Ferrari’s latest limited-production model has been officially announced, the SP3 Daytona. It is third in the Icona series after Monza SP1 (2018) and SP2 (2018). The exotic hypercar was designed to honor Ferrari’s 1-2-3 win in the 24 Hours of Daytona back in 1967. The engine is hidden under an aerodynamic, low-slung car with a targa roof. It boasts the highest internal combustion power Maranello has ever produced.
From the first glance, the SP3 Daytona looks kinda like a La Ferrari Aperta with a completely redesigned body created by Flavio Manzoni and his team. Ferrari designers were inspired by the rounded shapes of the gorgeous P3/4, P330 and 412P that dominated Daytona back in the ’60s, however the modern hypercar has a more aggressive stance with sharper edges.
Italic Racecars Of The Past Echoed Dramatic Style
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At the front, there is a prominent splitter and “bumperettes” referencing the 330 P4 (1967), while the sharp nose sits lower than the bulged fenders reminiscent of past Ferrari racecars. The LED headlights have a complex structure and a pop-up mechanism, again referencing past models, while the horizontal blades on the intakes is a theme that continues at the dramatic rear end – but more on than later.
It features butterfly doors with feature surfacing and an airbox that incorporates a 512 S (1969-1970) inspired profile. Wraparound windscreens and fender-mounted mirrors add to their exotic appearance while improving aerodynamics. Door-mounted intakes mean that there are no traditional side inlets. This allows for cleaner and more elegant designs for the curvey rear fenders. Five-spoke unique wheels have special Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires that were developed specifically for the SP3 Daytona.
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It is the rear view that most people see. This car looks almost like a design, but it has serious retro appeal. The horizontal LED strip for the tailights is integrated into the numerous blades that cover the whole area above the carbon-fiber diffuser. High-mounted trapezoidal exhaust pipes transmit the roaring sound of the V12 motor. This is the cover that protects the engine from heat.
Aerodynamics played a key role on the SP3 Daytona’s development, with Ferrari claiming it has “the highest level of passive aero effifiency” among all of its models. Innovative solutions to heat dissipation management in the mechanical parts, as well as clever designs for cooling and downforce were key factors. The aero segment’s most significant innovation is not actually visible. A couple of floor chimneys located at the rear are connected via vertical ducts to louvers in rear wings. This maximizes airflow and increases downforce.
Modernist Interiors Inspired by Retro Minimalists
Inside, the fixed seats are an integral part of the cabin, merging above the center tunnel and expanding on the side sills with vivid upholstery matching the surrounding trim. This design is inspired by the racecars of the ’60s where the driver sat on cushions directly attached to the chassis. The Ferrari Model 328 is a lower, more comfortable, single-seater model.
With suede upholstery on the dashboard and a 16-inch digital instrument cluster that incorporates the infotainment, it has a minimal look. The steering wheel looks quite similar to the La Ferrari with a single manettino dial and integrated buttons allowing the driver to access 80% of the vehicle’s functions without taking his hands off of it. Another cool element is the gearshift gate and of course plenty of exposed carbon fiber.
The Traditional Approach To Mid-Engineered Modern Underpinnings
While the Hypercar could share the carbon-fiber monocoque of the La Ferrari, the hybrid powertrain is not used. The traditional recipe will be the one adopted by the hypercar. The chassis and bodywork are entirely made of composite materials, including aeronautical composites, carbon-fiber, Kevlar, etc., to reduce weight.
The naturally aspirated 65° V12 6.5-liter V12 codenamed F140HC is based on the 812 Competizione‘s unit but features a number of updates focused on the intake and exhaust, aided by its relocation to a mid-rear position. The most powerful ICE ever built by Ferrari produces 829 hp (618 kW / 840 PS) at 9,250 rpm, and 697 Nm (514 lb-ft) of torque at 7,250 rpm, with a rev limiter at 9,500 rpm. A faster F1 dual clutch 7-speed gearbox and a limited-slip differential send power to the rear axle.
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As a result, the Daytona SP3 accelerates from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.85 seconds, and from 0-200 km/h (0-124 mph) in 7.4 seconds, while its top speed exceeds the 340 km/h (211 mph) mark. While those features are not record-setting, they are still impressive for a naturally aspirated ICE-only car, especially if we consider that Ferrari’s performance figures are often significantly better in real life compared to the official specs.
What matters most in this cases is the driving dynamics, enhanced by the clever use of electronic aids including the latest version of Ferrari’s SSC 6.1 (Side Slip Angle Control) which comes with the FDE (Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer), a lateral dynamics control system that acts on the brake pressure at the calipers to control the car’s yaw angle in on-the-limit driving and can be activated in ‘Race’ and ‘CT-Off’ modes on the Manettino.
Like the Icona models before it, the SP3 Daytona is a limited edition. Ferrari will make 599 examples, each costing €2 million ($2.25 million) plus local taxes. However, Autonews reports that Ferrari marketing and sales boss Enrico Galliera said that all 499 owners of the Monzas decided to also buy the Daytona SP3, while the other 100 were sold to a “select” group of Ferrari collectors, so the new hypercar is effectively sold out.
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