Ferrari SP-8 one-off has F8 Spider as base
Where did the name come from?
The Ferrari SP-8 is a mid-engine V8 model based on the F8 Spider from which it adopted the layout, chassis and engine. The car’s name is an ode to the 3.9-liter V8 biturbo engine, one of the most acclaimed power sources ever, which also won the prestigious International Engine of the Year (IEOTY) award four years in a row.
Customer from Taiwan
Since the client who commissioned the development of the SP-8 is from Taiwan, the number 8 is also important. In fact, in Chinese culture it is listed as a lucky number and the 8 traditionally predicts happiness and personal success.
Where is the roof?
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. That design underscores its sporty character, visual impact and open driving experience. This configuration required extensive aerodynamic refinement through a combination of CFD simulations, wind tunnel testing and track testing to ensure a level of acoustic comfort and wind dynamics comparable to the car that served as inspiration.
Design theme
The car’s main design theme revolves around the way the volumes transition and blend together: the unpainted carbon fiber front end extends to the rear, creating a two-tone effect that creates a powerful contrast, both in color and materials.
Two parts
By omitting the folding hardtop, the designers were able to radically restyle the entire rear end, giving it more volume, with a sleek waistline. The car’s design is divided into two parts connected by a functional center area in matte black, containing side air intakes with separate ducts for the intercoolers and engine. The upper part of this band contains a vent for the engine compartment with longitudinal elements that refer to similar accents so typical of Ferraris of the past.
Thanks to the 3D printer
The front of the car is dominated by an imposing full-width cast aluminum grille made from a single, 3D-printed mold. In terms of design, the grille follows the same theme, this time in a vertical line, with the gap gradually increasing outward to better channel airflow to the two front radiators. The creation of these elements was optimized through close collaboration between the Ferrari Styling Center and the aerodynamics team, which spent months honing the car’s design using CFD.
Other headlights
Other parts of the SP-8 redesigned from the donor car include the headlights, which have special designs and lenses, the taillights derived from those of Roma with specific lenses, the windshield and exhaust pipes, which follow the same line as those under the 296 GTB, and the specially designed rims in a specific color (matte Grigio NART). Designed exclusively for this car, these directional five-spoke rims offer a modern take on the classic rims used on the Ferrari Sports Prototypes and on the legendary F40. A clever and recognizable part of their overall design are the heavy-duty parts and large openings designed to make them lighter.
Switch pattern adjustment
Inside the car, a significant change was made to the center console to house the F1 gearbox controls that have characterized the Ferrari range since the debut of the SF90 Stradale. This meant adapting the now iconic shift pattern for this particular application. The interior finish is completed by seats with details in laser etched navy blue Alcantara combined with gradient-effect upholstery and bottom upholstery in specific twill with an iridescent effect.
This is the name of the color of the SP-8
The matte Argento Micalizzato color created specifically for the SP-8 perfectly matches the carbon fiber portion of the car, which has a similar specific color and finish (glossy iridescent Blu Sandstone). Even the Blu Scuro Stellato color used to connect the two body parts was developed specifically for the car.
Ferrari SP-8 on display
The Ferrari SP-8 will be on display during the Finali Mondiali Ferrari 2023 at the Mugello Circuit from the morning of Oct. 24 until the end of the event. Then it will be on display at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello from Nov. 16, 2023 to March 2024.
