A glorious celebration of the exclusive world of personalization.
[source: Ferrari]
Maranello, Italy – On 18 February 2024, the new “Ferrari One of a Kind” exhibition at the Museo Enzo Ferrari in Modena was officially inaugurated. The display celebrates the craftsmanship behind each unique masterpiece that emerges from the Ferrari factory gates thanks to the exclusive personalisation programme offered by the company’s three Tailor Made centres in Maranello, New York and Shanghai. Now open to the public, the exhibition reveals the exclusivity of these one-of-a-kind cars, each expressing the personality, taste and desires of individual Ferrari owners.
Such uniqueness has been intrinsic to Ferrari’s production from the very beginning. The earliest GT racing cars were examples of bespoke manufacture, when gentleman racers would select the coachbuilder of their choice to shape their cars’ bodies. With the first production road cars, Ferrari’s pioneering approach enabled clients to specify colours, materials, fit and finish to create cars custom made to their tastes. That remains true to this day, with the company offering a wide range of personalisation programmes. These start with the Atelier service, which gives clients the opportunity to choose from a wide range of options, while the Tailor Made programme gives the client even greater choice, with innovative materials and highly individual solutions. Finally, there are the bespoke special builds, which elevate the concept of personalisation to new heights, creating true one-offs in every detail.
“Ferrari One Of a Kind” takes visitors on a unique journey. Not only does it showcase some extraordinary cars, many of which have never been seen by the public before, but it also offers an immersive introduction to the personalisation programmes enjoyed exclusively by Ferrari clients. At the very heart of the exhibition is an interactive wall that allows visitors physical contact with the materials, fabrics, colours and vast array of options provided by the Ferrari Styling Centre, enabling clients to effortlessly create their dream car.
Many private one-off cars are on display, such as:
Ferrari 812 Competizione Tailor Made. This unique vehicle (which features on the exhibition poster) is an embodiment of the clean-slate approach taken by Ferrari’s Chief Design Officer, Flavio Manzoni. The car on display was the first in a limited edition special series of just 999 examples, and was auctioned at a Ferrari benefit gala in New York on 17 October 2023.
Ferrari 166 MM. This extraordinarily elegant car is one of the forerunners of Ferrari’s personalised road cars. Built in 1948 and bodied by Carrozzeria Touring, every last detail has been beautifully crafted to reflect the taste of its owner, Gianni Agnelli. The unusual dual-tone blue and green paintwork recalls the family’s connections with the Italian royal house, Casa Savoia.
Ferrari Monza SP1. Built in 2018, this is the first example of the Icona limited-edition special series inspired by the great Ferraris of the past. Icona reinterprets classic timeless style with a modern aesthetic, adding contemporary high performance, high-tech elements in perfect harmony. Shown here in an original gold livery, with the same colour featuring on the wheels and interior trim, it also features a transverse stripe typical of some 1950s and ’60s racing cars.
Ferrari Daytona SP3 Carbon Look. This, the second model in the Icona limited-series line, pays homage to the sports-prototypes that made motorsport history. This example is finished in an extraordinary, natural-finish ruby red transitional carbon-fibre which gives exceptional chromatic reflections depending on the light.
Visitors can also enjoy an interactive area with a special car configurator that they can use to envision and then design the Ferrari car of their dreams.
The exhibits will be updated regularly throughout 2024 to ensure that visitors get to experience the largest number of one-of-a-kind cars possible.
The Ferrari Museums’ popularity with Prancing Horse fans and tifosi continues to grow exponentially. 2023 was an all-time record year for the Modena and Maranello Museums, with over 740,000 annual visitors.
In line with tradition, the “One of a Kind” exhibition at the Museo Enzo Ferrari in Modena opened its doors to the public on 18 February in celebration of Enzo Ferrari’s birthday, and will run until 17 February 2025.
The wraps are off the new Ferrari One-Off designed to a client’s specifications
The SP-8 is an uncompromising thoroughbred roadster crafted on the F8 Spider architecture
It will be possible to admire the SP-8 at the Ferrari Finali Mondiali and later at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello
[source: Ferrari]
Maranello, 24 October 2023 – Ferrari today unveiled the latest addition to its One-Off series, theFerrari SP-8. Part of the marque’s Special Projects programme and designed by the Flavio Manzoni-headed Ferrari Styling Centre, it is a mid-rear-engined V8 based on the F8 Spider from which it inherits its layout, chassis and engine. The SP-8 one-off joins the hallowed ranks of the most exclusive segment in the Ferrari range, unique cars crafted around individual clients’ specifications, with the result that they embody the very pinnacle of Prancing Horse customisation.
The car’s name celebrates its 3.9-litre V8 twin-turbo engine, one of the most critically-acclaimed power units in history and the winner of the prestigious Engine of the Year (IEOTY) award on four consecutive occasions. As the client that commissioned the SP-8 hails from Taiwan, the number 8 is also significant as it considered extremely lucky in Chinese culture, traditionally auguring success, good fortune and personal achievement.
The SP-8’s most unique feature is the fact that it has no roof, making it a thoroughbred two-seater roadster in every respect, underscoring its sporty character and the instantly exhilarating visual and en plein air driving experience it delivers. This solution demanded extensive refining of its aerodynamics through a combination of CFD simulations, wind tunnel testing and track testing to guarantee a standard of acoustic comfort and wind feeling comparable to the car that inspired it.
The car’s main styling theme centres around the way in which its volumes crossover and fuse into one another: the unpainted carbon-fibre front wraps around to the tail, creating a two-tone effect that creates a powerful contrast in terms of both colour and materials. The elimination of the retractable hard top allowed the designers to radically restyle the entire tail section, giving it a full volume with a taut belt line. The car’s volume is divided into two parts which are connected by a functional central area in matte black that includes the side air intakes with separate ducts for the intercoolers and engine. The upper section of this band incorporates a vent for the engine compartment with longitudinal elements that reference the lateral strakes typical of Ferraris of the past.
Dominating the front of the car is an imposing full-width, cast aluminium grille made from a single, 3D-printed mould. The grille features the same strake theme, this time in a vertical movement, with the spacing in plan view gradually widening towards the flanks to better channel air flow to the two front radiators. The angling of these elements was optimised by the close collaboration between the Ferrari Styling Centre and the aerodynamics team that spent months honing the car using CFD.
