Ferrari SP48 Unica: A new One-Off from Maranello
The Ferrari SP48 Unica, the latest addition to the Prancing Horse’s One-Off series, joins the most exclusive group in Maranello’s entire production: unique, bespoke cars crafted to the specifications of a single client and designed as a clear expression of their own individual requirements.
The SP48 Unica is a two-seater sports berlinetta developed on the F8 Tributo platform. Its taut lines and aggressive stance make it instantly recognisable with respect to the original model, thanks to its arrow-shaped front profile. Central to achieving this effect was the redesign of the headlights and the subsequent relocation of the brake air intakes.
A pivotal aspect of the design of this unique new car is the extensive use of procedural-parametric modelling techniques and 3D prototyping (additive manufacturing) which enabled a complete redesign the front grille and engine air intakes. This advanced production process resulted in perfect 3D grilles that seem carved from a solid volume creating a sense of seamless continuity and dynamic fluidity.
The procedural graphic solutions adopted on the bodywork dialogue directly with the grilles and influence the SP48 Unica’s overall design: the transition from black – which includes the windows, roof and engine cover – to the body colour is especially clear. The striking visor effect of the front is further heightened by the reduction in the size of the side windows and the elimination of the rear screen.
The SP48 Unica’s thermal-fluid-dynamic design has been honed and perfected to guarantee it satisfies all cooling requirements in addition to delivering a different aerodynamic balance. The biggest changes compared to the F8 Tributo’s styling include the air intakes for cooling flows for the engine on the front bumper and beneath the rear spoiler. Each has a deep procedural grille, every section of which is optimally angled to maximise the amount of air passing through.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
The Special Projects programme creates unique Ferraris (so-called “One-Offs”) characterised by an exclusive design crafted around the requirements of each individual client to ensure each one becomes the owner of a genuinely one-of-a-kind model. Each project originates from an idea put forward by the client and then developed with a team of designers from Ferrari’s Styling Centre. Having defined the car’s proportion and forms, detailed design blueprints and a styling buck are produced before the construction of the new One-Off begins. The entire process lasts more than a year on average, during which time the client is closely involved in assessing the design and verification phases. The result? A unique Ferrari sporting the Prancing Horse logo and engineered to the same standard of excellence as every car that rolls off the Maranello assembly lines.
For more information, visit the Ferrari website.
