Bugs-in-the-teeth Ferraris
Here’s a pair of limited-edition Ferraris sure to get collectors frothing. The single-seat Monza SP1 and dual-seat Monza SP2 Barchettas take design inspiration from Maranello’s early racing barchettas, like the 166MM from 1948, but are based on the mighty 812 Superfast, with that model’s fearsome V12 wicked up even further to 603kw. Crowd-stopper design elements include upwards-opening doors, and a forward-hinged bonnet to showcase the V12. Just 500 of the all-carbonfibre cars will be built for a yet-to-bedisclosed figure; deliveries from June 2019.
“has not deterred customers so far”. Expanding further he said, “Before we completed the transaction, I spoke with [Ferrari Chairman] John Elkann … Ferrari does its buying with challenge rounds internally and externally; John reassured me that Pininfarina always is a competitor. That was a key element in helping me decide whether we should go ahead.”
Rather than rely on the good graces of Maranello, Pininfarina has looked across the Adriatic to Croatia and, more specifically, Rimac. The PF0 will use the mechanical architecture of the Rimac C_two, Perschke confirming that it will have an identical output of 1407kw and 2300Nm. It’s likely that the hypercar will also utilise Rimac’s 800-volt electrical architecture and 120kwh lithium-ion battery pack. The quad-motor architecture with the rear wheels augmented by separate dual-speed gearboxes is a given, and the performance targets of sub-two-second 0-100km/h time, 300km/h dispatched in 12 seconds and a 400km/h top speed are not fantasy, given Rimac’s technical lead in battery density. Nor is the target 515km range.
Automobili Pininfarina plans to build 150 PF0S, fully 50 more than originally stated. Perschke claims that “the response has exceeded all our expectations,” with pricing estimated to be around A$2 million. The model at Pebble Beach had no functional interior, and its public unveil is set for the 2019 Geneva show in March. Perhaps the most ironic aspect of the vehicle is that in artfully dressing another manufacturer’s underpinnings, the PF0 has come full circle, returning Pininfarina to the coachbuilding tradition of its origin. Design director Luca Borgogno summed up its essence. “Soprattuto deve essere bella.” Above all it must be beautiful.’