Other areas of the SP-8 that were redesigned from the donor car include the headlights, which have special masks and lenses, the rear lights derived from those of the Roma with specific lenses, the windscreen, the tailpipes, which were given the same treatment as the 296 GTB’s, and the specially-designed wheel rims in a dedicated colour (matte Grigio NART).
These directional five-spoke wheels are exclusive to this particular car and offer a modern take on the classic rims used on Ferrari Sports Prototypes as well as the legendary F40. A clever and inextricable part of their overall aesthetic are their heavily sculpted sections and large apertures designed to make them lighter.
Inside the car, an important modification has been made to the central console to house the F1 gearbox commands that have featured in the Ferrari range since the debut of the SF90 Stradale. This meant modifying the now iconic shift-gate for this specific application. The interior finish is completed with seats featuring details in laser-etched Navy Blue Alcantara® coupled with gradient effect cloth, and carpets in specific twill fabric with an iridescent effect.
The matte Argento Micalizzato colour created specifically for the SP-8 pairs brilliantly with the car’s carbon-fibre section, which has an equally specific colour and finish (glossy iridescent Blue Sandstone). Even the Blu Scuro Stellato colour used to link the two bodywork sections was specifically developed.
The SP-8 will be on display from the morning of the 24th of October at the Mugello Circuit until the end of the Finali Mondiali Ferrari 2023. Thereafter, it will be displayed at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello from November 16, 2023 until March 2024.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
The Special Projects programme is aimed at creating unique Ferraris (so-called “One-Offs”) characterised by an exclusive design crafted to the requirements of the client, who thus becomes the owner of a one-of-a-kind model. Each project originates from an idea put forward by the client and is developed hand-in-glove with a team of designers from Ferrari’s Styling Centre. Once the car’s proportion and forms have been defined, detailed design blueprints and a styling buck are produced before the manufacturing process for the new One-Off begins. The entire process takes around two years on average, during which time the client is closely involved in assessing the design and verification phases. The result? A unique Ferrari sporting the Prancing Horse logo and engineered to the same standards of excellence that characterise all of Maranello’s cars.
A Ferrari with a unique perspective to be auctioned for charity.
Monterey (California, USA), Aug. 19, 2023 – At an exclusive event held at Casa Ferrari during Monterey Car Week and broadcast via live streaming, the Maranello-based company unveiled a one-of-a-kind Ferrari 812 Competizione. Without precedent, this Tailor Made car was inspired by the concept of a blank sheet, which is how the Ferrari Styling Centre starts its creative research for every new model.
The car the Tailor Made concept is applied to is one of just 999 Ferrari 812 Competiziones, a limited and extremely exclusive series intended for collectors and enthusiasts of the world’s most exciting twelve-cylinder. It is distinguished by a commemorative plaque affixed to the interior as a testament to its original inspiration.
The Tailor Made 812 Competizione presented today was commissioned by Ferrari North America and will be auctioned at the Ferrari Gala to be held in New York City on October 17 at the culmination of an exclusive event aimed at celebrating the Maranello-based company’s unique community and passion for the brand. All proceeds will be donated to charity as part of the education support projects that have been the focal point of the Prancing Horse’s charitable activities.
The process of developing the craftsmanship techniques used to create such original and creative patterns took over a year of close collaboration between the Styling Centre and the Tailor Made team, which handles the most innovative personalisation projects at Ferrari. The main challenge was to seek the perfect balance between flawless technical realization and maintaining the creative spark and artistic craftsmanship that flow from Ferrari Chief Design Officer, Flavio Manzoni’s drawings, which provided the inspiration for this model with its unique details.
The car, in fact, has been imagined as one of the now iconic yellow cards on which Maranello designers transfer their first ideas, insights and notes from mind to paper and on which – iteration after iteration, detail after detail, idea after idea – new concepts, unique stylistic features and shapes are composed that will become part of the history of Italian automotive design.
On the car, in matte Giallo Tristrato, the lines composed by the designer who imagined the elegant and sporty forms of the 812 Competizione and its most iconic details have been traced in matte Nero DS Sketch. Notable among them are the carbon fibre blade that cuts across the horizontal plane of the front bonnet acting as an air intake for the engine, the characteristic louvres on the side – a tribute to the best twelve-cylinder Ferrari tradition – as well as the vortex generators on the rear screen devoid of glass, replaced by a concealed rear-view camera.
The same concept is echoed in the interior. The new-generation Alcantara® that covers the cockpit of this 812 Competizione, composed of 65 percent recycled polyester and presented as a world premiere on Ferrari Purosangue, is embellished with design sketches that have been embroidered directly onto it using a highly innovative technique. This is a truly unique solution, as Ferrari usually employs leather for this kind of custom motif. Completing the elegant interior trim is the black trilobal Superfabric® used for the carpet and rear wall of the passenger compartment.
The 812 Competizione, dedicated to a small group of collectors and purists of the noblest Ferrari tradition, aims for maximum performance without leaving room for compromise. Innovative technological concepts have enabled it to reach new performance heights, making the model ideal for the unlimited wealth of combinations and possibilities offered by the Ferrari Tailor Made program.
On the 812 Competizione, the driver, both on the road and on the track, becomes one with the car, which guarantees immediate responsiveness to the controls and total control even in the most complex manoeuvres. Driving thrills are always at the highest level thanks to the contribution of the independent four-wheel steering system, which gives it agility and cornering precision, and the most exciting 830-hp V12 on the world automotive scene. The engine pairs impressive power with exhilarating delivery and the sound that Maranello’s 12-cylinder purists know so well.
FERRARI TAILOR MADE
Ferrari Tailor Made is Ferrari’s exclusive programme dedicated to those who wish to personalise every area of their Ferrari to create a car that thoroughly reflects their character and personal tastes. Customers who join the programme are assisted by a team of experts and guided by a personal designer who interprets their wishes while respecting the brand’s aesthetic standards.
