2023 Ferrari Daytona SP3
Overview
Ferraris are inherently special—the Prancing Horse badge represents more than 80 years of motorsports history and seven-plus decades of drool-worthy road cars. But some Ferraris stand above others, and the 2023 Daytona SP3 is one of them. The third model in Ferrari’s Icona series of ultra-limited edition vehicles, the SP3 honors the trio of Ferrari 330 P4 sports-racing cars that took first, second, and third place at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. The SP3 features vintage styling elements borrowed from those racers such as its wraparound windshield, dramatic wheel arches, and upswept tail. Despite the throwback design nods, the SP3 is also a modern work of automotive art with numerous scoops and intakes carved into the slinky bodywork that optimize aerodynamics and powertrain cooling. Based on the 2015 LaFerrari Aperta the Daytona is even wider, which endows it with a menacing presence. It also echoes those legendary Daytona-winning race cars with its mid-mounted, naturally aspirated V-12 powertrain, which screams to 9500 rpm. Of course, the Daytona SP3 will be insanely quick and joyful when attacking a twisty country road, but it stands out among even the rarest Ferraris for its jaw-dropping styling and roaring engine note. Seeing one in the wild will be a very rare treat for a few lucky car spotters as only 599 SP3s will ever be built.
What’s New for 2023?
The Daytona SP3 is all-new and will only be in the Ferrari lineup for the 2023 model year. Just 599 examples are being built, and all have already been sold. Of the 599 cars, 499 of them have been sold to owners who have purchased one of the previous Icona series cars.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Not surprisingly for a limited-production hypercar, the SP3 is highly customizable. It’s offered in a wide array of colors, but is a Ferrari really a Ferrari if it’s not painted red? The color palette can be accented by two different racing-stripe liveries, and there are also a variety of wheel finishes and brake caliper colors. The interior can also be personalized with a choice of leather or suede seats and a plethora of color options.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Daytona SP3 is propelled by the most powerful combustion engine ever used in a Ferrari road car, a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V-12 motor borrowed from the 812 Competizione that has been boosted by 10 ponies for a total of 829 horsepower. The V-12, which revs to 9500 rpm, also produces a healthy 514 pound-feet of torque, and the engine’s output is routed to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The monocoque tub and body panels are fashioned from lightweight carbon fiber; Ferrari claims a dry weight of 3275 pounds for the SP3. Given its weight-to-power ratio it should have no trouble hitting 60 mph in less than three seconds despite power going only to the rear wheels; 100 mph should arrive in less than six as the SP3 blasts towards its claimed 211-mph top speed. On our first drive, we found the handling to be delightful and engaging. The steering is lightly-weighted and allows you to pilot the car one-handed while cruising around town, but still is communicative enough to inspire confidence when the roads get curvy.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA has yet to release fuel economy figures for the Daytona SP3. Given that its 829 horsepower is derived from a massive 6.5-liter V-12, we don’t expect this Italian automotive beauty to return anything but dreadful gas mileage. And we also predict absolutely no one will care. If you can afford to spend the $2.2 million it takes to own an SP3, you probably won’t notice the fuel bill when one of your assistants brings you the receipts.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The SP3’s interior design is similar to most modern Ferraris’, with its dashboard and two seats covered in a microfiber suede or leather and a digital gauge cluster and user interface borrowed from the SF90. The seats in the Daytona SP3 are fixed (buyers can choose from three sizes and seatback angles), but the pedal box slides forward and back, allowing the driver to find the most comfortable driving position. Passenger-side legroom, however, is tight due to the packaging of the climate control system, so taller right-seat riders may have to scrunch their legs to fit. The carbon-fiber roof panel can be removed to provide an open-air experience and better hear the shrieking V-12 behind your head. There is essentially zero luggage space; a shallow tray under the frunk able is only roomy enough to store a tool kit and a fabric roof in case you get caught in a rainstorm while the carbon-fiber panel is off (it cannot be stored in the car).
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Daytona SP3 doesn’t feature a main touchscreen on the center console, but there is a digital dashboard display behind the steering wheel that uses the same interface as the SF90. Some of the settings, like the climate control, are adjusted via touch-sensitive panels to the right of the steering wheel, while the rest of the functions are operated via buttons and switches on the wheel. The SP3 is equipped with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay, with USB ports to connect your phone; the rearview mirror also serves as a display for the backup camera.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Daytona SP3 is bereft of the driver-assistance features that proliferate in far cheaper, more mainstream transport; the SP3 is focused on engaging the driver with its sharp steering and howling V-12. For more information about the Daytona SP3’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Ferrari offers limited- and powertrain-warranty coverage identical to that provided by Lamborghini. However, Ferrari one-ups its rival when it comes to complimentary scheduled maintenance; with Ferrari vehicles, you get seven years of coverage. With Lamborghini vehicles, complimentary scheduled maintenance isn’t offered.
Limited warranty covers 3 years or unlimited miles Powertrain warranty covers 3 years or unlimited miles Complimentary scheduled maintenance covers 7 years or unlimited miles
Specifications
Specifications
2023 Ferrari Daytona SP3
Vehicle Type: mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door targa
PRICE
Base: $2,226,935
ENGINE
DOHC 48-valve V-12, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 396 in3, 6496 cm3
Power: 829 hp @ 9250 rpm
Torque: 514 lb-ft @ 7250 rpm
TRANSMISSION
7-speed dual-clutch automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 104.4 in
Length: 184.5 in
Width: 80.7 in
Height: 45.0 in
Curb Weight (C/D est): 3450 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 2.6 sec
100 mph: 5.4 sec
1/4-Mile: 10.0 sec
Top Speed: 211 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 14/12/16 mpg
