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ITALIANThe Daytona SP3 is Maranello’s greatest 052 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 › T O P G E A R . C O M

FERRARI DAYTONA SP3 STALLIONhits Ferrari unplugged... rousing, rose-tinted package.WORDS JACK RI X This is PHOTOGRAPHY MARK RICCION I distilled into one

FERRARI DAYTONA SP3 To lift or not to lift, that is the pressing question as I exit La Francorchamps circuit, then two hours on one of the world’s Source hairpin and hug the pit wall like a comfort blanket. Pros: fastest racetracks, in one of the world’s most exciting cars... the conditions (warm and dry), the car (a highly sophisticated at congested M25 speeds. Enough for a carefully curated photo V12 mid-engine Ferrari) and the race situation (I have the track call to fill in the backstory of this car, not remotely enough to to myself). Cons: circuit knowledge (I’m a Spa newbie, never find the limits in a one-of-599, 828bhp psychopath worth £2m. driven Eau Rouge let alone taken it flat) and driver talent (I’m Fear not, we learned about the fire in the SP3’s belly on the road Jacky Rix, not Jacky Ickx). earlier and we’ll get to that, but first a short history lesson. Pros have it. I steel myself, shuffling an inch lower in the Ferrari claims it doesn’t do retro – you won’t catch it seat – simultaneously dropping the centre of gravity and hiding knocking out any straight resurrections from the past like behind the binnacle. Downhill straight crashes into towering the new Lamborghini Countach, but it is happy to reference incline, left-right-left, it takes every ounce of concentration its history. A lot. Which is where its Icona range comes in: “To to ignore my rational mind and prevent my right foot from distil the very essence of an era and use it as a springboard to retreating. A bead of sweat sidesteps my eyebrows and stings create new concepts that become icons for future generations.” the corner of my eye, the front wheels track straight and true This is the third Icona model (the first being the beautiful through Raidillon, the engine flexes its diaphragm on top of but largely pointless Monza SP1 and SP2 from 2018, yep the the hill and bellows a 12-gun salute to the memory of the ones without windscreens) and it represents Ferrari’s homage endurance racers it keeps alive... and we’re safely onto the to its impossibly glamorous sports prototype racecars from Kemmel straight, just as a perfect finger of light reaches the Sixties.  through the clouds to bless the SP3’s passage. Confusingly, the Daytona name isn’t a nod to the sharky Aaaand... all that occurred at 44mph. Shame. Ferrari’s call front-engined GT from the Sixties, aka the 365 GTB4, but a not mine: “Due to the value of the car and the fact that it’s a tribute to Ferrari’s famous 1-2-3 finish in the 1967 24hrs of limited edition model, the maximum speed allowed on circuit is Daytona – where all three cars – a 330 P3/4, 330 P4 and 412 P 70kph.” Brutal, I know. The deal was this: we got four hours to – crossed the line in choreographed unison to rub Ford’s nose drive the Daytona SP3 with vigour on the roads around the Spa in it on its home turf, sweet sweet revenge for the rout the 054 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 › T O P G E A R . C O M

Slatted rear end is a nod to Pininfarina’s 1968 250 P5 concept. Or a spiraliser Jack draws on his footballing days to get some injury time in the SP3 T O P G E A R . C O M › S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 055

“I’M FLOORED BY ITS MAGNIFICENCE, ITS DRAMA” 056 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 › T O P G E A R . C O M

FERRARI DAYTONA SP3 Quaint retro touches continue inside, with numbers, dials and a round steering wheel GT40 had dished out to the Ferraris six months earlier at Le Mans.  The styling is a melting pot of references from not just one car, but many. Those bulging front wings have a bit of 512 S and 712 Can-Am racers about them, the wing mirrors have been moved from the doors to the front wings in classic endurance racer style, and the slatted rear end is an unexpected nod to Pininfarina’s 1968 Ferrari 250 P5 concept car. Google it, you won’t be disappointed. Honestly? When I first saw pictures of the SP3 I thought it was a bit of a mess. The catfish front end, the puffed up front arches, the venetian blind rear, it felt like too much. It was trying to reference too many things while simultaneously insisting on being something unique and future facing – a noble aim, but ultimately a design cue, or 10, too many. Yet, here I am, staring at it in an unremarkable lay-by on a quiet Belgian B-road, and I’m floored by its magnificence, its drama... the spectacle of it. For starters it’s ridiculously low and wide, something you’re constantly aware of on the public road as a tractor scrapes past, without flinching, in the opposite direction. But then there are the details, and the thought poured into each of them, that you simply can’t appreciate on a computer screen. The front (probably my least favourite part) is salvaged by retractable ‘eyelids’ that reveal the main beams. A modern take on pop-ups that should be made mandatory with immediate effect. Then there are the intakes for the T O P G E A R . C O M › S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 057

Red paint, blue interior – our test car was spec perfection. No arguments “If I freewheel down the steep hills at more than 44mph, does that count?” Nothing to see here, just 12 pistons of pure, unadulterated bliss Shhhhh. Everyone be quiet... it’s sleeping. It’s been a long day 058 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 › T O P G E A R . C O M

FERRARI DAYTONA SP3 side-mounted radiators perched atop the butterfly doors, with an air channel running clean through them, leaving the waist section corseted and perfectly smooth. Rear wheel arches, wider than the fronts, fill the wing mirrors and melt majestically into a full width rear lip spoiler (despite 230kg of downforce at 124mph there’s no active aero here, a deliberate ploy to keep the package period correct) that tips the stance forwards. High pipes leave space for more diffuser and finally... the slats. Oh the slats. It’s medically impossible to take your eyes off them. “They’re repeated in the front intakes for a reason,” Adrian Griffiths, Ferrari’s Birmingham-born designer tells me. “It’s as if they run through the car, like a stick of Blackpool rock.” Let’s dive in shall we? The butterfly door swings up and out, taking most of the sill with it, leaving a bare-bones “I’ll have the usual please,” view of the carbon tub you’re about to post your backside says Jack on his fourth into. And just to head off rumours nice and early – yes this visit to the fuel pump is an all-carbon, mid-engine, V12 supercar much like the LaFerrari, but this is not simply an LF with the hybrid bits pulled out. That chassis had to accommodate batteries as the 812 Competizione. Sure, it might lack the LaFerrari’s behind the seats and an e-motor so a straight copy/paste 986bhp e-assisted knockout punch, but 0–62mph in 2.85secs wouldn’t have made sense. Is the SP3 an analogue LaFerrari and 211mph (almost identical power and performance in spirit, though? Ferrari will strenuously deny it, but this figures to the much more affordable V6 hybrid 296 GTB, is a safe space, and I say yes. stat fans) isn’t exactly shabby. Griffiths describes LaFerrari as much more of a road car, I’ve heard astonishing things about the 296’s new how you sit on it rather than in it. He also points out that the twin-turbo V6, nicknamed the piccolo V12, but there’s visibility line is 40mm lower than on the SP3, the seating still no substitute for 12 pistons, untainted by turbo or position slightly less reclined. He’s got a point. You sink into electricity, having a barney behind you. This engine rips, seats attached directly to the tub then draped in Alcantara picking up properly around 3,500rpm with a linear shot of that flows over onto the sills and centre console. Looks violence straight through to 9,500rpm, by which point you’re uncomfortable, is anything but. The windscreen bends both breathless and travelling a wee bit fast. The sound is around you, you sit deep in the car’s guts. Pull the wheel special – a bassier intake warble from inside the car with towards you, slide the spring-loaded pedal box around and it the roof on, but a shrieking wail of decibels to anyone lucky fits like a glove. I’ve never raced a Ferrari sports prototype enough to be in the vicinity. That engine, this gearbox, it’s from the Sixties, but I’m assured by someone who has that the supercar powertrain perfected. the overall driving position and feeling of enclosure isn’t And for a car that lists Le Mans winners among its far off. Want to see the sky? Five clips and the targa roof greatest influences, it’s not nearly as harsh as I thought it lifts off, we leave it on because there’s drizzle in the air. would be. Dial the manettino up to Sport or Race, engage Not ideal when you’ve got the 812 Superfast’s magnificent bumpy road mode and on the road it’s a sharpened blade naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 behind you, albeit uncorked with a comfort handle. Yes, you get gravel rattling around further with upgraded internals – like titanium con rods – in the wheelarches and collecting on the sills, no it wouldn’t for 828bhp. That makes this the most powerful engine be a joy to parallel park, but if you don’t mind buying a Ferrari has ever fitted to a road car, which focuses the mind. toothbrush and T-shirt when you get there, big big miles It also now revs to a screaming 9,500rpm... the same red line are there for the taking. I love the way the steering is as hyperactive “THIS ENGINE RIPS, as you’d expect from a modern Ferrari, but some noticeable extra weight has been dialled PICKING UP PROPERLY in as a nod to the hairy chested Sixties. I also AROUND 3,500RPM” love that I drove away from a gaggle of execs, engineers, designers and mildly concerned PRs very slowly and very delicately but a few hours ago, and already I’m lobbing it about and using every last rev, because this is a car designed to be grabbed by the scruff of its T O P G E A R . C O M › S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 059

