The most extreme one-off Ferrari ever

Ferrari calls this its most extreme one-off design ever. It’s called the P80/C and is a one-off “hero car”, built for a discerning collector who wanted something that would be the envy of all other Ferrari owners.

The track-only supercar was built by the Ferrari Styling Centre under the direction of Flavio Manzoni, whose team worked together with the client to create a modern sports prototype inspired by iconic models from prancing horse history: the 330 P3/P4 and the 1966 Dino 206 S, icons that were conceived as track cars but went on to influence a whole series of elegant road cars.

The P80/C recreates the sensual shape of those famous Ferraris through more muscular wings formed by the intersection of concave and convex surfaces, but it’s all modern technology underneath.

The car is based on the 488 GT3 chassis, not only for its performance, but also for its longer wheelbase (+ 50mm compared to the 488 GTB) which allowed more creative freedom. The GT chassis allowed the designers to emphasise a cab forward-effect in which the rear is elongated, lending the car a more aggressive, compact character.

Kicked off in 2015, the P80/C project had the longest development time of any Ferrari one-off made to date, a gestation period that involved scrupulous aerodynamic testing to maximise lap times. The result is an aero improvement of around 5% in overall efficiency, required to make full use of the unrestricted engine.

Ferrari doesn’t quote output figures but one can assume this track-bred machine will be running the full-fat, 530kW and 770Nm version of the 3.9l V8 turbo engine used in the 488 range, as used in the Pista.

The fact that the P80/C is homologated only for track use meant that it could do without components that would be deemed vital in a road car, and which would also heavily influence its styling.

Classic headlights have essentially disappeared. Or rather they have been reduced to mere slits set into niches at the front of the car, reminiscent of the air intake housings in the grille of the 330 P3/P4.

The same styling element reappears at the rear of the car. The rear spoiler is very wide to meet aerodynamic requirements and incorporates the two signature tail lights in a way that makes them look like air vents.

The adoption of a concave rear windscreen and aluminium louvres on the engine cover, a reference to the 330 P3/P4, gives the P80/C’s tail an instantly recognisable and unique look.

At the client’s request, the car was designed with a “dual soul”: a racing set-up, which includes quite a showy carbon-fibre wing and 18” single-nut wheels, and an exhibition package complete with 21” wheels but devoid of aerodynamic appendages, to highlight the purity of its form.

The P80/C’s design language was crafted to be instantly clear. Although made entirely from carbon-fibre, only the parts with strictly technical functions have been left bare, while the main car body has been painted a bright statement Rosso Vero.

The interior is very much the same as that of the donor car with a roll cage integrated into the bodywork. The side sections of the dashboard have been redesigned from the version seen on the 488 GT3, as have the seat upholstery and door panels – the latter are now carbon-fibre shells and have no impact on the car’s weight.

No price has been mentioned.