Ferrari P80/C Breaks Cover As One-Off Track-Only Supercar Based On 488 GT3

There are one-off Ferrari projects and then there’s the new P80/C. Ferrari spent almost four years developing this unique track car — the longest time of any Ferrari one-off made to date.

That’s because the company took a different approach than with its one-off cars in the past, with the P80/C being the result of in-depth styling research, lengthy engineering development, as well as “scrupulous aerodynamic testing.”

Commissioned by TK, an unnamed customer Ferrari describes as “a great connoisseur of the Ferrari world,” the P80/C is an entirely new and modern take on the Ferrari sports prototype concept. The client’s brief was to create a modern sports prototype inspired by two iconic models from Ferrari’s history: the 330 P3/P4 and the 1966 Dino 206 S.

That was no easy task for the Ferrari Styling Centre because it had to develop a new kind of product that did not exist in the current lineup. More specifically, it had to design a sports prototype inspired by cars that essentially wrote their own styling rules — not to mention the P80/C also had to be a high-performance track supercar.

Ferrari and the customer decided to use the 488 GT3 chassis as a basis, both for its performance and the longer wheelbase than the 488 GTB. That allowed more creative freedom for the designers, who pushed the cockpit more towards the front resulting in an elongated rear section that gives the car a more aggressive character.

Other design highlights include the muscular front and rear wings, broad buttresses that expand towards the air intakes, wraparound windscreen, and the visor effect of the greenhouse. All of these features are references to the 330 P3/4, Dino 206 S, and 250 LM berlinettas.

Interestingly, the customer wanted the car to have two configurations: a racing setup which includes a carbon fiber wing and 18-inch single-nut wheels, and an exhibition package featuring 21-inch wheels and no aerodynamic appendages.

The P80/C is made entirely from carbon fiber but only the parts with strictly technical functions have been left bare — the body has been painted in a bright Rosso Vero. As for the interior, it’s very much the same as the 488 GT3 with a roll cage integrated into the bodywork. However, the side sections of the dashboard have been redesigned and the seat upholstery and carbon-fiber door panels have been personalized as well.

The fact that the P80/C didn’t have to comply with any racing series regulations had a big impact on aerodynamic development. While based on the experience gained with the 488 GT3, the aero kit is unique and brings a 5 percent improvement in overall efficiency. And since the P80/C is homologated only for track use, the headlights have been reduced to mere slits — echoed at the rear by the taillights that have a similar shape.

Ferrari didn’t reveal any technical specs but we assume the P80/C carries over the 488 GT3’s 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 hooked to a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox. The sports car manufacturer didn’t disclose how much it charged to build this one-off supercar either.

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