Just a few weeks ago Ferrari surprised the automotive universe by unveiling their new flagship V8, the F8 Tributo to the world. Once again the Prancing Horse has surprised the automotive universe by revealing the one-off, track focused Ferrari P80/C and its just as rare and just as special as Ferrari’s other one-off projects.
The special P80/C took Ferrari nearly four years to develop which is the longest time span spent on any one-off Ferrari built to date. This is due to the lengthy engineering development, in depth styling research and “scrupulous aerodynamic testing.” The unique, track focused P80/C was commissioned by a client only known as ‘TK’ who Ferrari describe as “a great connoisseur of the Ferrari world” which is definitely high praise in my opinion. The P80/C is a totally new and modern iteration of the Prancing Horse’s sports prototype concept. The client’s wishes were to create a modern sports prototype which takes inspiration from two legendary models from Ferrari’s past, the Dino 206 S from 1966 and the 330 P3/P4. The broad buttresses which expand towards the air intakes, muscular rear and front wings, the greenhouse visor effect and wraparound windshield reference the Dino 206 S, 250 LM Berlinetta and 330 P3/P4.
The client wanted his one-off Ferrari to feature two configurations, an exhibition package which features 21-inch wheels and no aerodynamic appendages, this configuration will most likely be used for display purposes. The other configuration being a racing setup which features 18-inch single nut wheels and a carbon fibre rear wing, no points for guessing what the racing setup will most likely be used for.
The Ferrari P80/C is manufactured completely from lightweight carbon fibre except the components which serve a technical purpose have been left bare. The client selected a bright Rosso Vero exterior paint finish, on the inside its typical 488 GT3 with a bodywork integrated roll cage featuring too. The carbon fibre door panels and seat upholstery have been personalised to suit the client’s individual taste. Ferrari redesigned the side sections of the dashboard as well.
Both parties chose to base this one-off Ferrari on the existing 488 GT3 chassis because the track focused 488 features a longer wheelbase than its road going sibling the 488 GTB and for its motorsport characteristics. This gave the designers more freedom and allowed them to get creative, as a result of this the designers pushed the cockpit towards the front giving an elongated rear compartment, which gives the P80/C a more aggressive character.
Ferrari have not made the technical specifications and performance figures available. Since the P80/C is based on the 488 GT3, I assume it has adopted the 3.9-litre twin turbocharged V8 engine and 7-speed dual clutch transmission which gives life to the 488 GT3. The bespoke aero kit allows for a 5% improvement in efficiency, as for the headlights they are just slits with the taillights taking a similar form. These are featured as the P80/C is homologated for track use only and does not have to comply with any race series rules.
The Ferrari Special Projects Division are well and truly automotive magicians and have failed to disappoint the automotive universe once again. Hopefully in the near future they can bring to life a modern iteration of a 1950’s era Ferrari Formula One racer which put the Scuderia on the Formula One map.