Ferrari P80/C: the new extreme

Ferrari has taken the wraps off the most extreme one-off project in its history, the track-only P80/C.

The new sports prototype has been created strictly as a private project for a long-term customer of the Scuderia, who commissioned Ferrari to build a modern racer that pays homage to some of its most glorious historic competition cars.

A product of The Ferrari Styling Centre, the P80/C is based on the 488 GT3 chassis, but with radically revised bodywork. The styling of the new car incorporates elements of the firm’s great 1960s racers, namely the 330 P3/4, Dino and the 250LM berlinettas.

“Ferrari has been able to de-restrict the engine and improve aero”

The wedge-like front end combined with low splitter, wrap-around windscreen design and lengthening of the rear end – aided by the extra 50mm the GT3 chassis has over the road-going 488 – are all used to pay homage to the styling aspects of the original cars.

As the P80/C isn’t road, or even technically race legal, Ferrari has been able to de-restrict the engine – presumed to be the same 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 found in the GT3 – and also improve the GT3’s aero efficiency by five per cent, even incorporating a Formula 1-style T-wing behind the cabin. It has also reduced the headlights down to slits in the bodywork at the front.

No cost will be revealed for the project, but considering work began back in 2015 and that the client even got to choose the name of the new car, you can assume it wasn’t done on a budget.