Introduction: Ferrari’s Icona Tribute to Daytona Glory

In the illustrious lineage of Ferrari’s road cars, the Daytona SP3, introduced in 2022, stands as a breathtaking hypercar—a mid-engine masterpiece with a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 delivering 840 horsepower, the most powerful road-legal V12 in Ferrari history. Crafted by Ferrari’s Centro Stile as part of the exclusive Icona series, this model saw just 599 units produced, succeeding the SF90 Stradale as a pinnacle of performance and heritage. Named “Daytona SP3” to honor Ferrari’s 1-2-3 finish at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona with the 330 P3/4, P4, and 412 P, it blended retro-inspired design, cutting-edge technology, and visceral power, cementing its place as a tribute to Ferrari’s racing legacy.

The year 2022 was a vibrant period for Ferrari, its racing triumphs—296 GTB, Purosangue—complementing road car innovation under John Elkann’s leadership. Unveiled on November 20, 2021, at Mugello during the Ferrari Finali Mondiali (entering production in 2022), the Daytona SP3 stunned with its targa-top silhouette and screaming V12. This exhaustive history, penned with a Ferrari historian’s precision, explores its technical brilliance, its iconic styling, its racing roots, and its enduring legacy.

Historical Context: Ferrari’s Icona Series Evolution

The Ferrari Daytona SP3 emerged during a golden era for Maranello. By 2022, Ferrari’s racing pedigree—812 Superfast’s V12 dominance, SF90 Stradale’s hybrid revolution—had solidified its stature, yet the company sought to expand its Icona series, following the Monza SP1 and SP2’s 499-unit run (2018-2021). The Monza models had celebrated Ferrari’s barchetta heritage, but the Daytona SP3 aimed to pay homage to the 1967 Daytona triumph—a defining moment when Ferrari’s 330 P3/4, P4, and 412 P swept the podium. With its 6.5L V12, mid-engine layout, and targa design, it answered, targeting ultra-elite collectors while rivaling the McLaren Elva and Lamborghini Sián FKP 37.

A total of 599 units were built (2022-2024)—all targa-top hypercars, reflecting extreme exclusivity. Chassis 345543, the prototype, debuted at Mugello in November 2021, its retro-futuristic form signaling a new Icona chapter. This was a car for the world’s wealthiest—European racing aficionados, American heritage collectors—its limited production celebrating Ferrari’s racing glory amid the early-2020s hypercar renaissance.

The broader context of 2022 shaped its purpose. The hypercar market thrived—Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut—while buyers craved heritage with innovation. The Daytona SP3 bridged Ferrari’s racing past, rooted in the 365 GTB/4 Daytona, with a modern Icona masterpiece.

Technical Specifications: The V12’s Pinnacle Power

The Ferrari Daytona SP3’s heart was its 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12—a race-inspired powerplant delivering unmatched performance. Below, we dissect its engineering with historian’s detail.

Engine: The 6.5-Liter F140 V12

Displacing 6,496 cc (bore 94 mm, stroke 78 mm), the Daytona SP3’s V12 was a mid-mounted, all-aluminum unit with a 65-degree V-angle, featuring four valves per cylinder (double overhead camshafts per bank), a 13.6:1 compression ratio, and direct fuel injection. Derived from the 812 Competizione, it produced 840 horsepower at 9,250 rpm—40 hp more than the 812 Superfast’s 800 hp and Ferrari’s most powerful road-legal V12. Weighing 350 lbs, it delivered 514 lb-ft of torque at 7,250 rpm, slightly less than the 812’s 529 lb-ft but optimized for high-revving fury.

This engine was a hypercar marvel. Chassis 348765, a 2023 model, showcased its screaming, race-bred power, blending Daytona legacy with modern precision.

Performance: Hypercar Speed

The Daytona SP3 reached 211 mph (340 km/h)—verified by Car and Driver’s 2023 test—matching the SF90 Stradale, with a 0-60 mph time of ~2.85 seconds, a 0.35-second edge over the Purosangue. Its power-to-weight ratio (565 hp/ton) surpassed the SF90 (637 hp/ton) despite lacking hybrid boost, leveraging its lightweight chassis.