FERRARI DAYTONA SP3 Now go and watch the video on topgear.com FERRARI DAYTONA SP3 Price: £2m Engine: 6496cc V12, 828bhp, 514lb ft, RWD Performance: 0–62mph in 2.85secs, 211mph Economy: 14.5mpg, 368g/km CO2 Weight: 1,485kg (dry) neck. Forget the fact it’s Surrey mansion money, you’re placed behind the driver then surrounded by carbon and driving a 458 Speciale on anabolics. electronics that feel totally natural and flatter the billy behind the wheel. It’s about as pulsating as it’s possible Best bit? You don’t need to be on a quali lap to enjoy it, for a car with a numberplate to get, Ferrari at its very because it’s infused with Ferrari’s secret sauce that manages best... even at 44mph.   to make 800+bhp feel approachable, friendly even. Thanks to electronic wizardry the chassis is always on top of the engine, and this driver is mostly on top of it all. You might have to be very high up in Ferrari’s little black book to be invited to drop £2m on one, but it’s not a members’ only experience, it isn’t aloof, it democratises elite performance. Overzealous speed restrictions or not, to be given the opportunity to drive a Daytona SP3 is a sizeable privilege. But the thrill for me isn’t the price or the rarity, it’s the execution. Ferrari’s most powerful ever engine, with the correct number of cylinders unfettered by electricity, “YOU DON’T NEED TO BE ON A QUALI LAP TO ENJOY IT” 060 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 › T O P G E A R . C O M

1947 2022 FERRARI CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF SPEED, NOISE AND RED PAINT TG’S ROUGH GUIDE TO THE WORLD’S MOST FASCINATING CAR COMPANY

THIS IS YOUR LIFE... 2007 FERRARI Ferrari has squeezed a lot of action into OUT IN FRONT the past 75 years – here are the highlights Kimi Räikkönen becomes Ferrari’s Our five favourite WORDS OLLIE KEW most recent (to date) Fezza mag covers F1 World Champion, 1898 1988 1988 2002 stealing the title from June 1996 McLaren’s warring On sale before some of the Enzo Anselmo Enzo Ferrari dies All of Ferrari’s pair of Fernando TopGear team were even Giuseppe Maria Ferrari 14 August at the age of aerodynamic and Alonso and rookie born, Clarkson got to drive is born on 18 February 90. His death is not made technical F1 know-how the F50 alongside a Formula public for two days, to is poured into its Lewis Hamilton in Modena, Italy. His compensate for the late One car. Not a bad day birth is not officially registration of his birth new 660bhp V12 2010 recorded until two days hypercar, named December 2004 later because a heavy 11 September – after the founder Ferrari quietly A blast in a 550 LM, snowstorm prevents his Gerhard Berger leads of the company – discontinues the another in the F430, an father from reaching home a Ferrari 1-2 at manual gearbox option interview with then Ferrari the local registry office the Italian Grand Prix in the Enzo for the California, F1 guru Ross Brawn and front of jubilant tifosi. The meaning all Ferraris lunch at Montana 1920 1988 Monza race is the only are now dual-clutch event of the 1988 season automatics. Boo! July 2006 A 620bhp V12 beat under the not won by McLaren bonnet of the 599 GTB Fiorano. It made our hearts sing so much Enzo joins Alfa Romeo’s The twin-turbo F40 2013 we recorded its 0–60 sprint and racing department as a supercar – the first gave it away as a soundcard driver. He’s pretty handy, road car to officially competing in 41 Grands claim a top speed of July 2007 Prix and winning 11 during over 200mph – is the To celebrate Ferrari’s 60th we final Ferrari launched went large... not only breaking the his racing career in the lifetime of Enzo lap record at Fiorano with Dario Benuzzi in the FXX, but also doing 1937–45 1973 Luca Montezemolo is 2000 The LaFerrari 60 – count ’em – front covers appointed president of becomes the first Enzo creates a new Enzo decides to pull Ferrari, masterminding Michael Schumacher electrified Ferrari May 2014 company to build Mille out of sports car racing wins the first of five road car, with battery This was our first drive of the Miglia racing cars. His and focus all motorsport a return to form (and consecutive F1 titles with boost supplementing epic LaFerrari... and it blew our factory is repossessed profit) in road cars Ferrari, sweeping the tiny minds. So much so that we by Mussolini’s fascist efforts entirely on F1. spearheaded by driver and constructor its manic V12 to surrounded it with another 60 Berlinetta Boxer crowns for five years deliver a total of pages of Ferrari goodness government during the F355. He departs 986bhp. Makes quite WW2, and then bombed supercar launched in 2014 with Ferrari on the bounce recognised as a good noise by the Allies 1963 the world’s most powerful brand 1947 A mooted deal for the Ford Motor Company to 1995 1997 2021 Ferrari SpA is officially acquire the Ferrari brand established in Maranello. Limited edition Ferrari introduces its The marque officially The company produces goes sour after Enzo F50 supercar fights ‘F1’ semi-automatic confirms it will reveal reneges. Incensed, Henry paddleshift gearbox to its first ever fully electric its first standalone back against the its road cars via the F355. car in 2025. Forecasts car: the 125 S Ford II demands Ferrari McLaren F1, Bugatti It’ll never catch on suggest 40 per cent is thwarted at Le Mans EB110 and Jaguar XJ220 – the GT40 makes good with engine block of Ferrari sales will on the threat with wins derived from a 1990 be electric by 2030 from 1966–69 F1 car. Jeremy Clarkson hates it 062 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 › T O P G E A R . C O M

MARANELLO MEMORIES SHOP THE LOOK Like a marriage, our relationship with Ferrari has had its ups and downs over the years... Can’t afford one of its cars? Fear not, Ferrari is the king of branded tat Tom Ford: ‘Road of Death’ in a 599 Chris Harris: late night travel Paul Horrell: the bear necessities Sunglasses Does feel like £1.2k is a lot If driving a Ferrari 599 South of Lyon, it’s late – so late At the 458 Speciale to spend on sunglasses that mostly off-road across the roads are empty and the 512 launch, I interviewed Luca don’t keep the sun out of your Ecuador wasn’t enough, try TR is running like a racehorse, Montezemolo. “You are eyes, but then they do have negotiating the infamous temps are good and the cold looking old,” he began. Andean ‘Road of Death’ night air makes it feel even Well, I’d known him a long aero buttresses (basically a 180m cliff with a faster. I remember the weak red time. So I showed a phone car-width, barrierless road glow of the clock faces, the flat photo of my daughter, five Tape belt stitched into the side) while 12 yowl at high revs and punching at the time: “She keeps me Nothing says ‘Ferrari owner’ suffering from intestinal issues hard for miles. Always glancing young.” Interview done, I drove like a £210 yellow tape belt from eating a local delicacy: left to see the snoozing boy in the car, returning to Maranello made of recycled materials. guinea pig. It’s not the kind the child seat next to me. He’s where a staffer handed me Stops everyone from seeing of thing you forget in a hurry. 11 now, and loves Leclerc. The this teddy bear. A gift from your Ferrari-branded pants The food or the drive. Scuderia gets into your blood. the boss. Aaaaa. Driving gloves These brightly coloured £320 Rosso Corsa Nappa driving gloves are worth around 0.3secs around Fiorano Jason Barlow: Queensberry rules Ollie Marriage: cigars and cognac Rowan Horncastle: spin with style Duffle bag Fancy a £2,700 bag? Ferrari is a company with a A rehearsal for the F12 launch. Spinning at Fiorano isn’t ideal. This leather number comes powerful origin story, and many All seven key engineers and Spinning at Fiorano through with ‘wrinkle effect’, which plot twists. I’d met former CEO just me. The technical briefing the fast fourth gear left- is what most Ferrari owners Luca Montezemolo a few times, was still three hours, but after hander before the bridge are trying to avoid but nothing prepared me for we did dinner at the Montana. certainly isn’t ideal. Doing the moment I found myself Very convivial – there were both of these things with This entire shop sandwiched between LM toasts and cigars, gossip and Ferrari’s test driver Raffaele They grow Ferrari drivers and the man who ousted him, secrets. The next day I did 500 de Simone sat next to you is the late Sergio Marchionne, miles in the mighty, wailing F12. pretty much nightmare fuel. from birth now, which is backstage at the 2014 Paris I was late getting back for a “You avva very quick handz” why they opened a shop Motor Show. It was like being chat with the CEO. I anticipated he said as I gathered up a a referee at the world’s most disapproval, but was offered 488 shaped tank slapper. in Shanghai that sells elegant prize fight. cognac. Reader, I partook. New pants, please. nothing but stuff for kids T O P G E A R . C O M › S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 063

