Ferrari SC40: A Modern Tribute to a Legend

Ferrari has unveiled its latest One-Off creation, the SC40, a bespoke berlinetta born from the brand’s Special Projects programme. Built on the architecture of the 296 GTB, this one-of-a-kind car combines Ferrari’s design heritage with contemporary precision, reflecting the individual vision of a single client.

Designed under the direction of Flavio Manzoni, the SC40 represents the most exclusive tier of Ferrari craftsmanship, a car that exists as a singular expression of personal design and engineering excellence. Its name pays homage to the F40, the legendary supercar introduced in 1987, but instead of recreating the past, the SC40 reimagines it with modern surfaces, sharp geometries, and industrial design cues.

Design and Form

The SC40’s silhouette is pure and sculpted. It features a low, elongated nose, short rear overhang, and a high fixed rear wing finished in a bespoke shade called SC40 White. The rear is a study in contrast, with a black fascia composed of open mesh that exposes the mechanical structure beneath. The smoked Lexan® louvres over the V6 engine continue Ferrari’s tradition of making the mechanical heart visible, while the central titanium and carbon-fibre exhaust adds a technical precision to the design.

Every surface and cut line has purpose. The side intakes reinterpret the classic NACA ducts, framed by a large triangular carbon-fibre insert, while vertical edges structure the body like an architectural rhythm from the front fenders to the engine cover. At the front, minimalism meets aggression: slim headlights positioned at the corners, integrated into a black frame that merges with the wide air intake spanning the lower bumper.

Interior and Materiality

Inside, Ferrari revisits the Kevlar spirit of the F40. Carbon-Kevlar, re-engineered for modern application, wraps sections of the footwells, dashboard, and even the engine bay. The cabin pairs Charcoal Alcantara® with a red Jacquard technical fabric, while the woven SC40 logo and Prancing Horse headrests highlight the car’s bespoke craftsmanship. The materials are functional yet deeply symbolic, lightweight, durable, and tactile, true to Ferrari’s design ethos.

Detail and Finish

The SC40 White exterior tone, developed exclusively for this car, reflects a subtle connection between the exterior and the interior’s carbon-Kevlar. Small details like the brushed aluminium fuel and charging caps, the negative Ferrari lettering on the engine cover revealing the carbon below, and custom wheels with brushed and black-finished geometry complete the design narrative.

The Process

Ferrari’s Special Projects programme turns an individual’s idea into a working sculpture. Each One-Off begins with the client’s concept, which is then refined with Ferrari’s design team through multiple stages such as proportion studies, detailed drawings, and a full-scale styling buck. This collaboration typically spans two years, resulting in a single car engineered and finished to Ferrari’s highest standards.

Exhibition

A full-scale styling buck of the SC40 will be on display at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello starting October 18, 2025, offering visitors a rare look at Ferrari’s most personal design expression.