A Legend Revisited
There’s a reason the Ferrari F40 is still considered one of the ultimate expressions of Maranello’s engineering and character. Built to mark Ferrari’s 40th anniversary and approved personally by Enzo Ferrari before his passing in 1988, it was the first production car to break the 200 mph barrier and the last of the analog Ferraris. It had no driver aids, no power steering, and no luxury trimmings – just carbon, Kevlar, and pure purpose.
Even today, it’s still revered – among those admirers is Lewis Hamilton, who has often said he’d love to create a “modern F40” – something with the same purity but updated for today’s performance standards. Ferrari hasn’t done that yet, but the brand has just revealed something that brings the old spirit into the modern age.
Discovered through a trademark filing earlier this year, the Ferrari SC40 has finally surfaced. It is a one-off commission under the company’s Special Projects program, created for a private client. It may not be the new F40, but it wears the inspiration – at least it tries to.
Ferrari
A New Take on Familiar Lines
The SC40 borrows its underpinnings from the 296 GTB – a mid-rear-engined V6 hybrid pushing out 841 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque. With a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, an electric motor, and an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, it can hit 62 mph in 2.9 seconds and top out beyond 205 mph. Power meets technology here, with active aerodynamics and hybrid torque filling in for what the F40 once left to raw talent.
Design-wise, the SC40’s low nose, wide stance, and fixed rear wing are unmistakable nods to its ancestor. The white Bianco SC40 paint, smoked Lexan louvers, and triangular carbon accents echo the F40’s iconic features while blending Ferrari’s newer, more geometric forms. Inside, the same carbon-Kevlar mix defines the cockpit, along with Charcoal Alcantara and red Jacquard fabric.
Unlike the F40, though, the SC40 doesn’t come with a manual transmission, which was a missed opportunity. We can make our peace with the electrified V6 instead of a twin-turbo V8, but a five-speed all-synchro manual with gated shifter would have been a better choice – if at all possible.
Ferrari
One for the Ages
The SC40 is a one-off, which means there’s only one existing. It took two years to build with direct input from the client and Ferrari’s styling head, Flavio Manzoni. Ferrari didn’t release the price, though considering the craftsmanship and exclusivity, it’s safe to assume this commission sits deep in seven-figure territory.