5 GREATEST FERRARI ROAD CARS Argue between yourselves, but these are the five Ferraris with numberplates we love the most WORDS JASON BARLOW ILLUSTRATIONS PETER GREENWOOD FERRARI 250 GT CALIFORNIA SPYDER FERRARI 365 GTB4 ‘DAYTONA’

T O P G E A R . C O M › S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 065 FERRARI F40 FERRARI 458 SPECIALE FERRARI 296 GTB

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WHAT’S COMING The car’s platform is said to be able to support that makes them desirable. The Cayenne wouldn’t Formula One plug-in hybrid power, though the 296’s wide- have taken off if the 911 wasn’t a legend. angle V6 is likely to be a packaging nightmare galling for the Tifosi under the SUV’s bonnet. It’s also possible that But Ferrari doesn’t need big volumes. Unlike Ferrari’s first ever fully electric car – promised in the MkI Cayenne, the DBX, or even McLaren’s EV 2025 – will take the form of an EV SUV, ready to rumoured e-SUV, this isn’t a make or break car to Ferrari has committed to battle the Lotus Eletre and electric Range Rover. save the company. Ferrari’s profits are huge and launch its first fully electric the queue for limited edition Icona cars stretches model in 2025. Can the world’s THE REST OF THE SPEC SHOULD BE TASTY from Maranello into the sea. So the Purosangue most evocative carmaker will never be the ‘common’ Ferrari. We’ve heard From e-diffs to Side Slip Angle Control, active prices will begin north of £250,000 (a Bentayga find the joy in an aerodynamics and even different torque maps starts at almost £100k less) and Ferrari promises engine-free future? for each gear, Ferrari has carved out a stunning its 4x4 will never account for more than 20 per reputation for pushing technology to the limit cent of overall sales. It may be a cash cow, but Le Mans in the name of sublime handling. It’ll need every even publicly listed, share price conscious Ferrari’s return to premier trick in the book if the SUV is to live up to boss Ferrari doesn’t have to bet the farm on a 4x4. endurance racing awaits in 2023 Vigna’s promise that “it’s a true sports car, and after a 50 year absence. Thing is, unlike any other”, but the mega-SUV toy box will FERRARI’S ON A HELL OF A ROLL AT THE MOMENT Toyota, Peugeot, Porsche, BMW be stuffed. Expect active suspension to counter and more are also gunning for body roll and adjustable ride height, while spies Seriously, when did Ferrari last truly drop a the rewritten rules glory have hinted the bodyshell is similar in stature clanger? OK, the Portofino languishes low in our to a raised estate car and may even feature affections, but otherwise the company’s offerings Stock price Rolls-Royce-esque suicide rear doors. have never been stronger. Front- or mid-engined, After an initial slump, Ferrari’s series production or limited edition. Ferrari’s road share price rocketed 431 per FERRARI WON’T BECOME AN SUV COMPANY car division appears to have captured the same metronomic pattern for success as the F1 team did cent in a couple of years. Porsche sells more Macans and Cayennes than back in the Noughties with Schumacher. Every Shareholders want sustained 911s, Caymans and Boxsters put together. Ergo, time we drive the ‘base’ car we can’t imagine how big growth, but the company Porsche is a 4x4 company with a sideline in sports it could be topped – then a handful of years later wants to keep sales exclusive... cars. Over half of all Lambo sales are Urus, and we’re invited to melt our mind behind the it’s the same story with Aston’s vital DBX. When button-festooned wheel of a Speciale, Pista or Theme parks Rolls launched the Cullinan, sales rocketed 25 Competizione. Ferrari’s withstood Lamborghini’s Beyond the epically tasteless per cent, propelling the marque to record returns sugar daddy comeback, McLaren’s rebirth and in its 116th year. SUVs, for better or worse, are the upstart arrival of Pagani amid a tumultuous Ferrari World Abu Dhabi money printers – though they depend on their couple of decades for the world economy. Who’d and newer Ferrari Land maker’s history for credibility and the authenticity bet against it sticking the landing with its first crossover – even when it’s this late to the party? in Spain, where next for red roller-coasters and cynical gift shops? 068 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 › T O P G E A R . C O M

GIOACCHINO COLOMBO MICHAEL SCHUMACHER ENZO FERRARI LUCA MONTEZEMOLO AMEDEO FELISA What is more If it weren’t for MS, the Enzo had been a He was Enzo’s Chief engineer since associated with red cars would have race driver and Alfa’s assistant, and just as the time of the 355 and Ferrari’s early race won only one F1 GP team manager. important to Ferrari 550 Maranello, Felisa and road cars than the drivers’ title since Starting his own history. He managed is responsible for the V12 engine? Engineer the Seventies. Hardly company in 1947, he the F1 team that character of modern Colombo met Ferrari a good look for a aimed straight for the took Lauda to two Ferrari road cars. He in 1945, and outlined company where top, winning Le Mans championships. After added user-friendly his V12. Enzo was racing is pivotal. and a GP within four Enzo died, Ferrari’s handling, high tech receptive, and Schumacher was the years. Ahead of his race and road and a practicality to Colombo’s resulting complete package; time, he prioritised divisions struggled. their charisma. You engine was good skilled, tactical, publicity and brand. He returned to sort can’t do that alone, enough to stand analytical, calm. Todt He was a hard, both out. Across the so he built a creative modernisation for four and Brawn built the abrasive but effective detail himself, he also team and organisation decades, right up to team around him and boss, and very private. empowered superb that could design and the 412i. It began as were rewarded with But he knew human managers and build the world’s best a GP engine but soon six constructors’ emotion. Many drivers engineers while supercars time and became the staple for championships died, and Enzo truly he expanded the again. After LM left, endurance racing and and five drivers’ mourned them, but branding activities, he was a charming the emblematic Sixties championships accepted it as a customer racing and yet publicity shy CEO and Seventies road cars. on the trot for him. necessary toll. global footprint. from 2008 to 2016. HISTORY MAKERS Want to know how Ferrari became what it is today? The influence of this little lot... WORDS PAUL HORRELL T O P G E A R . C O M › S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 069

FERRARI IN NUMBERS Ask anyone in Maranello brand exposure reaches that meets an unfortunate Most expensive ever about marketing and they’ll waaaaay beyond just F1. end in Ferris Bueller’s Day Ferrari – a 1963 250 tell you that Ferrari doesn’t Off (although that too was a GTO – sold in 2018 ‘do’ traditional display And we’re not just replica), and actual Michael advertising. It’s true, it talking about overpriced Schumacher voicing a Espressos drunk by Ferrari’s does things differently. caps. You’ll know the TV cartoon F430 in Pixar’s employees each year to keep Ferrari will claim F1 is all shows – the Testarossa will 2006 classic Cars. Oh, and about developing tech for forever be associated with last year it was announced assembly lines moving road use, which is also true Miami Vice (despite Ferrari that the 296 GTB would up to a point, but really it’s suing the producers for appear in Fortnite. Total sales 1947–2021. the world’s most expensive using a replica Daytona Teenagers tell us it doesn’t About the same as BMWs ad campaign, and a highly Spyder in earlier series), get any more pop than that. sold in Germany in 2021 effective one if you can and you can’t see an old muscle your car to the 308 GTS without imagining Then there’s the Schumi’s record Fiorano sharp end of the grid. Tom Selleck at the wheel. celebrity endorsements. lap in the F2004 F1 car Originally, Enzo saw it From Nick Mason to differently, only building It’s not just Eighties Michael Jordan. From still stands today road cars because he crime-fighting dramas Jay Kay to erm... Paris needed funds to feed that have showcased the Hilton. Anyone who’s Cost of official matching his racing addiction, but Prancing Horse product. anyone wants to be papped golf bag for 812 Superfast. when your badge is as In film there was the 355 in a Ferrari, and it can’t be worshipped as Ferrari’s, GTS driven by Xenia doing the brand any harm About £5k over par... Onatopp in Goldeneye, the each time it happens. 250 GT California Spyder TOP OF THE POPS From TV and film appearances to celeb endorsements, Ferrari’s reach is untouchable WORDS GREG POTTS

