Compared to the conceptual vehicle, Sergio has gone through some nice design tweaks. The front fascia received a new air diffuser, with shorter shape and smoother lines. The hood had its central, carbon-fiber portion increased, leaving the NACA inlet in favor of an U-shape, and now ends at a regular, full-size windshield. The sides repeated the gorgeous spear-like silhouette, with a set of gold-colored, diamond-finished wheels, a roofless targa top, and a very interesting carbon-fiber zone of its own: it goes from the door to the rear wheel in a boomerang-ish shape, and interrupts the ascending crease of the metallic part. The rear dropped the oval tail lights for circular ones with more black surrounding, and added a second exhaust pipe and a bigger air diffuser.
Underneath such amazing sheetmetal lies 458 Italia’s project. This is more apparent at the interior, which enhanced the original one with leather upholstery, Alcantara inserts, contrasting red stitching, and “extensive carbon dash and door well trim”, as the company states. Nevertheless, Ferrari will offer their clients multiple sessions at the Tailor Made atelier in Maranello, where they can customize a whole list of details about “colors, materials and finishes.” All that is powered by 458’s naturally-aspirated, 4.5-liter V8 engine, whose 597 hp take Sergio to 100 kph in three seconds. It is very powerful, indeed, but this isn’t a race car. The Italians thought of a much better way to honor mr. Pininfarina than with just speed.
Since it represents the union between a high-performance automaker and a design studio, this car intends to present the union of both concepts. The smooth lines and volumes optimize the air flow, creating adequate extraction under the body and downforce above it in a natural way, without relying on additional spoilers and wings that would only mess with the original looks. Considering that the engine was already great in 458 Italia, Ferrari used the absence of a rear glass so as to improve the sound transmission towards the cabin. Most of Sergio’s design features were inspired by Pininfarina’s 1960s and 70s creations for Ferrari. As with any limited-edition vehicle Ferrari releases, this one was sold out pretty much quicker than you can say “I want one.”