The wraps are off the KC23, Ferrari’s latest One-Off, bespoke-designed around a brief from one of the marque’s most passionate collectors
A futuristic track car based on the architecture of the 488 GT3 Evo 2020 which has triumphed on the world’s leading circuits
Two different configurations underscore its elegance and formal purity on the one hand, and its signature Ferrari sporty racing character on the other
[source: Ferrari]
Maranello, Italy – Ferrari today unveiled the latest addition to its One-Off series, the Ferrari KC23. The latest in the marque’s Special Projects programme, it was commissioned by one of the Prancing Horse’s leading collectors. The KC23 one-off is a bold and extreme vision of what the closed wheel racing of the future may look like. A superlative new take on the most successful track car in Maranello’s 76-year history, the 488 GT3 in its ‘Evo 2020’ version, it pulls off the incredible feat of exuding elegance when at a standstill and thrilling the viewer once on the move, thanks to ground-breaking aerodynamic solutions, such as motorised air intake vents and an imposing rear wing.
Designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre led by Flavio Manzoni, the KC23 is based on the 488 GT3 Evo 2020 platform from which it inherits its layout, chassis and engine. The base for the project was very special indeed: the 488 GT3 has been racing since 2016 and to date, it has triumphed in the world’s most prestigious endurance races, racking up over 530 victories and winning more than 119 championships, making it the most successful racing Ferrari in history.
Given the extreme nature of its engine, chassis and suspension set-up, the KC23 was designed exclusively for non-competitive track use. Its most unusual feature is its dual configuration. At a standstill, the car’s layout showcases its clean, sleek, sinuous forms, but once it hits the track its visual stance is dominated by its impressive air intakes, which open automatically, and its imposing rear wing.
From the very earliest days of the project and in agreement with the client, the Ferrari Styling Centre focused on creating a radical one-off car completely free of homologation constraints and clothed in the kind of timeless lines that would make an instant classic whilst also providing a tantalising glimpse of the future of supercars. That challenging goal demanded that every single one of the 488 GT3 Evo 2020’s lines being redesigned, glass surfaces and light clusters included.
The result is that the car has a monolithic beauty, as if it were sculpted from a single block of metal. The design also hides several of the car’s technical functions, particularly the side air intakes, which open automatically when the mid-rear V8 twin turbo is turned on. This gives the KC23 an almost lifelike look, as its shape changes depending on what it is being used for. The rear wing is also removable to underline its clean, formal lines when not on the track.
The surface treatment is smooth and seamless, with sharp angles reduced to an absolute minimum to underscore the KC23’s spare, sinuous purity in the pursuit of an iconic, futuristic design that will stand the test of time. When the driver turns on the engine before taking it out on the track, the KC23 undergoes a radical transformation, its racing stance and aggression suddenly very much to the fore. It is impossible to ignore its imposing rear wing, which marks it out as a racing car designed to scythe through the corners and unleash every single horsepower the V8 can generate.
In terms of downforce and cooling, the designers worked hard to retain the performance of the donor car despite the fact that the KC23 has a completely different silhouette. Panels were developed with custom kinematics that activate automatically when the engine is turned on: the one behind the front wheel reveals a fence, which boosts front downforce to balance the car aerodynamically. The panel at the rear provides the correct amount of intake air to the intercoolers and auxiliary components, as well as to the engine.
The KC23’s butterfly doors open vertically on single front hinges, an architectural solution it shares with another iconic supercar, the LaFerrari. No changes were required to the greenhouse or the car structurally to incorporate this feature. The clam-shell bonnet has a simple opening system – just two pins need to be removed to allow the front to be inspected and maintenance work to be done. Both headlights and rear lights have been redesigned, with the most radical change to the rear lights where striking methacrylate light blades, inspired by the Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo, spring to dazzling life when the engine is turned on.
Even the car’s glass surfaces were influenced by the design philosophy underpinning the KC23: they are seamlessly integrated with the bodywork, with no visible pillars, frames or seals, creating a clearly aeronautics-derived dome effect. Their metallic finish melds seamlessly for maximum styling continuity, creating a strikingly futuristic result.
Another distinctive feature is the KC23’s Gold Mercury livery, courtesy of a specially-developed, four-layer aluminium paint. The liquid metal in the paint gives it an astonishingly luminous gleam in sunlight and the colour itself seems to change constantly depending on the type and angle of the light striking it, giving an extraordinarily captivating effect.
The cabin has been kept as pared-back and similar to the 488 GT3 Evo 2020 as possible, with the exception of the door panels and dashboard finish on the passenger side. The KC23’s specific seats, trimmed in Alcantara® with an electro-welded logo, lend the cabin an elegance that is perfectly in tune with the exterior. Rearward visibility is ensured by a video camera system that also had a beneficial impact on the car’s aerodynamics, as the traditional wing mirrors could be removed and the line of the flanks left unsullied.
The car has two sets of specifically designed wheels: 18” wheels will allow the KC23 to dazzle on the world’s circuits while 21” wheels at the front and 22” wheels at the rear will captivate the public when it is displayed in its static configuration.
The new arrival took over three years to develop and now joins the most exclusive group in the Prancing Horse’s range: bespoke cars crafted to the specifications of a client, making them the very pinnacle of Ferrari’s personalisation strategy. It will be making its first public appearance between July 13th and 16th at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, one of the UK’s most important motorsports events. From August 1st to October 2nd, it will be on display at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, much to the delight of all of the enthusiasts eager to admire its extraordinary formal and engineering solutions at first hand.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
The Special Projects programme is aimed at creating unique Ferraris (the so-called “One-Offs”) characterised by an exclusive design crafted to the requirements of the client, who thus becomes the owner of a one-of-a-kind model. Each project originates from an idea put forward by the client and is developed hand-in-glove with a team of designers from Ferrari’s Styling Centre. Once the car’s proportion and forms have been defined, detailed design blueprints and a styling buck are produced before the manufacturing process for the new One-Off begins. The entire process takes around two years on average, during which time the client is closely involved in assessing the design and verification phases. The result? A unique Ferrari sporting the Prancing Horse logo and engineered to the same standards of excellence that characterise all of Maranello’s cars.