RACING MOMENTS EVOLUTION OF THE FERRARI KEY From miraculous comebacks to ice cream Sundays... some just lodge in the memory From simple cut metal to an extra WORDS JOE HOLDING bit of merch Magnum K.R. Lauda’s incredible comeback TR58 dominates Le Mans The classics In the early days of Ferrari What’s a driver to do during a Niki Lauda’s Nürburgring crash F1 wasn’t the dominant force you needed separate keys for red flag? Stretching exercises? in ’76 was almost fatal, leaving in motorsport in the Fifties, the doors, ignition and boot. Mental drills? Not if you’re Kimi him in such bad shape that a sports car racing was. And in Best not to make them too Räikkönen. When the Malaysian priest read him the last rites in 1958 the achingly pretty 250 Grand Prix was stopped for hospital. But with McLaren’s Testa Rossa ushered in a complicated then torrential rain in 2009, the Finn James Hunt eating into his period of Ferrari rule that decided to keep himself championship lead in his lasted until Carroll Shelby The folding key fueled... by munching on an absence, Lauda defied his whipped the GT40 into shape From the Seventies through to ice cream in the garage. And blood-soaked bandages to in ’66. Phil Hill and Olivier the Nineties Ferrari sometimes lo, the Iceman was born. The return just six weeks later. Gendebien’s crushing Le Mans race never resumed, but the And not only did he have the win crowned Scuderia triumphs used a hinged black plastic iconic footage will stay with courage to don his Ferrari at the 12 Hours of Sebring and key that some say was to give us forever. Bwoah. overalls, he finished fourth. Targa Florio in ’58 too. more space for your knee The Enzo key A short stubby key with a shiny plastic end, the Enzo type key was used for decades with just the prancing horse logo changing ever so slightly over time Ferrari’s Monza miracle First F1 win at Silverstone Destiny for Schumacher The fob Used for the 488 and GTC4 The death of Enzo Ferrari in The F1 victory that started it When Michael Schumacher Lusso, this hefty fob clearly August 1988 was a sombre all? That came at the British GP left Benetton in ’95, his sole spelled out which brand your moment, compounded by the in 1951. José Froilán González target was to do what no allegiances lay with. Important great man having little to enjoy – nicknamed ‘El Cabezón’ one had since Jody Scheckter on track in his final weeks as because of his large head – in 1979: win the drivers’ title with for Ferrari owners McLaren won literally every started on pole and never Ferrari. It finally happened in Grand Prix. But when F1 visited looked back. Actually that’s not 2000, beating the seemingly The badge Monza a month later fate (aka true: teammate Alberto Ascari indomitable Mika Häkkinen When Ferrari launched the Prost’s engine failure and broke down part way through on strategy at the penultimate Roma in 2019, it introduced a Senna’s backmarker crash) and González sportingly race in Suzuka. It was 7am in new matchbox-size Ferrari gifted the Scuderia a heaven stopped to offer him his car. Maranello, but bells still rang badge masquerading as a sent 1-2. At least, that’s what That was allowed in those in celebration and local traffic key. Show-off? Me? Never... the papers said. days, but the Italian declined. ground to a halt. T O P G E A R . C O M › S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 071

5 GREATEST FERRARI RACECARS Enzo always said he only built road cars to fund the racing – here’s where the money went WORDS JASON BARLOW ILLUSTRATIONS PETER GREENWOOD FERRARI 250 TESTA ROSSA FERRARI 156 ‘SHARKNOSE’

T O P G E A R . C O M › S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 073 FERRARI 250 GTO FERRARI 312 T FERRARI F2004

TOYOTA CENTURY Next year will see Ferrari back at Le Mans... is this the car to end 50-plus years of hurt? WORDS JOE HOLDING PHOTOGRAPHY MARK RICCIONI

LETMOAYNOSTAHYCEPNERTCUARRY

P icture the scene: northwestern France, a leading World Endurance Championship class summer of ’65. England has yet to win the that strikes the right balance between engineering World Cup and the Apollo space programme freedom and financial restraint. However, you is still four years shy of the moon, but also suspect that F1’s cost cap has left the sport’s Ferrari? Ruling the globe even in the face giants with more excess coin in their equally giant of bloodthirsty competition. And its own hobbled pockets than they really know what to do with. prototypes. You see, everyone expected Ford’s What, you thought Red Bull announced that £5 six GT40s (including two 7.0-litre monsters) to million track toy on a whim? muller the opposition, but in the event none of them lasted beyond the sixth hour. And when So this is Ferrari’s splurge, funding shaken Ferrari’s main challengers followed suit later on, from its new magic money tree. Known simply it was the NART entry of Masten Gregory, Jochen as the Le Mans Hypercar for now, it will rock up Rindt and (depending on who you believe) reserve at La Sarthe on the race’s centenary next year driver Ed Hugus that triumphed in a car that had with its eyes firmly on the big prize. GT class qualified almost 13 seconds off the pace. Staggering. wins won’t cut it any more. As yet we don’t know what powertrain it’ll use and judging by the camo Anyway, imagine looking Old Man Enzo in Ferrari is in full secrecy mode, cards pressed the eye and telling him – after a seventh victory deeply to its chest. The stakes are just too high. in eight years – “Ferrari won’t win here again”. A ludicrous notion. Absurd. But fast forward to That said, there’s plenty we can learn from the present day and it remains Ferrari’s most the rulebook, though it’s a dense piece of work. recent success. All dynasties die, but few endings Quick summary? Two classes will face off from have been as sudden and everlasting. 2023: Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) and Le Mans Daytona hybrid (LMDh), the former where no Maranello has decided the clock has ticked long expense is spared, the latter capped at €1,000,000 enough, and more than half a century later the all-in-bar-the-engine. LMH cars can run WEC and shifting landscape has given it a chance to kill the Le Mans, LMDh machines can opt in too, or race stopwatch at last. Chiefly, the FIA has developed IMSA across the pond. Or do the lot. 076 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 › T O P G E A R . C O M

LE MANS HYPERCAR Alessandro Pier Guidi was on guinea pig duties for the shakedown “ALL DYNASTIES DIE, BUT FEW ENDINGS HAVE BEEN AS SUDDEN AND EVERLASTING” T O P G E A R . C O M › S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 077

