination of CFD simulations, wind tunnel testing and track testing to ensure a standard of acoustic comfort and wind feel comparable to the car that inspired it.
The car’s main design theme lies in the way its volumes intersect and merge into each other: the unpainted carbon fiber front extends to the rear, creating a two-tone effect that creates a strong contrast in terms of both color and materials. By eliminating the retractable hardtop, the designers were able to radically redesign the entire rear area, giving it full volume with a taut waistline. The vehicle volume is divided into two parts, connected by a functional central area in matt black, which includes the side air intakes with separate channels for the intercooler and engine. The upper part of this band contains an engine compartment vent with longitudinal elements reminiscent of the side moldings typical of Ferraris of the past.
The front of the vehicle is dominated by an impressive full-width cast aluminum grille, created from a single 3D printed mold. The grille features the same stripe theme, this time in a vertical movement, with the distance gradually increasing towards the flanks in plan view to better direct airflow to the two front radiators. The angle of these elements was optimized through close collaboration between the Ferrari Styling Center and the aerodynamics team, which spent months refining the car using CFD. Other areas of the SP-8 that were redesigned compared to the donor car include the headlights, which feature special masks and lenses, the taillights derived from those of the Roma with specific lenses, the windshield and the tailpipes, which received the same treatment as on the 296 GTB and the specially designed rims in a special color (matt Grigio NART).
These directional five-spoke wheels are exclusive to this special car and offer a modern interpretation of the classic rims used on Ferrari sports prototypes as well as the legendary F40. A clever and inseparable part of their overall aesthetic are their heavily sculpted sections and large openings, designed to make them lighter. Inside the car, a major change has been made to the center console to accommodate the F1 gearbox commands that have been featured in the Ferrari range since the debut of the SF90 Stradale. This meant that the now iconic shift gate had to be modified for this specific application. The interior is completed by seats with details in laser-etched navy blue Alcantara® combined with gradient effect fabrics and carpets in special twill fabric with an iridescent effect.
The matte Argento Micalizzato paint, developed specifically for the SP-8, goes perfectly with the carbon fiber section of the car, which has an equally specific color and finish (glossy iridescent blue sandstone). Even the Blu Scuro Stellato color that connects the two body panels was specially developed. The SP-8 will be on display starting the morning of the 24thTh October at the Mugello Circuit until the end of the Finali Mondiali Ferrari 2023. Afterwards it will be exhibited at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello from November 16, 2023 to March 2024.