• A new Ferrari One-Off designed around its owner’s requirement • The SP51 is a thoroughbred roadster based on 812 GTS architecture
[source: Ferrari]
Maranello, Italy – The latest addition to the Prancing Horse’s One-Off series, the Ferrari SP51, was unveiled today and joins the most exclusive group in Maranello’s range: unique, absolutely bespoke cars crafted to the specifications of a client, making them the very pinnacle of Ferrari’s customisation scope and range.
Designed by the Flavio Manzoni-headed Ferrari Styling Centre, the SP51 is a front-engined V12 spider based on the 812 GTS platform from which it inherits its layout, chassis and engine. At first sight, the stunning new car’s most striking characteristic is its total absence of a roof, making it an authentic roadster in every respect, accentuating both its sporty character and ability to captivate both visually and in terms of en plein air driving exhilaration.
Unsurprisingly, the SP51’s aerodynamics required meticulous honing in a process involving CFD simulations, wind tunnel and dynamic testing to guarantee not just the ultimate in comfort in the cabin, but also the same standard of acoustic comfort and wind feel as the car that inspired it.
The SP51’s styling is both powerful and harmonious, thanks to its seamlessly muscular, undulating surfaces. Its forms are modern, sinuous and sensual at once, in great part as a result of the extensive use of bare carbon-fibre both on the exterior and in the cabin. The trim on the bonnet is particularly striking as it dynamically frames the two air vents.
Another of the SP51’s most captivating features is its new Rosso Passionale three-layer paintwork – the colour was developed specifically for the car and gives it an elegant yet imposing character that also exudes authority. This impression is further enhanced by the blue and white livery inspired by a legendary 1955 Ferrari 410 S which not only runs the length of the car, but is also referenced in the interior.
At the front, specially-designed headlights give the SP51 an instantly recognisable and forceful identity all of its own. Also noteworthy are the wheels, which are specific to the car and have carbon-fibre wing profiles on each of the spokes which also feature a sophisticated tone-on-tone diamond-cut finish on the forward-facing section.
The rear of the car is dominated by an arched theme with the taillights inset below the spoiler. Immediately behind the cabin are two flying buttresses that are visually softened by two deep carbon-fibre scoops. Between these two elements stretches a transverse, carbon-fibre wing, the profile of which folds over the buttresses. The resulting effect is vaguely reminiscent of a Targa-type car in which the flying bridge elegantly conceals the anti-roll hoop, a nod to the solution adopted on Ferrari’s early-1960s Sports Prototypes.
That said, the very pinnacle of the meticulous honing process, in which the client was involved every step of the way, has to be the cabin where dizzying new heights of craftsmanship and creativity have been reached. Its personalisation pivoted around two clever ideas: the decision to use the same Rosso Passionale colour custom-created for the exterior as the main colour for the Alcantara® trim, and the effective idea of extending the lengthwise exterior livery into the cabin. Its white and blue stripe, in fact, both appear on the central tunnel and the fascia between the two seats on the firewall, as well as on the steering wheel stitching, creating a sense of seamless continuity between exterior and interior in which the car’s roadster architecture played a vital role.
The special finish for the door panels, the lower section of the dashboard and the sides of the seats, comprising a blue Kvadrat® insert with white cross-stitching, also picks up the livery. Glossy carbon-fibre trim has been extensively used throughout the interior where it pairs very harmoniously with the Nero Momo Opaco elements. This stylishly elegant and authoritative look is further enhanced by several white embroidered details (including the Prancing Horse and car logo, also found on the lower rim of the steering wheel).
The Ferrari One-Off, SP51, was designed for a longstanding Taiwan-based client who is also one of our leading collectors. It is a successful roadster take on Maranello’s first front-engined V12 spider in 50 years. Its bold styling captivates at first sight. However, it brilliantly retains the signature elegance of its inspiration, the 812 GTS, whilst pushing the boundaries by offering a whole new way of enjoying en plein air driving.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
The Special Projects programme is aimed at creating unique Ferraris (the so-called “One-Offs”) characterised by an exclusive design crafted according to the requirements of the client, who thus becomes the owner of a one-of-a-kind model. Each project originates from an idea put forward by the client and is developed with a team of designers from Ferrari’s Styling Centre; having defined the car’s proportion and forms, detailed design blueprints and a styling buck are produced before starting the manufacturing process of the new One-Off. The entire process takes around two years on average, during which time the client is closely involved in assessing the design and verification phases. The result? A unique Ferrari sporting the Prancing Horse logo and engineered to the same levels of excellence that characterise all of Maranello’s cars.
A ONE-OF-A-KIND FERRARI EXPLORES PARALLELS BETWEEN ITALIAN AND JAPANESE DESIGN, CULTURE AND CRAFTS IN A CONTEMPORARY CREATIVE COLLABORATION
[source: Ferrari]
Maranello, 17 May 2022 – Ferrari unveils a one-of-a-kind Ferrari Roma model, crafted by its bespoke Tailor Made department. The car features exquisite traditional Japanese-inspired detailing while retaining the clean, sophisticated elegance of the original car.
Ferrari Tailor Made is an exclusive programme for those who wish to customise each element of their Ferrari to create a vehicle that truly reflects their personality and tastes. Customers who participate in the Tailor Made programme are assisted by a team of experts led by a personal designer that interprets their desires whilst upholding the aesthetic standards of the Ferrari brand.
This particular car’s story began when Evan Orensten and Josh Rubin, the founders of the award-winning independent US publication dedicated to design, culture and technology COOL HUNTING, were offered, and accepted, the opportunity of customising a Ferrari Roma, to explore how far Ferrari’s bespoke personalisation programme could go and really push the boundaries.
They met Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari Chief Design Officer, in the Ferrari Tailor Made showroom in New York. They had just returned from several research trips to Japan where they had immersed themselves in the country’s traditional crafts and artisanal methods, and proposed bringing some of those ideas and unique materials into the Tailor Made journey as envisioned by COOL HUNTING.
Flavio Manzoni and his team were inspired by the parallels between Italian and Japanese culture and design philosophy: a single-minded devotion to quality, an emotional involvement with the client, and exquisite skills in craftsmanship that have been passed down from generation to generation.
An idea formed – to create a Ferrari featuring some of the unique materials developed from traditional Japanese techniques while employing Ferrari’s customary innovation to modify them to accommodate the requirements of durability and functionality that a modern high-performance car demands.