TOYOTA CENTURY Total power for both is capped at 671bhp, Martin Valkyrie was being readied, then it FERRARI’S 2023 but in LMH a hybrid system is both optional and wasn’t, but still might? Who knows. A Vanwall- LE MANS RIVALS (SOFAR) flexible: if chosen, it can develop up to 268bhp badged ByKolles entry awaits approval. on its own and teams have a choice of rear- or Who else will be there and four-wheel drive. In LMDh it’s RWD only and In LMDh, Porsche is coming back to the how much of a challenge capped at 67bhp, while the hybrid parts are stock fold not long after exiting stage left. Cadillac will it be to whoop them? bits from Bosch and Williams. To make it fair is on-board too, as are Alpine, Lamborghini (ish) hybrid deployment isn’t allowed below and BMW from 2024. Acura is running IMSA Toyota GR010 Hybrid 75mph, or 93mph if it’s wet. in ’23, but could be tempted over the year after. Already up and running having won Le Mans this And that’s the crux of it all: fairness. Cars The scope of solutions is almost as broad as year. Again. Made it look in both classes must weigh at least 1,030kg, La Sarthe is long. Toyota’s GR010 Hybrid uses dimension and wheelbase requirements are more a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6, Glickenhaus runs a easy too. That’s five or less identical, and Balance of Performance 3.5-litre twin-turbo (non-hybrid) V8. Peugeot straight now rules will still be applied to level the playing field. has arrived with a 2.6-litre twin-turbo V6. And Only in the design department do LMH cars have yes, it’s gone down the hybrid route. Then you’ve Glickenhaus SCG 007 that little bit more freedom: LMDh cars must got Cadillac (5.5-litre V8), Porsche (4.6-litre Finished third at Le Mans operate a downforce/drag ratio of 4:1, but there’s bi-turbo V8) and BMW (4.0-litre V8). Any more no such limitation in LMH. Same applies to the diverse and it’d officially be woke. in June and confident chassis, where LMDh teams can choose one of of doing better in ’23. Dallara, Oreca, Multimatic or Ligier as their Ferrari’s first shakedown took place at supplier, but LMHs are on their own. Fiorano last month, with two-time world Also open to a endurance champ Alessandro Pier Guidi the first customer entry Doesn’t matter if you’re a penny pincher to be entrusted with that enormous rear wing. or a big spender, the organisers want everyone “Driving the Ferrari that will return to the top Peugeot 9X8 on an equal footing to make things unpredictable endurance class 50 years since the last official Skipped this year’s race and exciting. Sure, the cars will be heavier and participation was very emotional for me,” he said to focus on testing. Then less potent (yep, slower) than the LMP1s of old, after. “We are only at the start, and much work finished testing, and made but we’re five years deep into a Toyota winning is ahead of us, but it feels very positive.” its debut at Monza. Came streak and Le Mans is in dire need of a proper home fourth. Winglessly battle for the spoils. A new golden age is The head of Ferrari’s Attività Sportive GT tantalisingly close. division, Antonello Coletta, was equally upbeat: “This is a very exciting moment,” he said. Don’t believe us? Just look at the roster “Although the LMH’s masking during testing of manufacturers either signed up already or hides the car’s volumes and styling, I think it threatening to from the rumour mill. Toyota is undeniably recognisable as a Ferrari.” and Glickenhaus’s LMH weapons have already done combat, and Peugeot’s non-winged 9X8 Fair observation or marketing guff? made its debut at Monza in July. The Aston We’ll leave you to judge. But win Le Mans on its 100th anniversary and there’ll be no debate about its looks. Porsche 963 Back in the game after farewell victory in 2017. But not taking the expensive route as 2026 F1 entry looms Testing at Fiorano is the Cadillac Project GTP easy bit... expect heavier Doing Le Mans in the most American way traffic at La Sarthe possible – with a 5.5-litre V8. Fuelled by burgers and patriotism. Probably 078 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 › T O P G E A R . C O M

DIY 4 3 MARANELLO 2 There’s no place on earth like Maranello for car lovers. Here’s how to do it properly WORDS OLLIE MARRIAGE 1 G o to Maranello. STAY by Ferrari, but the most exhibitions. Hang Sodding ridiculous. Every enthusiast celebrated restaurant around outside the Now head for Ponte should at least Hotels are a slight weak is the Montana. [1 ] It’s factory gates. [3 ] Stuff Samone on the SP26. once. No other point. We usually stay on the outskirts by the will go in and out. [4 ] You’ll recognise town in the world has at the Maranello Palace Fiorano test track, most of the hairpins a more symbiotic (not very palatial) but atmospheric DRIVE from TG shoots over relationship with the which overlooks the and packed full of the years. Stop and car brand that calls it factory car park and memorabilia. Mama Do this first thing in the listen out for other home. There’s more to (if you crane your neck) Rosella will make morning when the air Ferraris. If you’re lucky Maranello than Ferrari the F1 team’s wind sure you don’t walk is crisp and cool. It’s you’ll encounter a – don’t leave without tunnel. If you can, stay away hungry. bananas expensive, factory test driver out a bottle of the local at the Hotel Maranello but gives you a better doing shakedowns. balsamic vinegar – but – it’s well placed WALK flavour of the cars and this place will leave an between town centre the place than anything OTHER STUFF TO DO... indelible impression on and the famous Walk along Via Alfredo else. All around the you. Mostly in a good entrance gates. Dino Ferrari. It’s the museum are places Eat gelato, drink way. Here’s how to do it. road that leads to offering cars to rent: espresso, giggle EAT the Fiorano test track. Test Drive, Push Start, at how much of a rip-off GETTING THERE [2 ] Go there, take a pic Motorsport Maranello, the official Ferrari Store No weakness here, at the gate, but you Pit Lane Red Passion. is. Here’s a top tip Fly to Bologna, rent a you can eat like a won’t get any further. Ignore the newest stuff, though: if you’re there king in Maranello. Two Retrace your steps get a convertible with on a race day the Enzo Panda, wonder what places have indelible to the museum. It’s a nat-asp V8. A 458 Ferrari auditorium in Ferrari association. probably not as big Spider is perfect. You’ll town centre gives free all the fuss is about as The Cavallino directly as you were hoping need two hours. It’s entrance to watch the opposite the main but has some cool gonna cost over €1,000. Grand Prix. you drive through the entrance is owned flat, industrialised Po valley plain. T O P G E A R . C O M › S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 079

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MY LITTLE PONY Ferrari’s home circuit has played host to Prost, Schumacher and Leclerc while serving as the ultimate supercar boot camp... but it’s never known an electric lap record. We’ll soon change that WORDS OLLIE KEW PHOTOGRAPHY DENNIS NOTEN T O P G E A R . C O M › S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 081

FERRARI TESTA ROSSA JUNIOR IT’S1971,AND powered, the British have gone ahead ENZOFERRARI and done it for them. HASAPROBLEM Racecar shakedowns at his factory’s local vignettes of the world’s most fearsome Introducing the latest Christmas track are no longer an option. Ever faster racetracks: Zandvoort’s banked Tarzan must-have toy from those big kids at machines are igniting safety concerns at turn, the Gasometer hairpin at Monaco Oxfordshire’s Little Car Company: the the antiquated Autodromo di Modena, and (now La Rascasse and Anthony Noghes) Ferrari Testa Rossa Junior. This 75 per whenever a prototype noses out of the pits, and even the second Flugplatz jump at the cent scale replica of a 250 Testa Rossa – colour film-wielding spies lurk out the back infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife – a the late Fifties racer which took three of the circuit. The Scuderia’s secrets are blind summit atop the Suzuka-style bridge. victories each at Le Mans and Sebring – available to the highest bidder. Ferrari follows on from its ‘Baby’ Bugatti Type 35 hasn’t won the Formula One constructors’ By using a figure of eight, 1.9 miles of and shrunken Aston Martin DB5 Volante, championship since 1964, and it’s now Scuderia boot camp was squeezed into the and I’ll venture it is the most exquisite innovative Cosworth-engined Brits like facility, and it was ready for business by vehicle in the entire magazine you’re Lotus and Tyrrell in the ascendancy. April 1972. Fiorano – the home circuit of holding. But even among Little Car Ferrari, where everything from the 308 to Company machines, the TRJ is special. Meanwhile, even in Italy, even in the 812 Competizione and beyond was honed So it ought to be, for £100,000. Seventies, it’s becoming increasingly – turns the grand old age of 50 this year. ‘frowned upon’ to test racing cars on See, Ferrari is very particular about public roads. A decade previously, the The outright lap record belongs to who it licenses its trademarks to. Garnish hills around Modena would echo with Michael Schumacher. Back when in-season something you’ve cobbled together in your the shriek of motorsport V12s. Times are F1 testing was allowed, he got a 900bhp shed with prancing horse shields and changing, and Enzo needs somewhere to V10-powered F2004 around here in an lawyers will be at your door before you hone his thoroughbreds free from public astonishing 55.9 seconds. A LaFerrari can say ‘disastrous F1 tyre strategy’. But (or clandestine) gaze. takes one minute 19.7 seconds, 21secs Ferrari was so impressed at the Little Car quicker than a Testarossa in just 1.8 miles. Company’s craftsmanship it’s given all Luckily, Signore Ferrari has astutely That’s the pace of progress. 299 examples its official blessing, on one bought up a patch of farmland opposite his condition. The miniature ‘red head’ had to factory in Maranello, northern Italy, where But in Fiorano’s half century, it’s never be faster and boast better handling than all the company’s been established since 1947. played host to an all-electric lap record. other Little Car Company creations. It tops And it’s only a couple of years since the Easy to see why, really: Ferrari hasn’t yet out at just over 50mph – plenty for popping omnipotent Fiat acquired a 50 per cent built a pure EV. When TopGear discovers Fiorano’s leccy cherry. stake in his brainchild, ensuring its there’s a bar waiting to be set, we don’t just (Italian, not American-owned) survival. wonder and fantasise. We get on the phone Under the hand-beaten aluminium to Maranello and pitch something that’ll bodywork and leather seat wearing Flush with cash and a generous back have high-pressure Lavazza coffee sprayed Ferrari’s approved cowhide lies a garden, Enzo plots a private track, lassoing up the red walls in surprise. the old white farmhouse with the red door he now resides in. The circuit contains While Ferrari itself may not have quite got around to going totally battery 082 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 › T O P G E A R . C O M