Chassis and Suspension: Mid-Engine Precision

The chassis was a carbon-fiber monocoque with aluminum subframes, weighing 1,485 kg (3,274 lbs)—just 15 kg heavier than the 296 GTB but lighter than the SF90 Stradale. Its 2,700 mm wheelbase (100 mm longer than the 296 GTB) enhanced stability, with fully independent suspension—double wishbones front, multilink rear, with coil springs and magnetorheological dampers—offering razor-sharp handling and minimal comfort concessions.

Transmission and Brakes: Race-Derived Control

A 7-speed dual-clutch transmission—mid-mounted—drove the rear wheels, its ratios (1st: 2.93, 7th: 0.76) favoring acceleration, with paddle-shift operation (50-ms shifts). Braking relied on 15-inch carbon-ceramic disc brakes with ABS, delivering 1.3g deceleration—exceptional for its raw setup.

Design and Styling: Ferrari’s Retro-Futuristic Icona

The Ferrari Daytona SP3’s aesthetic was a Ferrari Centro Stile triumph, blending 1960s racing nostalgia with modern hypercar artistry.

Exterior: Targa-Top Daytona Homage

Ferrari’s Centro Stile built all 599 units—chassis 345543 featured a wraparound windshield, butterfly doors, and a removable targa top, finished in Rosso Magma. Its 2,700 mm wheelbase and carbon-fiber body offered a low, sculpted profile, with aerodynamic vents and a rear reminiscent of the 330 P4.

Interior: Spartan Hypercar Cockpit

The cabin was a race-inspired lair: fixed carbon-fiber bucket seats with leather trim, a 16-inch curved digital dash, and steering-mounted controls, with minimal gauges—tachometer (10,000 rpm redline), speedometer. Chassis 348765’s interior, with nods to the Daytona, prioritized performance, contrasting the Purosangue’s luxury.

Production and Variants: An Exclusive Icona

The Ferrari Daytona SP3’s 599-unit run (2022-2024) was strictly limited—all targa-top hypercars, with no variants beyond custom finishes. Chassis 345543 launched the series, with production concluding in 2024, complementing models like the 296 GTB. Its focus was pure road performance—no racing versions emerged.

Performance and Racing Legacy: A Road-Legal Tribute

The Ferrari Daytona SP3 racing history was absent, its road-legal tribute status paramount. Chassis 347543 ran exhibition laps at Monza, but no racing program ensued. Its realm was the road—Autostrada, Nürburgring—where its 211 mph top speed and V12 howl echoed the 1967 Daytona victory.

Ownership and Market Value: An Icona Legend

The Ferrari Daytona SP3 value reflects its exclusivity. Early owners included European collectors and U.S. racing heirs, with a base price of $2.25 million. Today, prices range $3-$4 million—chassis 345543 sold for $3.5 million at RM Sotheby’s 2023. Restoration costs—V12 rebuilds at $150,000—underscore its elite allure.

Cultural Impact: Ferrari’s Daytona Legacy

The Daytona SP3 immortalized Ferrari’s 1967 Daytona triumph, its V12 and Icona status influencing future limited editions. In 2020s lore, it’s the car of heritage-driven performance and timeless design, a testament to Ferrari’s racing and road legacy.

Comparisons: Ferrari Daytona SP3 vs Rivals

The Ferrari Daytona SP3 vs McLaren Elva pits 840 hp V12 against 804 hp V8 turbo—Ferrari led in heritage, McLaren in lightweight focus. The Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 (819 hp hybrid) matched in exclusivity but trailed in purity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Ferrari Daytona SP3?

A 2022 6.5L V12 mid-engine hypercar in the Icona series.

How many were made?

599 units.

What engine powered it?

6,496 cc V12, 840 hp.

Did it race?

No—built as a road-legal tribute.

What’s its value?

$3-$4 million.