Ferrari F40 honoured with a one-off

Ferrari's Special Projects programme presents the SC40, a one-off based on the 296 GTB and designed as a contemporary tribute to the 1987 F40. Unveiled in Maranello on 17 October 2025 and commissioned by a private customer, the SC40 retains the architecture of the 296 GTB — rear mid-engine, chassis and rear-wheel drive — and its V6 turbo hybrid powertrain, but completely changes its visual identity to evoke the aesthetics of the 1980s without compromising on current technology.

At first glance, the references are obvious: a long, low nose, minimal rear overhangs and a rear wheel arch that rises vertically from the engine cover, creating an instantly recognisable silhouette. Ferrari has incorporated smoked Lexan® slats, an open mesh rear skirt to aid turbo engine cooling, and large side intakes for the intercoolers, reinterpreting the NACA ducts and slats with contemporary design solutions.

Under the direction of Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari's Centro Stile has fused classic features with modern forms to achieve a muscular-looking berlinetta with precise lines. The surfaces alternate between taut planes and organic curves; vertical lines mark the front wheel arches, door cut-outs and engine cover; and the front end is defined by headlights positioned at the outer corners of the bonnet, a full-width lower air intake and rectangular brake intakes that reinforce the front-end presence and hint at its sporting origins.

The use of materials also alludes to the past: the F40 was a pioneer in the use of composites such as carbon Kevlar, and in the SC40 this heritage reappears in the footrests, inserts behind the seats and steering wheel and dashboard trim. The interior combines charcoal-coloured Alcantara® with a red Jacquard technical fabric that provides contrast, texture and a distinctly motorsport-oriented atmosphere.

Although the SC40 is based on the mechanics and platform of the 296 GTB, Ferrari emphasises that the intention was not to replicate figures, but to create a unique experience and presence. The one-off responds to the F40's philosophy of simplicity focused on aerodynamic efficiency, visibility of technical solutions and a feeling of lightness, while integrating comfort and modern systems.

The exterior profile features specific details of the commission: the SC40 badge embossed on the side of the rear wheel arch, triangular carbon fibre motifs on the flank and volumes that play with light to accentuate the sculpted bodywork.

 The intercooler ducts and front intakes are not merely aesthetic, but serve a specific function in the thermal management and airflow of the cooling and intake systems. Ferrari describes the SC40 as a true one-off from the Special Projects programme: a unique piece that blends the heritage of the F40 with contemporary technology, performance and quality standards.

 To showcase part of the creative and artisanal process, from 18 October the Ferrari Museum in Maranello is exhibiting the parts used in the construction of the bodywork, offering an exceptional insight into the manual work and design behind this exclusive commission.

The bodywork is finished in a specially developed Bianco SC40 paint, and the carbon fibre panels feature exposed finishes that emphasise the structure. Ferrari has also adjusted the suspension, brakes and electronic settings to deliver a more direct and communicative response, seeking dynamic performance that combines pure sensations with modern safety and refinement and immersive sound.

In short, the SC40 was created as a sharp and contemporary tribute: it revives the most iconic features of the 1987 supercar, reinterprets them using current technology and integrates them into a berlinetta with a strong sculptural character, created for a customer who wanted to revive the spirit of the 1980s without sacrificing modernity.