Traditional Japanese indigo dyes inspired the Ferrari Roma’s colour scheme, particularly the vivid blue exterior paint which was specially developed for this car and named Indigo Metal. This vivid colour perfectly enhances the purity of the Ferrari Roma’s shape – light appears to flow over its bodywork, accentuating its lines through highlights and shade.
Indigo features prominently in Japanese design culture, and the traditional dye is produced naturally. COOL HUNTING had visited Toyama, one of only five remaining indigo farms in Tokushima, Japan’s traditional indigo-growing region. They learned that the dye comes from a green plant which, when harvested and fermented, becomes sukumo, traditional dried Japanese indigo that is mixed with lye, sake and limestone powder to create authentic Hon-Ai indigo dye. Because of its antimicrobial properties it was traditionally used for linens, bedding and clothing.
The same colour palette is used to tie together the vehicle’s exterior and interior into one subtle, holistic statement. The indigo shade is also found in the sakiori fabric used for the seat trim inserts and the carpets.
Sakiori is one of the world’s oldest examples of upcycling, dating from the 1700s when cotton and silk were available only to Japan’s nobility and the very wealthy. Worn-out kimonos were disassembled, their fabric cut into strands and rewoven with new fibres, creating a material that was both warm, comfortable and durable. The word comes from the Japanese saku (to rip up) and oru (to weave).
An innovative solution was identified in making sakiori a viable material. Two vintage kimonos originally made in Amami Oshima, an island in Japan’s southern archipelago were used—an indigo-dyed kimono approximately 75 years old and one approximately 45 years old, dyed in both indigo and the island’s celebrated Amami Oshima Tsumugi mud-based dye. Instead of weaving the kimono strands with cotton or silk as is traditional, it was woven with high-tensile nylon, ensuring the durability required of this material in its application inside the vehicle. This new textile was created in the same place the original materials originated from by Hajime Shoji.
The indigo theme is carried through to the Ferrari Roma’s headlining – a beautifully detailed piece of craftsmanship and design which is exclusively experienced by those sitting in the car. It is comprised of two indigo-dyed hides made with Asai Roektsu in Kyoto—one with a unique solid colour crafted to match the car’s colour scheme, and a hand-painted hide using the Roketsu method, which can be traced back to the 8th century. It is a wax resist-dyeing method that forms intricate repeated patterns around a single colour, and was commonly used to decorate the silk or cotton of kimonos and obis. The hides were then sent to Italy, where they were cut into strips and hand-woven by Italian artisans in a process called intreccio, forming an elegant one-of-a-kind work of art.
The Ferrari Roma’s interior door handles also take their inspiration from Japan – they are enclosed in tightly hand-woven strips of black leather in an homage to tsukami, the ancient art of wrapping the grips of Katana swords.
The COOL HUNTING team were further inspired by a visit to Kaikado, a Kyoto-based family business known for its iconic copper tea canisters. Now made by the fifth and sixth generations of the family, the canisters are so skilfully crafted that they form a vacuum seal as the lid gently falls onto the body. The copper also adopts a unique natural patina with use. Inspired by this, Copper plating is found in details on the Ferrari Roma’s gear shift gate surround and levers, which were plated in Japan. The outline of the dual cockpits, the wheel rims and the kamon are also made in this colour.
The unique crest on the car’s dedication plate on the central armrest and door sills is a custom-made “kamon,” a symbol passed down from generation to generation in Japan. Designed by Kyogen, it represents a wheel from an ox-drawn carriage (popular transportation among aristocrats during the Heian period, 794-1185) combined with the eight pistons of the Ferrari Roma’s V8 engine forming its spokes. The numeric theme is continued in the eight wave crests that encircle the wheel – symbols of good luck, power and resilience.
This subtle but exceptionally detailed Ferrari Roma brings together Italian and Japanese design culture in a harmonious form. It is a beautiful example of the unlimited wealth of combinations and possibilities that are available through the Ferrari Tailor Made programme.
The Ferrari Roma features refined proportions and timeless design combined with unparalleled performance and handling. Not only is the Ferrari Roma an icon of Italian design, but it also represents the pinnacle of performance in this category, thanks to its 620-cv turbo-charged V8 from the family of engines that won the overall International Engine of the Year award four years running.
The Tailor Made Ferrari Roma Specially Crafted for COOL HUNTING will be on display in the Ferrari Tailor Made Showroom during the New York Design Week (NYC X DESIGN), celebrating the space where this incredibly dynamic collaboration started, bringing together diverse cultural and creative forces from different parts of the world in a unique and special way.
The SP48 Unica is a two-seater sports berlinetta powered by the same twin-turbo V8 as the F8 Tributo
Bespoke design and aero modifications give the SP48 Unica a sporty and dynamic look
Maranello, 5 May 2022 – The Ferrari SP48 Unica, the latest addition to the Prancing Horse’s One-Off series, was unveiled today and joins the most exclusive group in Maranello’s entire production: unique, absolutely bespoke cars crafted to the specifications of a single client and designed as a clear expression of their own individual requirements.
The SP48 Unica, designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre under the direction of Flavio Manzoni, Chief Design Officer, is a two-seater sports berlinetta developed on the F8 Tributo platform. Its taut lines and aggressive stance make it instantly recognisable with respect to the original model, and it is unmistakable too, thanks to its arrow-shaped front profile. Central to achieving this effect was the redesign of the headlights and the subsequent relocation of the brake air intakes.
A pivotal aspect of the design of this unique new car is the extensive use of procedural-parametric modelling techniques and 3D prototyping (additive manufacturing) which enabled the Ferrari Styling Centre designers and Maranello’s engineers to completely redesign the front grille and engine air intakes. This advanced production process resulted in perfect 3D grilles that seem carved from a solid volume creating a sense of seamless continuity and dynamic fluidity.
The procedural graphic solutions adopted on the bodywork dialogue directly with the grilles and influence the SP48 Unica’s overall design: the transition from black – which includes the windows, roof and engine cover – to the body colour is especially clear. The striking visor effect of the front is further heightened by the reduction in the size of the side windows and the elimination of the rear screen, highlighting the powerful muscularity of the SP48 Unica which seems sculpted from a single block of metal.
