The naturally aspirated engine, a disappearing breed, is a delight to drive, especially one with no fewer than twelve cylinders. Ferrari equipped the Daytona SP3 with its most potent V12 to yet, producing 697 Nm (514 lb-ft) of torque at 7,250 rpm and just under 830 horsepower at a shrill 9,250 rpm. What performance do these figures represent? We can estimate the third Icona model’s top speed using this acceleration test.
One of the 599 Ferrari Daytona SP3 models was given to the crew at Motorsport Magazine, who put it through its paces at Belgium’s renowned Spa Francorchamps. The 4.3-mile (7-km) circuit doesn’t have an exceptionally long straight where one could max out the Daytona SP3, but the Kemmel Straight is enough for the 6.5-liter unit to stretch its proverbial legs as shown in the adjacent video.
The retro-styled Ferrari unleashed its fury and easily reached 162 mph (261 km/h), with plenty of speed still to be unlocked given that the SP3 Daytona has a top speed of almost 211 mph (340 km/h). The V12’s linear power delivery and quick reaction are remarkable without forced induction, and the dual-clutch automatic transmission shifts gears quickly. One-percenters would have preferred a manual, but the DCT outperforms it all in terms of performance.
According to Motorsport Magazine, the car they tested cost an extravagant €1,967,836 (about $2M at the current exchange rate). The SP3 seen above, which is long since sold out, blends a classic Rosso Corsa exterior with Blu Sterling inside, but those who had the honour of writing their names on the dotted line had a wide range of customising possibilities. To give you an idea, Ferrari continues to offer the Daytona configurator, which lets users spend Monopoly money on the targa-topped, mid-engined supercar.
According to Motorsport Magazine, the car they tested cost an extravagant €1,967,836 (about $2M at the current exchange rate). The SP3 seen above, which is long since sold out, blends a classic Rosso Corsa exterior with Blu Sterling inside, but those who had the honour of writing their names on the dotted line had a wide range of customising possibilities. To give you an idea, Ferrari continues to offer the Daytona configurator, which lets users spend Monopoly money on the targa-topped, mid-engined supercar.
Source:Â Motorsport Magazine / YouTube