The arrestingly styled Daytona SP3 is a purposely analogue supercar– the most aerodynamically efficient Ferrari not to use active addenda, powered by the most powerfulnon-electrifiedV12 engine in thefirm’s arsenal. Plus, in contrast with its Monza SP1 and -SP2 predecessors, this limited-edition model is road legal.

The third model in the Ferrari’s Icona series, which was unveiled at the Mugello race track in Italy as part of the 2021 Ferrari Finali Mondiali at the weekend, marks the Prancing Horse’s historic one-two-three finish with its 330 P3/4, 330 P4 and 412 P race cars in the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. Only 599 units of the Daytona SP3 will be produced, many of which are probably already accounted for.

At the heart of the Maranello-based marque’s newcomer is the 812 Competizione’s naturally aspirated (non-turbocharged) 6.5-litre V12, which is mid-mounted and features modified intake and exhaust manifolds, lightweight titanium conrods, reduced-friction piston pins as well as a lighter, rebalanced crankshaft.The upgraded motor’s peak outputs are 618 kW at 9 250 rpm and 697 Nm at 7 250 rpm (with a rev limit of 9500 rpm), which means the Daytona SP3’s is the most powerful non-electrified model that the Maranello-based firm has ever produced.

Endowed with an upgraded 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the newcomer is saidto accelerate from 0to 100 kph in 2.95 sec, from 0to 200 kph in 7.4 secand on to a 340-plus kph top speed.

By virtue of incorporating a plethora of lightweight composite materials (including carbon fibre and Kevlar), the Daytona SP3 has a dry weight of 1 485 kg, while its mid-engined configuration facilitates a 44/56 front-to-rear weight distribution. In addition, the newcomer comes shod with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres (265/30 ZR20 front and 345/30 ZR21 rear – they were developed specifically for the model), as well as a new Dynamic Enhancer function, which controls the pressure on the brake callipers under hard cornering.

Meanwhile, Ferrari claims that the Daytona SP3 is the most aerodynamically efficient road car (without active aerodynamic elements) that it has ever produced. The svelte exterior design combines elements of historic- as well as current Ferrari models…

The low-set wraparound windscreen and domed front wings (on which the side mirrors are mounted) reference Ferrari’s historic sports prototypes race cars, while airboxes built into the butterfly doors channel air to the side-mounted radiators. The Daytona SP3’s distinctive rear-end design, meanwhile,is distinguished by a stack of body-coloured (and wraparound) bars that sit beneath the extended LED light bar, into which the tail-light clusters are also integrated. A pair of centrally mounted exhaust tips sit above the dramatic diffuser.

Inside, the Daytona SP3’s driver and passenger sit lower and more reclined than in any other Ferrari road car, which is to be expected, given the acute rake of the Ferrari’s windscreen. The single-piece seats are bolted onto the chassis, but, to compensate, the driver is afforded an adjustable pedal box. The lower half of the dashboard integrates the brand’s Human-Machine Interface (HMI) touch controls, which allows the driver to keep their hands on the steering wheel to control 80 per cent of the vehicle’s functions.

As for how much Ferrari’s latest creation costs, the Italian firm didn’t say, but reports suggest that it is the equivalent of just over R35 million (November 2021).

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