Following the Monza SP1 and SP2 from 2018, Ferrari has officially launched the SP3 Daytona, the third member of the Icona series. The exotic hypercar was created to commemorate Ferrari’s 1-2-3 victory in the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. It has Maranello’s most powerful internal combustion engine, hidden beneath an aerodynamic low-slung body with a targa top.
The SP3 Daytona appears to be based on the La Ferrari Aperta, but with a fully revised body done by Flavio Manzoni and his team. The rounded curves of the beautiful P3/4, P330, and 412P that dominated Daytona in the 1960s inspired Ferrari designers, but the modern hypercar has a more aggressive stance with sharper edges.
The nose of the car sits lower than the bulged fenders, harking back to the design of historical Ferrari racecars. The splitter and “bumperettes” are a throwback at the 330 P4 (1967). The LED headlights feature a complicated structure and a pop-up mechanism with retractable ‘eye-lids,’ also a throwback to previous models, while the horizontal intake blades are a theme that continues at the dramatic rear end.
With butterfly doors that combine an air box and surfacing inspired by the 512 S, the profile is heavily sculpted (1969-1970). The wraparound windscreen and fender-mounted mirrors add to the exotic appearance while also improving the aerodynamics. Traditional side inlets are no longer required thanks to the door-mounted intakes, allowing for a sexier and cleaner design for the curving rear fenders. S pecial Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires produced for the SP3 Daytona are fitted on the five-spoke wheels.
The back end of the car, which looks like a concept yet gives off significant nostalgic vibes, is undoubtedly the most dramatic view. The taillights’ horizontal LED strip is built into the multiple blades that cover the entire area above the carbon-fiber diffuser. The beautiful sound of the V12 engine is conveyed through a series of high-mounted trapezoidal exhaust pipes. The engine is concealed beneath a beautiful metal shell with a central backbone for better cooling.
The SP3 Daytona’s development was heavily influenced by aerodynamics, with Ferrari saying that it has “the highest level of passive aero efficiency” of any of its cars. Innovative techniques for efficient heat dissipation management from mechanical components, as well as sophisticated cooling and downforce design, were used to achieve this. The most important improvement is actually hidden away: vertical ducts connect a couple of floor chimneys at the back of the underbody to louvers in the rear wings, enhancing air flow and increasing downforce.
The fixed seats, which merge above the center tunnel and expand on the side sills with vivid upholstery that matches the surrounding design, are an intrinsic part of the interior. The design in this regard is yet again inspired by cars developed in the 1960s, where the driver would sit on cushions that were directly attached to the chassis. In comparison to other Ferrari models, the driving position is lower and more reclined, similar to that of a single-seater.
The dashboard has suede upholstery and a 16-inch curved digital instrument cluster that houses the entertainment system. With a single manettino dial and integrated buttons, the steering wheel resembles that of the La Ferrari, allowing the driver to access 80 percent of the vehicle’s features without taking his hands off the wheel. Although the hypercar shares the same carbon-fiber monocoque as the La Ferrari, it foregoes the hybrid powerplant in favor of a more traditional setup. For maximum weight savings, the chassis and bodywork are completely made of composite materials (aeronautical composites, Kevlar, carbon-fiber, and so on).
The naturally aspirated 65° V12 6.5-liter V12 dubbed F140HC is based on the one used in the 812 Competizione but includes a number of changes centered on the intake and exhaust, as well as its relocation to the mid-rear position. With a rev limiter at 9,500 rpm, the most powerful ICE Ferrari has ever manufactured delivers 829 horsepower at 9,250 rpm and 514 lb-ft of torque at 7,250 rpm. Power is sent to the rear axle via a quicker F1 dual-clutch 7-speed gearbox along with a limited-slip differential.
As a result, the Daytona SP3 accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 2.85 seconds and from 0 to 124 mph in 7.4 seconds, with a top speed of over 211 mph. While those statistics aren’t world-record-breaking, they’re nevertheless amazing for a naturally aspirated ICE-only car, especially when you realize that Ferrari’s performance figures are frequently much better in real life than the official specs.
Finally, the SP3 Daytona, like past Icona models, will be produced in limited numbers. Ferrari will build 599 units, each costing €2 million plus local taxes (about $2.3 million at today’s exchange rates). According to Autonews, Ferrari marketing and sales head Enrico Galliera revealed that all 499 Monza owners wanted to buy the Daytona SP3, while the remaining 100 were sold to a “exclusive” group of Ferrari collectors, thereby making the new hypercar sold out.
