Cashing in on that sweet 1970s and 1980s vintage nostalgia—just like Lamborghini did with its recent Countach LPI 800-4—Ferrari has unveiled its most recent one-off model built by the Special Projects program: the Ferrari SC40. Based on the 296 GTB and designed by Ferrari’s Styling Center under the direction of Flavio Manzoni, its entirely new design is meant to be more than a reinterpretation—it’s a model with its own personality.
Right from the start, the short rear overhang and low, long front end give the impression of an arrow. The fixed rear wing seamlessly extends from the engine cover and features “SC40” script engraved in relief on the sides of the wing, a clear homage to the F40. The 296 GTB’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, which produces 654 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque on its own without the axial-flux electric motor, is showcased under smoked Lexan® louvres.
From the side, the sculpted intercooler air intakes are a reinterpretation of the classic NACA ducts and are accentuated by large triangular carbon-fiber plates. The square headlights placed on the outer edges of the front fascia are integrated into black housings that physically and visually connect them to the lower air intake. This intake runs across the entire front bumper and under the brake cooling intakes, where the daytime running lights are positioned.
Inside, the use of Kevlar is purposeful, serving as a callback to the original F40. This new carbon-Kevlar mix is featured in the footwells, behind the seats, and on parts of the floor mats, as well as in the steering wheel, dashboard inserts, engine bay, and luggage compartment. The seat upholstery combines Charcoal Alcantara® with red Jacquard technical fabric, featuring the Prancing Horse woven into the headrests and the “SC40” logo stitched along the seat spines.
The Ferrari SC40 showcases the design and technical prowess that the Special Projects program is renowned for. Every project completed by this program is guided by both the client and a specialized team of designers from Ferrari’s Styling Center and takes an average of two years to complete. The SC40 successfully combines the classic F40 spirit with Ferrari’s most cutting-edge technology. The styling buck from which the final production version of the car will be produced is currently on display at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, giving enthusiasts a first-hand look at this piece of automotive artistry.