The plan view emphasises the central section of the roof which includes a graphic representation of the air intakes set into the rear part of the carbon-fibre engine cover before the rear wing. This angle allows the viewer to appreciate the styling research that went into the SP48 Unica and reveals the sophisticated interplay of symmetries and intersecting lines created by its forms.
The SP48 Unica’s thermal-fluid-dynamic design has been honed and perfected to guarantee it satisfies all cooling requirements in addition to delivering a different aerodynamic balance. The biggest changes compared to the F8 Tributo’s styling include the air intakes for cooling flows for the engine on the front bumper and beneath the rear spoiler. Each has a deep procedural grille, every section of which is optimally angled to maximise the amount of air passing through. The car’s configuration also allowed the engineers to locate an intercooler intake immediately behind the side windows, which in turn enabled them to reduce the dimension of the intakes on the flanks. The longer rear overhang reduces suction from the roof area, boosting rear downforce.
Although the cabin retains the F8 Tributo’s technical identity – excluding the rear screen – meticulous development work was lavished on achieving the perfect combination of colour and trim to reflect the SP48 Unica’s sleek, sporty and aggressive personality. A good example is the specially developed black laser-perforated Alcantara® used on the seats and most of the cabin trim, beneath which are glimpses of iridescent reddish-orange fabric that match the exterior colour. Its motif picks up the hexagonal motif of the grilles and the procedural livery on the roof, creating an appealing continuity between the car’s interior and exterior. In the SP48 Unica cockpit, the eye is immediately drawn to the polished sill covers with the same laser-embossed hexagonal motif. Matte carbon-fibre imbues the cockpit with a sense of technicality and exclusivity, and is complemented by the Grigio Canna di Fucile accents.
Designed for a long-standing client who was deeply involved in every step of its creation, the one-off Ferrari SP48 Unica is a bold interpretation of a sports car and cleverly enhances its racing soul and vocation for speed. The SP48 Unica achieves its goal of transforming an existing model to masterful effect, taking inspiration from and paying homage to the company’s core values of innovation and passion.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
The Special Projects programme creates unique Ferraris (so-called “One-Offs”) characterised by an exclusive design crafted around the requirements of each individual client to ensure each one becomes the owner of a genuinely one-of-a-kind model. Each project originates from an idea put forward by the client and then developed with a team of designers from Ferrari’s Styling Centre. Having defined the car’s proportion and forms, detailed design blueprints and a styling buck are produced before the construction of the new One-Off begins. The entire process lasts more than a year on average, during which time the client is closely involved in assessing the design and verification phases. The result? A unique Ferrari sporting the Prancing Horse logo and engineered to the same standard of excellence as every car that rolls off the Maranello assembly lines.
A unique new car designed by Ferrari designers to a client’s brief
The BR20 is a two-seater V12 coupé based on the GTC4Lusso platform
A sublime marriage of dynamic, modern good looks and styling flair inspired by Ferraris of the 1950s and 60s
[source: Ferrari]
Maranello, Italy – The Ferrari BR20, the latest addition to the Prancing Horse’s One-Off series, was unveiled today and joins the most exclusive group in Maranello’s range: unique, absolutely bespoke cars crafted to the specifications of a client and designed as a clear expression of their own unique requirements.
The BR20 is a two-seater V12 coupé developed on the GTC4Lusso platform, which in terms of its philosophy and styling approach, cleverly references the magnificent Ferrari coupés of the 1950s and 60s, without the slightest hint of nostalgia. Instead, it pulls off the challenging feat of marrying timeless elegance with muscular sportiness, effortlessly incorporating styling themes typical of some of the most iconic 12-cylinders in Ferrari history, including the 410 SA and 500 Superfast.
The GTC4Lusso’s two rear seats have been removed to add extra dynamism to the BR20’s ultra-sleek fastback line. The new car is three inches longer than the original, thanks to a specific rear overhang treatment designed to create a silhouette that beautifully emphasises its proportions. One of the cornerstones of the design process for this one-off was the radical modification made to the cabin volume. This in turn gave the design team, led by Flavio Manzoni, the freedom to conceive the innovative proportions that ultimately produced a powerful yet stylistically coherent exterior design theme.
The new cabin design solution creates the impression of a pair of arches running lengthwise from A-pillar to rear spoiler. The rear volume of the arch has been hollowed out to create an aerodynamic channel with the air outlet concealed by the black rear fascia under the spoiler. This modern take on Ferrari’s “flying buttress” theme firmly connects the car to signature Prancing Horse styling cues not just from Ferrari’s GT tradition, but also sports cars such as the 599 GTB Fiorano. To visually lighten the cabin, the black paint of the roof visually connects the windscreen to the rear screen, which stands above the surface of the rear tailgate as if to channel the air flow.
A muscular rear bumper melds beautifully with the aggressive look of the rest of the car: twin taillights create a visual dialogue with the tailpipes, which are lower and set into a prominent aerodynamic diffuser with active flaps on the underbody. Even the BR20’s twin round exhaust tips were designed especially for this bespoke model.
The BR20’s many carbon-fibre details highlight the edgy dynamic characteristics and powerful performance of this extraordinary four-wheel drive car. High, sinuous sills add an extra hint of dynamism to the lower section of the flanks as well as emphasising the front air vents on the wheel arches. The wide front grille sports an upper carbon-fibre element, a note of stylistic consistency with other recent Ferrari one-offs, whileunusual chrome side inserts help underline the car’s dynamic front stance.
The BR20’s unique identity is further underscored by the front grille’s striking new horizontal slats that lend a powerful sense of three-dimensionality. A virtually endless list of elements was designed specifically for the BR20, not least its modified headlights. They are lower in height compared to those of the GTC4Lusso with slimmer DRLs, which makes the bonnet seem even longer and sleeker. The 20” tone-on-tone diamond-finish wheels were also created especially for this unique car.
The BR20’s interior is no less impressive, trimmed in two shades of brown leather and carbon-fibre, an exquisite combination developed according to the client’s indications. The seats are trimmed in dark brown Heritage Testa di Moro leather and sport an exclusive pattern at the front as well as silver cross-stitching. The cabin volume runs uninterrupted from the windscreen to the luggage compartment at the rear, creating a sense of unique lightness and airiness for occupants. Oak trim with carbon-fibre inserts adorns the rear bench and luggage deck, which conceals a deeper loading area when folded flat, as well as the door handles.
