Normally, when Ferrari introduces a no-roof, no-compromise speedster, it’s usually either a concept or a super exclusive one-off designed solely for the crème de la crème of the billionaires’ club.
The spectacular Monza SP1 and SP2 you see here is still limited (to less than 500 units, according to Autocar) and will still in all likelihood be extremely expensive (the price tag is expected to be knocking on US$3 million, or a staggering RM12.4 million a pop), but the fact remains that these cars are now being offered to a broader audience than there was before.
Firstly, a little bit about Ferrari’s new product strategy. The Monza SP1 and SP2 are part of a new Icona range of vehicles, which sit above the usual sports cars (488 range, 812 Superfast), GTs (Portofino, GTC4Lusso) and Special Series models (488 Pista). These cars, which will take inspiration from Maranello’s vast and illustrious back catalogue, will be strictly limited and offered only to Ferrari’s best customers.
In the case of the Monza SP1 and SP2, the company has referenced the iconic 166 MM barchetta from 1948 as well as the 750 Monza and 860 Monza of the Fifties. The result is a remarkably pared-down design (“as though borne [out] of a single pencil stroke,” says Ferrari) with no windscreen and just a single seat for the SP1; the SP2 adds a passenger seat so that another person can join in the fun.
The carbon fibre body consists of a single volume, punctuated only by the large front grille, vertical headlights, slim side vents and a huge rear diffuser with quad tailpipes. The slim tail lights are incorporated in the black trim that goes around the cabin.
The tiny doors flip up to reveal an equally sparse interior, adorned only by the usual Ferrari button-crazy steering wheel, a central control panel and lashings of carbon fibre. The company has developed a Virtual Wind Shield system nestled within the fairing ahead of the cockpit, directing air around the occupants.
Open up the clamshell bonnet and you’ll find the same 6.5 litre naturally-aspirated V12 as the Superfast, which Autocar says has been fitted with Formula 1-style variable inlet tracts. It now delivers a massive 809 hp (up from 789 hp) at 8,500 rpm and 719 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm – all sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
As such, the Monza models are able to blitz the zero-to-100 km/h marker in just 2.9 seconds and hit 200 km/h in a faintly ridiculous 7.9 seconds. The top speed is rated at over 300 km/h, which is sure to give you plenty of wind in your hair and bugs in your teeth.
To get you looking the part while doing so, Ferrari has commissioned luxury brands Loro Piana and Berluti to create apparel and accessories specifically for the Monza models. These items, which the company says incorporates a number of technical solutions to “guarantee a comfortable fit and ensure freedom of movement while driving,” include racing overalls, a jersey, a helmet, gloves, a scarf and driving shoes.
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This still doesn’t explains why thr 812 superfast is damn ugly
Still slower than Tesla new Roadster
youre comparing Tesla and Ferrari. thats like comparing a sexbot and a real flesh and blood Italian sex goddess.
Talk when the Tesla Roadster actually enter production. So far, only a lot of hype.
Where’s the HALO?
The car will transform into Autobot to protect the passengers.
Schumi never drove with HALO.
Ferrari is an expert in earning rich peoples’ money. It pioneered the track-only, cannot-bring-home hypercar genre with the Clienti program. Now, with this Icona series, Ferrari is taking advantage of its history and nostalgia.
Well, internal combustion engine powered hypercar days are numbered.
House of Saud already starting to diversify and investing into electric supercar.