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FERRARI SP-8
THE ROADSTER DERIVED FROM THE F8 SPIDER, THE LATEST ONE-OF-A-KIND MODEL IN THE WORLD
Ferrari has unveiled the latest addition to its One-Off series, the Ferrari SP-8. As part of the brand's Special Projects program and designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre led by Flavio Manzoni, it is a rear mid-engine V8 based on the F8 Spider, inheriting its configuration, chassis, and engine.
The SP-8 one-off joins the revered ranks of the most exclusive segment in the Ferrari lineup—unique cars crafted to individual specifications.
The car's name celebrates its 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, one of the most acclaimed powertrains in history and a four-time consecutive winner of the prestigious Engine of the Year (IEOTY) award. Since the client who ordered the SP-8 is from Taiwan, the number 8 holds additional significance as it is considered extremely lucky in Chinese culture, traditionally portending success, good fortune, and personal achievement.
The most distinctive feature of the SP-8 is its roofless design, making it a purebred two-seater roadster in every aspect, emphasizing its sporty character and the instantly exhilarating visual and open-air driving experience it provides.
This solution required a thorough refinement of its aerodynamics through a combination of CFD simulations, wind tunnel testing, and track tests to ensure a level of acoustic comfort and wind sensation comparable to the car that inspired it.
The primary theme of the car's stylization revolves around how its volumes intersect and merge with each other: the unpainted carbon fiber front section wraps around the tail, creating a two-tone effect that establishes a powerful contrast in terms of color and materials.
The removal of the retractable hardtop allowed designers to radically reshape the entire rear section, giving it a full volume with a taut beltline. The car's volume is divided into two parts that are connected by a functional matte black central area incorporating side air intakes with separate ducts for the intercoolers and engine. The upper part of this strip integrates an opening for the engine compartment with longitudinal elements that reference the characteristic side stripes of past Ferraris.
Dominating the front of the car is an imposing single-piece molded aluminum grille, made from a 3D-printed mold, capturing attention. The grille features the same stripe pattern, this time in a vertical motion, with a progressively widening spacing in plan view towards the sides to better channel airflow to the two front radiators.
The angle of these elements has been optimized through close collaboration between the Ferrari Styling Centre and the aerodynamics team, spending months fine-tuning the car using CFD simulations.
Other areas of the SP-8 that have been redesigned compared to the original car include the headlights, which feature special masks and lenses, the rear lights derived from those of the Roma with specific lenses, the windshield, the exhaust tips, which received the same treatment as those on the 296 GTB, and specially designed wheels in a dedicated color (matte Grigio NART).
These five-spoke directional wheels are exclusive to this particular car and offer a modern interpretation of the classic rims used on Ferrari sports prototypes as well as the legendary F40. A clever and integral part of their overall aesthetics lies in their highly sculpted sections and large openings designed to lighten them.
Inside the car, a significant modification has been made to the central console to accommodate the F1 gearbox controls, a feature present in the Ferrari line- up since the launch of the SF90 Stradale. This required the adaptation of the now-iconic gear lever for this specific application.
The interior finish is complemented by seats featuring laser-engraved navy blue Alcantara details, paired with a gradient-effect fabric, and specific twill fabric floor mats with an iridescent effect.
The matte color Argento Micalizzato, created specifically for the SP-8, brilliantly complements the carbon fiber section of the car, which has an equally specific color and finish (shiny iridescent blue stone). Even the Blu Scuro Stellato color used to connect the two parts of the body has been specially developed.
The SP-8 will be on display at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello from November 16, 2023, until March 2024.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
The Special Projects program aims to create unique Ferraris, known as 'One-Offs,' characterized by an exclusive design tailored to the client's requirements, making them the owner of a truly one-of-a-kind model. Each project originates from an idea proposed by the client and is developed in close collaboration with a team of designers from the Ferrari Styling Centre.
Once the proportions and shapes of the car are defined, detailed plans and a full-scale model are produced before the manufacturing process of the new One-Off begins. The entire process typically takes about two years, during which the client is closely involved in evaluating the design and verification phases. The result? A unique Ferrari proudly displaying the Prancing Horse logo and crafted to the same standards of excellence that characterize all cars from Maranello.
