Ferrari when it comes to making evocative cars.
The sight of the prancing horse emblem will immediately catch anyone's attention, and the Ferrari Monza SP1 is perhaps one of the best-looking and most exotic machines the company has ever built. Part of a new series of special vehicles called 'Icona', Italian for 'icon', the Monza SP1 has no roof, is not equipped with a windshield or any comfort features, and, unlike the McLaren Elva and Aston Martin V12 Speedster, only has one chair.
But it came with the factory's most powerful 6.5-liter V12 gas engine producing 799 horsepower, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, and rear-wheel drive, perhaps making it one of the best Ferraris ever made. In a world that is slowly being dominated by electric cars, this latest arrival in the heyday of open-top racing is a breath of fresh air. Only 499 Monzas – including the SP2 two-seater we reviewed separately – will be made, and while neither is road-legal in the US, you can bet that bottom-of-the-barrel American Dollar collectors will be lining up to buy one. The Monza SP1 is a limited edition super sports car aimed at dedicated collectors. Using the underpinnings of the Ferrari 812 Superfast, this stunning bodywork is inspired by classic racing Ferraris such as the 1948 166 MM, 750 Monza, and 860 Monza. In addition to its stunning looks, the SP1 also stands out for its single-seat layout and Ferrari's most powerful naturally aspirated V12 engine to date. As with the previous model year, no significant changes were made to the SP1 for the 2023 model year. Ferrari stated at the start of 2023 that deliveries of the SP1 ended in 2022, so this is the exclusive car's final model year.
Ferrari's "Icona" series was launched in 2018 and is a modern, cutting-edge speedster in single-seat (SP1) and two-seat (SP2) configurations, created to celebrate classic Ferrari models such as the 750 Monza and 166 MM, without being retro pastiche. Based on the 812 platform and using Ferrari's iconic naturally aspirated V12 engine, just 499 Monzas - including the SP2 two-seater we reviewed separately - will be built for $1.8 million each. The SP1 is a lightweight carbon fiber speedster in its purest form with room just
Ferrari continues to pull pretty rabbits out of its hat, and the Monza SP1 has to be the best-looking of them all. Based on the 812 Superfast, this roofless single-seater that pays tribute to the best years of motoring is truly stunning, both visually and aurally. The SP1 is built from lightweight carbon composite materials and sits on the same chassis used by the 812. Under the hood is the most powerful V12 production engine Ferrari has ever produced. It's rated at nearly 800 hp and launches this sleek Italian missile to 60 mph in less than three seconds. Only 499 SP1s and SP2s (reviewed separately) were built for $1,800,000 each.
Monza SP1 exterior
Forget about the monstrous V12 hiding underneath; The main attraction of the new Ferrari Monza SP1 is its fantastic exterior design. According to Ferrari, the Monza SP1's design inspiration was taken from the Ferrari Barchetta of the 1950s, and although there are some nostalgic references, no design elements are borrowed directly from the classic car. It features a Kevlar and carbon fiber body, an all-carbon one-piece hood wing assembly, doors that open upwards into a single open seat, LED headlights, and perhaps strangest of all, a 21-inch front and 20-inch rear. five-spoke wheels. The SP1 is also unlike other convertibles, in that it's not a convertible at all - there's no roof. To prevent frostbite and the general inconvenience of not having a regular windshield, Ferrari developed the Virtual Wind Shield. for the driver.
Size
The Ferrari Monza SP1 measures 183.3 inches long and 78.6 inches wide. This sleek racer stands just 45.5 inches tall and has a wheelbase of 107.1 inches. The front track measures 66.5 inches, while the rear track measures 66.1 inches. The dry weight of this Ferrari is approximately 3,307 pounds, making it one of the lightest modern Ferrari vehicles.
Engine and Transmission
The engine used in the Monza SP1 is one of the best-sounding and most powerful V12 engines ever produced by the Ferrari stable. The front-mounted 6.5L 65-degree naturally aspirated V12 engine delivers 799 hp and 530 lb-ft of torque to the rear-wheel drive system via an F1 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Even though it is naturally aspirated, the Monza SP1 still produces more power than its twin-turbo V12 competitor, the Aston Martin V12 Speedster, which only produces 690 hp. With a relatively low curb weight and all that power, the Monza SP1 can sprint from 0-62 mph in 2.9 seconds, sprint to 124 mph in just 7.9 seconds, and accelerate to a magical top speed of 188 mph. The downside is that with the cockpit open, the incredible sound the V12 produces is barely audible above 40 mph,
Handling and Driving Feels
The SP1's main focus is to deliver a driving experience like you've never experienced before, and for the most part, it delivers. Its stiff chassis and all-wheel steering borrowed from the 812 Superfast make the car feel more nimble in corners than its already sleek dimensions suggest. The lack of a windshield and the induction noise of the V12 engine combine to create one of the most immersive driving experiences you can have in a four-wheeled vehicle, although above 40 mph the sound of the engine is replaced by the sound of the wind rushing past your ears. On the road, there are similarities to the RWD 812 on which it is based, but there is a clear focus on cornering performance, resulting in a stiffer ride. The big forged wheels don't help much either. Then again, comfort is clearly not a priority considering the lack of a windshield. As an interesting track tool, this is one of the best.
