What's all this about?
This is the latest in Ferrari's Icona series of models that started with the Monza SP1 and SP2, the roadsters that had no windscreen. Like the Monza, the Daytona SP3 has been inspired by Ferraris of the past, most notably famous Ferrari sports prototypes such as the gorgeous 330 P4, but unlike the Monza, the Daytona makes sense to us and we totally want to sell an organ for one.
In case you're wondering, the name has nothing to do with the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 that became known as the Daytona, a name which was never given to the car officially by Ferrari. In the case of the SP3, potential clients were asked to come up with a name for the car and eventually it was agreed to name it Daytona, in honour of the famous race where Ferrari took revenge on Ford.
The SP3 uses a chassis derived from that on the LaFerrari and for that matter a similar carbon fibre interior tub to that used in the LaFerrari Aperta. There are a few other elements and components too but it's a very different car in both design and engineering.
That design looks both elegant and menacing at the same time, with wide, high wheels arches, door mirrors placed far forward and a true cab-forward layout. The rear shows a real link to the P4 with its multiple slats, high haunches and vast bonnet. Within that engine cover are cleverly sculpted components that channel air into the engine and also through a narrow slot in the spoiler that helps to keep some of the 340-degree heat from the exhaust away from the rear lights. It's a simple solution that fits with the more analogue nature of the car compared to many rivals.
Where is all the technology?
According to head of design at Ferrari, Flavio Manzoni, purity of the car was the main driver in design and engineering, which is why If you're expecting spoilers that pop up, batteries that enable silent, emissions free travel in town or any of the stuff that was on the LaFerrari then you'll be disappointed. If you want a performance car that is more analogue, relies on things like simple downforce, the grunt of a V12 engine and a focus on the driver, then you'll be very excited.
Yes, Ferrari has decided to pay tribute to older models by taking some elements back to basics. The rear spoiler is wide and fixed and channels the air coming in over the top of the car and through the well-positioned air ducts. There are simple flicks on the side of the front fenders to channel air too and of course there are the perfectly formed fenders themselves, all of which helps to create around 230kg of downforce at 125mph.
The V12 engine comes from the 812 Competitzione but has 10hp more at 840hp and 697Nm of torque. Power is available all the way to 9,500rpm and the Daytona SP3 can hit 62mph in 2.85 seconds and reach a top speed of around 211mph.
There is one little piece of tech that Michael Leiters, Ferrari's chief technology officer and Manzini are rather proud of, the headlights. They stop short of being proper pop-up lights which is disappointing, because who doesn't love pop-up lights, but they do have an upper panel that slides away when high beams are engaged.
What's it like inside?
The interior also harks back to the 330 P4 and other famous Ferrari models, with seats which are attached to the chassis, a wraparound dashboard and an almost complete lack of items that are superfluous. The drive selector is a metal plate in the centre tunnel, a nod to classic manual gates, the armrest is integrated with other materials and there are four-point racing harnesses. Analogue dials were considered too but in the end it was decided to go with the digital cluster that Ferrari owners are now used to from models like the SF90 Stradale and Roma. The interface also allows owners to choose how much information they want displayed and in what way.
The seats themselves are comfortable with a simple strap to adjust the location of the pedals forwards or backwards. In addition there are resonators attached to the engine that provide a sound vibration through pipes attached to the rear of the cabin, again, a basic but effective piece of engineering.
It's all a fantastic modern interpretation of some classic elements combined with the minimum amount of tech.
Can I have one and how much will it cost?
Deliveries will start towards the end of 2022 and of course you can have one, provided you already have a Ferrari Monza SP1 or SP2 in your garage. Alternatively, if you wanted a Monza but your government said you can't have one because you have to have one of those windscreen things then 100 will be available for you. Brilliant, there's just one other problem though; all 599 have been sold, so unless you have already been allocated one then actually no, you can't have one, sorry. That does mean you have the approximately £1,700,000 you would have spent on a Daytona SP3 available to spend on other things, lots of other things. If however, you have been able to get your name down for one, then we are very very jealous indeed.
Mark Smyth - 20 Nov 2021