First Ferrari Sergio finds home in UAE

FERRARI and iconic Italian design house Pininfarina have joined forces to create a limited-edition production version of the Sergio concept and now the first car has been delivered to its new owner in the United Arab Emirates.

Based on the 458 Spider, it is named after the company’s late honorary chairman Sergio Pininfarina and is a nod to his work with the Prancing Horse since his first car – the Ferrari Dino concept – debuted at the 1965 Paris motor show.

Powered by the same 445kW/540Nm 4.5-litre naturally aspirated V8 in latest 458, the Sergio is capable of 0-100km/h sprint in just three seconds.

While the cockpit shares many 458 Spider elements, the exterior has been completely re-designed by Pininfarina and stays largely true to the concept seen at the Geneva motor show in 2013.

Ferrari said in a statement that design and function are connected in the work of Pininfarina and this rule was adhered to for the Sergio.

“As with all Ferraris, the Sergio’s design was never an end in itself but is a marriage of function and aesthetics,” it read.

This can be seen in the semi-floating front spoiler that provides downforce and heat exchange, then there is the roll bar which is a nod to the classic “Ferrari flying buttress” with built-in air-intakes for clutch and gearbox oil cooling, while the rear lip and extractor also aid aerodynamics.

Headlights are joined by what Ferrari calls a “single transparent element, a signature of the car’s extreme formal purity,” and traditional circular tail-lights acknowledge Ferrari’s past.

Carving the Sergio in two is a large black insert that wraps over the doors and runs along the rocker panel to the front spoiler, which Ferrari says creates a flowing but strong look.

“The two sections of the car flow effortlessly into one another resulting in sublimely harmonious yet extremely muscular forms,” Ferrari said.

Just six Sergios have been built and all are spoken for, with Ferrari approaching prominent collectors at the start of the project.

Ferrari Australasia chief executive Herbert Appleroth said the owners took part in the design process, including choosing the material and finishes at the brand’s Tailor Made atelier personalisation centre.

“Our clients were deeply involved in the development from the concept car that starred at the 2013 Geneva motor show to the final Sergio you see today,” he said.

“They all worked with our engineers and designers at our Ferrari atelier in Maranello.

“The final Sergio whilst very similar to the original concept does differ and inputs from our clients in regards to design and even the desire to have a front windscreen was all part of the Ferrari ‘fuoriserie’ experience.

“A particular request from one of my clients that I had the pleasure to assist in purchasing a Sergio was to have the very last one to be produced as an extra sense of exclusivity.”

The first Sergio has been delivered to the SBH Royal Auto gallery at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The owner chose three-layered red paintwork, and a cabin with black leather upholstery and red leather stitching.

Alcantara seat inserts, a carbon dash and gold painted forged wheels with a diamond finish complete the package.

While Mr Appleroth said the identity of the owners of the other cars will be kept secret but added that there were no Australian or New Zealand buyers.

Ferrari does not reveal the prices of any of its limited editions, but it is likely that buyers would have paid more than the $588,451 (plus on road costs) for the regular 458 Spider.