Ferrari create ‘Monza’ specials

Following the lead of other carmakers, like Jaguar, Volkswagen, Fiat and most recently Peugeot, in dipping into their past to create new models, Ferrari has produced the ‘Monza’.

Unveiled at the Maranello factory on 18 September, the Monza is the first in a series of limited-edition ‘special series’ cars – what Ferrari call ‘Icona’ - inspired by the famous marque’s past.

Icona models will be aimed at dedicated Ferrari clients and collectors, and while production will be limited, Ferrari haven’t clarified exactly how many units of each special series car will be built.

Choice of One… or Two The Monza will be offered in a choice of ‘SP1’ or ‘SP2’ configurations, both of which are open-top barchettas, the main difference between the two being that one is a single-seater, while the other has room for two.

Both are powered by a tweaked version of the 6.5-litre V12 engine used in the current Ferrari 812 Superfast, but whereas the engine in that model produces 588kW and 718Nm, maximums of 603kW and 719Nm are delivered in the Monza pair. Zero to 100km/h sprint times of 2.9 seconds are claimed, along with a 7.9-second 0-200km/h time and a top speed in excess of 300km/h.

What sort of gearbox this engine – claimed as Ferrari’s most powerful ever offered in a “production” model – is matched to is unrevealed, but it’s likely to be the same seven-speed dual-clutch unit used in the 812 Superfast.

The impressive performance figures are thanks, in part, to the stripped-back, lightweight bodywork on both variants. Each body is made entirely from carbon fibre, using techniques developed on Ferrari’s F1 cars, with the same material used throughout the interior. With no roof, sideglass or windscreen, the barchetta body style reduces bulk, too, with the SP1 listed at 1500kg and the SP2 at 1520kg dry weight.

166 MM or 750 Monza Created by the Ferrari Design Centre, styling on both models is described as pure and uncluttered by features found on modern sports and supercars, like advanced spoilers, wings and diffusers. Inspiration is said to have come from some of the earliest cars to wear the Ferrari badge, namely the 166 MM (Mille Miglia) from 1948 and the 750 Monza and 860 Monza competition sports cars that debuted in 1954 and 1956, respectively.

Described as an uncompromising single-seat road car, the Monza SP1 features a sleek body and Jaguar D-type aerodynamic hump behind the driver, while the Monza SP2 is essentially the same, but deletes the offside tonneau panel and adds a seat and second hump (incorporating a roll bar) for a passenger, with a large ‘backbone’ separating the occupants.

The cockpit is described as “F1 style” in that it wraps around the driver (and passenger on the SP2) to enhance the experience.

While the absence of a windscreen – or a screen of any type – may conjure thoughts of the SP1 and SP2 being uncomfortable at speed, wind buffeting is counteracted through the use of a “Virtual Wind Shield”. Incorporated into the fairing ahead of the instrument panel, this patented feature is said to deviate part of the air flow to “maintain driving comfort”. The SP2 passenger, it seems, misses out on this feature.

Leather-trimmed race seats with complementary four-point harnesses feature inside, with the instrumentation and switchgear largely borrowed from the current Ferrari range.

Handle-less doors are lightweight units that tilt forward for entry, while the bonnet is a one-piece clamshell-type that also tilts forward to allow access to the high-performance V12.

Exclusivity… at a Price Other details on the Monza SP1 and SP2 are still to be released, including the intended production run and how long each variant will be offered for, but Autocar UK says less than 500 total will be built, with the split determined by customer preference.

Price hasn’t been revealed, either, but Autocar UK has posited a per-unit figure in the US$3 million (AU$3.8 million approx.) mark. To suit the cars, Ferrari will also offer Monza SP1 and SP2 buyers a range of “gentleman driver” apparel, including shoes, gloves, helmets, overalls and even scarves, created in collaboration with Italian luxury brands Berluti and Loro Piana.