Carlo Palazzani, Head of Sports Car Exterior Design at Ferrari took to the stage at the 19th Autostyle+ Design Edition 2022, at Mantova to present the highlights and more on the new Ferrari 268 GTB and latest Daytona SP3 sports cars, direct from the design table from its Maranello headquarters nearby.
Since this event on 27 October, Ferrari’s first V6-mid-engined hybrid, the 296 GTB, has won the coveted title of “Supercar of the Year” in the TopGear Awards 2022. (This brings Ferrari’s tally of Top Gear Awards to 19 awards in 19 years, 7 of which have been for the Supercar of the Year.)
In explaining enthusiastically about the new high performance FWD compact hybrid sports car, he said that the 296 GTB redefines the whole concept of fun behind the wheel, guaranteeing pure emotions not just when pushing the car to its limits, but also in day-to-day driving situations.
The 296 GTB also heralds the beginning of revolution for Ferrari as it introduces a new engine type to flank the famous Italian marque’s multi-award-winning 8- and 12-cylinder power units: a new 663 PS 120° V6 coupled with an electric motor capable of delivering a further 167 PS. This is the first 6-cylinder engine installed on a road car sporting the Prancing Horse badge; it unleashes its massive 830 PS total power output to deliver previously unthinkable performance levels and an innovative, exhilarating and unique soundtrack.
The Ferrari 296 GTB is the third plug-in hybrid model in the product range.
Subsequently, the Ferrari Daytona SP3 has also become an award winner, in achieving the “Grand Prize: Most Beautiful Supercar 2022” by a panel of expert judges at the 37th Paris Festival Automobile International. This prestigious annual award is held to pay tribute to the sports car chosen by a panel of influential personalities from the world of motoring for its design and aesthetic beauty.
The same jury awarded Ferrari’s Chief Design Officer, Flavio Manzoni, with the Grand Prize of Design, in recognition of his original, creative and influential work in the automotive sector.
The design of the Ferrari Daytona SP3, a limited-edition car that joins the ‘Icona’ series, features design traits of ‘60s and ‘70s racers such as the 330 P4, 350 Can-Am and 512 S, according to Carlo. The ‘Targa’ body with a removable hard top was also inspired by the sports prototype world: consequently, “the Ferrari Daytona SP3 not only delivers exhilarating driving pleasure but also usable performance,” he said.
The Ferrari ‘Icona’ series was launched in 2018 with the Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2, which were inspired by the competition Barchettas of the 1950s that helped earn the marque its legendary status in motorsport with a string of prestigious victories.
The ‘Icona’ series celebrates Ferrari history by reinterpreting the timeless styling of the marque’s most iconic cars in the modern era using the most innovative materials and technologies available today.
The concept of taking inspiration from a particular time in history, which lies at the core of the Icona concept, goes much further than merely reusing styling cues from the past. ‘Icona’ cars all boast solutions not seen in the rest of the range and are aimed solely at Ferrari’s top clients and collectors, which are proud ambassadors for the Prancing Horse marque.