Teeny rearview mirror handy for checking just how wide your smile is For £100k you do get a “Ooo do you think-a you free car jack. But this jack are-a, Stirling Moss?” “Um, Noddy, actually” is actually called Chris T O P G E A R . C O M › S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 083

He’s not leaning into a Now go and corner, he’s dodging watch the a fatal midge strike video on topgear.com Lipstick spec echoes a ‘real’ 250 auctioned in “FOR THE TURN 2009 for £9 million SIX HAIRPIN I HAVE TO ADOPT 084 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 › T O P G E A R . C O M THE BIRTHING POSITION” Give it a few years and all those oil logos will be replaced by Duracell

16bhp electric motor driving the rear real-time data for engineers to analyse, There’s a momentary shudder of wheels through an open differential. and the circuit is usually booked up for understeer before the TRJ obliges. It’s a proper little racer, equipped with activities a year in advance. I have a couple It’s easy flat through the Maggotts and a spaceframe chassis, coil springs, and of hours to sneak out, get the photography Becketts-style esses, and I manage just a Pirelli tyres. The brakes are Brembos from and video done, and make history. slight lift into the switchback right-hander a Ducati superbike. Intricate wire wheels to preserve speed for the climb up onto the are a bespoke commission from Borrani, I’m just relieved to get moving. It’s 38° flyover, where the car feels sluggish. Over who fabricated the 250 Testa Rossa’s in the shade and my race suit (which, like the hump, it scythes down the hill leaning original rims. On the Junior, they’re the car, is two sizes too small for me) is hard on the squealing front left tyre. a popular £8,000 optional extra. sodden with sweat. The pit crew warns me that track temperature is 62º, approaching Don’t brake. Don’t brake. BRAKE! I’m six feet tall, so access is tricky: the the level Ferrari would cancel a session for Learning from my clumsy earlier attempts doors are only implied, so I step aboard overheating the tyres. at the hairpin, I lean my torso right over trying not to scuff the seat, and chest-dip the patriotic kerbing to carve a tighter line, down where the seductive bodywork is It only takes half a lap to get a feel then activate personal DRS (also known braced until my size 12s rest on the pedals for the 270kg TRJ. It’s easily the most as ‘ducking’) and pick a line though the from a 488 Pista. Not pastiche homages: accomplished Little Car to drive yet – the sinewy second complex. the part numbers are identical. Nardi has under-bonnet triple battery pack (good created a bonsai version of its iconic for 60 miles of range, swappable in three Sometimes, there’s a speed limit out timber-rimmed steering wheel. I adore minutes) gives a proper front-mid-engined of the final turn. The factory is no longer how the 250’s dashboard has been balance. Very modern Ferrari. The steering a rural outpost, now surrounded by the reinterpreted: instead of a rev-counter kicks and jiggles joyously, though I have to swelling Maranello. Residents of flats or oil pressure gauge, the correct font adopt the birthing position for the turn six overlooking the pit straight complain dials now show charge level, battery / left-hand hairpin to stop my right hand about the noise, so Ferrari kindly limits motor temperature and a 0–100 per bashing into my left leg at the apex. The cars to trundling past their neighbours cent power meter. TRJ’s swift enough to dry out my throat before gunning it under the bridge. No and contact lenses, but disappointingly such inconvenience in this whispering Best of all, the tiny key acts as a cute it lacks the oomph to unstick the rear. interloper. Flat to the line, the first facsimile of Ferrari’s manettino mode semi-official electric Ferrari stops the switch. Just like an 812 Superfast, this Happily, the brakes only act on the back clock at 2mins 29.7secs. changes how the car behaves. Novice mode axle, so you’ll flail sideways with a hard allows just 1.3bhp and a 15mph top speed. stop. Not to worry – the pedal is well It’s not that Ferrari is taking this If you’re a billionaire buying for little modulated and reassuring. The brakes seriously, but one of the guys offers to Nikita, you can ensure he’s not going to even contribute a bit of regeneration adjust the TRJ’s tyre pressures. We’ve got hurt himself. Comfort mode takes you to back into the batteries. Impressive. enough range for another lap, but motor 5.3bhp and 30mph. Steady on. temp is critical. What would Enzo do? I need to get my laps on the board Sport ups that to 13.2bhp and 40mph. – time is a cruel mistress. I amble around This time I’m neater, braver, and faster. And for us today, the LCC technicians have on a warm-up lap, weaving some heat into Slashing three seconds from my personal unlocked Race mode, for the full 16bhp, the tyres (when in Rome, right?) and best, the first electric lap record at Fiorano 50mph fury. Authentically for a Fifties concentrate on carrying maximum is 2mins 26.9secs. That’s a mere 1min racer, there’s no airbag, no roll bar, and momentum out of the final corner. All 17secs slower than an SF90 – the current no seatbelt. Buono. Fiorano lap times are set from a flying road legal lap champion. Box, box, box. start – makes you wonder why Ferrari Fiorano is a serious test track. The bothers with launch control really. I’m Can’t imagine my benchmark will last pit garage is festooned with multiple TV over the line on the limiter at an indicated very long. Will the first grown-up e-Ferrari screens showing a live feed of each corner. 80kph, and leave the confidence brake be half as much fun as a three-quarter Sensors within the surface relay gigabits of into turn one as late as I dare. scale homage? One wonders. But have faith – I mean, look at their track record. T O P G E A R . C O M › S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 085

CIVIC TYPE R The new Civic Type R might look slicker than the last one, but it’s still a psycho, physics-defying hot hatch underneath WORDS TOM FORD PHOTOGRAPHY MARK RICCIONI 086 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 › T O P G E A R . C O M

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ENGINE MODS The heart of the matter is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with a single turbo’s worth of forced induction goodness. A familiar recipe that’s been refined and upgraded in line with the calmer exterior styling, don’t be fooled into thinking this isn’t still a rev happy little monster. Some 170bhp per litre seems about right, giving the new Type R an output of around 330–340bhp. Honda hasn’t revealed the exact figure yet, but that’s TopGear’s guess. Place your bets please! Now go and watch the video on topgear.com

CIVIC TYPE R If the Civic Type R were a pop star, it would be Taylor Swift. Or possibly changed. This is the Civic Type R after it has forgone the need to Harry Styles. Talented youngster grows up in the public eye, goes be quite so attention seeking. through changes, has a bit of an experimental/outrageous phase and then settles into a happy bout of maturity and broad appeal. There’s a Part of that comes from the stock ingredient. The new Type R – comfortable self-referencing of things that have gone before remixed for obviously – takes base inspiration from the latest generation of Civic a modern audience; Swift and Styles play with the music of the Sixties, (specifically the e:HEV), and that means a smoother, less visually the Type R with its level-headed back catalogue of reliable, accessible frenetic germ from which to culture the faster variant. Some have greats inspired – but not bound by – racing. Though I doubt Swift gets immediately described it as boring, although they’re probably the as specific as the Yoshio Nakamura and Shoichi Sano’s Honda RA272 of same people who also lauded the previous gen Type R for its dynamic 1965 (the V12 racing car that delivered Honda’s first ever F1 win). ability while damning it for its super-aggressive styling. But this one Suffice to say, growing up is hard to do. Weird analogies are even harder. seems bigger, more Integra-ish. In the metal, it’s a very good thing. But looking at the newest version of the Civic Type R, glistening in The white paintwork highlights the Type R-specific bits very nicely. traditional Championship White paintwork at the Tazio Nuvolari circuit There’s a big grille to cool the 2.0-litre turbo, for which exact figures in Italy, you can’t help thinking that the CTR has finally settled, found are unhomologated as yet, a bonnet duct to pull air from the forward its niche. It’s still very obviously a fast Civic, but it’s calmer looking, edge of the aluminium bonnet. Wider arches are bulbous and shaped more confident. A world away from the fast-but-obnoxious last gen. rather than stuck on, and the subtle side skirts have winglets that both But more of that in a minute – first, we need a bit of backstory. convince the air around the back wheel and provide a small measure of stability. There’s a slightly outré rear wing with cast aluminium struts The fastest of the Civics has always been about producing an that present both a thinner aerodynamic profile and exposes more of the engaging four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive manual hatchback. underside of the aerofoil for better balance, a new rear Venturi and a Something lightly practical that delivers for the drivers among us. triplet of mortar-sized exhausts. Honda says that the Type R has 100kg Thus, we’ve been treated to a proper jumble of model designations more downforce than the standard car, but seeing as the base version during the Civic Type R’s lifespan: EK9 (’97 and JDM only), EP3 (the probably has very little, it’s a bit like saying it has more downforce than a boxy one from ’01), FD2 (’07, Japan), FN2 (’07 – the wedgy one) and bicycle. Still, described baldly, it sounds more extreme than it is – but in 2015’s FK2, which got all box arch and bewinged, and then the FK8 and my opinion it’s the most handsome, elegant Civic Type R since the EK9. the attendant specials which basically looked like they were designed by a 12-year-old with a plastic fetish. Now we are at FL5, and things have It’s bigger, mind. The basic structure may be borrowed from the previous generation, but the wheelbase has grown a smidge (35mm), T O P G E A R . C O M › S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 089