Monza SP1 Fuel Mileage
Fuel mileage figures for this type of car are by no means important, but for those who want to feel better about driving a hybrid, the Monza SP1 will achieve a best figure of 15 mpg on the highway, and a worst of 12 mpg on the city. , and combined city/highway driving figures are around 13 mpg. A fuel tank capacity of 24.3 gallons gives this Ferrari a maximum range of about 315 miles if you behave properly.
Seating and Interior Space
The Monza SP1 is one of the few cars in existence whose interior is technical as well as its exterior. Getting in and out of the SP1 isn't as easy as getting into a Honda Civic, and taller or horizontally challenged drivers will have fun entering this vehicle through the single door that opens upwards. Once seated, the leather-wrapped carbon fiber bucket seats grip tightly. There's ample legroom for a six-footer, and headroom is very, very generous. If it wasn't already clear, every trip on the SP1 will be a solo adventure as there is only one seat.
Monza SP1 Luggage and Cargo Space
For many, it will come as a surprise that this seemingly uncompromising driving machine actually comes with some kind of baggage. Lift the rear boot lid, and you're offered enough space to fit a backpack or two, or if you're on the track, three helmets. Unlike its two-seat sibling, the SP2, the SP1 only offers space for one driver, and small item storage is limited. There's a small cubby next to the driver with room for keys and maybe your wallet, but we recommend keeping your keys and cell phone in your jeans pocket.
Monza SP1 Infotainment and Features
Feature
Despite being priced at around $1,800,000, the Ferrari Monza SP1 essentially comes without any features. Sure, you get lots of carbon fiber, a great body design, and a big V12 engine, but forget about luxuries like traffic sign recognition or a 16-speaker Bose sound system.
Basically, what you get here is a single carbon leather seat - which can be optioned with heating - automatic headlights, and air conditioning that doesn't do a good job of keeping your feet warm when your head is frozen. There are sleek paddle shifters, a Ferrari red engine stop/start button, an adaptive damper button, and a manettino dial on the steering wheel to switch between the various driving modes. On the center stack, you'll find switches for the power-adjustable seats, cruise control, rearview camera, engine auto stop/start, parking sensors, and power windows. To provide comfort, the SP1 also has a nose lift system to give you more elegance when installing speed bumps.
infotainment
Behind the steering wheel, you'll find digital displays on each side of the dominant tachometer. The multi-function screen displays driving and infotainment data and can be controlled via several buttons and knobs on the center stack to cycle through modes and favorite radio stations. Ferrari offers optional Apple CarPlay, but Android Auto isn't compatible. There is a sound system, but with the small cockpit, the speakers are few and ineffective. It's a redundant system, which sounds like a big V12 in terms of speed; absolutely not.
Monza SP1 Problems and Reliability
The Monza SP1 has not been recalled and comes with a three-year basic warranty (extendable to five years with bumper-to-bumper coverage), a three-year powertrain warranty, regardless of mileage covered in that period, and seven years.
Monza SP1 Safety
While most modern driver assistance features are lacking, the Monza SP1 should be quite safe. Both the NHTSA and the IIHS declined to review the Ferrari Monza SP1, and we thank them for sparing one of these beautiful works of art for the sake of safety ratings. The SP1 comes standard with electronic stability control, traction control, F1-Trac, electronically operated limited-slip differential, and SCM-E with dual solenoids.
There's no doubt in our minds that the Monza SP1 is one of the greatest Ferraris ever made. Coming from a brand that takes great pride in its motorsport heritage, the SP1 combines everything we love about Ferrari: tradition, passion, speed, and edge, and combines them into what you see before you. The SP1 may be one of the most beautiful cars made in the last decade, but beneath it lies one of the most ferocious V12 engines ever put into a production car. The result is a car that is very fast but easy to drive at high speed. The fact that you are driving a roofless vehicle without a windshield makes the experience more intense and allows the driver to feel the real speed without having to go too fast. Of course, the Monza SP1 doesn't have a lot of tech and luxury features, but if that's a concern for you,
More than you can afford, mate... a Ferrari." If you're lucky enough to get your hands on one, you'll likely pay more than the starting price of a Ferrari Monza SP1 - around $1,800,000 - before settling on individual options, as these have all been sold. News the good thing is that if you do manage to get your hands on one, you'll just see a return on your investment (if you look after it of course.) It's worth noting that without a windshield, the Monza SP1 supercar has not been homologated for road use in the US so importing it requires a special Show or Display permit. However, you get an exclusivity that few can compare with. Only 499 Monzas will be produced, with the split between the SP1 and SP2 determined by customer demand.
