FEATURE - Ferrari KC23
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Ferrari
When you’re one of Ferrari’s best customers and your pockets are deep, you can request the team at Maranello build just about anything you want. Three years ago, one of the marque’s “most prominent collectors” made just such a request and a bespoke creation dubbed the ‘KC23’ is the result.
Making its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, the KC23 follows in the wheeltracks of other one-off vehicles from Special Projects, like theSP12 EC commissioned by Eric Clapton, the SP 275 RW Competizione, Monza SP1 and SP2 duo, the F40-inspired SP38, SP48 Unica and SP51, to name a few.
While it is unique, the KC23 has a connection to another SP car; the P80/C from 2019. Both have been based on Ferrari race cars, not road cars like all other SP creations. In the case of the KC23, it’s based specifically on the 488 GT3 in Evo 2020 form. The reason for this is that the owner (who is not named in any of Ferrari’s data on the KC 23) wanted a track-only car, but one that was also free from the homologation requirements of organised motorsport competition.
With no obligation to conform to FIA rules concerning things like aero, weight and engine output, designers at the Ferrari Styling Centre had free rein on how they could develop and build the ultimate track car.
The 488 GT3 Evo 2020 that provided the drivetrain and chassis for the KC23 was a good base for the project, as it’s the most successful racing model in Ferrari history.
Under FIA GT3 class regulations, the twin-turbo 3.9-litre V8 in the 488 GT3 delivers 440kW and 700Nm. Whether this engine has been altered for the KC23 is unclear, but the potential is there, as the ‘Modificata’ from 2020 (another 488 GT3-based special), wound maximum power up to 514kW.
To the 488 GT3 base, the team at the Ferrari Styling Centre led by Flavio Manzoni added an all-new body, inspired by both real and virtual Ferrari racers, with motorised air intakes and a removable rear wing amongst its key features.
Timeless Style – made Functional
In consultation with the anonymous client, Manzoni’s aim with the KC23 was to create “timeless lines that would make an instant classic, while also providing a tantalising glimpse of the future of supercars.”
Overall, the car’s form is rounded and sinuous, with virtually no hard angles or sharp edges - Ferrari describes the surface treatment as “smooth and seamless”. This reimaging of the 488 GT3’s form was total, with even the glass and lights replaced by bespoke items.
On the front and side glass, that’s been seamlessly integrated into the cabin shape, with no obvious pillars, creating a dome-like effect. Ferrari describe this section as having an aeronautical influence, with the lack of obvious pillars producing “a strikingly futuristic result”.
However, this impression of a body that’s been moulded in one piece around the wheel openings changes when the aforementioned side air intakes are open. These motorised flaps, positioned aft of the doors, open automatically when the car is started. Their purpose is to direct air to the twin-turbo V8’s intercoolers and auxiliary components. A second set of flaps, on the trailing edge of the front wheelarches, are said to boost downforce over the front end at speed, in order to balance the car aerodynamically.
Butterfly doors on the KC23 are described as being in the style of the La Ferrari, pivoting off a single hinge, while the bonnet is of the clamshell type, with just two pins holding it in place.
Another notable feature on the exterior is that traditional rearview mirrors have been replaced with rearward-facing cameras mounted on spindly arms.
Fresh Vision and Precious Metal
Given the KC23’s track-only purpose, lighting could have been abandoned entirely, but all-new lights were fabricated and fitted front and rear.
The headlights are slim LED strips, sitting in the grille, while the rear features what Ferrari call methacrylate light blades. Reportedly inspired by the Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo, this striking tail light treatment spans the width of the KC23’s back end and even goes beyond it. A pair of subtle brake lights sit below, mounted behind a mesh panel that allows the car’s engine, transaxle and rear suspension to be seen. Exhaust tips for the 3.9 V8 sit between this mesh panel and a large, bespoke diffuser.
The removable rear wing is perhaps the most conventional element on the KC23, but even that has some unusual touches, like endplates that appear more aesthetic than aerodynamic. The reasoning behind having the rear wing removable was apparently to highlight the car’s form without distraction when it’s on static display.
Paint was specially-developed for the KC23, with the hue that Ferrari calls ‘Gold Mercury’ said to contain liquid metal. Along with its depth and luminous gleam in sunlight, this paint has a colour-change effect, depending on the strength and type of light striking it.
Four coats of this platinum-look paint were laid down, contrasted by a gloss black finish for the lower aero elements and rear wing. Black also features on the spokes of the two-piece, centre-lock wheels, which like the rest of the KC23’s exterior, are unique to the car.
Two sets of wheels were produced at the client’s request. The first, in 18-inch size, were made for use on the track, while a second set, in 21-inch front and 22-inch rear size, was designed to “captivate the public” when the KC23 is on static display.
Interior with Purpose
Most of the interior fitout on the KC23 comes direct from the 488 GT3 Evo 2020. It’s all very race-ready and purposeful, with a bewildering array of switches and controls on both the yoke-style steering wheel and centre console, while the view behind the car is via a trio of small screens.
Seats are race spec, too, but unique to this creation and trimmed in Alcantara with an electro-welded ‘KC23’ logo in the uprights. This identification is also embossed into the carbon fibre of the door apertures.
Some minor concessions to style in this raw, purposeful cabin include a heater and air conditioning, plus the addition of door panels and dash trim ahead of the passenger.
A Hefty Bill, A Lengthy Wait
While the cost to build the KC23 has not been revealed, it’s certain to have been seven figures, with one unconfirmed report listing the cost at more than US$4.0 million.
In addition to being wealthy, the customer who commissioned KC23 must have been patient, as he/she didn’t get to drive their racetrack-only vision for some time after it was completed.
As mentioned, the KC23 made its worldwide debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It ran up the event’s famous hillclimb course, but only on demonstration, not a timed run. That’s probably just as well, as wet weather impacted the event this year, leading to one entire day being cancelled and making the hillclimb course treacherous. The conditions were undoubtedly a factor in several cars crashing on the hillclimb this year.
After Goodwood, KC23 went on display at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello for two months, only being returned to the customer in October. What the mystery owner will do with KC23 in the future is anyone’s guess, but it’s sure to be enjoyed!
