The mysterious Ferrari [NYSE:RACE] we reported about back in August, spotted lapping Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in Maranello, has been confirmed as the initial car in the company's new 'Portfolio' coachbuilding program. Delivered to Japanese businessman Junichiro Hiramatsu, the car is called the SP1 and is based on an F430, reworked by Fioravanti.
The completely undisguised nature of the new model suggested that this was not some secret new Ferrari model under development, but rather a special one-off model designed for a private individual–similar to the Enzo-based P4/5 built for James Glickenhaus back in 2006.
Fioravanti, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, has left its fingerprints in the design of the car. Tell-tale features include the sleek and dynamic sweeping lines that extend nearly the complete length of the car, as well as the rounded rear end. Other differences made to the F430 include the addition of the 599 GTB’s single circular lighting units.
Hiramatsu ordered the Fioravanti-designed SP1 because of an infatuation with the design of the Ferrari F100 from 1998, also penned by Fioravanti, and a sort of spiritual predecessor of the Enzo.
Ferrari had previously confirmed plans to return to its coachbuilding heritage this year, and is working closely with Italian design houses Fioravanti, Pininfarina and Zagato. According to Fioravanti, only the 599 GTB Fiorano and California are outside the scope of the coachbuilding program.