It’s clearly retro fever at Maranello. Last month, Ferrari revived the legendary Testarossa title with the launch of the new Testarossa. This time around, the world’s most famous Italian supercar brand is paying homage to another poster car from the 1980s – the absolutely fabulous F40. But even in its tribute to itself, Ferrari has done a Ferrari by revealing to the world yet another supercar! Unlike the Testarossa however, this one is a unique custom build, christened the SC40.
A one off created by Ferrari’s Special Projects programme, the SC40 is based on the 296GTB platform but its angular styling by Ferrari’s Styling Centre under the direction of Flavio Manzoni, harks back to the car it pays tribute to. Unlike in the F40 however, which used a V8 engine, the SC40 gets the 296GTGB’s 120-degree V6 with an engine displacement of 2993cc mated to an electric hybrid system. While max output from the petrol engine is 663 HP, the combined output from the petrol and hybrid system is a skyscraper rivalling 830 HP. Peak torque is 740Nm. Transmission is via an 8-speed F1 type dual clutch transmission. No surprise then that the SC40 gets up to a top speed of 330kmph, shattering the 100kmph marker in 2.9 seconds and 200 in just 7.3 seconds.
The tech specs aside, what draws one towards the SC40 is its industrial design inspired styling – defined by muscular volumes and precise geometry. A long low nose balanced by a short rear overhang and a high rear wing all but yells out F40, at the viewer. Painted in a bespoke white, the SC40 stands out even among Ferraris.
That strong and mighty V6 is placed behind the driver but ahead of the rear axle and beneath a series of smoked Lexan louvres. The side view is dominated by the intercooler air intakes — a reinterpretation of the classic NACA duct accentuated by a large triangular carbon-fibre plate.
The interiors of this one off also harks back to the F40 in its use of Kevlar as the base material to craft out the cabin. The material has been redeveloped for this special project and features in the footwells, behind the seats and on the floor mats. Some dashboard inserts and the steering wheel are also made from Kevlar. The upholstery features a combination of Charcoal Alcantara and a red Jacquard technical fabric with the Prancing Horse on the headrests and the woven SC40 logo.
The F40, which inspired the SC40, was an equally dramatic launch by the Italian brand. Launched on July 21, 1987, the Ferrari F40 caught the eye of stars of its time. The F40 fan club counted names like Sylvester ‘Sly’ Stallone, Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason and Italian football superstar Roberto Baggio.
