2019 Ferrari Monza SP2 Speedster. 1st generation
The Ferrari Monza SP2 is a two-seater speedster with an original carbon fiber body inspired by the racing cars from the 50s. Small doors open sideways and upward, and the car has no roof or windshield. The sports car has two versions: the single-seater Monza SP1 and the two-seater Monza SP2. Unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Ferrari Monza SP2 has impressed potential customers with its new exterior, in particular with the missing windshield. The manufacturer will release only 500 Monza SP2 models, which are made by pre-order within the ‘Icona’ series. Moreover, it is assumed that over time they will all become collector values.
The new Ferrari Monza SP2 is inspired by the legendary original Ferrari Barchetta models, especially the 166 MM from 1948 and the 750 Monza from the 1950s, hence the characteristic perfectly simple shape implying that the car is designed for high speed driving. The sports car has no direct competitors, as it is a very specific car for special customers.
According to Ferrari, the simple shape of the car was chosen as a response to critics who reproached the company for being too pretentious in car design. The Italians have promised that the minimalist experience gained from the limited barchetta will be carried over to future GT models.
Exterior
The 2019/2020 Ferrari Monza SP2 is distinguished by the absence of a windshield. The previous barchettas had windshields, albeit very low. But now Ferrari designers have reached a particular level of excellence that allows them to shape the hood in the fairing area in such a way that the higher the speed of the car, the less the oncoming air flow is felt by the driver and passenger. Thus, the wind sweeps over the heads of the astonished passengers with a terrible speed, leaving them completely safe. This solution is patented and called ‘Virtual Wind Shield’. In all other respects, the Monza SP2 has a typical exterior. It is an aerodynamic low-riding car aimed at achieving and maintaining maximum speed, similar to a bullet flattened on top on large wheels. The doors open in a peculiar way, simultaneously forward and upward.
Interior
The interior of the supercar is laconic, as it is difficult to fit many elements in a place that is as small as a kayak seat. But there are racing seats, four-point seat belts, various electronic assistants on the dashboard, storage space for three helmets and a backpack with wrenches and hammer, USB charging ports for both the driver and passenger. The central tunnel has a place for a bottle and a card holder, a tribute to the legendary 166th barchetta, which became famous at the Le Mans races many years ago.
Power
The Monza SP2 is equipped with the most powerful engine for Ferrari production cars at the moment, namely a 6.5-liter V12 engine, developing 809 hp at 8,500 rpm and 530 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. The company claims that the acceleration time to 100 km/h is only 2.9 seconds. The maximum speed is set at 300 km/h.
To ensure that the body of the production car could withstand racing loads, it was covered with carbon fiber composite panels. It was only thanks to composite materials that the SP models were equipped with a huge clamshell hood.
