High levels of personalisation and bespoke tailoring of trim materials and colours are not uncommon in the domain of ultra-premium cars. However, Ferrari has elevated itself from the horde by reviving the rich tradition of one-off coachbuilding that existed before and just after the Second World War.
Custom coachbuilding was the norm in the early days of Ferrari. Clients would open discussions with the factory about their preferred chassis and engine, then choose an Italian styling house to create the bodywork.
It was to revive the spirit of these one-off cars that Ferrari created the Special Projects division, enabling a small number of the brand’s VVIP customers to create their fantasy Ferrari.
The customer becomes the general manager of the company for the development of that specific car
Emanuele Carando,
head of product marketing, Ferrari
“Special Projects is the top of the pyramid, when it comes to personalisation,” Emanuele Carando, Ferrari’s head of product marketing, tells The National. “Everything starts with a very rough idea that the customer has, and this is then interpreted into a concept by the design team.
“However, everything starts with the customer. It could be an idea that’s inspired by the past or something very futuristic. The premise is to create something that has never existed.”
Six one-off cars created by Ferrari
Ferrari SP38: Designed around the chassis and running gear of the 488 GTB, the SP38 reflects “the specific vision of a client with a deep passion for racing”.
The 488 GTB’s twin-turbo format prompted the design team to look to the legendary F40 for stylistic inspiration. As a result, the all-new bodywork, resplendent in a specially conceived three-layer metallic red, has a striking wedge profile. The sinister-looking SP38 is especially distinctive from the rear, thanks to musculature haunches and “Fontana Cut” louvres in lieu of a rear windscreen.
Ferrari Omologata: The Omologata was inspired by everything from Ferrari’s racing heritage to sci-fi and references to modern architecture. The vision was to create a futuristic design, yet without losing a sense of restrained elegance.
To achieve this, the designers unlocked every possible area of freedom from the underlying package of the 812 Superfast, retaining only the windscreen and headlights as bodywork elements. The Omologata’s all-aluminium bodywork features a flattened oval grille, which tapers up to a rounded section over the front wheel arches. The bodywork sweeps back to a rear end featuring a louvred screen and subtle ducktail spoiler.
Ferrari P80/C: The radical P80/C pushed the Special Projects programme into new territory by using a competition car — the 488 GT3 — as its basis. This means it’s liberated from any road car homologation requirements, so headlights are one element that could be discarded.
Its GT3 chassis means the P80/C’s wheelbase is 50 millimetres longer than the standard 488mm, and every gram of excess fat has been trimmed from the car. The P80/C has several design inspirations, including the P4 that broke cover in 1967 at Monza, the 1965 Le Mans 24 Hours-winning 250 LM and the Dino 206 S.
Ferrari SP48 Unica: A pivotal element of the SP48 Unica is the extensive use of 3D prototyping, which enabled Ferrari’s designers and engineers to create a front grille and engine air intakes that seem carved from a solid volume, creating a sense of seamless continuity and dynamic fluidity.
No less eye-catching is the transition from black — which includes the windows, roof and engine cover — to the body colour. The striking visor effect of the glasshouse is enhanced by smaller side windows and the elimination of the rear screen, highlighting the powerful muscularity of the SP48 Unica.
Ferrari BR20: Derived from the wagon-esque GTC4 Lusso, the BR20 sports an altogether sleeker roofline, made possible by ditching the donor car’s rear seats. Stretching 75mm longer than the Lusso, the BR20’s elegant roofline is reminiscent of the 1964 500 Superfast.
An aerodynamic channel in the rear pillar creates a flying buttress, while the roof is painted black. The roofline culminates in a rear fascia with a diffuser that optimises aero by working with active flaps on the underbody. The BR20’s face is distinguished by angry-looking headlights and a gaping grille topped by a thin carbon fibre “moustache”.
Ferrari SP12 EC: The SP12 EC is one of the best-known Special Projects, partly because its owner is none other than celebrated musician Eric Clapton (hence the EC suffix). Although based on a 458 Italia donor car, the inspiration for the SP12 came from the 512 Berlinetta Boxer. It might have a V8, rather than a flat-12 motor, but the design cues linking the EC to the Boxer are obvious.
What’s particularly impressive is how cleanly and cohesively the bodywork has been reimagined. Clapton’s affinity for the 512 BB stemmed from owning no fewer than three of them over the years.
Pinnacle of exclusivity
Ferrari develops a maximum of two Special Projects cars per year. “In essence, the customer becomes the general manager of the company for the development of that specific car,” says Carando.
“The beauty for the customer is they not only get to own a unique car, but also to participate in the process.”
Fewer than 20 cars have been built to date via this programme. Cost alone rules out all but a fraction of would-be customers, as the bill for creating a one-off Ferrari starts from €5 million ($4.87m) and counting.
It’s not just about having deep pockets, either, as customers need to meet certain criteria to have access to the Special Projects programme.
“You need to be one of our very best customers — with a garage containing several of our GTs and sports cars — to commission a Special Projects car. We only give this opportunity to those who are best able to represent the Ferrari brand worldwide,” says Carando.
The first task is to identify a suitable donor car, which Carando says is always a vehicle part of Ferrari’s current range. This is to ensure “maximum efficiency and satisfy homologation requirements”, in other words, to meet the latest safety and emissions regulations.
Even though one of Ferrari’s mainstream models is used as the basis for each one-off, Carando says: “It’s very likely that when you see a one-off, you’ll find it difficult [identify] the donor car.”
Each Special Projects vehicle is created under the watchful eye of Ferrari design director Flavio Manzoni, who says creating a one-off requires a mix of 3D modelling technology, as well as a high degree of hands-on craftsmanship. “The craftsmanship element is what enables some solutions to be developed on one-off cars that wouldn’t be possible on mainstream models,” says Manzoni.
“So, we try to understand what are the technologies that are applicable to our projects and then incorporate them in a specific one-off model.”
As for when we might see the next Special Projects creation, Carando answers with a smile: “Who knows, but by the end of the year you might have some news …”
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Brief scores:
Day 2
England: 277 & 19-0
West Indies: 154
The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Price, base: Dh1 million (estimate)
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 563hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 850Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 15L / 100km
Meydan Racecourse racecard:
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes Listed (PA) | Dh175,000 | 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden for 2-year-old fillies (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,400m
7.40pm: The Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 1,600m
8.15pm: Maiden for 2-year-old colts (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,600m
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 2,000m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh190,000 | 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh190,000 | 1,600m.
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Brief scores:
Newcastle United 1
Perez 23'
Wolverhampton Rovers 2
Jota 17', Doherty 90' 4
Red cards: Yedlin 57'
Man of the Match: Diogo Jota (Wolves)
Fight card
- Aliu Bamidele Lasisi (Nigeria) beat Artid Vamrungauea (Thailand) POINTS
- Julaidah Abdulfatah (Saudi Arabia) beat Martin Kabrhel (Czech Rep) POINTS
- Kem Ljungquist (Denmark) beat Mourad Omar (Egypt) TKO
- Michael Lawal (UK) beat Tamas Kozma (Hungary) KO
- Zuhayr Al Qahtani (Saudi Arabia) beat Mohammed Mahmoud (UK) POINTS
- Darren Surtees (UK) beat Kane Baker (UK) KO
- Chris Eubank Jr (UK) beat JJ McDonagh (Ireland) TKO
- Callum Smith (UK) beat George Groves (UK) KO
'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
What is Genes in Space?
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