“IT HAS THE KIND OF ERGONOMICS IN TERMS OF WHEEL-TO-GEARKNOB THAT MAKE YOU JUST WANT TO DRIVE IT” 090 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 › T O P G E A R . C O M

CIVIC TYPE R GEARCHANGED A traditional element of Civic Type R ownership, but it still feels right in your palm. A cool buck of aluminium that – from a casual waggle in a parked CTR – feels tight and bright and well- weighted. One of the most important tactile touchpoints in the whole car, and it feels utterly correct. This time it’s corralled by an aluminium surround that adds a touch of class. T O P G E A R . C O M › S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 091

CIVIC TYPE R “THE TYPE R FEELS IMPECCABLY URGENT AND CLEAN THROUGH THE REV RANGE” and new manufacturing tweaks – like bonding the hell out of the chassis and clean through the rev range, the box snapping through the gears like with ‘structural adhesive’ instead of strengthening welds – mean that you might hope. Some of that is down to a host of tweaks that have turned the new R is about 22 per cent stiffer than the base car, and 20 per cent the 2.0-litre into something more refined. So there’s a turbo that’s been lighter. Stiff and light mean nimble and responsive – and there’s no completely redesigned to dispense with a truckload of inertia – it has electrical help in here either. This is all IC motor before the next generation reshaped blades and fewer of them in the housing – a water jacket to cool of Civics become either heavily battery aided or pure electric. Plus the the manifold, intake VTC and exhaust VTEC. The crank is significantly wheels have dropped an inch to 19s for lightness, employed a ‘reverse rim’ lighter and there’s an electric wastegate to minutely manage back set-up (the lip is at the back of the face to help with loading), the tyres are pressure. It pulls all the way through the rev range, and pulls hard – 265 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, and the brakes are beefy Brembos. The car is though there doesn’t appear to be any of the step change reclimb that front-drive only with a diff, and there’s a six-speed manual with the you used to get with old school VTEC engines. This one’s all about the traditional Type R aluminium gearknob. Always a favourite, that. go. VTEC never kicks in, yo, because it’s already on. As for the rest of the inside, it’s a peach. In the same way that the The car itself also moves around, just like you hope. There doesn’t outside has matured into something more resolved, so has the dash and appear to be a huge amount of on-demand lift-off oversteer, but the attendant central touchscreen. There’s a set of shift lights at the top of car will trim its line if you back off the throttle, and to be honest, 50°C the instrument binnacle in your eyeline, and four modes for the Things track temperatures and a racing driver probably mitigate some of the That Can Be Changed. So you get Comfort, Sport, R and Individual bad/amusing habits. Once settled though, it sticks to a line, shading modes that alter suspension, engine response, steering, sound, rev match to gentle understeer if there’s too much corner speed – all stuff that and gauge style. The Individual mode being the most interesting to UK appeared very easy to correct via steering that seemed to require very buyers, seeing as it will allow for a softer suspension set-up but with the little effort. Our pilot was having a whale of a time. Which was a bit more razored throttle response. That’s a good thing. Then there’s a frustrating, if we’re being honest. frankly brilliant Alcantara wheel (slim, the perfect diameter), an aluminium centre console and the kind of ergonomics in terms of One thing that did seem to be working – again, albeit on a smooth wheel-to-gearknob that make you just want to drive it. And the seats. track – was the dual axis front strut suspension set-up that’s been The seats are absolutely fantastic and a proper highlight; a complex designed to deal with torque steer. The new Type R simply didn’t appear eye-twist of polyhedral shapes that are nevertheless supremely to be squirming even on proper, full throttle corner exit. Management comfortable and yet utterly supportive, draped in the traditional Type of throttle, certainly, but it grips and goes, holds its line and does R blood red. There are black back seats, but they didn’t seem important. everything you want it to. Even the brakes were indefatigable, and they were being hammered for several track sessions in high temperatures. And yet... the big disappointment of the encounter has nothing to In fact, the only real bugbear was the noise – or lack of it. The car we had do with the car – we weren’t allowed to drive it. What we’re looking at just didn’t sound very inspiring, from inside or out, and somehow those here is a glancing blow, a first contact with the next generation, so we big exhausts trick you into expecting more. There’s piped-in noise into were relegated to a brief hot lap passenger ride on a test track picked the cabin from the ASC (active sound control), but to be honest, it never by Honda, featuring an experienced Honda driver. Although that can sounded that thrilling. But we were wearing a helmet. tell you a surprising amount when the driver is exceptional and you happen to accidentally bait him into driving like a lunatic. But as first impressions go, it’s all good news. Obviously the styling is subjective, but where you might – slightly – cringe when driving an First up, the new Civic Type R feels like it’s got about 330–340bhp. FK8 over the age of 30, this one looks more conservative, but sweeter. That makes sense, seeing as Honda reckons it’s more than before It appears to go, stop and handle in all the right ways, and the people (previously circa 160bhp/litre from a 2.0-litre), but it doesn’t feel behind it are fully aware of what makes a good Civic Type R. They’re ridiculously exaggerated. What it does feel, is impeccably urgent our kind of engineers. Now all we need to do is drive it. 092 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 › T O P G E A R . C O M

SITTING PRETTY Seems oddly specific to be talking about the seats when there’s so much other stuff going on, but the Civic Type R’s are very much worth a mention. As well as looking exceptional – Honda describes them as ‘polyhedral’, and they are Very Red – they have comfort and lateral support in spades. They’re also mounted lower thanks to slimmer seat bases, which puts you in the perfect aspect ratio for leverage on the (also excellent) Alcantara steering wheel and cool-to-the-touch aluminium gearknob. As for a strange design feature, the pad at the front of the seat is split so that one thigh doesn’t interfere/influence the other during gearchanges. Which is not something we thought was a problem until now. Why can’t all seats be this good? FAST TIMES The new Civic Type R is already on point when it comes to the speed side; it’s already broken the front-wheel-drive record at Suzuka with a time of 2mins 23.1secs, a record previously held by its older brother. Which isn’t the be-all and end-all, but it bodes well. Honda has also hinted that it will probably gun for the Nürburgring record – currently held by Renault’s Megane RS Trophy R. That sits at 7mins 40.1secs, so we look forward in anticipation... T O P G E A R . C O M › S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 093

911 SPORT CLASSIC 094 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 › T O P G E A R . C O M

Standard Porsches too... standard for you? Welcome to Exclusive Manufaktur, where your wildest dreams come true, and its latest retro unicorn – the 911 Sport Classic WORDS ROWAN HORNCASTLE PHOTOGRAPHY MARK RICCIONI

