Up-close with the Ferrari SP-8, an exclusive open-top supercar by an Asian tycoon

The Ferrari SP-8 supercar is the creation of the Special Projects division with a unique aerodynamic design, made especially for a Taiwanese billionaire and there will not be a second one in the world.

The reason the car is named Ferrari SP-8 is that in Eastern culture, the number 8 symbolizes good luck. On the other hand, this number is meant to honor the twin-turbo V8 3.9-liter engine of the car. This is one of the most highly regarded powertrains in history and has won the International Engine of the Year (IEOTY) award four times in a row.

The SP-8 was developed based on the F8 Spider model, inheriting the layout, chassis, and engine. Despite being inspired by a convertible model, the SP-8 doesn’t have a roof. This design allows the driver to enjoy the powerful sound from the twin-turbo V8 engine.

The “appearance” of the Ferrari SP-8 is sporty and trendy with an eye-catching two-tone exterior color scheme of black and silver. The front of the car features the original dark carbon fiber surface, while the rear of the car features the Argento Micalizzato special silver. The front end of the car stands out with a monolithic aluminum alloy grille, 3D printed using advanced technology. The grille has the same vertical stripe pattern, gradually expanding on both sides to improve airflow to the front heat exchanger.

Ferrari said they spent a lot of time perfecting the car bodywork through computer simulation, wind tunnel testing, and track testing to ensure the car remains comfortable and quiet even without a roof.

The front lights cluster of the Ferrari SP-8 has been redesigned entirely, while the rear lights cluster is inherited from the Ferrari Roma. The windshield and exhaust pipes are also inherited from the 296 GTB model. The 5-spoke wheels are inspired by the legendary Ferrari F40 with a matte gray finish called Grigio NART.

Inside the cabin, the SP-8 is finished with navy blue Alcantara leather seats combined with a special color-changing fabric and twill fabric with a metallic effect. Although developed based on the F8 Spider, certain areas in the SP-8’s cockpit are also borrowed from other “siblings”. For example, the center control panel and F1 gearbox area of the car are based on the SF90 Stradale but have been completely redesigned.

The Ferrari SP-8 is still powered by the 3.9L V8 twin-turbo engine, similar to the Ferrari F8 Spider. This power generates a maximum output of 720 horsepower and a maximum torque of 770 Nm. The engine is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, allowing the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 340 km/h.

TT (Tuoitrethudo)