Designed for a longstanding client who was deeply involved in every step of its creation, the Ferrari BR20 represents a true interpretation of the traditional coachbuilder’s art, successfully transforming an existing model in a masterful and unique way taking inspiration from and paying homage to the company’s core values of innovation and passion.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
The Special Projects programme is aimed at creating unique Ferraris (the so-called “One-Offs”) characterised by an exclusive design crafted according to the requirements of the client, who thus becomes the owner of a one-of-a-kind model. Each project originates from an idea put forward by the client and developed with a team of designers from Ferrari’s Styling Centre; after having defined the car’s proportion and forms, detailed design blueprints and a styling buck are produced before starting the manufacturing process of the new One-Off. The entire process lasts on average more than one year, during which the client is closely involved in assessing the design and verification phases. The result? A unique Ferrari, which sports the Prancing Horse logo and is engineered to the same levels of excellence which characterise every other Maranello production car.
Maranello, Italy – A unique Ferrari has been seen lapping Fiorano today during a brief yet intense shakedown. While the V12 engine note reverberating around the track may have sounded familiar, the car’s arresting looks are unique although guaranteed to strike a chord with the marque’s aficionados. With its Rosso Magma finish and sophisticated racing livery, the new Ferrari Omologata is a clear descendent of Ferrari’s great GT tradition spanning seven decades of history.
Commissioned by a discerning European client, the latest offering in Ferrari’s line of unique coachbuilt one-off models is a vibrant evocation of the values that define Ferrari in relation to GT racing: a car that is equally at ease on the road as it is hitting the apex on the track in the hands of a true gentleman driver.
The Ferrari Omologata project took a little over two years to complete from the initial presentation of sketches, starting with images that covered a variety of inspirations, from racing heritage to sci-fi and references to modern architecture. The idea from the onset was to create a futuristic design with distinctive elements reinterpreted in a fresh manner to provide potential for a timeless shape that is certain to leave a lasting impression.
To achieve this, the designers unlocked every possible area of freedom from the underlying package of the 812 Superfast, keeping only the windscreen and headlights as existing bodywork elements. The objective was to exploit the proportions of the potent, mid-front layout to deliver a very sleek design defined by smooth volumes and undulating reflections, uplifted by sharp graphics with sparingly distilled surface breaks wherever dictated by aerodynamic functions. The trickiest aspect was striking the ideal balance between expressiveness and restraint: the Omologata had to ooze street presence whilst maintaining a very pure formal language.
The designers carefully studied the stance and attitude of the car from all angles, defining a tapering front volume from the flattened oval grille. The rounded section over the front wheelarches, emphasized by a contrasting stripe wrapping across the bonnet, seems to naturally extrude from the grille. Rear of the door, the flank develops into a very potent rear muscle that neatly blends upwards into the three-quarter panel. The entire volume is rendered deliberately imposing through the elimination of the rear quarter light, while three horizontal transversal cuts in the fastback volume visually lower the rear mass. The tail is surmounted by a prominent spoiler which adds not only downforce, but a more aggressive, sporty stance. Overall, the car appears to be poised to attack the tarmac even at a standstill and, seen from the rear, the deeply set single taillights underline the tension.
Uniqueness in more than name
Satisfying every safety constraint for road homologation without interfering with any of the usability and tractability of a Ferrari is always a huge challenge for the design team led by Flavio Manzoni, the more so when starting from an existing platform. Omologata was indeed a keyword that resonated throughout the development of this, the 10th front-engined V12 one-off Ferrari has delivered since the 2009 P540 Superfast Aperta. Beyond the clear instructions coming from the client and down to every detail on the car, the designers effectively took into account countless variables to make this a bespoke model through and through, one which could easily find its place in any Ferrari showroom. The quest for the ultimate touch went as far as developing a new shade of red just for the livery, to match the fiery triple-layer Rosso Magma over darkened carbon-fibre finish.
Inside the car, a plethora of trim details suggests a strong link to Ferrari’s rich racing heritage. The electric blue seats, finished in a tasteful combination of leather and Jeans Aunde® fabric with 4-point racing harnesses, stand out against a full black interior. In the absence of rear quarter lights and screen, the atmosphere in the cabin is purposeful, reminiscent of a bygone era. Metal parts on the dashboard and steering wheel are finished with the crackled paint effect associated with the great GT racers of the 1950s and 1960s as well as with Ferrari’s engine cam covers. A hammered paint effect so often used in cars such as the 250 LM and 250 GTO finds its way on details such as the inner door handles and on the Ferrari F1 bridge.
A fitting one-off exercise, the Omologata manages to encompass a range of subtle Ferrari signature design cues without falling into nostalgia. Its hand-crafted aluminium bodywork is sprinkled with almost subliminal details, in a way that challenges the enthusiast to identify the various sources of inspiration that played a part into its inception.
Maranello, Italy – Creating an entirely new and modern take on the Ferrari sports prototype concept is both an ambitious and complex undertaking. But it was in this spirit, and with very specific input from the client, that the new Ferrari one-off, the P80/C, was conceived. The Ferrari Styling Centre, under the direction of Flavio Manzoni, and the engineering and aerodynamics team worked hand-in-glove with the client, sharing principles and visions in order to create a new “Hero Car” with an absolutely unique and authentic soul.
The client, a great connoisseur of the Ferrari world, comes from a family of long-time Prancing Horse enthusiasts and admirers, and is himself a highly knowledgeable, discerning Ferrari collector. He was thus the perfect partner with whom to craft such a demanding project which required the highest level of interaction as well as emotional involvement.
The client’s basic brief was to create a modern sports prototype inspired by iconic models from Ferrari’s history: the 330 P3/P4 on the one hand and the 1966 Dino 206 S on the other.