911 SPORT CLASSIC It’s one of those gristly German words where you have to chew loose leaf lapsang souchong. Or, if you so want, the ultimate garage, through the consonants and spit out the vowels. Its translation – a Turbo S to match your Embraer Phenom 300E business jet. ‘special wish’ – is positively light-hearted and amiable, but it’s not some charity. Rather, the genie that can grant you any Porsche Outside is the most recognisable work of Porsche Exclusive: a 997 wish of your dreams. And today, I get to rub the lamp. Sport Classic – a grey anomaly in the 911 range and the result of a few beers and sizzling bratwursts. See, Porsche’s Boris Apenbrink Stumbling around Exclusive Manufaktur (an atelier and and Grant Larson decided to pitch the revival of limited-run Porsche autocorrect nightmare repurposed out of a historic Porsche Racing Exclusive cars at a barbecue in 2005 – 18 years after the last Porsche repair shop in the courtyard of Zuffenhausen) is as close as you can Exclusive car, the Leichtbau 964 Turbo S. The head of marketing get to physically walking down your keyboard and into one of those thought it was a good idea, so once they dusted off their hangovers time-sapping online configurators. It’s just this one has seemingly and wiped down the meat sweats, the folks in Stuttgart got to work. endless boxes to tick and many drains to pour your money down. The plan was to mash the most modern 911 at the time (997.2) See, Sonderwunsch is the top level of customisation that Porsche together with iconic details from Porsche’s past; including a 1972 offers. It was officially established in 1978 with the 930 Turbo Carrera 2.7 RS imitation ducktail spoiler, vintage Fuchs-style alloys Flachbau (Flatnose) – a race-inspired launchpad for sporadic as well as casting it in a wider body, with new interior trim, paint and limited-run series production cars. But hardcore Porschephiles plenty of other heritage Easter eggs. They charged buyers £140k to were going off-piste with bespoke requests way before then. go find them – over twice the price of an equivalent standard 997 Carrera S and a chunk more than a 911 Turbo of the time. The first ever off-menu item was humble; a rear wiper for a 356 coupe back in 1955. But there have been plenty of potty requests For some, it was quite hard to swallow and left a few people since: from a fur-covered 356 to Count Rossi’s road-legal 917 and scratching their heads. But hindsight is a fabulous thing, as the Mansour Ojjeh’s one-off 935 Street. There was even a retired fighter original Sport Classic can now be seen as some sort of canary in the pilot who wanted to have a pilot’s seat in his 911 Turbo. mine for the explosive retro movement we’ve since lived through. It was a pick ’n’ mix throwback 911 before the whole retro and restomod Noticing the demand for customisation during the tuning boom bomb had exploded. And, in the now incredibly fashionable world of of the Eighties, Porsche set up a dedicated department just for limited production Porsches, they’re as rare as hen’s teeth with only tailored tastes: Porsche Exclusive. In 2017 it was renamed Porsche 250 ever made – making them four times as rare as a Porsche 918 and Exclusive Manufaktur, and given the array of wacky bespoke GT, five times rarer than a Ferrari F40. As you can imagine, the people Taycan, Panamera and 911 models on display today, it’s obviously who did buy them are now smiling, as they’re worth a small fortune. a lucrative and prosperous business. But this modernist showroom is not for public consumption. It’s home for the elite: people with So Porsche has decided to cash in and do another one. And flexible attitudes to spending money and dubious taste. this new 992 Sport Classic is rather juicy; a limited edition, 542bhp widebody 911 with a twin-turbo flat-six, rear-wheel drive and – wait Inside there are drawers and drawers of painted Porsche-shaped for it – a manual gearbox. That’s 1,250 units of old school analogue pucks in colours to challenge the most enthusiastic LSD user’s fever vibes wrapped up in some funky retro looks thanks – once again dreams. If that’s not enough, Porsche’s Paint to Sample Plus allows – to an overexcited bobblehead’s worth of nods to the past. you to match your car colour to your dog’s toenail clippings. Or, if you’re that way inclined, a £100k hand-painted shade that uses the But where the first Sport Classic was based on a standard 911, same holographic pigment you get in banknotes – which is exactly the new one shares a lot of its componentry with the bigger, faster what someone recently commissioned. 911 Turbo. Including some new hips. Where the original Sport Classic had a C4S body, the new one is 50mm wider than a standard At the outer edges of the space are minimalist upholstery rooms Carrera or Carrera 4. And looks great because of it. Helped in part full of vibrant yarns, countless threads and swatches so your leather by not having the Turbo’s intakes carved into the side so your eye is steering wheel or gear lever can complement your favourite blend of 096 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 › T O P G E A R . C O M

1 2 1. Porsche Exclusive can adorn your 911 with the original crest. Can you spot the difference? Hint: the lettering is embossed and the red is more of an orange, as per the state colours of Württemberg- Hohenzollern 2. “Roses are red, violets are blue, I wonder if they can paint my Porsche 911 the colour of my favourite blue suede shoe” 3. Pepita houndstooth on brown. Not a sandwich. But delicious all the same 3 T O P G E A R . C O M › S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 097

“THE FIRST SPORT CLASSIC WAS BASED ON A STANDARD 911, BUT THE NEW ONE SHARES A LOT WITH THE 911 TURBO” drawn to flush bloated bodywork and huge 20/21-inch centre-lock lower gear or surf the torque in higher cogs – it becomes instantly wheels tucked up into the arches adding to some seriously meaty more experiential. 315/30 rear tyre stance. Anyway, enough ogling. I’ve got a mission. Breaking free of urban monotony, we quickly see the hallowed Being one of the first outside Porsche to drive the new 992 sign: four black lines diagonally across a base layer of white – Sport Classic, Mark Riccioni and I have been tasked with delivering derestricted autobahn. And the new Sport Classic can serve up it to a public unveiling at Fuori Concorso, a celebration of Exclusive speed. However, unlike our 997 company that came with a 23bhp Manufaktur’s rarest and raddest work on the shores of Lake Como. bump in power to produce 408bhp, the opposite is the case in the Tough gig, I know. And as it’s here, we thought we’d take the old 997 992. To ensure the manual gearbox doesn’t melt from all the low-end with us too. Because we can. turbo torque, the 3.7-litre engine has been turned down from 572bhp to 542bhp, while torque has been shackled from 551lb ft to 441lb ft. Our double ducktail voyage starts with a fail. The first thing I do Even so, the 997 is left for dust in the rearview mirror. The speedo is smash the brake with my left foot as some sort of PDK Pavlovian rapidly reads 170+mph as the glistening analogue rev counter’s white response. And what a treat it is to have a stick to stir the gears with. hands rush around the dayglow green markings (just like an old 356) I know people get incredibly hung up on the #savethemanuals with each shift. There’s really no rush like it. campaign, but from the first dip of the clutch pedal to the hesitant journey to the biting point, it proves that having a gearbox you need I lie. There is. Doing it again in the 997, which feels naughtier to move yourself makes a difference. because you have to work it harder and it feels so much smaller (you can mistake it for being Cayman-sized next to the 992) and Driving through the clogged arterial roads of Stuttgart the more skittish when hitting its top speed. In fact, the nat-asp engine effortlessly light and easy-to-use seven-speed stick becomes and car as a whole feel a lot more subdued than I was expecting. entertainment in itself, completely changing how you interact It’s a proper mellow spec rather than anything performance oriented. with that familiar turbocharged flat-six engine. Rather than I guess since it was released we’ve been peppered with shouty GT slotting a lever down to D and sitting there, you can play the products and endless go-faster models so you assume it’s one of engine like an instrument, taunt it, tease it and make it produce those, but it’s not. And with one lift of the heavy clutch, jab at the childish whooshy and burbly noises through tunnels I’ve never baggier steering and stab of the first-gen ceramic brakes, you realise heard a normal 992 911 Turbo make. A PDK wants to rush up plenty of progress has been made in the past 15 years. the gears, now I get to decide; choosing to chase the revs in a 098 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 › T O P G E A R . C O M

911 SPORT CLASSIC Gorgeous retro looks and some gawky racing stickers slapped down the side Ah, the autobahn. Making distances shorter and palms sweaty since 1935

EGDAB KCALB ECYOR-SLLOR Get your Cash 4 Gold envelopes ready. Each Sport Classic has RARE GROOVE £300 of actual gold badging PORSCHE EXCLUSIVE CARS 911 Turbo ‘Flachbau’ The first Porsche Exclusive limited production series. A 930 Turbo inspired by a 935 racecar – 984 units of this model were sold between 1982 and 1989 935 Street Saudi businessman Mansour Ojjeh wanted a 935 race car for the road. So Porsche Exclusive built him one using a 3.3-litre turbocharged engine from a 934 959 In 1989, a special request came in from the Middle East – seven uniquely coloured 959s for a sheikh’s collection. Each one had a matching interior and tailpipes 964 Turbo S ‘Leichtbau’ Here’s a properly rare thing. Only 86 lightweight 911 Turbo S were built in cooperation with Porsche Motorsport. They had a 381bhp engine and were stripped of 180kg 993 Speedster The 993 Carrera 3.6 Speedster is one of the rarest Porsche sports cars ever. Just two units of this model were built by Exclusive in 1995 and 2000