Ferrari recently unveiled the SP3 Daytona as the latest model in its exclusive Icona series. An 829bhp V12-engined tribute to some of Maranello’s best-known historic race cars, it follows the roofless SP1 Monza and SP2 Monza from 2018 and will itself be followed by more limited-run, highly strung special editions.
We caught up with Ferrari’s chief technology officer, Michael Leiters, to hear more about how the brand will balance the development of future series-production models with the creation of more traditional and exclusive cars such as this.
Icona will continue. How is it staffed and what do you learn from it?
“We have a dedicated team working on it. In general, we work within a matrix organisation and the team is responsible to bring forward the programme using the competencies in the company.
“But yes, there’s a dedicated team. The competencies needed to staff this team are quite particular, because it’s low volume and there’s much carbonfibre; and you have also the mental freedom to think in this direction and not think you can’t do that because it costs too much or is too complex or weighs too much. As I mentioned, the balance of trade-off is a bit different.”
Can you express things here that you couldn’t with a production car?
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Poster car that went from rusty to trusty
One evening, two years ago, George Pappas was being driven down his local high street by a mate and mulling over whether to replace his Mk4 Golf diesel, a recent purchase that was boring him to death, when his girlfriend, also in the car, spotted an old BMW 3 Series at the side of the road with a 'for sale' sign in the window.
THE SEVEN-SEATER THAT VOLVO DARE NOT KILL OFF
The current-gen XC90 has been on sale since 2015 for good reason
GENESIS ELECTRIFIED G80
Where the story begins, in the Hyundai premium marque’s luxury saloon
LEXUSLBX
Can you shrink premium quality to fit an SUV this small? We now know
Rolls boss ready to 'define the next chapter'
Nine months into the job, Rolls-Royce CEO and car guy Chris Brownridge tells STEVE CROPLEY what he's learned and where the firm's heading
Once more, with feeling
AC Cars' recreation of the classic MkII Cobra is at first glance a faithful facsimile of a 1960s performance benchmark. SIMON HUCKNALL drives it
MERCEDES-BENZ CLE
Does a PHEV set-up work in a coupé that exudes such old-school vibes?
ANALOGUE SUPERSPORT
Lotus Elise specialist uprates 1990s icon with an eye on track days
ALPINE A290
The hot hatch is alive and well, and living in France. On both road and track, there's much to savour`
UK HANGS ON TO OLD CARS
Average car age climbs as high prices dampen demand for new models
