SimplyAbuDhabi XLIV

Styling Although inspired by the stylistic language of 1960s racing cars, the Ferrari Daytona SP3 is clothed in very undeniably original, modern forms. Its sculptural power celebrates and interprets the sensual volumes of sports prototypes to wholly contemporary ef- fect. It goes without saying that a design this ambitious demanded a meticulously planned and executed strategy from Chief Design Officer Flavio Manzoni and his Styling Centre team. Exterior From the wraparound windscreen back, the Ferrari Daytona SP3’s cabin looks like a dome set into a sensual sculpture with sinuous wings emerging boldly either side. The car’s overall balance is underscored by monolithic volumes that are a powerful articulation of the long-appreciated skills of Italian coachbuilding at its finest. The fluidity of its masses melds effortlessly with sharper surfaces, to produce the sense of effortless aesthetic balance that has long been a signature of Maranello’s design history. The clean double-crested front wings are a nod to the sculptur- al elegance of past Ferrari sports prototypes, while the shape of the wheel arches efficiently connotes the geometry of the flanks. Another key element is the butterfly doors, which have an air box integrated into them to channel air to the side-mounted radiators; the resulting sculptural forms give the doors a pronounced shoulder housing the air intake that is visually linked to the vertical cut of the windscreen. The wing mirrors have been moved ahead of the doors to the top of the wings, a position chosen to provide better visibility and reduce the impact of the wing mirrors on the air flow to the door intakes. The shape of the mirror’s cover and the stem were perfected via dedicated CFD simulations to ensure an uninterrupted flow to the intakes. That said, the three-quarter rear view of the car is even more signif- icant as it fully reveals the Ferrari Daytona SP3’s original styling. The door is a sculpted volume, which generates a pronounced dihedral form. Together with the powerful muscle of the rear wing, it creates a completely new, pinched-waist look. The rear bodywork highlights the powerful appearance of the wing by the repetition of the twin-crest theme and the aerodynamic vent that boosts its three-dimensional volume. A series of horizontal blades complete the rear, creating the impression of a light, radical, structured monolithic volume that lends the Ferrari Daytona SP3 a look that is both futuristic and a nod to signatures from Ferrari’s DNA. Interior Even the Ferrari Daytona SP3’s cockpit takes its inspiration from historic Ferraris such as the 330 P3/4, the 312 P and the 350 Can-Am. Starting with an idea of a high-performance chassis, the designers crafted a meticulously refined space that delivers the comfort and sophistication of a modern Grand Tourer, whilst keep- ing the styling language quite minimalist. It retains the philosophy behind certain styling codes: the dash, for instance, is minimalist and functional yet also entirely contemporary in feel. The typical upholstered cushions that were directly attached to the chassis on sports prototypes have been transformed into modern seats inte- grated into the body, creating a seamless textural continuity with the surrounding trim. Simply Abu Dhabi | 303