SINGLE SPEEDSTER
This latest project from Maranello's Special Project Division is based on the F8 Spider.
Lines from its legacy.
Quite often the origins of these kinds of cars are kept relatively separate from the mainstream offerings, but in this case, its relation to the F8 Spider is quite literally the headline.
Ferrari has revealed the latest in its series of Special Projects cars, and this one is certainly special.
The SP-8 gets its name from its 3.9-litre V8 twin-turbo engine, which has won the prestigious Engine of the Year award four times in a row. The number 8 is also significant as it is considered lucky in Chinese culture, symbolising success and good fortune.
Ferrari design maestro Flavio Manzoni and his Styling Centre squad working to the Taiwanese client’s request to completely remove the roof. Which of course, required a thorough reworking of the F8’s aero in order to create a proper roadster.
This latest project from Maranello's Special Project Division is based on the F8 Spider.
innovation
Open-air
Indeed the removal of the roof meant the designers could “radically restyle” the entire rear section, giving it – says Ferrari – "a full volume with a taut belt line". There’s unpainted carbon fibre at the front wrapping around to that new rear, both sections connected by a central functional area featuring the side air intakes and engine vent.
The styling for the SP-8 is clearly descended from the F8, though the one-off adds its own personality throughout. The front end is redone, with a longer, more assertive splitter. The front half of the car is finished in an unpainted glossy iridescent Blue Sandstone carbon fiber, while the rear bodywork is finished in a matte Argento Micalizzato gray paint. Ferrari says the exclusive five-spoke wheels represent a modern take on the brand's classic prototypes as well as harking back to the alloy wheels on the F40.
While Ferraris are often known for their exquisite leather hides, this particular unit has been outfitted with a high-end cloth and Alcantara interior. Things are equally as unique throughout the interior, including a bespoke gated-style shifter similar to the one found in the SF90 and 296.
The new special-edition Ferrari derives its look, performance, and name from the F8 Spider. Ferrari neglected to give performance specifics for the SP-8, but the twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V-8 mounted behind the seats produces 710 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque in the F8. Those are the same figures as the performance-oriented 488 Pista, and the engine is claimed to propel the car to repeatable sub-3.0-second times to 100 kmh.
IOne of our own known
The Ferrari SP-8 might be based on the F8 Spider, but there is a ton of unique and exclusive hardware making this thing unique.
Priceless.
The car will be displayed at several different venues before its owner takes it home to Taiwan.
The Ferrari Special Project Division will display this latest creation at Mugello in Italy through the end of the Finali Mondiali Ferrari 2023 event on October 30. From there, the car will take a brief stopover at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, where it will stay until March 2024.
The Special Projects programme aims to create unique Ferraris, known as "One-Offs," tailored to the client's requirements.
Each project is developed in collaboration with Ferrari's Styling Centre, taking around two years to complete. The client is closely involved in the design and verification phases, resulting in a one-of-a-kind Ferrari that upholds the brand's standards of excellence.