The P80/C thus set the Ferrari Styling Centre an ambitious target: to develop a new kind of product that simply did not exist in the current Ferrari range: a sports prototype inspired by the cars that essentially wrote their own styling rules becoming, in the process, famous icons that, although conceived as track cars, also went on to influence a whole series of elegant road cars. A case in point is the very close relationship between, for instance, the Dino 206 S racing car and the production Dino 206/246 GT. Both versions share a common DNA despite having a different styling lexicon: Ferrari racing elements appear in the case of the former while the latter have the more sober, refined lines of the road cars.
The Ferrari Styling Centre’s goal was to create a resolutely modern car that made no major concessions to the past, apart from attempting to recreate the sensual shape of those iconic models through more muscular wings formed by the intersection of concave and convex surfaces.
Kicked off in 2015, the P80/C project had the longest development time of any Ferrari one-off made to date. This highly intense gestation period was the result of in-depth styling research and lengthy engineering development, with meticulous analysis of performance parameters as well as scrupulous aerodynamic testing, all with a different approach than taken by Ferrari with its one-off cars in the past.
Normally speaking, this kind of car tends to be a stylistic reinterpretation of models in the current range – a new concept or basic idea that marks a departure from the donor car is built on existing running gear. The glorious history of Italian coachbuilding is just that: a wealth of exceptional cars based on the same chassis, but bodied by different coachworks.
The P80/C, however, is radically different. It is a track car, which means that performance is a major factor so this not only pointed the design team in the direction of a design that was absolutely unique, but also forced them to make radical changes to the running gear of the donor car. This involved introducing specific features required to guarantee a captivating marriage of style, technical prowess and aerodynamics.
The decision was made to use the 488 GT3 chassis as a basis, not only for its performance, but also for its longer wheelbase (+ 50 mm compared to the 488 GTB) which allowed more creative freedom. With respect to the Ferrari 488’s classic layout in which the cockpit tends to be placed centrally, the GT chassis allowed the designers to emphasis a cab forward-effect in which the rear is elongated, lending the car a more aggressive, compact character. This was one of the cornerstones of the P80/C’s styling from the early stages of the design process.
A decisive wedge shape dominates the side view at the front of the car. The muscular forms of the front and rear wings with the cockpit set in between are emphasised by very broad buttresses that expand towards the side air intakes. This gives the impression that the cabin is completely fused with the body, and is accentuated still further by the wrap-around windscreen which references the iconic look of sports prototypes of the past. The flying buttresses converge towards the roof underlining the visor effect of the greenhouse. All of these features are references not only to the 330 P3/P4 but also homage to the Dino and the 250 LM berlinettas.
The side windows merge graphically with a wide pocket created by the side air intakes giving a dynamic downward movement to the rear flanks. This disruptive line balances the wedge-shaped front flanks and visually separates the rear section from the rest of the car.
Seen from above, it is clear that the bodywork is widest over the front axle, but then narrows sharply, creating a tightly sculpted waistline around the rear door before broadening out again dramatically at the tail. This particularly iconic kind of architecture is also emphasised by flying buttress-type C-pillars which are physically detached from the cabin. On the one hand, the C-pillars wraparound the intercooler air intakes, while on the other, they accentuate the sharp drop in height between the roof and the surfaces of the rear engine cover. Compared to a more normal continuation of the roofline over the engine cover, a more extreme solution was preferred, creating a large void rear of the cockpit with a vertical rear screen.
Aerodynamic development was based on the experience gained with the 488 GT3, but was not governed by the restrictions imposed by international regulations. Thus the front splitter is specific and, while the expansion curve and vortex generators of the rear diffuser are the same as those used on the GT3, the external surfaces are all unique to the P80/C. The result is an improvement of around 5% in overall efficiency, required to make full use of the unrestricted engine.
The objective was to balance the upper bodywork’s downforce evenly over the two axles, making full use of the 488 GT3’s underbody. The configuration of the rear bodywork required the adoption of an aerodynamic profile that sits immediately rear of the trailing edge of the roof to provide a strong recompression of the flow rearwards, reinforcing the downforce generated by the tail and the wing. This aerodynamic profile was inspired by the T-wing adopted in Formula 1 in 2017 and here is designed to reduce the length of the flow over the rear, creating the effect of a very short ‘virtual’ rear windscreen and an extremely limited separation bubble.
The front of the car has a catamaran-style formal geometry. The jutting effect of the nose is underscored by its almost wing-like shape which the interplay of voids highlights very effectively. The large radiator air vents are located just behind this wing-like structure and these outlets over the front bonnet underline the powerfully muscular wings.
The fact that the P80/C is homologated only for track use meant that it could do without components that would be deemed vital in a road car, and which would also heavily influence its styling. Classic head lights have essentially disappeared. Or rather they have been reduced to mere slits set into niches at the front of the car reminiscent of the air intake housings in the grille of the 330 P3/P4. Unlike the 330, however, in the P80/C, said housings are not set into an oval grille but look more like two pockets carved out of the front of the car.
The same styling element reappears at the rear of the car. The rear spoiler is very wide to meet aerodynamic requirements and incorporates the two signature tail lights in a way that makes them look like air vents, thus perfectly reflecting the design of the front.
Even the rear fascia, which leaves the running gear fully visible, has a catamaran-type architecture. This allowed the inside to be completed devoid of bodywork. In fact, its sole occupant is a grille to help evacuate heat from the engine bay. The space left is occupied by a huge rear diffuser which seems almost to be separate from the rest of the car.
The adoption of a concave rear windscreen and aluminium louvres on the engine cover, a reference to the 330 P3/P4, gives the P80/C’s tail an instantly recognisable and unique look.
At the client’s request, the car was designed with a dual soul: a racing set-up, which includes quite a showy carbon-fibre wing and 18” single-nut wheels, and an exhibition package complete with 21” wheels but devoid of aerodynamic appendages, to highlight the purity of its forms.
The P80/C’s design language was crafted to be instantly clear. Although made entirely from carbon-fibre, only the parts with strictly technical functions have been left bare, while the main car body has been painted a bright statement Rosso Vero. The name was chosen by the client, proving that his loyalty to Ferrari’s sports prototype tradition extends all the way to colour.
The interior is very much the same as that of the donor car with a roll cage integrated into the bodywork. The side sections of the dashboard have been redesigned from the version seen on the 488 GT3, as have the seat upholstery and door panels – the latter are now carbon-fibre shells and no have no impact on the car’s weight.
