What if the SF90 Stradale had been this?
Ferrari's first PHEV becomes latest CZ26 one-off - a 'contemporary reinterpretation of the high performance berlinetta'
We should have known better than to think Ferrari wouldn’t have anything lined up for supercar silly season. Of course, it has a 1,000hp stunner for Monterey Car Week. Not just any new car, either, but a new one-off from Special Projects, the division responsible for cars like the SP-8 roadster and SC40. The truly incredible stuff, basically, where money really is no object.
Interesting for the CZ26 is the donor car, this being built from the SF90 Stradale. Mechanically, it is unchanged from that car, with the same 1,000hp combo of turbo V8 and battery power. The significant news is on top, with the Ferrari Design Studio - led by Flavio Manzoni - having reimagined the SF90 ‘through an essential, technological design language with a forward-looking vision’. From here it looks fantastic, combining both retro and contemporary features to create something much more distinctive than the base car.
Ferrari’s latest approach can be seen in the rear of the CZ26, with lights very similar to a 12Cilindri and exhausts set high like the 849 Testarossa that replaced the SF90. It’s less overt than that car, however, going without the active aero for a cleaner, cooler aesthetic. Ferrari suggests the CZ26 has a ‘light and sculptural appearance’, with the diffuser lending an impression of width to reinforce ‘its stability and its poise.’
Arguably the front is where the CZ26 is most altered, and incorporates the new Ferrari snout treatment more successfully than any series production model. There’s the black band that’s now just about mandatory across the range, along with a prominent front splitter for aero benefit, yet with both incorporated more stylishly than we’ve become used to. Perhaps the super slim lights help. Maybe it’s the exclusive Argento Veloce paint. Could be the influence of 1970s Italian industrial design, which is said to have played a part. Whatever, across every derivative of the SF90 seen this decade, this has to be the most attractive, with even a bit of the P80/C to it. Shame it took a one-off to achieve that. Ferrari says the bodywork ‘is based on an extremely clean and rigorous aesthetic.’
A quick mention for the wheels as well, sitting in arches that Ferrari reckon represent ‘four muscle-like elements’. Once more they’re unique to the CZ26, painted black but with a shot-peened surface treatment. Nope, us neither - it means ‘blasting with microscopic beads to produce a polished effect.’ A lot of effort when they could have just been silver in the first place, but further evidence of the lengths that Special Projects can go to.
The interior has also been redone for the CZ26, with the aim to create more of a cockpit feel: more black, basically, for minimal distractions. The flourishes are there if you know where to look, with body coloured elements in the doors and gloss carbon with a metallic filament woven into the structure. Some elements of this commission might make it to other cars - that sounds like the kind of feature that will remain unique to the CZ.
Developed for a client in the USA, this Ferrari will be off to their collection after Monterey. Imagine the kind of stuff it’ll be joining there. And don’t be surprised if more like the CZ26 follow, given the money involved as well as the reaction to some recent Ferrari designs. As for plain old SF90 Stradales without thousands of hours (and millions of euros) spent on them, they’re still sitting at less than £300k.
I think though that this has had ALOT of time and consideration spent on it...
Within half an hour, I can see that it's less fraught and over worked than the 849, mixing some new elements with old that I think really work. I bet it looks even better in reality..A grower then for me...
And actually whilst I really disliked Bangle at BMW, it's good to see bravery and a company sticking with a devisive designer....whether you like the products or not.
I'm not a fan of the new Tesstarosa, nor the F80 and this is just giving me (at least) the same vibe.
The two other cars I've just mentioned are just too edgy/odd looking. And this one, seems like parts of both of the others and leave most of the SF90 alone.
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